We have become so comfortable with our phones that they seem like part of our bodies today.
We carry them around wherever we go to enable us to do online searches, check emails, and communicate with friends, among other things.
So what do you do when you don’t have a charger nearby or an electric socket to plug it into?
The feeling that comes when the battery percentage approaches zero is too familiar. The upside though is that your luck is not completely lost!
There are multiple inventive methods of charging your phone that don’t involve the standard charger, and you don’t even need electricity.
According to a report from Market.us, cellular phone battery chargers worldwide increased their revenue from 16.9 billion dollars in 2022 to 18.5 billion dollars in 2023 and afterward moved on to reach 20.1 billion dollars a year later (2024).
So let’s explore these useful, clever, and sometimes unexpected approaches for charging a mobile without a charger and electricity.
1. Use a Power Bank
That is just a form of charging but it is so important that the attention it gets is deserved. To take our phone along with us during the day, we will need to have power banks.
There are different types of mobile battery packs; some can even be used to charge our phones several times.
Before we run into a situation, ensure that our power bank is completely charged. It ought to be stored in your purse, car, or some easy-access spot so that we can just reach out for it when the battery of our phone calls for charging.
Why It Works: Power banks store electrical energy that can be transferred to our phone through a USB cable, providing a reliable and portable source of power.
2. Solar Charging
A solar charger can be a great companion for those who enjoy spending their time outside and are disconnected from the typical electrical grid.
They rely on solar electricity to power gadgets such as phones by converting sunlight into electrical energy through solar panels.
If we’re going camping, hiking, or anywhere else that sees sunlight but doesn’t offer electricity stations then solar charging systems would be appropriate for us.
They can exist as pocket-sized transportable panels that can be hooked onto our rucksacks or as more extensive frameworks capable of running various electronic gadgets simultaneously.
Why It Works: Solar chargers capture energy from the sun, converting it into electrical energy that can be used to charge our phones.
Tip: Keep in mind that solar charging can be slower than traditional charging methods, especially if the sunlight is weak or inconsistent.
Also Read: 8 Free Personal Safety Apps: Protect Yourself on the Go
3. Hand-Crank Chargers
While hand-cranked chargers may seem like an outdated concept, they are very valuable in case of emergencies.
Such devices can transform the kinetic power produced from turning a handle into electric current, hence enabling the charging of mobile phones.
Although wall outlets charge phones with greater speed and efficiency than hand-crank chargers, the latter serves as an excellent alternative when we run out of power.
They’re also compact and can be carried around easily for emergencies or other unforeseen situations.
Why It Works: The mechanical energy generated by cranking the handle is converted into electrical energy, providing a small but valuable charge to our phone.
Tip: Hand-crank chargers are also great for keeping small flashlights and radios charged, which can be useful in an emergency.
4. Use a Laptop or PC
A laptop or PC is a good substitute for a phone charger during times when we cannot find one. Use a USB cable and connect it from our laptop to the phone.
Although this method does not charge as quickly as plugging into an outlet, it can keep our phone alive.
All we need to do is connect the cell phone to a laptop or PC using a USB cable; after that cell phone will start recharging itself.
Note however that If for instance, our laptop is on battery power alone, then this method usually tends to drain out its battery as well hence it is best when plugged in.
Why It Works: The USB port on our laptop or PC provides a low-voltage power source that can charge our phone.
Tip: If your phone isn’t charging when connected to a laptop or PC, check the USB settings on your phone to ensure it’s set to charge and not just to transfer data.
5. Wireless Charging Pads
Modern smartphones are likely to incorporate wireless charging technology. There are electromagnetic fields created by wireless charging pads that enable energy transfer from the pad to our phone without requiring a wire.
If we have a wireless charger but not an ordinary one, it’s good to keep in mind that this method consumes electricity as well.
In those situations, it is wise to be vigilant for a wireless charging pad may come in handy.
Charging pads through the air have become commonplace in airports, coffeehouses, and even some cars.
Why It Works: Wireless charging pads use electromagnetic induction to transfer energy to our phone, allowing us to charge it without a cable.
Tip: Wireless charging can be a bit slower than wired charging, so be patient if our battery is critically low.
6. Use Another Device’s Battery
In urgent situations, we can borrow the battery of another device to recharge our phone, which is also known as reverse charging and is featured in select smartphones and electronic devices that can act as power banks for others.
As an example, when there’s a need to juice up one’s cell phone, one may connect it using a USB OTG (On-The-Go) cable to either their fully charged tablet or a buddy’s mobile that has an impressively huge battery capacity.
This method is especially useful if we’re traveling with others and someone has a device with plenty of battery life to spare.
Why It Works: Reverse charging allows one device to transfer its stored energy to another device via a USB cable.
Tip: Make sure both devices support reverse charging and have the necessary cable or adapter to make it work.
Also Read: 7 Best Free Apps To Download YouTube Videos
7. Use a Portable Wind Turbine
This may seem extreme, but the capability of charging our mobile phones in inaccessible locations with portable wind turbines is no myth.
These small-scale, transportable equipment harness wind power to produce electric energy that can be utilized to charge the user’s cell phone.
Portable wind turbines could be an excellent accessory for our outfit if we often find ourselves in windy areas.
Some versions are made in such a way that they are low in weight and small hence we can easily walk around with them.
Why It Works: The wind turns the turbine’s blades, which generates electricity that can be used to charge our phone.
Tip: Like solar chargers, wind turbines depend on environmental conditions, so their efficiency can vary depending on the weather.
Bonus Tips for Extending Battery Life
Although charging your smartphone without a power bank or electricity is not impossible, it is advisable not to allow the battery to drop to zero.
The following are some extra tips for prolonging the battery life of our phones:
- Lower Screen Brightness: The brightness of the screen is one of the things that can be controlled to save battery on our phone. We can also switch on auto brightness so that our phone’s display changes depending on the lighting conditions within its environment.
- Turn Off Background Apps: Our battery can be drained quickly by background apps, especially ones that use data. To save power, close all unneeded applications.
- Enable Battery Saver Mode: In order to extend battery life, most smartphones feature a battery-saver mode that limits background activity and reduces performance. When our power level is low, remember to enable this.
- Disable Unnecessary Features: Switch off services such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and GPS that are not in use to save battery.
- Use Airplane Mode: If we don’t have any network to link up, switch our device into Airplane Mode. This option disables the phone’s ability to search for signals and consequently drains out batteries at fast rates.
Last Words For Charge A Mobile Without Charger And Electricity
When there is no charger or power, then that can be frustrating but don’t worry. We just need to be creative and possess the right tools and our phones will never run out of power despite difficult conditions.
Whether it is using any portable charger like power banks or solar panel chargers or generating electricity for the phone manually.
There are many other ways to charge a mobile phone apart from the conventional means during times when they are out of the question.
However, using these techniques as backups is better and not our primary charging means.
Whenever we can charge our device, do so, and purchase a power bank or solar charger if they are often in places where electricity is scarce.
When left with no option, we’ll be able to access our phone – and ourselves – from anywhere.
