Tips & Tricks- Charging Your Phone

You already know cell phones are extremely helpful. In addition to convenient calling, they help keep us on schedule with built-in alarms and calendars. But they’re only helpful if they’re charged up! Here are three easy phone charging tips for keeping your device ready for action:

Plug it in.

The best way to charge your phone is to connect it directly to a wall outlet. Although wireless chargers and connecting your phone to your computer with a USB cable are convenient ways to recharge, they’re not as quick as the traditional outlet cable.Isolated Man's Hand Holding The Phone With Low Battery On A Scre

Keep it cool.

Heat is the major reason for reduced battery life and can be hard on your phone’s battery. Don’t leave your phone directly in the sun or near a heat-producing device (like your computer’s vent) when charging. Instead, find the coolest nearby place (as close to room temperature as possible).

Charge it often.

Don’t wait until your phone is almost dead to recharge. This can make the battery work harder and reduce its life expectancy. Instead, plug in your phone when it’s 40 to 60 percent full—not 10 percent.

These basic phone charging tips will help keep your battery healthy and let you talk, text, watch, and play longer.

Check back next week for a new iPhone tip!

66 Thoughts on "Tips & Tricks- Charging Your Phone"

  1. louis washington says

    Great tip

    Thanks

  2. Barbara Smythe says

    Just got a new battery and the phone will still not charge. I am very frustrated. Also, your phone number, 1-888-345-5509, does not work. I keep getting a recorded message, “You phone call can not be completed as dialed.” This is not helping my frustration level. Help!

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Thank you for the comment Barbara, and I’m sorry you’ve been frustrated. Please try dialing the number without a 1 first- it isn’t necessary. Our customer support team can then work with you to get the issue resolved. Thank you!

  3. G. Johnson says

    All these little tidbits of info are very helpful….thank you. I knew that my battery was the kind that wouldn’t develop a memory, but sometimes wait too long to charge it. CC is a great company and my wife and I certainly appreciate y’all.

  4. John Gennette says

    If I want to transfer my pictures taken on my cell phone to my computer, what do I need to do.

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Thank you for the comment, John. You can transfer photos stored on an SD card by using a card reader slot on your computer. If your photos are stored on the device itself, use the cable that came with your phone, (often the one that plugs into the charger) and use it to connect to your computer. If you have any problems, our customer care team would be happy to walk you through it- just give them a call at (888) 345-5509. Thanks!

  5. J Leatherman says

    Faster charging when in AIRPLANE MODE!

  6. Rosemarie says

    What kind of charger do I use for the phone? Thank you

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Great question, Rosemarie. The best charger to use it the one that came with your phone, which plugs into a wall socket. Car chargers and other types work well, but the original charger works best. Thanks again!

  7. Georgie Grutbo says

    I need a password for my iPhone 3g. but have not been able to put one on my phone.
    Please tell me how to do so. Thank you

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Great question, Georgie. Go to Settings, then tap the General option. Scroll down until you see Passcode Lock, then select it. You can turn on the Passcode option, and set one from there. Don’t forget you can always give us a call at (888) 345-5509, and we can walk you through it. Thank you again!

  8. Don Bell says

    As they say “there’s an app for that”. Try using the app “Battery Doctor” available on the android play store. It helps keep you informed about your battery charge and status. It also has a “trickle charge” stage that will help extend your batter life. I have found it very useful and use it constantly.
    Thanks, CC for all the tips and tricks!

  9. Patty says

    Hi,
    Lost consumer cellular charger.. Where can I buy another one and how much is it?
    Thank you,
    Patty
    [email protected]

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Great question, Patty. You can find one at your local Sears store, through our website, or you can order one over the phone at 888-345-5509. Whichever works best for you!

  10. Heidi says

    My phone will no longer charge. I have used Two different chargers and plugged it in different spots around the house.

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      That sounds frustrating, Heidi! We’re happy to troubleshoot that with you, and see if we can get that resolved. Can you give us a call at 888-345-5509? Our representatives will be happy to help you. Thank you for reaching out to us today!

  11. Rosemarie Carbajal says

    I am trying to charge my new consumer cellular 101 for the first time. It’s been charging for a while. How long does it take before I can use it? I already tried calling the too free support line but could not stand listening to all that advertising during the long wait. Thank you.

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Thank you for asking, Rosemarie. We recommend giving your phone a few hours to charge for the first time. If after a few hours the phone isn’t fully charged, we’re happy to troubleshoot at 888-345-5509. We appreciate you reaching out to us today!

  12. Max says

    Should the phone be OFF when charging, or is it OK to leave the phone ON when charging?

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Great question, Max. You can charge your phone while it is on or off, it’s really up to you. Thanks for posting!

  13. aleesha says

    Where is a battery?

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Thank you for asking, Aleesha. Depending on your device, you should find the battery on the back of the phone. Some batteries are removable, while others are not. We’re happy to answer any questions you may have about your specific device at 888-345-5509. We appreciate you posting today!

  14. Jeff Penley says

    My dad lost the charger that came with his phone, how can I get him a new One? He has a DORO PhoneEasy 626

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      We can definitely help with that, Jeff. You can purchase a replacement charger over the phone at 888-345-5509, and we can get that on the way to you quickly. Thank you for reaching out to us!

  15. Mercedes Martinez says

    why do you only give a phone number for troubleshooting, if the screen is black you can’t call out.

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Thank you for posting, Mercedes. To resolve an issue with your device, we often need to work with you over the phone to complete different steps and verify different settings. If possible, please call us from another phone line so that we can assist you with that screen issue. We may need to have your turn your phone off, then back on again, so calling from another line allows us to stay on the call with you. We appreciate you taking the time to reach out to us!

  16. Virgina A LoGiudice says

    My phone is not keeping its charge, charge nightly in morning full charge, half way through the day it is losing charge only 1/4 full not using phone any extra time, never had a problem before, and also I have a problem downloading photos and receiving, can place on facebook and receive on facebook. Please advise what I can do.

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Thank you for reaching out to us, Virginia. First, take a look and see if you have Bluetooth or GPS enabled. Both of those features require a great deal of battery in order to function. Next, you may try reducing your screen brightness as well. You can also see which apps or features are using the most battery by opening your Settings app, then selecting Battery. If you scroll down, you’ll the percentage of battery used by each feature. If you continue to experience a battery issue, please give us a call at 888-345-5509 and we will be happy to do some additional troubleshooting with you. We appreciate you taking the time to post, and we hope you have a lovely day!

  17. Ronelle L Schwartz says

    I have to charge my phone when I’m not using it all the time? Why do I have to charge it often??? I hardly use it when I’m driving. Thanks

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Thanks for posting, Ronelle. I took a look at your account, and I see that you’re using our Consumer Cellular 101 flip phone. Depending on how you use your phone, it’s not uncommon to need to charge it every few days or so. If your phone is running low on battery within just a few hours, please call us at 888-345-5509. We can troubleshoot the issue and work with you to resolve any issues. We appreciate you posting, and we look forward to speaking with you!

  18. Robert says

    I just purchased the doro phoneeasy 626 for Christmas for my mother. I opened it up and put it on the charger , been charging for about 4 hrs . however, it will not turn on . the only thing that happens is the screen blinks like it wants to turn on but does nothing . do I need to return it back ,defected?

    • Hi Robert, I’m sorry to hear you’re having trouble with your mother’s new phone. When you remove the phone from the charger, pressing and holding the red button above the number three should power the phone on after one or two seconds. If the phone still isn’t powering on, please give us a call at 888-345-5509. If the phone is defective it can be exchanged at the store where you made the purchase. Please let us know if we can help you!

  19. Marlene fellner says

    My door easy 626 is 3+ yrs old and won’t hold a charge, can I just get a new battery or do I have to get a new phone?

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Thank you for posting, Marlene. We’re happy to speak with you about your device and troubleshoot any battery issues you’ve been experiencing. That way, we can help you determine the best way to move forward. At your convenience, please give us a call at 888-345-5509 and we will be ready to assist you. We appreciate you taking the time to post, and we look forward to speaking with you soon!

  20. Lum says

    I also have an Iphone , you gave me the such a great information today.Thanks for sharing !!

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      We’re happy to be of help! Thank you for posting, and we hope you have a lovely day!

  21. Brenda says

    My husband and mom have the doro flip and both of them are having issues with battery life they go to use it and its battery has lost charge unable to use it when they need too. They charge them and says charged and hours later right back to no phone. Neither one of the phones have GPS or Bluetooth. Please advise what to do as my mom is 81 and I need to know she will be able to use her phone when needed. Thank you for your time and help in this issue.

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Thank you for reaching out to us, Brenda. We can perform some troubleshooting for both your mother and husband to investigate this issue and see what we can do to resolve it. Please give us a call at 888-345-5509 at your convenience. If possible, please call from a different device so that we can power cycle the Doro as needed during the troubleshooting. We appreciate you posting, and we look forward to assisting you!

  22. Carol says

    Battery problem? Have to charge everyday. I don’t use this phone very much and it was purchased only one month ago. Bought it at Target. Targets tech doesn’t know much, about it. my question to you is: can this battery be replaced with a better one and what battery would that be? What should be the time frame for usage, when fully charged, with minimal usage. In other words, why do I have to charge this phone every day?

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Thank you for reaching out to us, Carol. I was able to take a look at your account, and I see that you’re using the Doro PhoneEasy 626. You should be able to talk for about 6 hours on the phone before charging, or go for about 16 days without charging while not using it to make calls. Please keep in mind that this is dependent on a lot of different factors. We’re happy to troubleshoot this device for you over the phone at 888-345-5509 at your convenience. We appreciate you posting today, and we look forward to assisting you!

  23. kathryn says

    I can’t get open where you put charger into phone.

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Thanks for posting, Kathryn. We’re happy to assist you via a phone call if you like, so that we can better understand your device and any issues that are happening with your charger. Please call us at 888-345-5509 at your convenience. We appreciate you taking the time to reach out to us, and we look forward to assisting you!

  24. Donna Valery says

    I have just purchased a Doro 626 flip phone as it was supposed to work
    better with hearing aids. I want to know why the battery loses power
    even without use. IN twelve hours with no talk or text time the phone
    tells me I am down to 25% power. Please help me. Donna V.

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Thank you for getting in touch with us, Donna. We’re happy to troubleshoot this issue for you if you like at 888-345-5509. Please give us a call at your convenience. We appreciate you taking the time to post, and we look forward to assisting you soon.

  25. Maribel says

    Does the Doro phone come with a charger or do I have to buy one one on the website?

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Thanks for asking, Maribel! The Doro comes complete with a charger, as do each of the devices we offer. If you would like an extra charger or one to use in the car, we can help you order those separately. We appreciate you posting, and we hope you have a lovely day!

  26. Tim doyle says

    My Doro does not make a good connection with the charger. Can I get a wireless charger? The phone is fairly new.

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Thanks for asking, Tim! We’re sorry to hear that you’re having issues with charging your Doro, and we can help you order a new charger if you like. Unfortunately, the Doro doesn’t offer wireless charging at this time. Please give us a call at 888-345-5509 at your convenience, and we will be ready to assist you. We appreciate you taking the time to post, and we hope to speak with you soon!

  27. Gloria says

    I have a new Doro 4G flip phone. I looses charge quickly because the light in the face of the phone won’t cut off. It stays on constantly.

    • Nicole at Consumer Cellular says

      Hi Gloria, you can change how long the LCD backlight stays on by going to Menu > Settings > Personalization > Display > LCD Backlight and select how long you would like it to stay on before it automatically turns off. If you’re having any trouble, then I recommend giving us a call at 888-548-6490 or starting a live chat with us here.

  28. Benancio V Negrete says

    Doro 626 won’t charge despite trying different cords ? Ordered new battery and even that one won’t charge, is there something in phone causing this?

    • Nicole at Consumer Cellular says

      Hi Benancio, our customer service team would be happy to help determine where the issue is coming from. Please give us a call at 888-345-5509 or chat with us here.

  29. Rs says

    A gentleman I know has a phone that is squealing and whining while it’s plugged in and out won’t turn on. He’s had it less than a year now. The model is Z2332CC. I can take the battery out while it’s still plugged in. Now the screen is making a pulsating noise.

    • Hi Rs, thanks for reaching out regarding that phone. At this time, we’d definitely recommend having them give us a call at 888-548-6490 or chat with one of our agents here for further assistance so that we can look into it further.

  30. Craig A Richman says

    I have a ZTE Avid 579 phone
    that was purchased from Consumer Cellular. The white wire that is used to charge the phone is only
    39 inches long. I use the phone while it is charging, but the wall outlets I have in my apartment are too far from where I use the phone.
    Can I purchase a longer charging wire from Target or would a extension cord be the best solution?

    • Nicole at Consumer Cellular says

      Great question, Craig. You can find charging cords at Target, or any other store that sells electronics accessories, and they may have a longer one available.

  31. Ann says

    I charged the phone early this am had an apt. When I came back went to complete the charge. Phone went blank. Called consumer support. A hard Shot was done it corrected the problem. Was told to charge the phone at 10% level and let it charge to 100%.
    Do not let over charge. I understand that. Is there a screen you can go to other than the Battery Level when I open the flip? I can’ t tell
    If it is 10% and If I am going out for the day I will want it fully charged.

    • Hi Ann, thanks for your question! Make sure your phone is powered on to see your home screen while charging the phone. Just press and hold the power button down to turn it on and you’ll see your regular home screen while charging instead.

  32. Bb says

    My phone fully died and I recharged it but my phone now won’t turn on. It just says “ 100% charged” what to do?

    • Hi Bb, thanks for your post! I’d recommend pressing and holding down on the power button for about 30 seconds and see if you get a response. If not, definitely give us a call at 800-686-4460 from a different phone, or chat with us here for further assistance.

  33. Laura Christensen says

    New phone second time I’m charging has already taken 14 hours and is only 58% charged ,why? Is this a old phone with a old battery?

    • Hi Laura, thanks for your post. I’m sorry to hear about the trouble you’re having with the phone. We’d be happy to look into this for you more and see what’s going on with that. Give us a call at 800-686-4460 or chat with one of our agents here for further assistance.

  34. Lloyd Wood says

    I use my phone only for a few minutes a day to check email but find no battery after just a couple of days and am tired of recharging it on wall socket. How come?

    • Hi Lloyd, thanks for your question. A smartphone has a lot of things going on in the background that drain the battery, it is very normal to have to charge a smartphone every couple of days if you’re not using it because apps are refreshing and updating in the background, information such as emails are coming in, any text message or call that comes in will use it as well. If you notice it draining faster than that, you can give us a call at 800-686-4460 or chat with one of our agents here for further assistance.

  35. Robert says

    Is it okay to leave my flip phone plugged in the charging dock all the time?

    • Hi Robert, thanks for your question. We generally don’t recommend leaving a phone charging 24/7. Instead, you can leave the phone on the counter or table and let it sit there until it’s ready to charge again.