The festival phone guide you didn’t know you needed.Blog
It’s nearly festival season. And while they’re loads of fun, they can also be super chaotic, especially if you’re not prepared. So, we’ve put together some top phone tips and tools to help you get the best from the fest. Must-have phone accessories for festivals. Portable power bank. Festivals aren’t short. You’ll probably be there from Thursday to Sunday at least. And your phone’s battery will really be put to the test. So, packing a high-capacity portable power bank (one that’s at least 10,000mAh) is key. Then, you’ll be able to keep your phone charged all weekend, letting you capture every moment and stay in touch with your mates. After all, it’s easy to lose them in a big crowd! Look for one that’s lightweight and durable. Then you can carry it around without adding too much bulk to your festival bag. Waterproof phone pouch. Muddy fields, spilled drinks and rain are all part of the festival experience. Remember, we do live in the UK. So, you’re almost definitely going to encounter all three. A waterproof phone pouch is a great way to protect your phone from the elements. These nifty little pouches are designed to keep your phone dry (and most importantly, working), even when it’s absolutely chucking it down. They’re transparent too, making it easy to send a text without taking it out and risking a soaking. Make sure to get one that fits your phone snugly and has a secure seal to stop any water from seeping in. Phone lanyard or crossbody holder. Grab a crossbody holder or a phone lanyard to keep your phone safe. Sling it across your chest or around your neck, and it’ll make it way harder for any would-be thieves to try and nick it. And if you fancy a boogie – and plan to dance the night away – there’s less chance it’ll end up in a muddy puddle. Battery life hacks. Enable Low Power Mode or Battery Saver. Turn on Low Power Mode (iPhone) or Battery Saver (Android) as soon as possible. Both will help your phone to use less power, extending the battery life. It makes a big difference when you’re staying onsite for multiple days. Turn off background app refresh, Bluetooth and push notifications. The above are all convenient features, but they’ll drain your battery quickly. Switch them off to save some juice. You can always turn them back on later when you’re leaving the festival. Download maps, tickets and setlists offline. Do this one ahead of time. It’ll save data and battery power. Plus, having your maps and tickets available offline means you can access them without needing a constant internet connection - which is spotty at best at festivals. Keep screen brightness low and use Airplane Mode. Your screen brightness is another serious battery drainer. When you’re not using your phone, slide that brightness all the way down and use Airplane Mode, especially if you don’t need to check any messages. Then you’re guaranteed to have some power left to take a few videos of your favourite artist. Bring a spare cable. Even with a portable power bank, you’ll need a cable to charge your phone. And bring a spare one too, as they’re small and easy to lose. It’ll come in handy if one of your friends ends up in a similar situation as well. Emergency contact prep. Set up emergency contacts. There’s a good chance you might lose your phone. So, set up some emergency contacts on your lock screen, with a short message to go along with them. Anyone who finds your phone can then easily text or call your contact(s) and return your phone to you. Panic over. Save group numbers as favourites. It’s worth saving your group’s numbers as favourites for quick calling or texting. Use them when you get split up, and you’ll be reunited in no time. Agree on a central meeting point. Ahead of the big headline set, agree on a specific meeting point for your group and write it down somewhere – just in case you and your pals get separated. This might be a specific stage, a burger van, or a landmark that’s easy to spot from most parts of the festival. Then, if you do lose each other in the mosh pit, it’ll be easy to link up after. What3Words (W3W). Festival sites can be pretty huge, especially if you’re at one like Glastonbury or Reading. So, before you head off, make sure you download the What3Words app. It divides the entire world into 3x3m squares, each with a unique three-word code. This makes it simple to share your precise location with mates when you’re lost among a sprawling sea of tents. And speaking of tents… Once you’ve pitched your tent, take a quick screenshot of its W3W address. That way, you can always find your way back, even if your phone’s battery dies. Share the screenshot in the group chat too - it’ll make organising meetups an absolute breeze. Got any festival tips or tricks we haven’t mentioned? Tell us about them in the comments down below.
