7 tips to make your smartphone last a full festival

Really!

Friends at a festival taking a selfie

Published 10th Jul 2017

Festival season is in full swing, but there's nothing worse than running out of battery or storage space when you're just about to see your favourite band.

Here are seven tips on how to make your smartphone last a full festival.

1. Battery life

Battery life, or lack of it is the biggest bug-bear of festival goers. Here are just a few ways to make it last longer.

Dim your screen's brightness or use auto brightness
Turn off Bluetooth
Turn off location services, or reduce the number of apps which use them
Don't leave apps running in the background

2. Bring a portable charger

Although it seems obvious try using a portable charger, but make sure you know how it works before you leave your home, imagine finding out that it doesn't do what it's meant to do or you've forgotten an all important wire.

3. Storage

There's nothing worse than going to film your favourite band or taking photos of your friends to find out that your phone's storage is full. Before going to a festival make sure you backup your phone (including your photos). You can then delete your photos from your phone knowing you have a safe backup and you have plenty of space for all your photos and videos.

4. Smashed screen

Having a phone with a smashed screen isn't just annoying, but dangerous at times when the pieces of glass coming loose. Prevent your phone from getting a smashed screen by protecting it properly with a case.

Smashed mobile phone screen

© iStock

5. Protect your phone from water

If you are likely to get wet at a festival - an almost cert in the UK - then consider buying a waterproof case for your phone. It will also protect your phone if you drop it in mud, remember a phone case is a lot cheaper than a new phone.

5. Screenshot band times and maps

Rather than constantly going online to check out band times and maps for your festival, take a photo or screenshot. Doing this will mean you don't have to wait for a (probably) slow internet connection and you'll also save on your battery usage.

6. Keep your phone safe

It seems obvious, but if you leave your phone on display and unattended it's likely to go missing, so make sure you always keep it in sight. If you don't want to bring your brand new smartphone get a 'festival phone' that will do what you need - call and text. Alternatively try keeping your phone in a pouch round your neck or your waist, rather than just sticking it in your back pocket.

7. Prepare for the worst

While no one wants to lose their phone you should prepare for the possibility. Make sure you backup your phone, make a note of the IMEI number and change the lock screen to a message saying who the phone belongs to with a number to contact if it's lost.