Phones are like babies, you drop them, and many times they’re just… not the same. If you’d like to avoid witnessing your phone acting on its impulsive thoughts, such as, catching the bug, Resting In Pieces, or taking a dip, let’s see how we can keep these fragile little ones from eternal death.

Prevent Screen Damage

Living with a cracked screen is not fun, not to mention expensive. So let’s learn how we can keep our phones in pristine condition. 

Use a Screen Protector

• The highest quality screen protector, tempered glass, is known for its durability, scratch resistance, and ability to absorb impact, providing the most effective protection for your device’s screen. 

• A tempered glass protector has an oleophobic coating, providing liquid, scratch, and  fingerprint resistance while mimicking the feel of your phone screen. This coating wears off, lasting between 6 months to a year. To prevent the coating from speeding up deterioration do not clean the screen with alcohol.

• Tempered glass is also the easiest to install, and as long as you follow the instructions your screen will be bubble-free. 

• Our Ultimate Guide to Screen Protectors article digs into the importance of screen protection as well as how to choose one. 

Use a Sturdy Case

• When choosing a phone case, go for ones made of tough materials like polycarbonate, TPU, or real leather. 

• To add extra protection from drops and scratches to your little one, look for phone cases with a snug fit and raised edges.  

• If you’re into warranties, look for cases with MIL-STD-810G certification – this means the phone case has undergone 29 tests that evaluate its ability to withstand shock, vibration, heat, cold, moisture, gunfire, and more, not to mention its military-grade protection! 

Extra Precautions

• Avoid placing your phone in pockets or bags with keys, coins, or other sharp objects that could scrape the screen.

• Make sure to place your phone face-up to avoid rough or abrasive surfaces from scratching the screen. 

• Cleaning your phone’s screen regularly prevents dirt and debris from scratches over time. 

• Cleaning your phone also prevents germs and bacteria from easily transferring. Scientists at the University of Arizona say that cell phones carry 10 times more bacteria than most toilet seats. Well hello, Corona Virus!

• Be sure to follow these precautions since a damaged phone can typically get around 50% to 80% less than the value of a phone in “good” condition. Though this statistic is on damaged phones, phones with scratches can invite people to bargain with you, leaving you with no choice but to settle for a low return on your investment. 

• Before your phone gets into an accident why not learn how you can DIY a broken screen by reading I Cracked My Phone Screen – What Now? Exploring Your Options.

Protect against water damage

Our phone’s nemesis is water. Taking your phone to the beach without a water case is like taking a wine glass to a football game, you’re looking for an accident. So to protect yourself from a potential heart attack we recommend the following:

Use Waterproof Cases

• When choosing a waterproof case, prioritize factors like the Ingress Protection (IP) rating—the higher the numbers such as IP67 or IP68 the better the water resistance.

• Consider the case’s materials, plastics, rubber, or TPU, which offer a reliable watertight seal.

• Pay attention to closures around ports, buttons, and openings; quality waterproof cases often include sealed flaps to prevent water entry.

• Don’t overlook the importance of reviews, as water damage repairs can be costly, ranging from $30 to $500. 

• Check the manufacturer’s specifications for submersion depth and duration, and consider certifications like MIL-STD-810G or third-party assessments, indicating the manufacturer’s confidence in the case’s waterproof capabilities.

Extra Precautions

• Be cautious when using your phone near water sources such as pools, beaches, or bathrooms. 

• Choose smartphones that come with water-resistant or waterproof features if possible. 

• If your phone does get wet, use a soft, dry cloth to wipe it immediately or soak it in rice for anywhere from 1 to 24 hours. Avoid using a hairdryer or any heat source, as it may damage the internal components. 

• If you would like to further prepare for unexpected mishaps why not read Water Damage: 7 Steps When Your SmartPhone Takes a Swim.

Prevent Bugs

Unlike breaking your phone or causing water damage, software corruption is something far more confusing to deal with since it is an internal issue. Unlike when humans get the bug, a phone bug has a low chance of recovery. 

Regular Updates

• Regularly updating your phone is similar to cleaning your home. Without these regular cleanings, your home would no longer be the safe, clean haven that shields you from the messy world. 

• These updates secure your phone’s software by quickly spotting and fighting any viruses, malfunctions, or software instability, as well as any unintended flaws.

• Without regular updates, your phone’s operating system, apps, and integrity will not work efficiently, not to mention its stone-age speed. 

• Updates improve performance, protect against emerging threats, and improve compatibility allowing you to download the latest apps, without conflicts.

• A sign that your phone may be hinting at an overdue update is if your YouTube isn’t running as quickly as you need it to.

Install Trusted Applications

• To make sure your devices stay safe, only get apps from places like Google Play or App Store. 

• Watch out for apps that ask for too many permissions and don’t open emails with information you don’t recognize. 

• Be careful with free VPN apps because they may invade your privacy.

• Don’t use security apps from unknown sources

• Be cautious with apps that say they lengthen your battery or improve its speed. If you’d like to lengthen your battery without risk explore The Ultimate Guide to Extending Your Phone’s Battery Life.

Complete a Factory Reset

• A factory reset erases all data on the device, including apps, settings, and personal files. So make sure you have all your selfies saved on the cloud or an external drive before you do this! 

• If you don’t back anything up you may lose important data! Once you have started a factory reset, whatever you do, don’t interrupt it! This can cause your software to be corrupted, leading to system errors, crashes, “bricking” the device, rendering it unusable, or a device that fails to reboot properly.  

• Follow guidelines like backing up data, device instructions, charging your battery or keeping the device plugged in, and allowing the process to complete without interruption.

As we’ve all experienced, our phones don’t need legs to walk into trouble. So take the proper precautions with your little one and prepare yourself for potential mishaps. For advice on smartphone protection and repairs, call 510-706-7092 or visit cellularcityphonerepair.com in San Leandro, CA
We serve the Hayward, Castro Valley, San Leandro, San Lorenzo and Oakland areas.