Using your phone whilst in the countryside can sound absurd to many nature-lovers, hikers, and travellers. But, let’s face it, the phone can help us find the right directions and contact fellow-hikers or help when needed. It is a tool that can help us in many situations. For example, the phone’s torch and GPRS are of great help in sparsely-inhabited rural areas.

If you want to use the phone for maps, Google, torch, or even entertainment, you will need these tricks and tips that help in battery life optimisation. Some of these tips are backed by Apple and Google. These tips should work with all Apple and Android models that are using updated operating systems.

Keep the Phone on Low-battery Mode

The best way to start battery optimisation is to turn on the low battery mode. This mode will reduce the screen brightness and stops system animations to reduce battery consumption.

iPhone users can switch the mode on by going to Settings > Battery

If your phone’s battery is already reduced to 20% or 10%, a prompt will show up requesting you to turn on the Low Power mode. Just tap on it and you are done.

Android users can go into Settings > Battery and a Low Power Mode option will show up with a toggle button. Tap to turn the mode on.

Switch Off Background Activities

There are apps in your phones that consume more power than the others. Turn their background activities off to ensure they are not consuming power when not being used. Generally, Wi-Fi, Location Service, and cellular data take up a lot of energy out of the phone. Turn them off when not needed and you will save a lot of battery.

iPhone users will find the option in Settings > General > Background App Refresh. Turning it off is recommended, however you can also choose to turn off only a few, selective apps depending on what you want.

Android users can go to the Settings > Battery > Battery Usage to check which ones are the power killers. You can tap on each application and manually turn their background activities off.

Turn Off Push Notifications

The screen notifications consume a lot of battery. Switch them off to ensure your phone does not discharge quickly.

iPhone users can switch the notifications off by going to Settings > Notifications > Tap the app and set Allow Notifications to Off.

Android users can go to Settings > Apps and Notifications > Notifications > On Lock Screen > Off

For some Android devices, the users may have to go to Settings > Notification and Status Bar > Turn on the screen for lockscreen notifications > Off

Dim the Screen and Turn it Off Sooner

Adjusting your screen’s brightness to dim can have a huge impact on your phone’s battery life. Turning it off sooner will only benefit you more.

iPhone and Android users, both get a brightness slider that can let them adjust brightness according to the need.

To set the auto-lock for less than a minute,

iPhone users can go to Settings > General > Auto-Lock > set it to short time, less than 1 minute, like 30 seconds

Android settings for auto-lock vary from device to device.

Turn on The Airplane Mode

Backcountry can mean a lot of signal problems and your phone will constantly try to get steady network. This can mean a lot of battery usage! To avoid losing battery, turn on the Airplane Mode of the phone whenever possible.

iPhone users can open the Control Centre and tap Airplane Mode on

Android users can go to Settings and tap Airplane Mode on

Newer devices offer the option on the slider as well.

Keep A Backup Plan

No matter what tips you use, having a backup plan never hurt anyone. Double sure yourself by keeping a fully-charged power bank handy. This will extend your phone’s battery to at least 24 hours.