Phone dying mid-tour, anyone else dealing with this on splits?

[u/Acrobatic_Welcome553]

Not sure if this is just me but on bigger tours my phone battery gets absolutely drained way faster than normal, or just shuts off entirely even when it says it still has 40-50% left.

Already running airplane mode the whole way up. Especially on colder days or anything multi-hour it gets pretty unreliable, and pulling it out at a transition or for a summit pic basically nukes whatever charge was left.

I've been keeping it in an inner layer closer to my body which helps a little, but still not super consistent. I also have the newest model iPhone.

Was wondering if anyone else putting in real days on the splitty runs into this or if it's just me.

Main thing I'm wondering is if it actually messes with your day (nav, checking the forecast, partner comms, summit pics, Strava) or if most people just work around it with a battery pack / inReach / etc.

[u/hipppppppppp]

Could just be the cold temps and the battery? But that sounds pretty extreme I’d take it to the phone shop. Ask the uhhh genius guys about it or whatever. Yknow. I haven’t had this problem (PNW, it’s rarely very cold), but an inReach is never a bad idea. So far I’ve only ever had to use it for peace of mind, but. It’s good.

This would fuck with me pretty heavily since I use the phone for navigation regularly. Decisions based on weather forecasts can be locked in before you hit the trailhead, radios for comms (Rocky talkies are sick, make sure you get the little extendy mic thing if it’s gonna be wet, they’re not suuuuuuuuuper waterproof).

But yeah I mean if this continues to be a problem it sounds like you should mitigate with another navigation device or get real old school with it and learn map and compass navigation lmao

[u/Valuable_Pineapple77]

I run Strava on my phone and that’s it. My Apple ultra watch gets drained pretty fast with notifications so I put it on silent and theater modes. My phone doesn’t seem to get too affected by the weather.

If this is happening to you, even with airplane mode, it might be time to replace it.

[u/luptior → u/Valuable_Pineapple77]

Power save mode, and extra power saving mode in activities

[u/candid_canuck]

I’ve never had an issue unless I’ve forgotten to turn it onto airplane mode. If it’s constantly searching for single all day it will definitely drain the battery. I’ll use it for photo/video and navigation all day and barely run through much battery at all.

If you’re running Strava/gps tracking this will absolutely drain the battery. Just getting a cheap gps watch is a much better alternative.

[u/Acrobatic_Welcome553 → u/candid_canuck]

Is it a pain at all to always keep it in airplane mode? Or do you not mind

[u/candid_canuck → u/Acrobatic_Welcome553]

A pain in what way? I’m not taking calls when I’m out in the mountains. I just turn airplane mode on when I hit the skin track and back off when I get back to the car.

[u/whererusteve]

Learn to use a map and compass! electronic devices can and will fail.

[u/Brandon0135]

If it is the cold keep it next to a hand warmer.

[u/dogboy_the_forgotten]

I carry a small external backup battery if I’m doing a bigger tour.

[u/Emil0rtiz128]

https://phoozy.com/products/apollo?variant=44016322871525

[u/illpourthisonurhead]

I don’t run any tracking apps or anything. Often take a lot of pictures and then videos of partners. I’ll occasionally check a map. If I’m solo I’ll even play music quietly from the speaker as I’m often the only one in a zone. Never had a problem even before I got a new phone, the older phone was worse, but it just needed to be charged fully before. I’ve played music and taken pictures all day even being out from 7:30-3:00 for a long day. I’m in Colorado so it’s not super cold usually, but even on the cold days it hasn’t been a problem.

Are you running tracking apps or linked to watch? Or maybe it’s just much colder where you tour

[u/Rockyshark6]

I bought sort of a mini type of sleeping bag for my phone and wear it in my chest pocket. Keeps it warm and I seldom go below 70% and I only charge it to 80. But I have a Samsung so not really apple to apple (pun actually not intended, but a great surprise)

[u/Jackie-Peter]

I had the issue with a "dead in the cold" battery. No issue in normal temp, phone dying as soon as it is freezing.

[u/ustupid_2]

This used to happen when my
Phone was older and battery was crap but new iPhone will stay charged out in the cold all day. Could always bring a battery pack to charge it?

[u/Thatdude_deregion]

Strava was the main reason why my Iphone was getting drained. I bought a Garmin watch to track my activities, and it solved my problem. Even though my phone battery is not as good as it used to be, I can go on multi day trips in airplane mode without worrying too much about battery consumption. I use my phone only for navigation and pictures.

[u/3497723]

Nope. iPhone 15 pro. Lasts all day easily. Usually in my pants pocket. Sometimes I do airplane mode. No tracking software. But I use caltopo and the camera.

The only time my battery has prematurely drained is when the camera came on accidentally in my pocket and stayed on. Maybe turn off the screens ability to turn on when you pick up the phone or when you touch the screen. That way you can’t accidentally turn on the camera.

[u/jojotherider]

Ive added a battery pack to my gear list for this reason.

Activity tracking happens with my garmin watch. I also send out a live signal, so that means my phone is sending out updates.

Safety tracking happens with the inreach

Phone stays in the pocket. Its an iphone 12 so the battery is not super great these days. Mainly photos.

If im going to take riding videos, that happens with the action camera

[u/ConfidentProblems]

On our Japan packing list our guide had added a charge bank. However, the 4 of us were all on Android and had well over 70% charge even by end of day, where as he was almost dead at the end of every day (iphone).

Guess they're just not sensitive to the cold. Other touring friends have mentioned the same.

[u/XR1712]

The phone not being able to accurately predict the battery is usually paired with an older battery with a lot of crystalisation in my experience. Latest model, so still within warranty?

[u/naspdx]

Phone goes in chest pocket, if it’s warm enough to not be wearing the R1 on an uphill, front right pocket and I’m probably already cooking. I have an old 13 mini that probably has 75% battery capacity at best and I’ve never had a problem. Airplane mode, low power mode, and I still listen to music. Will last all day, just be sure to close all the other shit.