How to Keep Your Phone Working in a Power Outage or Storm

Will my cell phone work if the power goes out?

Usually, yes, at least at first. Cell towers run on their own power, with backup batteries that typically last a few hours, and many sites have generators or can get portable ones. In long, wide outages, towers can run out of backup power, and storms can also damage towers or the fiber lines that connect them. That is when service drops. Some areas have stricter rules: California, for example, requires longer backup power at towers in high fire-risk areas.

Why Wi-Fi calling stops working

Wi-Fi calling sends calls and texts through your home internet instead of the cell network. When the power goes out, your router goes off, so Wi-Fi calling stops. If your home has weak cell signal and you rely on Wi-Fi calling indoors, an outage can leave you with no service at home even though the network is fine. Step outside, go near a window, or move upstairs to find cell signal. A small battery backup (UPS) for your modem and router can keep Wi-Fi going for hours, but only if your internet provider's own equipment in the area still has power.

How to make your battery last

1. Turn on Low Power Mode (iPhone) or Battery Saver (Android) as soon as the power goes out, not when you hit 20%.
2. Lower screen brightness and turn off Bluetooth if you don't need it.
3. Turn off Wi-Fi once your router is off. Searching for Wi-Fi drains the battery.
4. If signal is very weak, your phone uses extra power searching for it. Turn on Airplane Mode for a while and check for messages every hour or so.
5. Close apps that use location or video, and avoid streaming.
6. Charge from a power bank, a car charger with the engine running in a ventilated space, or a hand-crank or solar charger. Never run a car or generator in a garage or indoors.

Text instead of calling

During storms and emergencies, networks get busy because everyone calls at once. Texts use far less network capacity and often get through when calls don't. FEMA and the FCC both recommend texting non-emergency messages and keeping calls short. Use 911 for emergencies only.

How to check if it's an outage or your phone

• Check your carrier's own outage page or app first. It shows known outages near you.
• Check Downdetector for spikes in reports, but remember it counts complaints, not confirmed outages.
• Ask someone on a different carrier. If their phone works and yours doesn't, it is likely your carrier.
• For major disasters, the FCC publishes cell site outage reports by county when it activates its Disaster Information Reporting System.
• Restart your phone and toggle Airplane Mode. If you see 'SOS' or 'SOS only', you can still call 911.

Carrier-specific outage checks: Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, Cricket, Metro, Boost Mobile, Mint Mobile and Visible all have their own guides on our site (links below).

If there is no cell service at all

• Try 911 anyway. Phones can connect to any carrier's network for 911 calls.
• Use satellite emergency features if you have them: Emergency SOS via satellite on iPhone 14 and newer, satellite SOS on recent Pixel and Galaxy phones, and T-Mobile's satellite texting on supported plans.
• In declared disasters, carriers can let you roam on each other's networks so your phone connects to whatever is working.
• Find a charging and Wi-Fi center. Local governments and carriers often set them up after big storms.

Set up these before storm season

• Wireless Emergency Alerts: iPhone, Settings, Notifications, Government Alerts. Android: Settings, Safety & emergency (or Notifications), Wireless emergency alerts.
• Medical ID or emergency information on your lock screen.
• Emergency contacts saved with clear names, and a written copy in your wallet.
• Offline maps for your area in Google Maps or Apple Maps.
• A charged power bank kept by the door, plus a car charger cable.