Procurando por um solar cell phone charger? I tested popular solar charger apps to see if they really work. Spoiler: they don’t! But I found real solar charging solutions that do. Read on to find out!
I can’t count how many times I’ve been out and about, relying on my phone for everything—directions, messages, even last-minute work calls—only to see that dreaded low battery warning.
If you’re like me, you’ve probably searched for quick fixes, and maybe, just like I did, you stumbled upon something called a solar cell phone charger app. The idea sounds incredible: just install the app, place your phone in sunlight, and watch the battery recharge.
Well, I tried it. And let me tell you exactly what happened.
Do solar charger apps really work?
The first time I heard about these apps, I was skeptical but also curious. Could my phone screen really turn sunlight into power? The thought of never needing to carry a charger or find an outlet was exciting.
So, I went ahead and downloaded a few of the most popular solar charger apps to test them out.
After installing the first app, I opened it, and it displayed a nice animation of solar panels absorbing energy. It looked convincing! I placed my phone under direct sunlight, hoping to see the battery percentage go up.
After waiting for 10 minutes, nothing happened. I left it there for another 20 minutes—still nothing. The only thing that changed was that my phone got hotter, which was honestly a little concerning.
I tried another app, and this one even made a humming noise, as if my phone was generating energy. But again, my battery percentage stayed exactly the same. At this point, I realized that these apps were nothing but visual effects meant to trick users. None of them actually generated any power.
So, in case you’re wondering, solar charger apps do not work. Your phone screen is made of LCD or OLED panels, which are not capable of converting sunlight into electricity. It’s simply not how the technology works.
The real alternatives: how to actually charge your phone with solar energy
After realizing that solar charger apps were a scam, I started looking for real solutions. If you’re always on the go like me and need a reliable power source, here are three legit ways to charge your phone using solar energy:
1. Solar Power Banks
This is the best solution I’ve found. A solar power bank is essentially a portable battery with small solar panels attached. You can charge it by placing it in the sun, and once it’s full, you can plug your phone into it just like a regular power bank. I bought one, and while it doesn’t charge super fast using sunlight alone, it’s still a lifesaver when I’m outdoors. If you charge it using a wall outlet first, the solar panel feature gives it extra longevity.
2. Solar Phone Cases
Yes, they exist! Some phone cases come with built-in solar panels that trickle-charge your battery throughout the day. I tried one of these, and while it wasn’t super powerful, it helped me keep my battery level up just a little longer—which is great if you don’t always have access to a charger.
3. Portable Solar Panels
If you travel, camp, or spend a lot of time outdoors, a foldable solar panel is a game-changer. Unlike small solar power banks, these are larger and capture way more energy, meaning they can actually charge a phone pretty quickly. I got one for hiking trips, and now I don’t have to worry about my phone dying when I’m in the middle of nowhere.
Why are solar charger apps so popular if they don’t work?
Now that I know these apps are useless, I started wondering—why are so many people downloading them? After digging a little deeper, I found a few reasons:
- They take advantage of people’s hope. When you desperately need a charge, you’ll try anything.
- They look convincing. The animations and sounds create the illusion that something is happening.
- They generate ad revenue for developers. Many of these apps flood you with ads, making money while delivering nothing in return.
- People don’t know the science behind it. Unless you’re familiar with how solar panels work, it’s easy to believe your phone might be capable of harnessing the sun’s power.
Tips to save battery when you can’t charge your phone
Since we can’t rely on fake solar charger apps, here are some real ways to make your battery last longer when you’re out and about:
- Use battery-saving mode. Every phone has one—turn it on!
- Lower your screen brightness. Your display is one of the biggest battery-drainers.
- Turn off unnecessary apps. Close everything running in the background.
- Switch off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. If you’re not using them, they’re just wasting power.
- Keep a power bank handy. It’s always better to have a backup power source.
Don’t fall for fake solar charger apps
If you were hoping for a miracle app that charges your phone using the sun, I get it—I wanted that too. But after testing multiple apps, I can say with confidence: they don’t work. If you see one claiming otherwise, it’s just a gimmick.
That being said, real solar charging solutions do exist. If you’re someone who’s always on the go, investing in a solar power bank or a portable solar panel is totally worth it. And in the meantime, making small changes to conserve battery life will help you avoid those desperate moments when you’re stuck with a dead phone.
So, next time your battery is running low, skip the fake apps and go for something that actually works. Your future self will thank you!