The biggest single savings
When cell towers are down or overloaded, your phone's radio constantly searches for a signal, draining the battery rapidly. Airplane mode stops this search and is the single most effective battery conservation step.
Check for messages periodically by briefly disabling airplane mode, downloading any queued texts, then re-enabling it. This burst-check pattern can extend a phone battery from hours to days.
Every percentage point matters
Reduce screen brightness to the minimum readable level. Shorten the screen timeout to 30 seconds. Disable Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and location services (unless actively using them). Close background apps.
Low power mode (available on both iOS and Android) combines many of these settings automatically. Enable it as soon as you know power will be out for an extended period.
Phone first, always
If you have limited charging capacity (a single power bank or brief generator run), charge the phone first. It is your most versatile emergency tool: alerts, communication, flashlight, maps, and information access in one device.
- Airplane mode is the single biggest battery saver
- Burst-check: disable airplane mode briefly, grab texts, re-enable
- Reduce brightness, shorten screen timeout, disable Bluetooth/Wi-Fi/location
- Enable low power mode immediately when outage begins
- Charge the phone first if charging capacity is limited
- Power Outages — FEMA power outage preparedness guidance.