Want to save money by keeping the phone you've already paid for? You're not alone. In recent years , Americans have bucked the trend of upgrading to a new phone every two years , partly due to rising costs and minor upgrades from flagship phones. These are the simple ways to extend the life of your smartphone.
1. Fix your smartphone
While 59% of people would rather replace a broken phone than fix it, according to a uBreakiFix survey , fixing your phone is easier than ever. Currently, 18 states have right-to-repair laws that require manufacturers to make information, tools, and parts available to repairers and even consumers. Apple earlier this year opened a self-service repair store where consumers can learn more about iPhone repairs and purchase repair kits. And Samsung has announced that it will make automatic repair available through a collaboration with iFixit .
Even if you don't want to repair your phone yourself, there are other third-party repair options.
2. Replace the battery
A new battery is the most effective way to revive an old smartphone. Batteries come with a series of charge cycles, a cycle from fully charged to fully discharged, and as you go through more of these cycles the battery becomes less efficient at providing a charge. Replacing the battery every two years contributes to the longevity of the device. Replacing the battery at a repair shop is a simple task that typically costs less than $100. Many phone insurance companies will cover the cost of replacing the battery if the maximum capacity of the battery falls below 85% of the original capacity.
3. Protect your screen
Along with the battery, a smartphone screen is the component most likely to fail and one of the most expensive repairs. Expect up to $250 for iPhone or Galaxy screens at authorized repair centers, but if you're up for the challenge, iFixit has screen replacement guides for the most popular devices.
For an inexpensive and easy solution, invest in a good shock- absorbing case for your phone and a screen protector instead.
4. Repair the damage immediately
If you end up breaking the screen, even if you can see the screen enough to do your daily chores, fix it as soon as possible. It's not just a cosmetic issue. The longer you wait to repair, the more dirt, oil, and debris can get into the cracks and affect your phone's internal components.
Swiftness applies to other damage as well, like dropping a non-waterproof phone. Although you can get your phone working again if you dry it in a bowl of uncooked rice, it's possible that water vapor will remain and cause damage in the future. Repair shops can disassemble, dry and clean your phone.
5. Clean your ports
Keeping your smartphone clean can bring that feeling back. The charging port is a common area that attracts debris that could affect the device's performance. If you leave your phone in your pocket, the charging port may be clogged with lint. Removing debris with a toothpick is a quick and easy fix. And you can clean your phone's speaker grills with a soft bristle brush. Be sure to brush at an angle to remove dirt so you don't push it further into the speaker.
The same goes for dirt or sand that gets into your smartphone case - take your phone out of the case from time to time and clean it. You can use a microfiber cloth like MagicFiber Microfiber Cleaning Cloths ($5.50 for 2, check price on Amazon ) lightly dampened with a 50/50 mixture of water and distilled white vinegar to remove grease and stains.
6. Pay attention to storage
General Maintenance Issues: If your smartphone is slowing down, the first thing you need to fix is how much storage space it has. To keep your phone running smoothly, we recommend keeping about 20% of your storage space free. If you are running out of storage, read our article How to free up storage space on your iPhone and Android phones .
7. Reset your device
If cleaning your smartphone doesn't restore performance, your software may be corrupt, possibly due to downloaded apps. Try a factory reset, which will erase all content including passwords and accounts. A reboot helps by allowing you to reinstall the operating system from scratch, giving you almost instantaneous speed and flexibility. Back up your phone first to make sure you don't lose any data .
For iPhones, you can find the Reset Everything option under Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings.
For Android phones, go to Settings > System > Advanced > Reset options > Erase all data (factory reset). For Samsung phones, go to Settings > General management > Reset > Factory data reset.
When it's time to ditch your old phone
It is often the operating system and the apps that make older smartphones look old. iOS 15 runs on iPhones sold in 2015, including the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus, and Samsung has announced that it will support Android OS updates for its Galaxy models for four years. Although iOS and Android operating system updates are technically supported by devices, some apps and the operating system updates themselves can prove too power-hungry for the specifications of older device years.
Updated on 07/25/2022
[Image credit: Close-up of phone in hand via BigStockPhoto]
Natasha Stokes has been a technology writer for over 10 years covering consumer technology, digital privacy and cybersecurity. As the editor of TOP10VPN, she has covered online censorship and surveillance affecting the lives of people around the world. His work has also appeared on NBC News, BBC Worldwide, CNN, Time and Travel+Leisure.
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