A forgotten charger is one of the most common travel problems, and one of the easiest to solve. Before you buy anything, check these three things: the plug, the voltage and the cable.
1. The plug: Dutch sockets use the European round pins
The Netherlands uses the standard European sockets (types C and F): two round pins. Chargers from most of continental Europe fit straight in. Coming from the UK, Ireland, the US, Canada, Australia or Asia? Then your plug will not fit and you need a plug adapter.
2. The voltage: you almost never need a converter
Dutch power is 230 volts. That sounds like a problem if you are from a 110–120 volt country, but almost every phone charger and laptop charger made today works on 100–240 V. Look at the small print on your charger: if it says "Input: 100–240V", a simple plug adapter is all you need. Hair dryers and straighteners are a different story, but phones are fine.
3. The cable: which connector does your phone have?
- iPhone 15 and newer – USB-C.
- iPhone 14 and older – Lightning (the small flat Apple connector).
- Almost all Android phones (Samsung, Google Pixel, OnePlus, Xiaomi …) – USB-C.
Check the other end too: newer chargers have a USB-C port, older ones the larger USB-A port. Make sure your cable matches the charger.
Cheap cables and chargers: careful
A very cheap cable or charger from a souvenir shop can charge slowly, get hot, or in the worst case damage the charging circuit of your phone. That turns a lost charger into a repair. A decent charger is worth the few extra euros.
Phone still not charging with a new cable?
Then the problem may be the charging port, not the cable. Pocket lint is the most common cause. Read phone not charging while travelling, or walk in and we test it with a cable and charger we know are good.
Get sorted at PhonePlus
Ask at the counter for the chargers, cables and adapters we have in stock, and we will tell you which one fits your phone. If the phone itself needs a repair, many repairs are done while you wait.
PhonePlus, Binnen Bantammerstraat 4, Amsterdam – near the Nieuwmarkt and about ten minutes' walk from Centraal Station. Walk in without an appointment.
- Monday: 10:00–19:00
- Tuesday to Saturday: 11:00–21:00
- Sunday: 12:00–21:00
