Want to make sure your iPhone last as long as possible? Follow these tips.
iPhones are expensive, and most people purchase them as investments in their work and social lives. On average, they last longer than other phones, but only when you care for them properly.
If you’ve recently bought an iPhone and want it to last as long as possible, this post is for you.
We’ll walk you through all the steps you can take to give your iPhone a long life. Our list includes directions on caring for the battery, the frame, and the software.
1. Maximize Your Purchase Budget
Over time, the software you run on your smartphone (from its operating system to third-party software you download) tends to get larger and take up more disk space. This means that the same apps which take, for example, 1GB of storage space today will take 1.5-2GB of space a couple of years from now.
As a result, the finite disk space in your phone gets smaller and smaller for the same software, making it slower.
A good way to future-proof your iPhone is by maximizing your budget and getting the version with more storage space. This might be a painful decision, as iPhones with big storage space costs a lot—but it’s still less than buying a new iPhone a couple of years later.
It’s more important to assess how much storage space you’ll need. This is because while you can still buy iCloud storage for additional storage, upgrading local storage is not possible on iPhone.
2. Put it in a durable case
iPhones are lovely, no doubt about it, so it seems almost criminal to put one inside a case. But that’s what you have to do for protection against sudden bursts of gravity (or sudden acts of butterfingers).
Instead of the regular case, use rugged case to ensure maximum damage protection. It definitely adds extra bulk, though.
Want something slimmer/prettier? There are great options, and nearly any case is better than no case. Just make sure to choose one with a raised front lip, the better to shield the screen against face-down drops.
3. Add a screen protector
It’s always a good idea to apply a screen protector. What’s the advantage? In the event of an unfortunate drop, the screen protector will absorb more of the impact, meaning it will crack before the actual screen does.
4. Get a grip
Up till now we’ve talked about compensating for gravity. Now let’s talk about outsmarting it. Get an accessory that make it easier to get a grip on your phone — and less likely to drop it. There’s a great benefit to solutions like these: It’ll be easier to operate your iPhone one-handed. That’s because the rear gripper lets your thumb travel edge-to-edge, something that’s virtually impossible without it.
5. Handle Your iPhone With Care
Using a rugged case and a screen protector doesn’t mean your iPhone won’t get damaged. It’s still important to be careful while handling it, as poor handling adds to its wear and tear over time.
Avoid handling your iPhone with things that may cause stains, or other damage. For example, dirt or sand, ink, makeup, soap, detergent, acids or acidic foods, or lotions.
Similarly, exposing your iPhone to liquid and dust can lead to damage. If liquid splashes on iPhone or dust gets on it, wipe it off with a soft, lint-free cloth (for example, a lens cloth) and ensure that your iPhone is dry and free of dust before opening the SIM tray. Minimize exposing iPhone to soap, detergent, acids or acidic foods, and any liquids—for example, salt water, soapy water, pool water, perfume, insect repellent, lotion, sunscreen, oil, adhesive remover, hair dye, and solvents.
The takeaway is to handle the iPhone with care at all times. This includes keeping it away from places where there’s a chance of it getting damaged or wet, like leaving it next to a drink or on the edge of a tabletop.
6. Use the Battery Wisely
The battery in an iPhone will accept between 500 and 800 battery cycles or full charges before the capacity drops to around 80%.
A battery cycle is when the user drains a percentage of the battery, charges it to 100%, and then uses it. For example, if you drain the battery down to 40%, recharge it, and then drain it to 60%, you have completed one cycle.
For most users, this represents approximately two years of use, which is why most people believe that the lifespan of a phone is two years. However when it comes to iPhones, you can expect between three to five years (maybe more) with proper care.
The trick is to keep your iPhone charged between 30 and 80%, meaning you shouldn’t let the battery drain fully or keep it plugged in for an extended length of times.
This technique uses less battery, keeps its cycle count low, and, most importantly, keeps the battery’s charge capacity high. In general, the lower the cycle count, the healthier the battery remains.
Additionally, try to find ways to improve your iPhone’s battery life, like using Wi-Fi instead of cellular data and optimizing battery settings. Maintaining your iPhone’s battery health significantly impacts your phone’s longevity.
7. Replace the Battery When It Wears Out
Another equally important thing is to know when to replace the battery. Even if you keep the cycle count low, the battery will eventually wear out, losing charge capacity over time. However, this should be much slower compared to those batteries that are used often.
In 2018, Apple added a Battery Health feature to the iPhone, revealing how well — or poorly — your iPhone battery is performing, and letting you know when it’s time to have the battery replaced.
Inspect your iPhone’s battery health status occasionally (say, every six to eight months). If iOS determines through its diagnostics that you need a new battery, replace the battery. This will ensure your iPhone lasts longer in terms of both battery and overall life.
8. Clean Your iPhone Regularly
Regular cleaning ensures your iPhone doesn’t accumulate dirt, which is hard to remove and can lead to damage (scratches and permanent stains) when you do remove it.
Here are some steps to follow:
Disconnect all cables, then do one of the following to turn off iPhone:
On an iPhone with Face ID: Simultaneously press and hold the side button and either volume button until the sliders appear, then drag the top slider.
On an iPhone with a Home button: Press and hold the side button, then drag the slider.
All models: Go to Settings > General > Shut Down, then drag the slider.
Use a soft, slightly damp, lint-free cloth—for example, a lens cloth.
Avoid getting moisture in openings.
Don’t use cleaning products or compressed air.
iPhone has a fingerprint-resistant oleophobic (oil-repellant) coating. This coating wears over time with normal usage. Cleaning products and abrasive materials will further diminish the coating and may scratch iPhone.
9. Service the Ports Often
The ports on your iPhone need separate care; if you care for them well, you can improve the phone’s longevity. If they get too dusty, they often don’t function properly. To clean them, brush them lightly every once in a while—you can use a spare toothbrush for this. Just be careful you don’t damage any of the connectors inside.
On Apple Discussions, some users from humid areas complained about their iPhone ports getting rusty. Carefully unplug devices and look at the health of the cord you’re inserting into them. In worse cases, a rusty cable can permanently damage your iPhone’s ports and stop them from working permanently.
10. Protect the Power Adapter
Your iPhone’s power adapter is expensive and just as delicate as the phone itself. Be sure to prevent the adapter from getting damaged. While handling with care is the obvious way to go, you can get a protective pouch, too.
Along with the adapter, you have to be careful with the cable as well. If it gets damaged or worn out, it slows down charging, becomes dangerous, and even breaks, in worse cases. Buying new ones from Apple still costs you around $80 for these MagSafe adapters, so it’s best to use them carefully.
11. Avoid Third-Party Chargers
Another key to making your iPhone last a long time is to charge it with official chargers. Third-party chargers are often unsafe, and here’s why:
- They lack the security hardware Apple installs in its chargers.
- They cause iPhone to freeze when they are connected.
- They can pose a higher risk of catching fire or sparking, as they’re not as high quality as the original adapters that Apple sells with the iPhone.
If you damage the original charger or lose it, be sure to get the one that Apple sells officially, or try to find a used one—but again, the genuine one only.
12. Don’t Tolerate Any iPhone Problems
Last but not least, the secret recipe for a long-lasting iPhone is to not tolerate any problems that arise. If there’s any problem with your iPhone, try troubleshooting and fixing it at once.
If you cannot do it yourself, get in touch with Apple Support straight away. The longer you let problems hang around on your iPhone, the bigger the chance of irreversible (or expensive to repair) damage.
Consistency Is the Key to Your iPhone’s Longevity
If you develop the right habits and take the measures we’ve listed above, you will surely get the most out of your iPhone. It simply breaks down to consistently maintaining it and keeping an eye out for serious issues.
Start from day one by setting up your iPhone right. Ensuring you have activated service and support coverage to access the warranty if things go south is one of the many things you should do right after you get your new iPhone.