Make your phone battery last through a blackout with power-saving settings, power banks, car charging and smart habits that help.
- Charge devices and power banks before the outage hits.
- Use battery saver, texts and low brightness to stretch the charge.
- Keep a backup charging method and one phone in reserve.
In an outage, your phone is your flashlight, radio, alarm, map and link to emergency services. Keeping it alive matters more than almost any other gadget. The trick is to use less power and to have more than one way to recharge.
Charge everything before the outage
When a storm or heat wave is forecast, top up all your devices while you still can: phones, tablets, laptops, power banks, rechargeable flashlights, e-readers and any radio that charges by USB. Leave them plugged in until the lights go out. If power cuts are planned or repeated, charge whenever the grid is on.
Make the battery last longer
Small changes add up over many hours.
- Turn on low power or battery saver mode.
- Lower screen brightness and shorten the screen timeout.
- Close apps running in the background and turn off background refresh.
- Turn off wifi and bluetooth if you do not need them. Use airplane mode in an area with weak signal, since the phone drains battery searching for a tower, then turn it back on to check messages.
- Use text messages instead of calls. Texts use less data and battery and often get through when calls do not.
- Avoid video and streaming. Download maps, music or books ahead of time.
- In the cold, keep the phone inside a pocket close to your body, since cold temperatures drain batteries quickly.
Backup charging options
- Power banks: These are the simplest option. A bank holds a set amount of charge, listed on the label, and can charge a phone several times depending on the phone. Recharge it whenever power is on. See power banks for outages.
- Car charger: A car can charge a phone through its power outlet or USB port. Run the car only outdoors, with the exhaust clear. Never run a car in a closed garage, and make sure the tailpipe is not blocked by snow.
- Portable power stations: Larger batteries that can recharge phones, laptops and run small devices many times over. Our guide to what to plug in first shows how to prioritize, and the power station hub lists options.
- Solar panels: These can recharge a power bank or station in sunlight, though output varies with weather and angle. See charging with solar panels.
- Hand crank devices: Some radios and lights have a crank that produces small amounts of power. Expect slow charging.
Prioritize what needs power
Not every device is equal. Rank them so you spend charge wisely.
- First: phones for emergency calls, medical devices, and a radio or lights.
- Second: devices that keep the family in touch, like a second phone.
- Third: comfort items like tablets and games for kids, used in short sessions.
Keep one phone in reserve for emergencies. If a family has several phones, let one person do most of the communicating while others stay on low power. Consider a battery radio so you are not using the phone to get news; see emergency radios.
Cables, labels and storage
Keep a bag with the right cables for every device, a car charger and a wall plug. Label power banks with the date you last charged them, and top them up every few months, because batteries lose charge when stored. Store them away from heat. Check that you have both the cable type your phone uses and any adapters. Write key phone numbers on paper in case your phone dies, and share a family communication plan.
If your phone does die
Emergency services can still be reached by phone from a working cell, and in many places text-to-911 is available, though not everywhere. Check your local service ahead of time. Meet at a pre-set place if you cannot reach each other. A charged phone is one of the cheapest forms of safety you can have, so make it a habit to charge it every night.
Quick answers
Can I charge my phone in my car during an outage?
Yes, but run the car outdoors only, with the tailpipe clear of snow or obstructions, never in a closed garage.
Does airplane mode save battery?
It can, especially with weak signal, because the phone stops searching for a tower. Switch it off periodically to check for messages.