Longer phone life: How to avoid unnecessary phone upgrades

That iPhone 13, Samsung S22 Ultra and Pixel 6 are all great phones, but they will cost you – the “cheapest” Pixel 6 is around $ 600, and Samsung’s top model will run you well over $ 1,000.

With the rising prices of new phones, it can save you big money in the long run if your existing smartphone lasts longer. Some steps are as simple as regular cleaning of your phonewhile others take a little more care and attention.

However, you do not need to be technically savvy to get the most out of these tips to improve the life of your phone. They are all pretty easy to follow and you can start changing your habits today to extend the life of your phone.

Whether you have just upgraded your phone or are thinking about it, we will show you how to keep your phone in perfect condition with a few quick and easy tips. For more, get latest rumors about the Google Pixel watch and learn to take better selfies with your iPhone.

Do not skip app updates. They are important

To keep your phone running as fast and hassle-free as possible, it is important to update your operating system and third-party apps as they are released. These updates do not take long, and the benefits can be huge: From fixing bugs and resolving security issues to changes that bring new features and improve overall performance, making your device work more smoothly and faster.

and iPhone both offer automatic app updates, which should be enabled by default. You can check on an Android phone by opening the Play Store, sliding the menu from the left side of the screen, tapping Settings and making sure Automatic update of apps option is selected. If you have an iPhone, go to Settings > App store and make sure that App updates the setting is in the On position. However, this function does not work in low energy mode.

For system updates on an Android phone, you can check for updates by opening Settings app and searching for Software update. Or you can wait for your phone to notify you that an update is waiting, then follow the instructions. Google releases Android security updates around the first of each month, so it’s not a bad habit to check in the middle of the month to see if your phone has an update.

As for iPhone owners, you have the option to have your phone automatically install new updates. Don’t worry, your phone will not download and install the updates minutes after they are released. Instead, your phone will download the update a day or two after it’s out and then schedule the installation for the next time it charges overnight. To install an update or enable automatic updates, go to Settings > General > Software update. If an update is available, follow the instructions to install it. If not, press Automatic updates to turn them on or off.

Deleting apps can help revive a slow phone

Phones have a limited amount of storage space and memory, which is why it is important to keep the number of unused apps to a minimum. Routine deletion of apps you do not use from your phone will save storage space and prevent apps from running in the background, by using precious resources and making your phone feel slower and closer to the end of its life than it is in the reality is.

Deleting apps on an iPhone is easy – Just press and hold until the app is selected. You will see a drop-down menu from the app icon. Just select Remove app. You will then have the option to remove the app from your phone or just remove it from the home screen.

Android users have a few more options but can follow a similar approach: Long press, select the “i” that appears for App Info, and then select Uninstall.

Now set up a monthly calendar entry titled “Delete Unused Apps” to remind yourself to do this regularly.

Most importantly, get a good case

Do you like your phone? Why do not you put a case on it? See, I understand that. For a telephone purist, even the slimmest cases are too much. And it’s nice to see the phone how it’s designed, rather than a bulky plastic case.

The smart choice, however, is to cover the phone in one protective case to prevent it from breaking when it inevitably falls. Paying for expensive screen repair or stroking your finger across a web of cracks will definitely make you dream of buying a new phone – or at least regret that you did not get a case in the first place.

You do not have to go all out and get the most expensive case, but having something on your phone will definitely help extend its life. Not to mention using a case means your phone stays in perfect condition and probably has one higher resale value when it’s time to upgrade.

Keep the screen and ports clean

Using a phone that is full of grease and dirt is not something any of us want to do. But using a phone that is clean and shiny is now something we can all be comfortable with, especially if it means dust and dirt are not in the way of how it works.

Even if you use a case, spend a few minutes occasionally cleaning lint or dirt in the charging port, microphone area, speaker grille, and headphone jack, if your phone has one. You can use a toothpick to get in there and lure everything out.

What about the screen, sides and back? Clorox napkins work fine. We have more tips and tricks to keep your phone clean – it will go a long way towards reliable performance, clearer camera images (without fingerprints) and a phone you will actually keep using.

Avoid overworking and overheating your phone battery

There are several myths that involve your phone’s battery and keep it healthy. We recently took a look at several battery myths and revealed the truth about each of them.

For example, fast charging will not damage the battery a bit, but letting your phone be routinely discharged to zero could.

Your phone also lasts longer if you avoid putting your device in situations where the battery can overheat, such as leaving it outside in direct sunlight if you are sitting outside on a hot day. It turns itself off if it gets too hot, but it stresses the battery, which can contribute to a shorter overall life.

Start taking care of your phone’s battery the day you unpack your phone and you’ll see the payout when your battery is still charging for a year or two later.

Replace a damaged battery instead of the phone

Even if you’ve done everything according to the book, you may still find yourself with a battery that over time just refuses to hold a charge. Instead of replacing the entire phone, try replacing the battery.

Often, this simple and cost-effective maintenance can add some more months or even years to the working life of your phone. It would be easier if most phones were still made with removable batteries as in the good old days, but instead most phones come with built-in batteries that cannot be replaced without disassembling your phone.

If you are technically savvy and brave enough, you can buy a do-it-yourself kit from iFixit to replace Android or iPhone batteries. Included in the kit are all the tools you will need, plus a new battery.

Alternatively, iPhone users can make an appointment at an Apple Store, or Android users can use a certified third-party repair service like uBreakiFix. You will need to call your nearest store to get a quote on replacing your battery as the company does not list prices directly on its website.

Bonus tip: Back up your phone regularly

Having a backup of your phone’s data will not do anything to extend the life of your phone, but it will mean that when it’s time to say goodbye to your phone, all your contacts, photos, videos and custom settings will be ready. to take the leap so you don’t have to start over.

Do you own an iPhone? Double check that iCloud Backup is turned on by opening Settings app. Then press iCloud > iCloud backup and make sure the switch is in the On position.

The process for Android owners will vary based on who is making your device, but generally you can open Settings app, and then go to Google > Backup. Some device manufacturers, like Samsung, offer their own backup service in addition to Google’s. The easiest way to find your device’s automatic cloud backup service is to open it Settings app and use the search box at the top to search for “backup”.

Now that you know how to keep your phone running well into the future, spend a few minutes on it learn more about Android’s hidden features. iOS users do not have to feel left out, we have hidden iPhone features for you too. And here’s how to do it sell your phone for the most money.