When the power goes off, your phone suddenly matters more than ever. It is your torch, your news, your Mobile Money, your way to check on family. And there is no telling when the lights will come back.

With the right settings, a phone that normally dies by evening can last a lot longer. Here is what makes the biggest difference, starting with the quickest wins.

Quick wins (do these first)

1. Turn on battery saver

  • Android: swipe down and tap Battery saver or Power saving mode. Many phones also have an extreme or ultra mode that limits the phone to calls, SMS and a few chosen apps. Perfect for long outages.
  • iPhone: turn on Low Power Mode in Control Centre or Settings → Battery.

2. Bring the brightness down

The screen is usually the biggest battery user. Lower the brightness as far as is comfortable, and shorten the screen timeout to 30 seconds. If your phone has dark mode and an OLED/AMOLED screen, dark mode also helps.

3. Turn off what you are not using

  • Mobile data when you do not need it. Turn it on to check messages, then off again.
  • Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and location when not in use.
  • 5G: if your phone and network support it, switching to 4G/LTE can save power in areas with weak 5G.

4. Weak signal drains battery

When signal is poor, your phone works harder to stay connected. During dumsor, mobile masts on backup power can also be weaker. If you are somewhere with very poor signal and only need the phone as a torch or for offline use, airplane mode saves a lot of battery. Turn it off every so often to receive messages.

Use your phone smarter during outages

  • Torch: the phone’s flashlight uses less battery than keeping the screen on, but a cheap rechargeable lamp is better still.
  • Download before the outage: news, podcasts, music, videos and offline maps, so you are not streaming over mobile data.
  • Avoid games and video calls when you do not know when power will return.
  • Close apps that use location in the background, like ride-hailing and fitness apps.

Charge smarter when power returns

  • Charge first, then everything else. When power comes back, charge phones and power banks first.
  • Use a surge protector or stabiliser. Power often returns with spikes that can damage chargers and phones.
  • Fast chargers are your friend during short power windows, if your phone supports fast charging.
  • Do not leave phones charging on beds or pillows. Heat is the enemy of batteries.
Power bank tip: keep at least one charged power bank for outages, and recharge it as soon as power returns. Our guide to buying a power bank explains how to spot fakes.

Keep your battery healthy long-term

  • Avoid heat. Do not leave your phone in a hot car or in direct sun. Heat ages batteries faster than anything else.
  • Avoid running it to 0% often. Lithium batteries prefer being kept roughly between 20% and 80%. Many phones now have an optimised or protected charging setting. Turn it on.
  • Use good cables and chargers. Cheap, unbranded chargers can deliver unstable power.
  • Replace a swollen battery immediately and safely. Do not keep using a phone whose back or screen is lifting.
In a long outage, every percent counts. Dim the screen, kill the extras and save the battery for what matters.

This guide was checked in October 2026. Menus and services change, so if something looks different on your phone, check with your provider.

Common questions

Does closing apps save battery?

Not always. Constantly closing and reopening apps can use more power. Battery saver and turning off background data help more.

Is it bad to use my phone while it charges?

Light use is fine. Heavy gaming or video while charging produces heat, which is bad for the battery over time.

Should I charge to 100%?

Charging to 100% is fine when you expect a long outage. For everyday use, many phones offer an optimised charging setting that reduces wear.

Can I charge my phone from a car?

Yes, with a good-quality car charger, ideally while the engine is running so you do not drain the car battery.