BOSTON — As blizzard conditions intensify across Massachusetts, residents in Boston, Worcester and surrounding communities are being urged to conserve cellphone battery life ahead of potential overnight power outages.
During a blizzard, mobile devices may become the primary source for emergency alerts, road closures and communication with family members. Preserving battery power early can help extend connectivity if outages continue through the night.
Officials recommend taking the following steps immediately.
Lower Screen Brightness
Bright screens drain battery quickly.
On iPhone, open Settings, tap Display & Brightness and reduce the brightness level.
On Android, open Settings, tap Display and lower brightness using the quick settings panel.
Turn On Low Power or Battery Saver Mode
Low Power settings reduce background activity and extend battery life.
On iPhone, go to Settings → Battery and enable Low Power Mode.
On Android, open Settings → Battery and activate Battery Saver or Power Saving Mode, depending on the device.
Use Text Instead of Calling
Blizzard conditions can strain cellular networks. Text messages typically require less bandwidth and battery usage than voice calls.
Disable Nonessential Features
Turn off Bluetooth, Wi-Fi if unavailable, location services and background app refresh. Close unused apps running in the background.
Limit Frequent App Refreshing
Repeatedly checking weather or social media apps can quickly reduce battery life. Officials advise checking updates periodically rather than continuously.
With heavy snow continuing across Boston and Worcester, conserving battery power now may help ensure continued access to critical information if outages occur overnight.
