Investing in an iPhone is probably not a decision you take lightly, so taking care of your device to ensure that it functions well for as long as possible is crucial. There are a few common mistakes that many iPhone users make that can cause damage to the phone’s battery or hardware. We spoke with Apple experts who clued us in on the top five iPhone mistakes you should NEVER make.
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1. Using your iPhone in the shower
Yes, your iPhone is conveniently resistant to water. But that doesn’t mean it can handle long periods of time spent in and around certain water sources. Getting a few drops of rain on your phone is not the same thing as keeping it in a steam-filled room.
“While most of the newer iPhone models are resistant to water, Apple actually recommends staying away from steam,” says Tech Expert Alex Thompson, director of Festoon House. “Do not use your iPhone in the shower or other steamy areas. It will likely damage your phone even if it's not particularly evident.”
2. Overnight Charging
It may be convenient to leave your phone on its charger overnight and forget about it, but it’s not the best thing for your device. “Many people do this because they think it's convenient to charge while they sleep — that way, they wake up with a fully-charged phone,” Thompson says. “However, overcharging your iPhone can damage its battery. Especially if you're doing it repeatedly over a long period of time, you might need to replace your iPhone soon.”
3. Using The Wrong Cleaning Items
“Keeping your iPhone clean and sanitized is more important now in light of the pandemic, but remember to use the right cleaning products,” Thompson says. “Avoid harsh chemicals like Windex and even cleansing wipes. Those will damage your screen, even if it says it's safe for electronics. I recommend using a slightly damp lint-free cloth.”
4. A Too-Bright Screen
Leaving your brightness levels all the way up on your phone will drastically lower your battery life, says Cybersecurity Analyst Eric Florence at SecurityTech.org. You can reduce your phone’s brightness levels even lower than iOS allows by going to Settings > General > Accessibility > Display Accommodations > Reduce White Points. Drag the slider down to lower brightness levels.
5. Location Services
Be on the lookout for apps that use location services and could be tracking your location without your permission, Florence says. You’ll be able to find out which apps have requested access to your location by opening the Settings app, tapping on “Privacy” and then tapping on Location Services.
