You can charge your smartphone off a laptop. Picture: Pikist.
A smartphone can be a lifeline in an emergency, connecting you instantly to assistance and real-time resources.
If you're preparing for or in the midst of an emergency, here are some of the best ways you can get your phone in the best shape to help you.
Make your battery last:
Assume your electricity can go out at any time and plan accordingly. Charge your phone and any additional devices ahead of time, leaving them plugged in until the last minute. Also charge any back-up batteries and laptops, then make sure all charging cords are collected in one place to take with you.
If the power is out, or if you're no longer in a place with a power outlet, you'll need to make any charges last as long as possible. To do that, follow these instructions:
Different ways to recharge your phone
Again, external batteries are the best to have. But in a pinch, you do have other options for recharging a device when the power is out.
Contact for other assistance
Use your phone's SOS service. Android and iOS both have built-in emergency options that will contact authorities. They also can be set up to send your current location to pre-chosen emergency contacts. It can vary depending on your device, so find out how it works ahead of time.
Share your location with friends
Your friends and family will want to know you are safe and your location in case you aren't safe.
Send your location to everyone over text, so they'll know where to look if you lose contact. If you are using a GPS location-sharing option, like the one in iPhone Messages, don't just send your current spot one time. Select the option to share it indefinitely. You can turn this off later.
On an iPhone, you can also open the Find My app, select Friends and add people to share your location with. You can share your live location with others through Google Maps, though there are some limitations.
If you're on social media and have service, drop a line to let people know you're okay.
Get apps that work when cell service is spotty
If you're struggling to find reliable internet and cellular connections, there are apps that could still help you stay in touch or give you helpful information. Download and set them up when you have plenty of bandwidth.
Zello: It's a free messaging app for Android and iOS that lets people create and join group "channels" where they can send voice messages and images to many others at once. (Think of it as a free, smartphone-based walkie-talkie.) The app cannot be used at all if you don't have an Internet connection.
Google Maps: Download the Google Maps information for surrounding areas in case you need to move fast and cell service isn't available. Put in your main location, hit the three dots in the corner, select Download Offline Map. You can crop the exact area you think you'll need.
The Washington Post
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