तुम्ही बाहेर असताना फोनची बॅटरी संपली: सुरक्षितपणे चार्ज करा¶

दिवसाच्या मध्यभागी काळा पडणारा फोन लहान आपत्तीसारखा वाटू शकतो. तुमचा नकाशा, तुमचे तिकीट, तुमची राइड होम, तुमचे पेमेंट कार्ड आणि मदतीसाठी कॉल करण्याची तुमची क्षमता या सर्व गोष्टी त्या एका डिव्हाइसमध्ये असू शकतात. चांगली बातमी अशी आहे की मृत बॅटरी ही दूर करण्यासाठी सर्वात सोपी फोन समस्यांपैकी एक आहे आणि बहुतेक शहरे तुमच्या अपेक्षेपेक्षा जास्त पॉवर मिळविण्यासाठी जागा देतात.

This guide walks you through what to do in the first few minutes, where to find a free charge or a loan of a cable and a power bank, and how to ask for help politely. It also explains how to protect your data at public charging points, and how to stay safe and find your way while the phone is off. If you are in danger right now and cannot charge the phone, skip ahead to the section on emergency help without a phone, or read how to make an emergency call with a dead or low battery phone.

आता हे करा¶

1. Check that it is really the battery. Hold the power button for 10 to 15 seconds. A frozen phone can look dead, and a cold phone can shut down at 20 or 30 percent. If the screen shows a battery symbol or a logo, it is only low on charge.
2. Warm it up if you are in the cold. Put the phone inside your coat against your body for a few minutes. Lithium batteries lose power quickly below about 0 degrees Celsius (32 degrees Fahrenheit) and often recover some charge when warmed.
3. If you are in danger or someone is hurt, get a person to call for you. Ask the nearest adult, shop worker or driver to call your local emergency number (911 in the United States and Canada, 112 across the European Union, 999 in the United Kingdom). See the list of आपत्कालीन क्रमांक इतर देशांसाठी.
4. Find a safe, public, staffed place to charge. Walk to a library, cafe, hotel lobby, pharmacy, transit station or shop that is open and busy. Staffed places are safer than empty ones.
5. Ask for a charge or a loan. Say what you need in one sentence, offer to buy something small, and offer to leave your ID or stay in view. Staff often say yes.
6. Use your own cable and wall adapter if you can. Avoid plugging into unknown USB ports. If you must, use a power only adapter or a "data blocker" so nothing but electricity passes through.

Why batteries die faster than you expect¶

Understanding why the phone died helps you stop it from happening again within the same hour. Several things drain a battery faster than people realise, and they tend to stack up when you are out and about.

• Weak signal. When your phone is far from a tower, it boosts its radio power to hold a connection. A phone in a basement, a train tunnel, a rural area or a crowded stadium can lose a large share of its charge in a short time.
• Screen brightness and navigation. Running a map app with the screen on at full brightness is among the heaviest uses of a phone. An hour of navigation can use a quarter or more of a typical battery.
• Cold weather. Batteries deliver less power in the cold. The percentage shown can drop suddenly, then jump back when the phone warms up.
• Heat. A phone left on a car dashboard or in direct sun may slow charging, dim the screen or shut off to protect itself. Move it into shade and let it cool before you charge.
• Old batteries. A battery that is three or more years old holds much less charge than it did when new. The percentage may look fine and then fall to zero.
• Background apps, location and photos. Video calls, streaming, hotspot sharing, ride apps and constant camera use all draw power. So do apps that refresh in the background.

What to do in the first five minutes¶

Stay calm and make a short plan. Panic wastes the minutes that matter.

Ask yourself three questions: Am I safe? Do I know where I am and how to get home? What do I need the phone for in the next hour?

Check your surroundings and your safety¶

Look around. Are you in a busy public place with people and lights, or somewhere quiet and isolated? If you feel unsafe, walk toward people, lit streets and open businesses. Do not stand still in a dark, empty place waiting for a phone to charge.

If it is night, or you are alone, treat getting to a safe indoor public place as the first priority. A 24 hour pharmacy, hospital entrance, petrol station, transit hub, hotel lobby or restaurant is a better choice than a side street. For more on late night problems, read stranded at night after the last bus or train.

Note what the phone was doing¶

Think about what you need it for. Do you need to meet someone, pay for something, show a ticket, unlock a door, order a ride or contact a family member? If you were mid-journey, try to remember the next step: a street name, a platform, a bus number or a meeting point.

Write down key details on paper, your hand or a receipt as soon as you can. Names, addresses and phone numbers that you remember now may disappear from your head when you are stressed.

Decide how much charge you need¶

Most people do not need a full battery. A 20 to 30 percent charge is usually enough to call a ride, send a few messages, and show a ticket. Ask for a short charge and keep your phone on low power mode and with the screen dimmed. Those few minutes can save a long wait.

Where to get a free charge or a loan¶

Charging is one of the most common small requests that businesses and public services receive. Many of them keep spare cables, charging shelves or wall sockets for this purpose. Here are the best places to try, roughly in order of how likely they are to help.

Libraries and public buildings¶

Public libraries often have free sockets, USB ports and free Wi-Fi. Staff are used to being asked and you do not have to buy anything. Community centres, town halls, museums, tourist information offices and university campuses can be similar, particularly during opening hours.

Cafes, restaurants and fast food places¶

Many cafes have sockets near the tables, and some provide charging cables or charging stations. Buy a drink, a snack or a bottle of water, then ask politely if you can plug in. Quiet times between meal rushes are best. Sit where staff can see you and keep your phone in view while it charges.

Hotels and hostels¶

A hotel lobby is a comfortable, well lit place to sit, and the front desk often has chargers for guests. Non-guests can ask for a favour, especially if they look calm and polite. A concierge or bell desk may have a cable or a power bank to lend, and a hotel business centre may have a free socket.

ट्रान्झिट हब आणि विमानतळ¶

Train stations, bus terminals and airports usually have charging points and lounge seating. Many have lockers or charging stands that need a coin or a card. Information desks and security staff can point you to the nearest free socket, and they can also help with directions.

Pharmacies, supermarkets and convenience stores¶

मोठी दुकाने केबल, वॉल अडॅप्टर आणि पॉवर बँक विकतात. जर तुमच्याकडे कार्ड किंवा रोख असेल आणि तुमचा फोन मृत झाला असेल, तर तुम्ही स्वस्त केबल आणि अडॅप्टर खरेदी करू शकता, नंतर काउंटरवर सॉकेट मागवा. फोन चार्ज होत असताना थांबण्यासाठी जवळपास एक फार्मसी किंवा कर्मचारी सदस्य असलेले दुकान हे एक चांगले, सुरक्षित ठिकाण आहे.

पोलिस स्टेशन्स, फायर स्टेशन्स आणि हॉस्पिटल्स¶

आपत्कालीन परिस्थितीत किंवा तुम्हाला असुरक्षित वाटत असल्यास, पोलिस स्टेशन, फायर स्टेशन, हॉस्पिटल किंवा ॲम्ब्युलन्स स्टेशनमध्ये जा. तेथील कर्मचारी मदतीसाठी कॉल करू शकतात, तुमच्या वतीने कुटुंबाशी संपर्क साधू शकतात किंवा तुम्हाला थांबण्यासाठी सुरक्षित जागा देऊ शकतात. काही स्थानके ठराविक वेळेस बंद असतात, त्यामुळे कर्मचारी असलेले प्रवेशद्वार किंवा इंटरकॉम शोधा. नियमित कारणास्तव शुल्काची विनंती सहसा त्यांच्या वेळेचा सर्वोत्तम वापर करत नाही, परंतु तुम्हाला असुरक्षित वाटत असल्यास किंवा हरवले असल्यास ते मदत करतील.

राइडशेअर, टॅक्सी आणि वितरण चालक¶

ड्रायव्हरकडे कार चार्जर आणि केबल्स असू शकतात. तुम्ही राइड बुक करत असल्यास, तुम्ही कर्बवर ड्रायव्हरला विचारू शकता, परंतु तुम्ही ऑर्डर न केलेल्या किंवा बुकिंग किंवा टॅक्सी रँक नियमांशी जुळत नसलेल्या कोणत्याही वाहनात चढू नका. तुमचा फोन मृत असल्यास आणि तुमच्याकडे रोख किंवा कार्ड असल्यास चिन्हांकित रँकवर परवाना असलेली टॅक्सी वापरा.

जिम, कार्यालये आणि सहकारी जागा¶

जिम, ऑफिस आणि क्लिनिकमध्ये रिसेप्शन डेस्कमध्ये कधीकधी चार्जर असतात. तुमची परिस्थिती विनम्रपणे समजावून सांगा आणि ते काही मिनिटांसाठी मदत करू शकतात का ते विचारा. परवानगीशिवाय सुरक्षित भागात प्रवेश करू नका.

इतर प्रवासी आणि शेजारी¶

People on trains, buses and benches often carry power banks. A short, friendly request works best: "Sorry to bother you, my phone has died. Could I borrow your charger for five minutes? I will stay right here." Many will agree, and some will offer to make a call for you instead.

How to ask politely and keep it easy to say yes¶

छोटी आणि विशिष्ट विनंती स्वीकारणे सोपे आहे. एक लांब कथा किंवा मागणी कठीण आहे. लोकांना सुरक्षित आणि अविचारी वाटत असताना मदत करण्यात आनंद होतो.

• Start with an apology and a clear reason. "Excuse me, my phone has died and I need to call my ride. Could I charge it for ten minutes?"
• Offer something in return. Buy a drink or a snack. Offer a small tip or a thank you.
• Offer collateral if asked. You can leave an ID card, a bag or a watch with staff, though you do not need to give your passport or bank card.
• Stay in view. Sit near the socket and keep an eye on your phone. Do not wander off.
• Take your own cable if you have one. It is easier for a business to say yes to a socket than to lend a cable.
• Say thank you and leave when done. Do not overstay your welcome. If you need more time, ask again.
• If someone says no, move on. A refusal is not personal. Another place will say yes.

You can also ask someone to make a short call for you. Give them the number, say what to tell the person, and let them hold the phone. That might be quicker and safer than waiting for a full charge.

Public charging safety: juice jacking and how to avoid it¶

Public USB ports in airports, hotels, cafes and trains can look convenient, but they are a possible route for data theft or malware. Security agencies, including the Federal Communications Commission (FCC, United States) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI, United States), have warned people to avoid using free public USB charging stations. The practice of stealing data or installing malicious software through a public USB port is sometimes called "juice jacking". Confirmed real world cases are rare, but the risk is real enough to take simple steps.

A USB cable can carry both power and data. When you plug into an unknown port, your phone may ask whether to trust the device or allow data transfer. Always choose "do not trust" or "charge only". If your phone does not ask, treat the port as risky.

Safer ways to charge in public¶

1. Use your own wall adapter and cable. Plug the adapter into an ordinary power socket, then plug your own cable into it. This keeps data out of the picture.
2. Carry a power bank. A charged battery pack means you never have to rely on public ports.
3. Use a power only adapter or "data blocker". This small plug sits between your cable and the port and blocks the data pins. Buy one from a reputable electronics shop. Our guide to public charging kiosks and data blockers goes into more detail.
4. Use a charge only cable. Some cables are made without data wires. They are cheap and easy to carry.
5. Keep your phone locked while it charges. A locked phone is much harder to access, even if the port is compromised.
6. Avoid unknown or damaged cables. Free cables left plugged in, cables from strangers and cables that look tampered with should not be used.
7. Watch for prompts. If a pop-up asks you to allow data access, accept nothing. Unplug and try another method.
8. Do not leave the phone unattended. Charging lockers are a convenient way to keep a device safe, though check that you can retrieve it before closing the door.

Wall sockets are safer than USB ports¶

An ordinary mains socket with your own adapter is the safest public option. Wireless charging pads in cafes and cars carry little data risk, though they are slower. Charging from a laptop at a coworking space or from another person's computer carries more risk, as a computer can exchange data with your phone.

Counterfeit chargers and heat¶

Very cheap, unbranded chargers and cables can overheat, fail or damage the phone's battery. Buy chargers from known brands, look for safety marks that apply in your country, and stop using any charger that gets very hot, smells of burning or sparks. Do not charge a phone under a pillow, in a closed bag or on a bed, because heat cannot escape.

Table: where to charge and what to expect¶

निर्णय मार्गदर्शक¶

The chart below helps you choose your next step when the phone is dead and you are away from home. Use it as a quick reference.

flowchart TD
    A["Phone is dead or very low"] --> B{"Are you in danger or hurt?"}
    B -- "होय" --> C["Ask a person to call your local emergency number"]
    B -- "नाही" --> D{"Do you have your own cable and adapter?"}
    D -- "होय" --> E["Find a wall socket in a staffed public place"]
    D -- "नाही" --> F{"Do you have cash or a card?"}
    F -- "होय" --> G["Buy a cable and adapter or a small power bank"]
    F -- "नाही" --> H["Ask a library, cafe, hotel or shop for a loan"]
    E --> I["Charge to 20 or 30 percent and dim the screen"]
    G --> I
    H --> I
    I --> J["Contact your ride or family and head to safety"]

Staying safe while your phone is off¶

Sometimes you cannot charge right away. A dead phone is not a danger on its own, but it removes your usual safety net. Make a few changes to how you move and act.

Get your bearings the old fashioned way¶

Look for street signs, building numbers, transit maps and landmarks. Many towns have public maps at bus stops and stations. Tourist information offices, hotels and shops will give directions if you ask.

Ask someone who looks like they work in the area: a shop worker, a security guard, a transit worker or a parent with a child. Avoid following strangers who offer to take you somewhere. Write down the directions you are given.

Plan a route in simple steps¶

Break your trip into short legs. For example: walk to the main road, take bus 14 for six stops, get off at the library, walk two blocks to the hotel. Repeat the steps out loud or write them down. If you get lost, go back to the last place you recognised.

Tell someone where you are going¶

If you can borrow a phone or use a computer, send a short message to a family member or friend. Say where you are, where you are going and when you expect to arrive. If you cannot reach anyone, leave a note with the place you are staying.

Keep your valuables safe¶

A person without a phone can look like an easy target for scammers and thieves. Keep your bag closed and in front of you. Do not hand your phone, wallet or ID to a stranger who offers to help. Stay in busy, public places.

Do not accept rides from strangers¶

Unlicensed drivers who offer lifts are a risk to your safety. Use official taxis at marked ranks, buses, trains or a ride you arranged with a trusted person. A shop or hotel can call a taxi for you, and you can ask the driver to confirm the destination before you set off.

Pay with cash or card¶

Many shops and transport systems accept contactless cards or cash. If your phone was your payment method, use a physical card or ask the staff what other options exist. If you have no payment method, read stranded without phone, wallet or keys.

Emergency help without a phone¶

If you need urgent help and the phone is dead, ask a person nearby to call your local emergency number. Say clearly: "Please call for an ambulance," or "Please call the police." Give the person your location and what has happened. Stay with them while they make the call.

You can also go into a shop, restaurant, hotel or station and ask staff to call. Public payphones still exist in some places and can often call emergency numbers without payment. Fire stations, police stations and hospitals nearly always have someone on duty. For more detail, see how to make an emergency call with a dead or low battery phone.

In a vehicle on a highway, many roads have emergency call boxes, and some cars have an emergency button that calls for help. In a rural area, use landmarks, road signs or kilometre markers to describe your location. Stay with your vehicle if it is safe to do so.

Make your phone last longer in the future¶

Prevent the problem before it comes back. A few habits take little effort and make a big difference.

1. Charge before you leave. Plug in for 15 minutes before heading out, even if the battery shows 60 percent.
2. Carry a small power bank. A 5,000 mAh unit weighs about 100 to 150 grams (3.5 to 5 ounces) and gives roughly one full charge. A 10,000 mAh unit gives about two.
3. Bring your own short cable. Keep one in your bag or coat. Make sure it matches your phone.
4. Turn on low power or battery saver mode early. Do not wait for 10 percent.
5. Lower the screen brightness and shorten the screen timeout. The screen uses more power than almost anything else.
6. Turn off features you are not using. Bluetooth, location, hotspot and background app refresh can be switched off for a few hours.
7. Download offline maps and tickets. This saves the data and power used by streaming and searching.
8. Keep the phone warm in winter. Use an inside pocket.
9. Replace an old battery. If your phone dies at 30 percent, the battery is probably worn. Manufacturers and repair shops can test and replace it.
10. Keep a paper card with key numbers. Write down two family numbers and a place to meet. See प्री-ट्रिप फोनची तयारी.

What if the phone will not turn on after charging?¶

If you plug the phone in and nothing happens, wait at least 10 to 15 minutes before judging. A deeply drained battery may need a short time before the screen lights up. Try a different socket, cable and adapter, and check that the cable is fully pushed in.

Look inside the charging port with a torch. Lint, dust and dirt often build up and block the connection. Use a wooden toothpick or a soft, dry brush to remove debris gently. Do not use metal objects, liquids or compressed air.

If the phone still does not respond, try a forced restart. The method differs by model, so check the manufacturer's support page on a library computer or another device. If the phone feels very hot, swollen or smells of burning, stop charging and move it away from flammable items. A swollen battery is a fire risk and needs a professional repair.

If water was involved, read phone dropped in water: what to do and not do.

विशेष परिस्थिती¶

Travelling in another country¶

Foreign plugs and voltages can be a problem. A universal travel adapter is a small, cheap item that solves most of the trouble. Many airports and hotels have adapters to lend. Hotels may also have a drawer of spare cables, so ask at the front desk.

Check the local emergency number before you go, since it differs by country. The आपत्कालीन क्रमांक page lists many. If you are travelling with a dead phone and have lost documents, see lost passport or travel documents.

Hiking, camping and remote areas¶

A dead phone in the outdoors is more serious, because there may be no shops, sockets or people. Carry a power bank, a paper map and a whistle. Tell someone your route and return time before you set off.

If you become lost, stay put, stay warm and stay visible. Read घराबाहेर हरवले if you are in that situation.

Using a car charger safely¶

If you have a car, a 12 volt socket adapter can charge your phone. Run the engine only in an open, ventilated place, never in a closed garage, because exhaust contains carbon monoxide. Turn the engine off when you are not charging, and watch your fuel level. If the car battery is flat, see कार ब्रेकडाउन.

Using someone else's phone¶

If you borrow a phone to call, keep the call short and do not sign into your accounts on it. Write down any numbers you need from your own phone before it dies. After the call, ask the owner if you can leave a short message with a contact for your family.

टाळण्यासाठी सामान्य चुका¶

• Plugging into any public USB port without protection. Use a wall socket and your own cable instead.
• Accepting a "free" cable from a stranger. Tampered cables exist.
• Leaving the phone unattended while it charges. It is a theft risk.
• Getting into an unknown car because the driver has a charger. Your safety matters more than the battery.
• Spending time looking for 100 percent. Aim for enough charge to finish the job.
• Ignoring a swollen or hot battery. Stop using it and get it checked.
• Putting your phone in the freezer or oven. Neither warms nor cools a battery safely.
• Forgetting to tell someone where you are. Even a short message helps.

स्रोत तपासले¶

• Federal Communications Commission (FCC, United States): consumer guidance on public charging stations and phone safety.
• Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI, United States): public warnings about free USB charging stations in airports and hotels.
• Ready.gov and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA, United States): advice on keeping phones charged and carrying portable chargers.
• Ofcom (United Kingdom): information on emergency calls and mobile phone coverage.
• Manufacturer support pages (Apple, Google, Samsung): battery care, low power mode and cold weather guidance.

Guidance can change, so check your phone manufacturer's current advice for your model.

वारंवार विचारले जाणारे प्रश्न¶

Is it safe to use a public USB charging port?¶

It is better to avoid it. Public USB ports can carry data as well as power, and agencies such as the FCC and the FBI in the United States advise using your own adapter and a normal wall socket, a power bank, or a data blocker instead. Confirmed attacks are rare, but a simple precaution costs little. If your phone asks whether to trust the device, choose the charge only option.

Can I ask a shop or cafe to charge my phone for free?¶

Yes, you can ask, and many places will say yes. Be polite, keep the request short, offer to buy something small, and stay where staff can see you. If they say no, thank them and try somewhere else, since a refusal is not personal.

How much charge do I need to get home?¶

For most trips, 20 to 30 percent is enough to call a ride, show a ticket and send a few messages. Turn on low power mode and lower the screen brightness to make it last. If you need a map for a long route, ask for a longer charge or write the directions down first.

What should I do if my phone dies and I feel unsafe?¶

Move toward people and light, and go into a staffed, open place such as a shop, hotel, hospital or station. Ask a staff member to call your local emergency number (911 in the United States and Canada, 112 across the European Union, 999 in the United Kingdom) if you are in danger. Do not accept lifts from strangers, and wait in a public place until help or a trusted contact arrives.

संबंधित मार्गदर्शक¶

• How to make an emergency call with a dead or low battery phone
• Stranded without phone, wallet or keys in an unfamiliar place
• Pre-trip phone readiness: offline maps, power banks and paper numbers
• Stranded at night after the last bus or train
• देशानुसार आणीबाणी क्रमांक