In an age where technology is integral to our daily lives, the longevity of our electronic devices has become more crucial than ever. From smartphones to laptops, these gadgets are not just tools but lifelines connecting us to the world. However, the wear and tear of daily use can take a toll, leading to a shorter lifespan and frequent replacements that can be both costly and environmentally unfriendly.
In this article, we’ll offer ten easy ways to extend the life of your electronic devices so that you can keep them for as long as possible.
1. Avoid Overcharging
Keep your devices’ batteries healthy by not leaving them plugged in all the time, as this can lead to overcharging. Overcharging occurs when your device is left on charge for a long time after it’s reached full charging capacity. Doing this will cause the battery to be overworked and it could overheat, as well. Over time, this will damage the battery and cause it to lose charge more quickly. Even more concerning, overheating could pose a fire risk in some cases, putting you in serious danger.
2. Keep Your Devices Cool
Heat is an enemy of electronic devices. Avoid exposing your smartphone or other gadgets to direct sunlight, and if it’s a particularly hot day, try to use your electronics for as little time as possible.
Sunlight can damage electronics thanks to the powerful UV rays emitted by the sun, which can destroy the internal components of your devices and damage plastic casing, causing water to seep in.
3. Clean Your Electronics Regularly
Dust and debris can cause overheating and damage. Regularly clean your devices, focusing on vents and the buttons in between. However, it’s important you clean your electronics carefully to avoid harm to your device. Ensure your device is turned off and not plugged into any power sources, and avoid getting moisture into any openings on the gadget. The best cleaner for smartphones and similar devices is 70% alcohol wipes, which both Apple and Google recommend. Simply wipe your devices once per day.
4. Use Protective Cases
In addition to being a great fashion accessory and a way to show off your interests and creativity, protective cases are vital for protecting electronic devices. They can stop your device from being damaged when dropped on the floor, in water, or when damaged by a pet, for example.
In addition to a case, we’d advise investing in a durable screen protector. This prevents screen cracks and scratches and can also stop damage caused by spills. Worried about the air bubbles we all find so annoying? Simply use a credit card to gently push the air pockets out once you’ve placed the protector on your screen.
5. Keep On Top of Software Updates
Imagine you’re trying to do your best at work, but while all of your colleagues get to take part in the latest training in your industry, you’re left on the sidelines with outdated information. Chances are you wouldn’t perform as well as your peers — and it’s the same for electronic devices. Software updates are vital for providing them with the information, algorithms and system settings needed to perform at their best.
In addition, one vital reason to update your device’s software is to protect it from security threats. Updates regularly include patches to fix gaps in your electronic items’ built-in security protection, preventing harmful malware from taking control.
6. Optimise Your Battery Settings
Optimising battery settings is key to extending the life of your electronic devices. This involves making the most of your device’s power-saving features, designed to minimise power consumption by adjusting operations like update frequencies and background data usage. Adjusting screen brightness significantly impacts battery life; a brighter screen consumes more power. If your device has adaptive brightness settings that automatically adjust to your environment, this can be a great way to further improve your gadget’s battery efficiency.
The apps on your device can also cause significantly increased battery drainage. Regularly closing unused apps and turning off unnecessary app notifications can mitigate this drain.
7. Avoid Damage from Moisture
Even a small amount of moisture can cause significant damage to your electronics. When moisture enters a device, it can lead to the buildup of condensation within its internal components. This condensation poses a serious risk as it can start corroding these components, gradually weakening the internal structure of the device. Corrosion is often a slow process, but it significantly compromises the integrity and functionality of the electronics.
The presence of moisture can also lead to overheating issues over time. As the corroded components lose their efficiency, they may start to generate excess heat during operation. This overheating not only affects the device’s performance but also shortens its lifespan, as consistently high temperatures can damage sensitive electronic parts. So, it’s crucial to keep electronic devices dry and away from environments where moisture buildup is possible.
8. Handle Your Device with Care
It might seem like something that would have minimal impact on your devices’ lifespans, but handling them with care can prevent accidental damage. Be gentle when plugging in and removing cables, and avoid forceful impacts or pressure on your devices. Even a small amount of force could cause internal damage, and while it could take a long time for the effects to be visible, it could cause your device to be beyond repair.
9. Seek Professional Expertise When Necessary
If your device is having significant issues, such as being unable to switch on, don’t lose hope. It’s important to recognise when your electronics need to be checked over by a professional who is expertly trained to troubleshoot and resolve serious issues.
If your device is beyond repair, you might struggle to retrieve irreplaceable photos, videos and other files. That’s where a service like DriveSavers comes in. Using expert knowledge and equipment, the service helps customers regain access to precious data that could otherwise be lost.
10. Utilise Health Check Tools
Many devices have built-in health check tools, allowing you to monitor the status of your device and repair issues. If not, consider utilising third-party software. Regularly checking your device is healthy will allow you to resolve issues that appear more quickly, giving them less time to harm your device seriously.
You should also regularly back up your data so that you can retrieve files easily in case your device does become unusable.