Power cuts in the UK are usually short, but storms, floods and local faults can occasionally leave homes without electricity for hours or even longer. When that happens, your mobile phone suddenly becomes far more than a phone. It is your torch, your news source, your way of reporting the fault and your link to family. The problem is that the phone charger plugged into the wall is now useless.
The good news is that a little preparation goes a long way. This guide covers what to do before a power cut, how to stretch the battery you have, and the safe ways to keep charging when the mains is off.
Before a Power Cut: Simple Ways to Be Ready
The best time to think about backup charging is before you need it. A few easy habits make a real difference:
- Keep a charged power bank at home. A portable charger sitting in a drawer is the single most useful thing you can have. Top it up every month or two, because power banks slowly lose charge even when they are not being used.
- Charge up when bad weather is forecast. If a storm warning is issued, charge your phone, power bank, tablet and laptop to full while you still can.
- Know where your cables are. A power bank is no help if the right charging cable is buried in a box. Keep one cable with it.
- Save the power cut number. In England, Scotland and Wales you can call 105 free to report a power cut or get updates from your local network operator. Add it to your contacts now.
Stretch the Battery You Already Have
As soon as the power goes, switch into saving mode. The less energy your phone uses, the longer your backup options will last.
- Turn on Low Power Mode (iPhone) or Battery Saver (Android).
- Lower the screen brightness. The display is one of the biggest drains on any phone.
- Close apps you are not using, and avoid streaming video or gaming.
- If your home Wi-Fi router is off because of the cut, turn Wi-Fi off on your phone so it stops searching for networks.
- If you do not need calls or data for a while, aeroplane mode will save a great deal of power. Just switch it off to check messages now and then.
- Use a proper torch or battery lantern if you have one, rather than your phone’s torch.
Power Banks: Your Best Backup
A power bank is the simplest, safest way to charge a phone without mains electricity. It works exactly like a wall charger: plug in your cable and charge as normal. A larger capacity bank can refill a typical smartphone more than once, which is ideal if an outage drags on.
If your power bank supports fast charging, it is worth using a matching cable so you can top up quickly and then disconnect. In a longer cut, though, slow and steady is fine. You are trying to make the stored energy last, not break speed records. Browse our full range of chargers and accessories to find cables that suit your power bank and phone.
Charging from Your Laptop or Tablet
A charged laptop is effectively a large battery. Most laptops will supply power through their USB ports while running on battery, so you can plug your phone in with a normal charging cable. It will usually charge more slowly than from a wall charger, but it works. Some laptops can also charge devices from a USB port while the lid is closed, depending on their settings.
Remember that using your laptop to charge your phone drains the laptop, so decide which device matters most to you during the outage.
Using a Car Charger Safely
Your car is another useful power source. A good car charger in the 12V socket can charge a phone quickly, especially one with USB-C Power Delivery.
Two important safety points:
- Never run the engine in a garage or any enclosed space. Exhaust fumes contain carbon monoxide, which can be deadly. Only run the engine outdoors in open air.
- Watch your car battery. Charging with the ignition on but the engine off draws from the car battery. A short top-up is usually fine, but repeated long sessions could leave you unable to start the car.
What About Solar and Hand-Crank Chargers?
Solar panels and wind-up chargers can help in an emergency, but set your expectations. Solar charging depends heavily on bright, direct sunlight, which is not always available in a British winter, and hand-crank chargers need a lot of effort for a small amount of charge. They are best treated as a last resort rather than your main plan.
When the Power Comes Back
When electricity is restored, it is sensible to unplug sensitive electronics during the cut and plug them back in once the supply has settled. Then recharge in order of priority: your phone first, then your power bank so it is ready for next time, then everything else.
If your household has lots of devices to refill at once, a multi-port charger lets you top up phones, tablets and power banks from a single socket, so nobody has to wait their turn.
Quick Power Cut Checklist
- A charged power bank and a matching charging cable kept together
- A car charger in the glovebox
- A battery torch so you are not relying on your phone
- 105 saved in your contacts
- Phones and power banks charged whenever severe weather is forecast
Power cuts are rarely more than an inconvenience, but being able to keep your phone charged makes them far less stressful. Put a small kit together now and you will be glad of it the next time the lights go out.