As another storm affects many parts of the country today, widespread power outages can occur. During these times, your phone may be your only connection to the outside world. Here are some tips for keeping it charged.

1. Enable Low Power Mode. First, you’ll want to enable “Low Power Mode” or “Battery Saver” if your phone has the feature (here’s the instructions for enabling Low Power Mode for iPhone users and for Android users).

2. Dim your screen. Go into your phone’s display settings and see if your phone is usable at the lowest setting, even if it means cupping your hand over the screen to see it. The backlight can be one of the biggest drains on your battery.

3. Turn off GPS. If you’re staying put until the storm lets up, you could consider turning of the GPS (also referred to as “location services”) in your phone’s settings. Many weather apps will let you enter your zip code in order to retrieve your forecast instead of requiring the use of the power-hungry GPS chip.

4. Reduce notifications. During an emergency, you probably don’t need your phone to light up (and drain) every time SnapChat sends you a “your friend is typing” notification. Disable unnecessary notifications to prevent your screen from lighting up every few seconds. Many phones allow you to change the notifications to “sound only” which helps preserve battery power that would otherwise be used to light up your screen. Many phones will not light up the screen for each notification if you place it face down on a surface.

5. Keep it plugged in. If you haven’t lost power yet, keep your phone plugged into the charger (connected to a surge protector, of course). That way, if your power does go out, your battery will start out at 100%.

6. Utilize your other devices. Instead of draining the battery of your primary phone by streaming music or shows, utilize any other devices you may have to stay entertained. You don’t want to be stuck in a situation where you can’t make a phone call because you drained the battery binging a show. Wi-Fi devices will likely be cut off from the outside world if your main internet connection goes out with the power. However, if you can store some offline movies, games or e-books ahead of time, a tablet or old phone can still entertain you without an internet connection while your preserve the battery in your primary phone. For some ideas, check out the list of offline-enabled apps below. Another little known fact: some laptops continue to power the USB ports while the laptop is “sleeping”. Charge up your laptop’s battery, let is sleep, and use the laptop as a giant power bank.

7. Grab some external batteries and chargers. Many different power banks are available that allow you to connect virtually any device that can charge via USB. Emergency radios are also good to have on hand as can not only act as a power bank, but they can also function as a radio, a flashlight, and a siren.

Raynic Emergency Radio 5000

• Bright flashlight and secondary reading light
• Weather warning alert feature

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Use Your Phone to Stay Informed

Now that you know how to manage phone’s battery, here are some tips for using your phone to stay informed during a storm:

• Download Local News Station Apps: Search your phone’s app store for the name of your local news station and you’ll likely find their app and maybe even a dedicated weather app. Be sure to enable push notifications so you can receive breaking news and weather alerts directly on your phone.
• Bookmark Your Local Power Company: If your power utility does not have a dedicated app, bookmark their website in your mobile Safari or Chrome browser app. In particular, look for a dedicated “outage map” page that shows local power outages and the estimated time to restore power. Also be sure to add your local power utility’s phone number to your phone’s contact list so you can report that your power is out!
• Follow Local Resources on Twitter: Create a free X (Twitter) account if you don’t have one and start following your local weather professionals, local official county accounts and your state’s emergency response resources. If you already have an active Twitter account, create a list on X (Twitter) so you can focus on the important information and filter out the less urgent tweets.
• Additional App Suggestions: FEMA, The Weather Channel, Emergency: Alerts & Notifications

Offline Shows and Movies

Here are some suggestions of apps that support viewing content offline, along with links to their instructions for storing content offline. Be sure to download the content before the storm hits!

• Libby: may be available for free from your local library
• Netflix: requires a subscription to the service
• Amazon Prime Video: requires a subscription to Amazon Prime (get a free trial if you’re not already a member)
• Disney+: requires a subscription
• Hulu: requires a subscription
• Apple TV+: requires a subscription

Conclusion

Remember, preserving your phone battery during a storm is important, but your safety and well-being should always be the top priority. Make sure you have a plan in place for emergencies, including alternative communication methods and access to essential supplies. Stay informed about weather updates and follow any instructions or warnings from local authorities. By taking these precautions, you can stay connected and prepared during even the most challenging weather conditions.

Stay safe and stay connected!

Photo by Michael D on Unsplash