Where would you be without your mobile phone nowadays? Without phone calls, text messages, social media, and even music and television? And let’s not forget being able to snap a quick selfie and being able to open all those apps that keep you going with a simple tap. As the potentially historic winter storm Juno barreled towards the Northeast, I thought about where I would be without my phone. Left with a stylish but useless brick, flashlight-less, and disconnected from society…yes a little dramatic, I know.
Here are a few tools and tips to try to keep you connected longer when the apocalypse inevitably happens…
Battery Charger
A backup charger for our phone or tablet can keep you linked in longer.
“Juice packs” like this one for the iPhone 5/5s double as a protective case while charging your device. These can add a little extra bulk to your phone, which I personally don’t like. So a great alternative is a battery-powered backup charger like the Just Mobile Gum +++ Portable USB Power Pack which can provide up to three full recharges for your mobile device after the usual electrical options are gone.
Just remember to charge these devices BEFORE the next power outage.
Solar Power
In case you forgot to charge up your device and backup battery chargers…take advantage of the sun with the Guide 10 Solar Recharging Kit from Goal Zero. This kit allows you to go anywhere with its ability to charge AA/AAA batteries from the sun. You can than connect the power back to the USB port and power your phone, GPS, or perk up any tablet in a pinch. Solar power can be a great alternative especially for those outdoor pups that like to get lost in the woods on the weekend.
Laptop as Backup Generator
Sure it seems obvious now that I’ve mentioned it, but it’s the sort of thing that can slip your mind when there is a lot of other preparation and shoveling to be done. Again, at first sight of apocalypse, historic storm, or other disaster, fully charge your laptop, or if you are like some of us Small Dogger’s, laptops plural. Then resist the temptation to use this device. When other power sources go out, plug your phone or tablet into the laptop, via the USB port, and voilà you just gained a few more hours of connectivity.
Stop Running Apps
Check your phone’s settings. Some apps are sneaky and run even when you’re not using them, causing your battery to drain faster. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are the biggest culprits, but there are plenty of others. Disable Wi-Fi on an iPhone by going to Settings > Wi-Fi > and slide the green switch to the left.
Fun fact: Texting burns less power than a phone call, just make sure you turn down your screen’s brightness. Who would make a phone call in such a crisis? Oh, and those social media/news/weather apps that constantly ping you with updates…they use a lot of battery, so you might also consider turning off those push notifications in “Notifications.”
Use a Battery-life App
Several free apps for iOS devices promise to help extend your phone’s battery life. Battery Doctor seems to be one of the most popular. It is a free and feature-packed battery monitor and energy saving tool that allows users to quickly look up battery charge status, as well as track down what apps and processes are draining battery life. However if you’d prefer not to download another app I find the best way to identify which apps should be closed is by visiting Settings > General > Usage > Battery Usage. After identifying the culprits, close out or delete if they can be spared.