Smartphone Tips That Work
Following proper smartphone care procedures means taking action that will make your phone last for many years. If you know what to do, it’s possible to add a lot of time to the life of your Android device, free smartphone, or any kind of cell phone you own. Taking the following suggestions can mean not having to replace your smartphone for many years:
- Know how to charge your battery: Do a complete charge one time per month. Avoid mini-charges. That’s when you charge the device just for a few minutes to add a bit of power. The battery will age faster when you do short charges rather than deep charges. Wait till the battery is at about 15 percent and then fully charge it up to 100 percent while it is in off mode.
- Avoid heat: There’s no faster way to “kill” a smartphone’s battery than leaving it in the summer heat. Phone batteries last longest in relatively cool, dry climates, so never leave the device in a warm car, in direct sunlight, or near an oven or stove.
- Don’t leave your phone unattended: Thieves love to steal smartphones. They can sell the data and the phone on the dark web or black market. Never leave your phone unattended.
- Clear the cache regularly: An inexpensive screen protector is the best way to prevent your phone’s screen from serious damage like cracks and abrasions. Buy several protectors and whenever one wears out, immediately replace it with another.
- Keep it in a secure case: One of the simplest, most cost-effective products you can buy is a sturdy phone case. It’s inevitable that you’ll drop your phone someday, so prepare for the situation by placing your phone in a snug, strong case and keeping it there at all times.
- Disable GPS when possible: GPS should only be enabled when you need to use it as a location-finding app. Otherwise, turn it off or risk using up battery power unnecessarily.
- Minimize notifications: Close notifications that you can live without. They tend to burn up battery power rather quickly.
- Close apps you’re not using: Phone apps suck power and memory from your system and cause it to “age” rather quickly if you always leave multiple apps enabled. Remember to close any app you’re not using and delete apps that you haven’t used in a while.
Additional Tips to Remember
In addition to the standard, effective methods of smartphone care, it’s wise to remember a few tips that are indirectly related to the topic, like keeping your phone safe from identity thieves and physical accidents.
Here are three things many people do to avoid theft and damage to their phones:
- Never lend your phone to anyone: Lending a phone is a dangerous habit. If someone you know well asks you to make a call, place the call yourself and do the talking. Handing your phone to another person means they could use it in the wrong way or be careless with it.
- Secure the phone while riding a bicycle or motorcycle: Many people lose phones due to excessive damage while riding bikes or motorcycles. If you must have your phone accessible on rides, be certain to secure it before you travel.
- Keep your phone away from bodies of water, bathtubs, toilets, and sinks: Even a quick dunk under the water can mean serious damage.
Follow the tips above and you won’t have to replace your phone for a very long time, nor will you need to lose sleep over identity theft.
