Blackout: learn how to preserve your cell phone battery – 08/15/2023 – Tech

The failure in the national energy system this Tuesday (15) affected people from 25 states and the Federal District. The breakdown has effects on the transport system, on essential household appliances and also on cell phones, crucial for communication in the midst of the crisis.

While there are no projections for the normalization of services, saving the smartphone’s battery allows you to be in contact with family and close people, as well as connecting to the internet and other sources of information.

This, however, involves parsimony in the use of the device.

battery saving modes

Smartphones have operating modes designed to save energy.

On the iPhone, you can access the settings tab by swiping down from the top of the screen — then just click on the battery-shaped icon. Another option is to go to settings, then battery and turn on low power mode.

On Android devices, swipe down from the top of the screen to access the settings tab. Then click on the battery icon to activate saving mode. Some devices also offer the “ultra economy” function, which prevents applications from running in the background and increases device autonomy.

Avoid calls, especially video calls

Calls consume more power than texting. To make the battery last, turn it on only when it’s essential. Video calls consume even more battery, by activating the camera and transmitting images.

Do not use your cell phone as an internet router for other devices

Using the device as a mobile internet point for computers and other devices also uses a lot of energy. If you have the function activated, on the iPhone, you can deactivate it in the settings, in the “personal access” folder —deactivate the option “allow access to others.”

On Android phones, you can turn off the wifi router in the settings tab. Click on the “hotspot” option, indicated by a wifi network signal next to a chain link, if the icon is illuminated.

Avoid keeping apps open in the background

Not closing apps permanently when you stop using them also increases battery consumption, as it demands the smartphone’s memory. On iPhone, swipe up from the bottom of the screen and close anything you’re not using. On Android devices, click on the windows icon at the bottom left of the screen and do the same.

Disable automatic app updates

Updating mobile apps requires internet and therefore battery. On iPhone, you can turn them off in the “Background App Refresh” option in Settings, General, and Background App Refresh. On Android devices, you need to open the Play Store, click on the profile picture in the upper right corner, then on settings, then on network preferences — there, turn off the option “Auto-update apps.”

Disable non-essential notifications

Notifications from websites and apps also consume power. On the iPhone, the person needs to go to the settings and then “Notifications”. There, go to “Siri Suggestions” and disable unnecessary apps.

On Android, you can disable them in the notifications tab, on the bell icon with gear, in the upper right corner. Click on app notifications, and disable everything superfluous.

Disable non-essential signals like Bluetooth and GPS

Disable transmission of unnecessary data such as GPS and Bluetooth signals. Both can be done in the settings tab on Android.

On the iPhone, you can disable Bluetooth in the settings tab. To turn off the GPS signal, you need to access the settings and look for the “location and privacy” folder — there, deactivate the “location services” option.

Block orientation change

Changing the screen orientation from vertical to horizontal uses motion sensors called a gyroscope and accelerometer, which also consume power. It is possible to lock the cell phone vertically to save energy in the settings tab of iPhones and Android devices. Just click on the icon with a spinning arrow and a padlock.

Avoid using the camera unnecessarily

The camera is another energy-consuming application. Avoid taking videos and photographs when you want to save money.

Decrease cell phone brightness

Keeping the brightness to the lowest functional level also helps conserve power by lowering the screen’s consumption. The settings tab has a shortcut to the brightness slider on both iPhones and Android devices.

Keep your phone in airplane mode

Another more drastic saving option is to activate airplane mode, which leaves the cell phone without signal. The person can keep the cell phone connected to Wifi while in airplane mode to continue with internet access. To turn on this function, access the settings tab on iPhone and Android phones.