Outdoor concerts: how to extend iPad battery life?
An indispensable tool for many musicians who play their scores during live performances, the iPad (Pro or classic) remains a digital device that requires regular charging. Do you sometimes play long gigs and worry that your iPad will run out of battery when you play one of your scores or setlists? Do you sometimes forget your charger and take in a concert after a full day of rehearsals away from home?
To put your mind at rest, under optimal conditions, a new iPad has a battery life of around 10 hours. But, just like an iPhone or other tablet, when the device is active for several hours at a time, with different applications running simultaneously, the iPad's autonomy can be reduced.
Recharging and saving your iPad battery at your outdoor events is therefore essential. Not sure where to find charging sockets and power supplies at the concert venue? Newzik brings you some practical tips and techniques for extending your iPad battery before and during a concert!
Before the concert: charging and adjusting the iPad
Fully charge your iPad and take an external battery with you when you travel
The basic rule of thumb, however obvious it may seem, is to charge your tablet properly before prolonged use. Start by charging your iPad fully, to 100%. If at all possible, it's always more reassuring to start your gig with a full battery. It's a way of dealing with contingencies such as not being able to charge your iPad at your event.
If fully recharging your tablet isn't an option for you, there's an alternative to help you out in the event of unexpected battery failure. A ready-to-use external battery adapted to Apple technology can be a lifesaver, as it enables you to recharge your device without having to plug it into an outlet.
Adopt a few good practices before leaving for a concert
As well as recharging the device, there are a few useful techniques to know and apply to save battery power when using the iPad. Here are the settings to activate or deactivate to extend your tablet's battery life:
Deactivate non-essential functions: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, location service, push notifications, etc. These iOs applications and features use up battery power without you even realizing it. If you need an Internet connection, Wi-Fi consumes less battery power than cellular data (4G, 5G).
Reduce screen brightness: Sometimes the screen, even when set to a low brightness level, can allow you to read pages and scores correctly on a tablet. You can manually reduce and adjust screen brightness in the device settings to save battery power.
Activate power-saving mode: Another useful and simple technique on your iOS device: switch the tablet to power-saving mode in the settings. In this way, the device is set to use as little battery power as possible.
Close background apps: mailboxes, social networks, search pages... Apps running in the background of your iPad or iPhone often consume energy for nothing. Remember to deactivate them when using your tools during your concert.
💡 Most of the features of the Newzik application application are accessible offline. Only the file-sharing function and connections to additional accounts require a Wi-Fi connection. No risk of using up extra energy to access your scores during a concert!
During the concert: optimizing iPad application management
Manage the use of applications and functions
Extend your tablet's autonomy by using only the applications you need for your concert.
If you need to use your iPad for score playback, you can download the content you need during your live performance and switch your device to airplane mode as soon as you can.
Playback of scores and setlists, playback and recording of annotations, and use of iPad page-turning pedals are all possible without Wi-Fi connection or data sharing.
During the concert, deactivate power-hungry activities such as audio playback on a music streaming platform, video playback and online gaming applications...
💡 During your concert, prefer to play scores and content already saved in your Newzik library to avoid downloading them on the spot.
Optimize use of iPad screen and sound
iPads use up energy when the screen is regularly refreshed and the speakers are particularly busy.
During your live performance, the screen does not need to be constantly updated. We advise you to configure the "screen saver" function whenever the device is not in use. As with the iPhone, you canspecify how long the iPad should be idle before the device automatically goes to sleep.
On the sound side, if you absolutely must launch a track or play a piece of music on an app other than Newzik, use headphones to reduce the sound-related consumption of the iPad's battery.
Practical accessories and reminders for optimum battery economy
Adapted, innovative accessories
Planning an outdoor concert or festival? Take advantage of technology and solar energy to recharge your device naturally using an iPad cover with integrated solar panel! This can be an excellent solution for extending your iPad's autonomy during long outdoor events. These Apple covers feature solar panels that convert sunlight into electrical energy, allowing you to recharge your device even when you're far from an electrical outlet.
It's no secret! Apple devices charge more efficiently with Apple-certified cables and chargers. Apple-certified accessories (MFi - Made for iPhone/iPad) guarantee not only optimum compatibility, but also enhanced safety against overcharging and short circuits.
A few more practical tips
Other options and settings can help you save your iPad's battery:
Keep your iPad up to date with the latest version of iOS
Configuring the latest iOS version can improve your tablet's power management. Software updates often bring optimizations that can help extend battery life. To do this, go to Settings > General then Software Update.
Providing alternative ways of recharging your Apple device in critical situations
It's always a good idea to have a recharging solution in case your battery runs out. For example, a secondary iPhone phone or a less power-hungry device can be used as a backup if your iPad runs out.
Do you own a computer? It's always possible to connect your iPad to a Mac using a suitable charging cable, should you have a few minutes to spare to charge your tablet.
🎶 Need a tool to assist you during your concerts? Thanks to the iOs-compatible Newzik app, you can read your scores, setlists and annotate your content by accessing your library on your iPad without even connecting to the Internet. An ideal application for prolonging your tablet's battery life. Say Siri, can you launch Newzik? Let the concert begin!
