How to charge your phone during a power outage

Stretch the battery first

• Turn on low power mode and dim the screen.
• Close apps you aren't using.
• Text instead of calling when you can.
• Turn on airplane mode when you don't need the phone, and check it on a schedule.

Keep a charged power bank

Ready.gov says to "Plan for batteries and other alternative power sources to meet your needs when the power goes out, such as a portable charger or power bank." A power bank only helps if it's charged, so top it up when you top up your phone, and again when a storm is forecast. To work out what size you need, see how to read capacity.

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Crank and solar radios

Some hand-crank or solar weather radios have a USB port for a phone. Treat it as a slow top-up, not a full charge; check what the product page says it can do. The radio itself is the bigger win: Ready.gov notes: "The Emergency Alert System (EAS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio also provide emergency alerts." See NOAA weather radio.

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A power station for several phones or a long outage

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If several people need to charge, or the outage could run for days, a battery power station can charge phones more than once, depending on its size; check the watt-hours (Wh) on the maker's page. See apartment backup power for what fits.

Your phone as an alarm

On most phones, the built-in alarm still goes off with no power or signal as long as the battery lasts, so charge it before bed and keep low power mode on. A battery alarm clock is a backup that doesn't depend on the phone. Keep a headlamp or flashlight by the bed for getting up in the dark.

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Quick checklist

• Low power mode on, screen dimmed
• Power bank charged
• Radio with a USB port, if you have one
• Power station charged, if you have one
• Headlamp by the bed

FAQ

How long will a power bank charge my phone? It depends on the bank's capacity and your phone's battery, and some energy is lost in charging, so you get less than the label math suggests. Compare the bank's watt-hours (Wh) or mAh with your phone's battery. See how to read capacity.

Can I charge my phone in the car during an outage? Yes, if the car is outdoors in the open. Never run it in a garage, even with the door open, because of carbon monoxide.

Does my phone alarm work if the power is out? On most phones, yes, as long as the phone has battery. Charge it before bed, or keep a battery alarm clock as a backup.

Charging in the car

Only charge in a car that is outdoors, in the open. Never run the car in a garage, even with the door open, or in an attached garage: exhaust has carbon monoxide. The National Weather Service, writing about cars stuck in snow, says to "Clear snow from the exhaust pipe to avoid gas poisoning." Ready.gov gives a similar warning for generators: use them "at least 20 feet away from windows, doors and attached garages." See power outage in winter.

What to skip

• Don't run a generator indoors or in a garage. Ready.gov: "Use a generator, but ONLY outdoors and away from windows."
• Use flashlights or headlamps for light. Ready.gov says to "Have flashlights for every household member."