Smartphone Maintenance: 5 Tips To Extend Its Lifespan
It is good for both the planet and the wallet to make smartphones and tablets last as long as possible. Since these two types of devices are expensive, it's in your best interest to take care of them. Here are 5 tips to extend the life of your smartphone.
1- Perform the updates
We don't always think about it, but updating the operating system and apps contributes to the proper functioning of a smartphone. Even if you find this process tedious, be aware that it is important to always perform updates that your device requests.
Operating system updates fix security vulnerabilities and optimize the device's performance. That's why they are the first of the 5 tips to extend the life of your phone.
Regularly recharge the battery.
On early models of mobile phones, it was advised to let the battery discharge completely. Today, the opposite is true!
To extend the life of your smartphone, it is recommended to always keep the battery charged between 20% and 80%. It is also very important to use a quality charger and cable, preferably the equipment provided by the manufacturer.
If you notice that the battery is not functioning well, do not hesitate to seek out a repair technician. They can check to ensure the problem is not with the charger or cable. If necessary, they can replace your battery for a few tens of euros.
Note: for safety, always remember to back up your data before going to a repair shop.
Protect the device and its screen.
Among the 5 tips to extend the life of a smartphone, we can never emphasize enough the importance of protecting the device and its screen.
As our phones accompany us everywhere, a fall or accident can easily happen. To limit damage, it is essential to equip smartphones with a solid protective case.
At the time of purchase, you can also have a protective film applied to the phone's screen in-store. While it is possible to replace a broken screen, it is expensive. In this case, it's better to be safe than sorry!
Note: When the screen is cracked or shattered, the problem can worsen and render the phone unusable. If this happens to you, the right reflex is to go to a store to compare the price of a possible repair with that of a new device.
4- Dust off the device
Another smartphone maintenance tip is to regularly dust the device.
The right way to clean your phone involves:
• removing the case to clean everywhere.
• using a vacuum cleaner set to the lowest power to suck up dust from the USB port and speakers.
• wiping the screen with a glasses cloth and allowing it to dry before turning the screen back on.
Caution: Do not use hand sanitizer or household wipes on your smartphone and tablet screens! It could damage them.
5- Do not overload storage.
After cleaning the device and its screen, don't forget to tidy up inside your smartphone. It's important to not overload your phone's storage space.
Often overlooked, this is one of the 5 tips to extend its lifespan. Indeed, smartphones need free space to function properly.
To free up storage, regularly delete unnecessary photos and videos. Consider transferring all files you want to save to your computer or the cloud.
Good to know
If your device is old, certain signs should alert you and encourage you to back up the contents of your phone as soon as possible.
A smartphone is probably at the end of its life when:
• It operates slowly and struggles to open applications.
• It no longer charges to 80% or more.
• It is no longer possible to update the Android or iOS operating system or to install new applications.
