Simple habits to keep your phone's battery, screen and storage healthy
Small daily habits that protect the battery and the screen, keep storage free and keep your data safe.
A phone can serve you well for years if you treat it with a little care. These habits are simple and general; for details about your own model, follow the maker's instructions.
Protect the battery: avoid leaving the phone in the sun, in a hot car or under a pillow while it charges, because heat is hard on batteries. Use the charger and cable that came with the phone, or good-quality ones from a trusted source.
Charge sensibly: you do not have to wait until the battery is empty, or keep it at 100% all the time. Charging whenever it suits you is fine.
Protect the screen: a case and a screen protector cost very little compared with a repair. Keep the phone away from keys and coins in your pocket or bag, and clean the screen with a soft, slightly damp cloth.
Keep water away: even if a phone is water resistant, that protection is not permanent and does not cover every kind of liquid. If it gets wet, switch it off and dry the outside gently.
Free up storage: delete apps you do not use, move photos and videos to a computer or a cloud service, and clear downloaded files from time to time. A phone with free space runs more smoothly.
Back up and update: back up your photos, contacts and chats regularly, and install system and app updates, which often include security fixes.
Be careful online: install apps only from the official store, and never share verification codes or passwords with anyone.
This article offers general information and tips.
