Part 1 of 2. (Photo: LIDERINA/SHUTTERSTOCK)
Save your smartphone!
Since iPhones are incredibly expensive, you’re probably doing everything you can to take care of yours…or are you? Proper iPhone care isn’t as intuitive as you might think. And, of course, an iPhone isn’t going to take care of itself, though many people seem to forget that. If you’re not updating, safeguarding, and cleaning your smartphone the right way on a regular basis, you might be inadvertently contributing to its untimely demise or, at the very least, not getting it to run as efficiently as possible. Here are 15 things you’re probably doing to your iPhone that Apple experts wouldn’t dream of doing—and what you should do instead.
1) Using a non-Apple charger cord
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It might be tempting to buy that less expensive, generic iPhone charger on Amazon, but resist the urge. “Using generic chargers can cause your battery to overcharge, shortening the life of the phone and the battery,” says Burton Kelso, a technology expert based in Kansas City, Missouri. If you want to extend the life of your phone, stick to an Apple charging cord instead of buying another brand.
2) Not using a protective case
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OK, we all love the way a naked iPhone looks. However, there is no better way to kill your communication device than by leaving it caseless. “If you don’t have a case for your iPhone, you’re just asking for trouble,” explains Kelso. “iPhones have shatter-resistant glass, but a good drop can render your phone useless or leave you with an expensive bill.” If you want to avoid costly repairs, he encourages keeping a case on your iPhone at all times.
3) Exposing your iPhone to extreme temperatures
4) Not backing up your information with iCloud
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While iPhones are pretty reliable devices, Kelso points out that technology isn’t perfect and can fail at any time. He suggests ponying up and paying Apple that 99 cents a month to get your information backed up. “Backing up to iCloud will save your data in the event of device failure and will also make transitioning to a new phone easier,” he explains.
5) Using Windex to clean your screen
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Want to ruin that perfect display on your iPhone? An easy way is using Windex or another glass cleaner to clean your screen. “The harsh chemicals in Windex can damage your screen and void the warranty,” says Kelso. Instead, use water and a microfiber cloth to remove the dirt and grime to get your iPhone back to pristine shape.
6) Using disinfecting wipes on your phone
Nobody likes germs on their iPhone, but if you wipe it down with disinfecting wipes, you’ll ruin it. According to Kelso, this will happen even with wipes that claim to be safe for electronics. “If you want to keep a germ-free phone, invest in Phone Soap,” suggests Kelso. “This handy device uses UV rays to zap all of the germs off your phone and charges it at the same time.”
7) Avoiding those pesky iPhone updates
It seems as though there’s another iPhone update every other week. While it can be super annoying to download and install them, Burton says it’s crucial to do so. “Updates for your iPhone are important because they download patches that keep it safe from hackers and malicious bots,” he explains. Whenever you see an update for your iPhone, download it immediately to keep your phone safe and secure. Of course, not all notifications are important.
To be continued...
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