Top 7 Basic Tips for Taking Care of Your Phone - From Correct Charging To Deleting Unused Data

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Smartphones have only gotten more sophisticated in the past five years or so. Anyone who spends any time at all with a smartphone knows that there are literally thousands of apps available to help you stay organized, make calls from anywhere, send messages, and much, much more. The problem is, many of these apps do more than they say on the tin. They can leave you tracking your friends’ locations or posting inappropriate pictures or videos. They can even block you if you use the wrong passwords or sim PIN code combinations. With so many apps out there and each promising to do a slightly different thing, it can be difficult to know which ones are worth your time and which ones aren’t worth listening to. Unfortunately, this makes it hard for people who are just getting their first smartphones to understand what apps should and should not be doing. If you’re still trying to work out how to get the most out of your new smartphone or simply want an extra set of helpful tips for taking care of your phone, read on for some helpful hints!

Don’t Download Apps Without Knowing Their Purposes

Many people download apps thinking that they’ll be able to do everything that app offers, only to find out that the app doesn’t do what they were expecting it to do. For example, an app that promises to delete all your old phone numbers might not actually delete your old phone numbers. Instead, it may just delete your “favorites” or “most frequently dialed” numbers. To avoid getting stuck with a phone app that doesn’t do what you think it does, double-check the app’s description and features to see if it’s really what you were hoping it would be.

Turn Off Automatic Updates

Automatic updates are often a part of smartphone operating systems. When you download an app that’s capable of updating your phone, it’s actually sending out an update that’s worse than the one you originally had. It might contain new malware, like the one that the iPhone owners who got hit with the Skyrise Wagnercianos virus received. It might also contain outdated or incorrect information, like the information that your old phone number were sending and receiving calls when you didn’t want them to be. Auto updates are actually one of the biggest problems with modern smartphones. The vast majority of them don’t work with a genuine device. They constantly update themselves with new software, constantly sending and receiving information that may be incorrect or outdated. You can see this by going to Settings, then “Apps and notifications,” then “Apps and app notifications,” then “Check for updates,” and tapping on the app that you want to see if it’s been updated. If it has, clear your browser and try again.

Manage Your Data Carefully

Smartphone data plans come with a lot of benefits, but only a few things are actually required to have a data plan: a device capable of storing data, a data connection, and a data-friendly app. Unfortunately, there isn’t a clear line between using data and being over Using data. Some people think that using data is the same as using phone numbers or emails, so long as you put something in the app. However, that data connection needs to be active in order to use the app or service. While data plans usually indicate how much data you’re allowed to use, not how much data you should be using. Different apps and services have different recommends on this matter, so be sure to check the fine print before swiping.

Lock Screen Patterns

The lock screen is where your phone calls home. It’s where you put your passcode, where you set up your contacts, and where you usually begin your day. It’s also where you set up your schedule, give important messages, and access your account information. Unfortunately, some apps make the lock screen a little more than it should be. For example, you might set up a “12-hour day” for your phone, only to have your social media apps send notifications 24/7. Others might let you “flag” a message as important, but then immediately respond to it with another message. In these cases, it’s easy for your phone to accumulate multiple messages without you realizing it. While flags indicate that a message should be read only by you, the person who sent it might still be able to freely use your phone. To prevent this from happening, simply don’t flag messages as important. This will prevent anyone even you from seeing unread messages on the lock screen.

Don’t Use Your Smartphone As Your Computer

Smartphone features are great, but they don’t replace a computer’s functionality. You should still use your smartphone as a phone, not a computer. You should still be able to use your phone to call, text, and send emails, even if your computer has more features. For example, you shouldn’t be able to simply create a Google Calendar event, save a picture to your gallery, and then mark the event as “completed.” That’s not using your computer properly; it’s instead using your phone as a computer. There are many good reasons to use a computer instead of a smartphone: You get more features, they’re less likely to be stolen, and they’re less likely to get lost or broken. If you choose to use a smartphone as your computer, however, make sure to use a data-friendly app. You shouldn’t be able to use any app without a data connection, no matter how feature-rich it is. For example, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter are all strictly data-based. They won’t let you send messages or take photos without data. When you need to quickly look up a location, you should use a computer. When you need to send a message, you should use a computer. When you need to look up your balance, you should use a computer. If you ever plan to use a smartphone as your computer, make sure it’s data-free.

A Few Final Words

Like it or not, your smartphone is a critical part of your everyday life. You use it to make calls, text, and connect with the world. It’s also how you stay in contact with your friends and family, secure your information, and keep track of your calories intake. Unfortunately, not everyone takes the necessary precautions while using a smartphone. If you don’t know how to properly charge your phone, delete your unneeded apps, or manage your data, then you could be putting yourself at risk. Don’t do or say things online that you would never say or do in-person. Be careful with whom you share your personal information, and take steps to protect your phone from being left behind in public places. With a little effort, you can make your phone safer, easier, and more helpful.