It has been a decade since Apple introduced the iPhone series into the market. Since then, the company has sold 1.2 billion units worldwide. This is an impressive feat given the high level of competition in the market.
If you own an iPhone, how do you know if you’re making the most of its use? Are you using the features to the fullest? Many iPhone users are making a few mistakes without even knowing it’s bad for the smartphone. Don’t fall prey to these common mistakes.
Bad Charging Habits
A user’s charging habit is one of the most basic aspects of smartphone use that can inadvertently reduce its battery life. One of the most common mistakes that iPhone users make is not removing the case during charging. Case removal is recommended to release trapped heat. The iPhone is equipped with advanced circuitry that prevents it from getting over-charged. A simple mistake such as keeping the phone encased can contribute to battery life reduction.
Not Turning It Off
Make it a habit to turn off your iPhone at least once per week. Smartphone users, not just iPhone users, are guilty of not doing this. Experts recommend that you turn off your iPhone at least once a week (or more often if possible). Otherwise, your battery could die faster than normal.
When you leave your phone on and it becomes idle, this causes a lot of stress to the battery. Turning the phone off can also give it a chance to shut down the apps that are running in the background. This can contribute to depleting the battery life faster.
Not Backing Up Your Phone
You don’t know when your iPhone could get damaged, stop working, or get stolen. It’s important to back up the files contained in it. This will ensure you don’t lose anything important.
Backing up your iPhone data is simple and easy to do. Go to Settings and enable the automatic iCloud backup option. Prior to that, make sure your phone has enough storage. There is only 5GB of free storage provided for by Apple. If you want to get extra storage, you need to pay for it. You can also back things up via iTunes – simply connect your phone to the computer. Make it a habit to back up on a regular basis to avoid losing important data.
Turning On WiFi and Bluetooth
The WiFi and Bluetooth feature are two of the most commonly used connectivity methods on smartphones. If you use them regularly on your iPhone, make it a habit to turn them off once you are done using them. Otherwise, you are wasting battery life.
Exposing to Extreme Weather
The iPhone is designed to be weather-resistant but it can’t withstand extreme weather or temperature. Avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight or on an extremely cold winter day. If you do so accidentally, it is recommended to allow the device’s temperature to return to room temperature before using it again.
Most smartphones are designed to regulate its temperature by dispersing heat. But when your iPhone is exposed to extreme temperatures, exercise caution.
Charging Overnight
This is another common mistake. Some think it is a practical idea to charge while you sleep but it’s not a smart choice. Keeping your phone plugged in after it has been fully charged can cause damage to the battery.
Ideally, remove your phone from the plug before it hits 100 percent. Leaving it plugged when already fully charged can cause battery degradation over time.
Fully Drained Battery
While overcharging the battery can cause damage, waiting until your phone dies before you charge it is not recommended either. Lithium-ion batteries (the ones used on iPhones) perform their best when they have about 50-80% of battery life. When you wait until the battery is fully drained before you charge it again, it can experience long-term damage. Experts call it a “deep discharge state”. The ions in the battery might eventually be unable to hold a charge.
Using Non-Apple Chargers
If your Apple charger is damaged or lost, it is important to buy a new one. Do not use a charger that is not Apple certified. It can be tempting to opt for cheaper non-certified chargers, but it could cost you more in the long run. If you use chargers that are not Apple certified, you could damage your iPhone and the charger is likely to stop working. Protect your investment and look for the “Made for iPhone” logo.
Enabling Push Notifications
Notifications can be highly convenient as they alert you to new updates for your phone and apps. But they can be annoying if you get notifications too frequently. You can control notifications from each app. Go to “Settings” and choose “Notifications”. Select to get notified from only a few important apps.
This will reduce the number of notifications and save battery life.
Not Updating Your iPhone
The iOS updates can take a lot of time. It can be annoying. But don’t skip them. Many of these updates are not only designed to introduce new features, but they also boost performance and device security.
It’s important to keep your iPhone updated on a regular basis.
HelloTech provides mobile device support if you need any further help or encounter other issues.
