NEWARK — As blizzard conditions intensify across New Jersey, residents in Newark, Atlantic City and surrounding communities are being urged to take steps now to conserve cellphone battery life ahead of possible overnight power outages.
During a blizzard, mobile devices may become the primary source for emergency alerts, road updates and communication with family members. Preserving battery life early can help extend access to critical information if outages persist.
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 or adjust it through 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 messaging typically requires less bandwidth and battery power 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 Constant App Refreshing
Repeatedly checking weather or social media apps can quickly drain battery life. Officials advise checking updates periodically rather than continuously.
With heavy snow continuing across Newark and Atlantic City, conserving battery power now may help ensure continued connectivity if outages occur overnight.
