Is It Asleep?

When using mobile devices we are often using a device that is 'asleep' rather than switched off.
This is usually done so that the device is available quickly when needed but sleep mode will impact on the battery charge.
If in sleep mode, the device may run for up to 2-3 weeks without recharge. This time will also be affected if WiFi, Bluetooth or GPS is on.

There are also some slight differences between Apple and Android devices in the way that it is unlocked from switch on or from sleep mode.

Switch On

When a device is OFF it is not using power but can be charged if the battery is low.

On both Apple and Android devices it is necessary to hold the power button for a few seconds to switch on from the Off state.
The power button is usually on the top or right hand top side of the device. Check your user manual as some devices are different.

The device will usually show an icon or the maker's name as it goes through the start up procedure from being Off. This is the same as the 'boot-up' of a desktop or laptop computer. It may take 10 seconds as there are a series of checks that are done as the device starts.

Lock Screen

Once the device has started it waits at the so-called Lock Screen. This is a Lock Screen because it is possible to set up security to prevent access ('a lock') if someone else tries to use the device.

If on the lock screen with no lock, there are two main ways used by Apple and Android to get to the Home screen:

  • Press the home button again to go to the home screen (mostly Apple)
  • Swipe the lock screen to go to the home screen (Apple and Android)

To know what to do, look at the bottom of your lock screen:

Samsung (Android) mobile phone with PIN on lock screen

Screenshot_Samsung_LockScrnS5.png
iPhone5_LockScrn.PNG Screenshot_Edit.jpg

iPhone with 'Press home to unlock' and Samsung Tablet with 'Swipe screen to unlock' messages

Latest model iPhones can use face recognition and will open when swiped up if viewing the phone.
You must choose to use facial recognition and set this up on the phone.
Latest iPads still use fingerprint recognition.

Once the screen is swiped or the home button pressed, the device will open directly to the Home screen or to a further (optional) access lock.

This access lock is for privacy and security and can be changed in the Settings app.
The access lock may be a PIN, a pattern, a face recognition, a fingerprint or voice recognition.
With the correct access lock applied, the device will then go to the Home screen.

Sleep Mode

To put the device in Sleep mode, press the power button briefly and the screen should go dark.

Switch Off

To switch off completely, the power button must be held down until a power-off message appears which may be tapped or swiped depending on the device manufacturer.

Some late model devices require two buttons to be held to turn off.

Charging

This can be done with the device on, in sleep mode or switched off.
Manufacturers recommend that you recharge when the battery gets to about 20-25% remaining, to get the best battery life.
It is still OK though to recharge if above this level if you know you will need a full charge for the next day.

Fast Charge

Some new model phones offer a faster charge using a more powerful charger.
This may get the phone to 100% in about an hour.

Wireless Charge

Some devices offer a wireless pad for charging.
You can only use it with devices (mobile phones or tablets) that have the wireless charging built in.
A wireless charger is about as fast as the regular Apple charger and takes a little over 2 hours.
The wireless chargers use more energy to get the same result but could be convenient if you have difficulty plugging in the charger cable to the phone.

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