Can't See Maps or Tickets! 14 Ways to Deal with Smartphone Battery Drain While Traveling

Nowadays, smartphones have become indispensable for work and private life, especially when traveling.

You use your smartphone to look at maps,
to check transit routes,
for flight and bullet train tickets,
and to confirm hotel reservations.

Before you know it, most of your trip has become dependent on your smartphone.

That is exactly why a "dead battery" is so scary.
Many people have likely experienced the sudden anxiety that hits the moment their smartphone battery drops below 10% while traveling.

I once had a cold sweat during a business trip to Tokyo when I realized my battery was in the single digits after finishing a daytime meeting and before heading to an evening social gathering.
Fortunately, I didn't have any work left that day, so I turned off the power immediately and managed to make it back to the hotel.

During an overseas business trip, I also panicked when a low battery warning appeared while I was touring an exhibition and taking many photos.
It was just when I was getting into the swing of things.

This time, I have compiled ways to deal with situations where your smartphone is about to run out of battery while traveling.

1. Use a mobile battery
This is the most reliable method.
You use your smartphone more than you expect when traveling.
You consume more battery than usual for map searches, taking photos, checking transit routes, and gathering information about tourist spots.
People who love to travel always keep a mobile battery on hand.

2. Rent a mobile battery
Recently, mobile battery rental services have become available at stations, airports, convenience stores, and commercial facilities.
It is very convenient because you can rent one even if you forgot to bring your own.

3. Find a charging spot
Stations, airports, cafes, fast-food restaurants, and tourist facilities sometimes have seats where you can charge your device.
It is reassuring if you can charge while moving or taking a break.

4. Return to the hotel early
While you may want to continue sightseeing until night, returning to the hotel early is an option when considering the risk of your smartphone becoming unusable.
Having an environment where you can reliably charge is a major source of peace of mind.

5. Consult the hotel
Depending on the hotel, they may lend out chargers or cables.
If you have forgotten yours, try asking at the front desk.
You might be surprised at how often they can help you.

6. Save maps as screenshots
When your smartphone battery gets low, first save screenshots of the map around your destination.
This consumes less battery than launching a map app every time.

7. Keep necessary information on paper
It is safer to also keep hotel names, addresses, reservation numbers, and flight information on paper.
You can still get around even if your smartphone becomes completely unusable.

8. Buy a mobile battery at a convenience store
It costs money, but it is effective in an emergency.
Considering the losses that occur when you cannot use your smartphone, it might be a small expense.

9. Use low power mode
Turn on low power mode as soon as your battery gets low.
Background activity is restricted, which improves battery life.

10. Lower the screen brightness
A large portion of a smartphone's power consumption comes from the screen display.
Just lowering the brightness to the minimum level is quite effective.

11. Utilize airplane mode
In places with poor signal, your smartphone constantly tries to communicate, which drains the battery heavily.
Airplane mode is effective when you won't be using your smartphone for a while.

12. Turn off unnecessary communications and notifications
You can reduce power consumption by turning off Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, automatic updates, and unnecessary notifications.

13. Stop watching videos or playing games
Video streaming, automatic SNS updates, cloud syncing, and games are major causes of battery drain.
Stop these once your battery level gets low.

14. Carry cash
Smartphone payments have become widespread recently, but they cannot be used if your battery dies.
It is reassuring to carry a certain amount of cash when traveling.

A dead smartphone battery means "loss of information"
It is not just being unable to communicate that is troublesome when your smartphone battery dies.
Information necessary for travel, such as maps, tickets, reservation details, and payment methods, is all lost at once.

That is why it is important to have both "ways to charge" and "preparations to act even if you cannot use your smartphone."
Why not check these before you leave so you don't panic at your destination?

Thank you for reading.
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I look forward to your continued support.

#TriedIt