Whether you've just bought your first iPhone or you've been a devotee for several versions now, for most users there are a few bad habits that slip in over time that prevent them from taking the best care of their iPhones as they become so used to using them and always having them on hand.
While some basic ways to take good care of the iPhone are well documented, like storing it in a good case, there are some other less well known ways to protect your phone and prolong its life:
Tips to Take Care of Your iPhone
Don't Max Out Your Storage
Filling your phone to capacity with media and apps can be easier than you think, even if you have an iPhone with a high capacity. Believe it or not, the iPhone functions best when it is given a minimum of half a gig of free space to play with.This means you should keep an eye on your space whenever you install anything new, and where possible use cloud based libraries (using services like iCloud or Dropbox) for your media files. Games you play often build up their own data collections over time, so clearing these and also deleting things you no longer play will also help keep memory use down.
Use Screen Protectors
While cases can defend most of the hardware, they don't protect the screen while you are actually using it, even if they do cover it the rest of the time. The screen is the iPhone's most delicate component, and while it is still pretty robust, it is going to help keep your phone looking pristine and working properly if you use a screen protector to keep it from getting dirty or scratched up. |
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These protectors are usually stick on clear plastic films that you place over the screen. When you buy them, check that they are designed for use with the iPhone and won't affect its ability to tell when you are touching the screen. They come in packs with multiple screen protectors, so replace yours regularly to keep your phone cleaner.
Get Insurance
Many people assume their iPhone is covered on their home insurance, but in reality this isn't always the case when the phone is out and about with you. Also, the excesses that come with a lot of home insurance policies are so high they almost equate to the cost of a new iPhone anyway. They also may not cover you against things like someone running up a big phone bill in your name after stealing your iPhone handset.If you want a better insurance policy designed specifically for a smart phone user, then consider specialty insurers like Protect Your Bubble iPhone Insurance, or alternatively look at the protection options you can get through Apple.
Make sure when you buy any policy that you know how long it will take for you to get a replacement device if you have to claim, and also whether your phone is covered when you travel abroad.
Laura GinnAbout the Guest Author:
Laura Ginn is a technology, finance and consumer interest writer who has been a huge fan of the iPhone since queuing up to get the first generation model the day it came out!
