For one reason or another, you have been forced to buy a new mobile device every year for as long as you can remember, and you are tired of it. New smartphones cost more than many desktop computers, and their features are hardly any more upgraded than phones of the previous generation. You are happy with your current mobile device, and you want to keep using it for as long as possible — but how?
Here are a few tips and tricks that can help prolong the life of your mobile device, so you can save yourself some money and some heartbreak.
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Update the OS
Most of the exciting new features available on just-released mobile devices will soon become available on older devices through operating system updates. Most device makers will update the OS every month or so; all you need to do is allow your device to automatically download and install the updates while the device is not in use. In addition to giving yourself access to the latest and greatest features, updating your OS will also help close any security vulnerabilities that may have developed, so you can continue using your device safely for the weeks and months to come.
Update Apps
You need to keep apps updated for the same reason you need to update your OS: functionality and security. Fortunately, you can set app updates to download and install automatically just as you can with your OS.
Use Mobile Security
Though in the past mobile devices have been somewhat safer from cyberattack than traditional computers, the dramatic uptick in mobile device use has made them a much more enticing target for cybercriminals. Unfortunately, the built-in security of your mobile device isn’t enough to protect you from the latest mobile threats. Hands down, the best thing you can do for the longevity of your device — and for the safety of your personal data — is acquire mobile security solutions from a trustworthy cybersecurity brand. Typically, mobile security apps operate in the background and intervene in case you participate in any risky behaviors, so you can avoid succumbing to a mobile attack.
Delete Unused Apps
Unused apps are bad for your mobile device for so many reasons. They take up valuable memory; they can track your data; they might drain your battery and slow your processing speeds; they can provide security vulnerabilities and more. Perhaps once per quarter, you should sift through your phone and delete old apps you haven’t used recently. You can also use mobile device cleaners and declutterers to notify you when it is time to delete an unused app.
Use a Protective Case
Many mobile devices produced nowadays proudly market themselves as made from the toughest materials to resist cracking, scratching and other damage. Some even suggest that they are waterproof up to a certain depth. However, no device is completely indestructible; hit at the right angle, any device will shatter, and certain impacts can cause unseen damage to the delicate inner workings. Therefore, you always need to protect your device with a case.
The case you choose will depend on your lifestyle and needs. Some people may be able to get away with a slim case of a shock-absorbent material like silicone, but if you have an active job or young children, you may want a more robust shell to defend against rougher treatment.
Clean the Ports
Some of the first things to fail on older devices are the ports for charging and headphones. These small holes can gather lint and dirt, which impair their connections to the degree that they no longer function as needed or expected. Fortunately, even the grimiest ports can be cleaned to work as good as new. With some rubbing alcohol, a toothpick and plenty of patience, you can save yourself the cost of a brand-new device.
Clean the Screen
Though device screens are less likely to stop functioning because of dirt and grime, these surfaces quickly become some of the least hygienic places in your home — covered in worse germs than your toilet seat or kitchen sponge. Ideally every day but at least once per week, you should wipe down your device screen with a damp microfiber cloth, which should also rid the screen of unsightly fingerprints.
