You spent a lot on your smartphone and intend for it to last a long time. Still, accidents can and do happen and your phone will get severely damaged if you’re not too careful. So what can you do to prevent most accidents and ensure your phone stays intact for many years? Here are six tips to protect your phone from damage, from securing it in a shock-resistant case to slipping it into a waterproof phone pouch on camping or paddling trips.
#1 Get a Durable Case and Screen Protector
Before you even unbox your phone, get it a case! A phone case is the ultimate protection from scuffs, scrapes, drops and much, much more. Luckily, you have a variety of premium cell phone cases with fashionable styles to choose from at your fingertips. Of course, you will need to prevent microscopic scratches and a cracked glass screen with a screen protector, too. The trick is to find a phone case that fits your lifestyle and everyday needs.
For example, if you plan to take your phone on adventures or activities, you might require something more robust and rugged. Alternatively, you might need something sleek and stylish with on-trend patterns and colors. Furthermore, you can also find phone cases with extra accessories and functions, like card cases that attach to the back and allow you to carry credit cards and an ID. If you enjoy outdoor activities, you may want to consider getting a dust-proof or waterproof phone pouch as well.
#2 Keep Your Phone From Sharp and Rough Objects
A case can help protect your phone very well, but you still need to keep it away from sharp or rough objects. If you have the habit of tossing your phone inside your purse or bag, where you keep your keys, coins and other items that could scratch the screen, it’s time to consider putting it in a designated spot (more on this tip later). The same goes with placing your phone screen down on a rough countertop or surface. Sometimes, a phone’s glass screen doesn’t break all of a sudden. It can happen slowly over time caused by microscopic scratches. So do yourself a favor and keep it from sharp or rough objects.
#3 Take an Unplugged Bathroom Break
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Most phones these days offer some degree of water resistance, with IP67 and IP68 ratings being two of the most common. However, even if your phone will survive being accidentally dropped in the toilet or set down on a wet countertop, it’s not ideal. Not to mention, you might simply wash your hands and walk out, forgetting you left it next to you on the vanity.
Instead of having to dry your phone out in a bowl of rice, just do yourself a favor and resist the urge to break it out in the first place. Keep your phone in your purse or leave it behind at your desk. Whatever it takes to keep it away from the bathroom dangers. Unplug and give yourself a mental break instead.
Love to scroll your phone in the bathroom and not convinced? Just remember how much bacteria your phone can pick up. This alone should convince you to reduce your restroom screen time.
#4 Have a Designated Spot Inside a Purse or Bag
Phones can slide out of pockets and hands quickly. Leaving a phone in your back jean pocket offers accessibility, but at what cost? If the phone shimmies its way out, it could fall and break on the floor. And you could even forget it’s there, sitting on it and breaking the screen.
To avoid these disasters, create a designated spot for your phone. For example, a purse’s interior pocket or a wallet with a phone attachment are wonderful ways to give your phone an extra layer of protection and help you to track it down.
#5 Avoid Texting and Walking
Texts take a lot more finger coordination and thought than a phone conversation. If you need to talk to someone, pull out the Bluetooth earbuds instead. Texting as you walk means you are looking at the screen and not at the path in front of you as you should be. Without watching ahead, you could stumble and send the phone flying, crashing and getting damaged pretty badly. Not to mention, you could hurt yourself.
#6 Avoid Extreme Temperatures
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Leaving any kind of electronics in extreme temperatures is a bad idea. Leaving a phone in a hot car, for example, can practically fry the battery and internal components, permanently damaging it or causing data loss. The damage could be so bad you would need to replace the phone entirely.
Below freezing temps can make the phone’s parts rigid, which can cause it to break easily on impact. So if you take your phone with you on the slopes or just on a cold day running errands, keep your phone tucked inside an interior coat pocket. This way, you can lend it some of your body heat.
If your phone experiences extreme temperatures, allow it to come to room temperature slowly and steadily when you take it inside. Otherwise, it could result in condensation buildup and water damage inside the phone.
Follow These Tips and Maintain Your Phone
These phone-protecting tips should keep your phone out of a repair shop for a long time. However, it’s worth noting that you should maintain your phone, too. If it develops a crack or has come into contact with water, make sure to take proper care of the situation before it worsens. Give your phone a long life and reduce e-waste, too.
