On a camping trip — or even at home when the power goes out — you might need some decent lighting. Everyone has a flashlight on their phone, but holding it in your hand isn’t always convenient. You just want the light to be there, illuminating the space around you. That’s useful both in the wilderness and in the city.

Here’s a simple life hack to solve this problem. Hopefully your friends haven’t read about it yet — then you’ll definitely be able to impress them.

All you need is a phone and a clear water bottle.

Place the bottle on top of the phone with the screen on — and voilà: your light is ready!

How it works

Water in a transparent container refracts and diffuses the light. A point source turns into a soft, even glow that lights up a table, a tent, or a room. It’s best to use plain water — less transparent drinks like juice or soda will give a dimmer, murkier light.

Any bottle will do — plastic or glass — as long as it’s see‑through.

Two lighting modes

1. Using the flashlight — turn on the LED on your phone and place the bottle over it. The light will be bright, but the battery will drain faster.

2. Using the screen — open any app with a white background (a note, a browser with a blank page) and place the bottle on the display. This gives a softer light, but the phone will last much longer.

Important: disable the auto‑lock feature on your screen, otherwise your camping light will unexpectedly go dark after a minute or two.

If you don’t have a bottle, a clear glass, a jar, or even a thick plastic bag filled with water will work the same way.

Next guide: How to Properly Build and Maintain a Fire While Camping

Previous guide: How to Set Up a Comfortable Campsite

You can view the full list here: Survival Guides for the Mountains

Camping Light from a Phone and a Water Bottle