Practical tips to maximise your smartphone's battery life when travelling

In the age of modern smartphones, one cannot help but wonder: How did we go from phones that lasted four days on a single charge in 2010 to devices that barely survive a full day?

Today’s phones may be smarter, faster, and more capable than ever, but they come with a major trade-off: battery life.

For the modern traveller, few things are more frustrating than watching a battery icon turn red while far from a power outlet.

Whether you are on a road trip across the Abadares, spending a full day on safari in the Maasai Mara, going for a road trip to Marakwet, or navigating a packed city itinerary, staying charged has become a mission in itself.

Charge your phone to 100 per cent or at least 85 per cent

The first line of defence is obvious but crucial: start the day with a full charge.

“Before I leave the house, I have to ensure my phone is charged to 100 per cent; otherwise, I will not feel confident to go outside while my phone is not fully charged,” says Hellen Maridadi.

A phone that is already down to 60 per cent before breakfast surely will not last until sunset, especially if it is being used for navigation, photography, and internet browsing.

Check your brightness level

Travellers should also resist the temptation to raise the phone brightness, and instead of opting for automatic screen adjustment, they should try dimming the screen manually.

Manual control gives users more consistent battery-saving results than auto-brightness, which may not adjust optimally in every lighting environment.

Carry a Wi-Fi router, switch to aeroplane mode or switch off your data

As the journey begins, one major but often overlooked drain on battery life is the constant search for signal, especially in remote areas. While in a remote area, like the Garissa highway, or a place where the network bar is low, this means that the mobile reception is weak or non-existent.

In places like national parks or rural zones, most modern phones will burn through power trying to maintain a connection.

Therefore, enabling aeroplane mode during these stretches and only toggling it off when needed can significantly extend battery life. Instead, buy a (Kabambe) burner phone as a backup phone in case you want to use it for making or receiving calls.

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A portable Wi-Fi router is also advantageous, since Wi-Fi typically drains less battery than cellular data.

Download offline maps

Offline maps are another essential tool. You are going to a place that will need a map; you can download the map in advance, which eliminates the need for constant data use while navigating unfamiliar terrain.

Limit camera use

This is another culprit that many people are unaware of. While capturing memories is part of the adventure, constantly recording video or snapping high-resolution images can eat up battery quickly.

Travellers are advised to use the camera selectively or get a real camera instead and transfer the photos. Also, minimising flash use and avoiding battery-hungry features like live photos or real-time filters can help preserve the battery

Be keen on the apps you use

Apps, too, quietly drain energy in the background. Many people do not realise just how many processes are running invisibly, updating feeds, refreshing location, syncing data to give you the latest content.

Taking a moment to close unused apps and disable background refresh for non-essential services can preserve power for when it is truly needed.

Put your phone on low power mode

Activating low-power or battery-saver modes is also a wise decision, especially during long journeys or if you do not have a fully charged phone.

This mode automatically reduces background activity, limits visual effects, and restricts non-essential functions, helping extend battery life when you need it most.

Carry wired earphones and turn off Bluetooth

Wired earphones use less power than Bluetooth devices like wireless AirPods. Also, turning off Bluetooth when it is not needed can help conserve your phone’s battery during travel.

Put your phone on dark mode and go offline

Using dark mode on phones with OLED displays can reduce power consumption significantly.

Also, remember to set a short screen timeout and use "lite" versions of heavy apps like Facebook, TikTok or Gmail. This can cause your battery to drain very fast.

Ensure you have a playlist downloaded of the music or podcasts you would love to listen to; this prevents buffering when you get to a place with low network, and protects your battery.

Carry a power bank

A power bank is an essential travel companion, especially during long journeys or when access to charging outlets is limited.

It ensures your devices stay charged throughout the day, keeping you connected, navigated, and entertained. For best results, choose a high-capacity model that can charge your phone multiple times.

With a little planning and a few smart habits, you can ensure that your device remains as ready as you are, all day long. Good luck