We spend so much money on technology that it’s incredibly frustrating when our devices break. A little prevention can go a long way. Here are six checkups to give your technician now to avoid a shocking repair bill later.
Regular maintenance is key to longevity. Tap or click my simple action plan to get more years out of your iPhone or Android.
Then there are the mistakes you make day in and day out. Bad charging habits can shorten or interrupt your smartphone’s battery life if you’re not careful.
Save your phone number. (iStock)
Do not trust imitation chargers
High-quality chargers have circuitry inside them that shuts down when there is too much power draw. This protects your phone battery from overcharging, breaking or overheating your phone.
ARE YOU ADDICTED TO YOUR SMARTPHONE?
Heat is the biggest enemy of the battery. Some cheap chargers and cables have even caused fires and injuries. Saving money is great, but don’t skimp on quality here.
Here is a list of safe options that will safely charge your phone.
Be careful with power banks
As with cheap chargers, cheap power banks can ruin your battery over time. Make sure any power bank you use has overcharge protection. If not, you can still use it, but be vigilant. Once your battery is almost full, unplug it.
It would be best if you also avoided power banks with fast charging options unless they are from a reputable brand. Here’s a rule of thumb: If you’ve never heard of it, say no.
Fast charging can send too much electricity to your phone and damage the battery. This high voltage could, at a minimum, shorten the life of the battery.
Children’s public content on social media can be saved, captured or screen-recorded by online predators without consequence.
(AP Photo/Jenny Kane, File)
Tap or click for smarter ways to make sure you’re buying gear that’s worth your money.
Don’t download apps that drain your battery
Lithium-ion and lithium-polymer phone batteries only have a limited number of charge cycles before they degrade. This is why most people have battery problems after two years of use.
There is nothing you can do to make the battery wear out eventually, but some things have a bigger impact. If you have performance apps that control your battery life, they could harm your battery in the long run. These apps constantly use power to control battery life.
Spyware, adware, and other malware also plague phones. Most run constantly in the background. Tap or click here to see the signs that your phone is infected.
Don’t use your phone while it’s charging
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Your phone is at 1%, so you plug it in. Leave him alone! Using your phone while charging can quickly increase its temperature, putting pressure on the battery, screen, and processor.
Loading rules are also essential when it comes to your computer. Tap or click the steps to check the battery status of your laptop.
Take it out of the case
Phone cases can be a great way to personalize your phone and add some physical security. However, when it comes to charging, they can cause temperature issues.
When your phone’s battery gets too hot, it can damage the rest of your phone. To be on the safe side, take off the case while charging, especially if you notice your phone getting hot while plugged in.
The iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max are displayed at the Apple Fifth Avenue store in New York City on September 16, 2022.
(Reuters/Andrew Kelly)
Keep your tech savvy on the go
My popular podcast is called “kim komando today.” It’s a solid 30 minutes of tech news, tips, and tech callers like you from across the country. Find it wherever you get your podcasts. For your convenience, click the link below to watch a recent episode.
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Here are all the new iOS 16 features you didn’t know about. Also, how to make strangers read your emails, secret AR settings on Google Maps, WhatsApp will soon let you hide your online status, what happens to your Google account when you die, and how to stop email tracking.
Check out my podcast “Kim Komando Today” on Apple, Google Podcasts, Spotifyor your favorite podcast player.
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Listen to the podcast here or wherever you get your podcasts. Just look up my last name, “Komando.”
What questions about the digital lifestyle do you have? Call Kim’s national radio show and tap or click here to find it on your local radio station. You can listen or watch The Kim Komando Show on your phone, tablet, TV or computer. Or tap or click here to watch Kim’s free podcasts.
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Get to know all the latest technology in The Kim Komando Show, the nation’s largest weekend radio talk show. Kim takes calls and provides advice on today’s digital lifestyle, from smartphones and tablets to online privacy and data hacking. For her daily tips, free newsletters and more, visit her website at Komando.com.
