How to Extend the Life of Your Phone

Are you looking to save money by holding onto that phone you've already paid off? Apple, Google, and Samsung are making it easier and safer by providing software and security updates for up to seven years for their flagship models and up to four years for less expensive phones. However, just because you can receive software updates, your phone won't last unless you take care of it. Here are the easy ways to extend the life of your smartphone.

Replace the battery

A new battery is one of the most effective ways to breathe new life into an older smartphone. Batteries come with a certain number of charge cycles – one cycle going from fully charged to fully discharged – and as it runs through more of these cycles, a battery becomes less efficient at delivering charge. Swapping out your battery every two years helps with the device's longevity. Getting the battery replaced at a repair shop is a straightforward task that usually costs under $100. Many phone insurance plans will cover the cost of battery replacement if the maximum battery capacity dips below 85 percent of the original capacity.

Protect your screen

Along with the battery, a smartphone screen is the component most likely to fail – and one of the pricier ones to repair. Expect to shell out up to $449 for iPhone and Samsung Galaxy screens at authorized repair centers.

To prevent a cracked screen in the first place, invest in a good shock-absorbing case and a screen protector. The case should have a drop-test rating of at least six feet with a raised bezel to protect the screen and camera. I use Case-Mate, Speck, and Otterbox on my family's phones. Between Case-Mate and Speck, you'll find a case for every taste, and Otterbox is great for more robust protection. For a screen protector, I recommend using a tempered-glass product. For basic protection, I like JETech's products, which have worked well on my kids' phones and cost just a few dollars. If you want extras, like an installation template, blue-light protection, and an anti-microbial finish, I recommend Zagg's InvisibleShield line.

Repair damage immediately

If you end up cracking the screen, repair it as soon as possible, even if you can make out enough of the display to go about your daily business. It's not just a cosmetic issue. The longer you wait to repair, the more dirt, oil, and debris can penetrate the cracks and compromise your phone’s internal components.

Quick action also applies to other damage, such as dropping a phone that's not water-resistant into water. While you may be able to make your phone operational again by drying it out in a bowl of uncooked rice, water vapor can remain, causing damage down the road. Repair shops can take your phone apart and dry and clean it.

Getting your phone repaired is easier than ever. Currently, there are more than 30 states with Right to Repair laws, which require manufacturers to make information, tools, and parts available to third-party repair shops and even consumers. Apple has a Self Service Repair Store, where consumers can learn about repairing their iPhones (model 12 and higher) and purchase repair kits. And for many Samsung Galaxy phones (starting in 2018), you can buy self-repair kits to fix issues with the screen, back glass, and ports at iFixit and Samsung's partner Encompass.

Even if you're not interested in fixing your phone yourself, there are more third-party repair options.

Read more: How Much Your iPhone Screen Repair Should Cost

Clean your ports

Keeping your smartphone clean can go a long way towards recreating that like-new feeling. The charging port is one common area that attracts dirt that could compromise device operation. If you keep your phone in your pocket, the charging port can become clogged by lint. Cleaning out the debris with a toothpick is a quick, easy fix. And you can use a soft-bristled brush to clean out your phone's speaker grilles. Make sure you're brushing at an angle to flick away the debris so you're not just shoving it further into the speaker.

The same goes for dirt or sand getting into your smartphone case – remove your phone from its case every so often and wipe it down. You can use a microfiber cloth like the MagicFiber Microfiber Cleaning Cloths, lightly dampened with a 50/50 mix of water and distilled white vinegar to remove grease and smudges.

Pay attention to storage

General maintenance matters – if your smartphone has started slowing down, check the amount of storage you have available. To keep your phone running smoothly, I recommend keeping about 20 percent of your storage free. If you're low on space, check out our story How to Free up Space on Your iPhone and Android Phone.

Reset your device

If clearing out your smartphone fails to restore its performance, its software may be corrupted, perhaps through downloaded apps. Try a factory reset that erases all content – including passwords and accounts. A reset helps by allowing you to reinstall the operating system fresh, giving it a nearly out-of-the-box speed and slickness. Back up your phone first to ensure you don't lose any data.

For iPhones, you can find the factory reset option under Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings.

For Android phones, head to Settings > System > Advanced > Reset options > Erase all data (factory reset). For Samsung phones, head to Settings > General management > Reset > Factory data reset.

When it's time to say goodbye to your old phone

It is often the operating system that makes older smartphones feel their age. iOS 17 runs on iPhones sold in 2018, including the iPhone X models. Google Pixel 8 and 9 models and Samsung Galaxy S24 models will enjoy seven years of Android updates. Samsung will support Android updates for up to three years and security updates for four years for all models from 2019 and later – not just Galaxy devices. Although iOS and Android OS updates technically run on supported devices, certain apps – and OS updates themselves – can prove too power-hungry for previous years’ specs.

Updated on 8/16/2024 with product recommendations, current self-repair availability, and OS upgrade information.

[Image credit: closeup of phone in hand via BigStockPhoto]

For the past 20+ years, Techlicious founder Suzanne Kantra has been exploring and writing about the world’s most exciting and important science and technology issues. Prior to Techlicious, Suzanne was the Technology Editor for Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia and the Senior Technology Editor for Popular Science. Suzanne has been featured on CNN, CBS, and NBC.

Tips & How-Tos, Phones and Mobile, Cell Phones