15 things you’re doing to your iPhone that apple experts wouldn’t

When you stuff your iPhone in your pockets or handbag, there’s always a chance for lint to get caught in the charging port. “Lint or dust in the charging port will cause your phone not to charge or for the speakers/microphone to malfunction,” says Kelso. While newer phones have wireless charging, it’s always a good idea to keep that port clear. To clean it out, simply use a toothpick to remove any dust or lint caught in that spot.

By the way, don’t freak out, but your phone screen is way dirtier than you thought it was.

Smartphones may be larger than they were a few years ago, making them harder to lose, but it’s still a good idea to turn on the Find My iPhone feature. “People are constantly losing their iPhones, but if you have Find My iPhone enabled, you can quickly locate that lost iPhone,” says Kelso. To locate a lost phone, just log into your iCloud account on another device and you’ll see where it is.

Many people will set up an Apple ID and password as soon as they get an iPhone…and then promptly forget this information. “Your Apple ID comes in handy if you need to download apps from the App Store, or when transferring your information from an old iPhone to a new iPhone, backing up your information to iCloud, and locating your lost iPhone,” points out Kelso. If you set up an Apple ID and forget your password, just visit iforgot.com to reset it.

Don’t keep your iPhone on all the time! According to Kelso, it’s a good idea to turn off your iPhone on occasion to give it a break. “Turning off your iPhone allows your phone to rest and shuts down any apps that are running in the background that are slowing your phone down,” he explains.

Watch out for these warning signs that you need a new phone.

Since so many people have unlimited data, they don’t feel the need to connect their iPhones with their home or office Wi-Fi. However, according to Kelso, this is a mistake. “Many download features on your iPhone won’t work unless you connect to Wi-Fi,” he points out. For example, updates and iCloud backups won’t occur unless you’re connected. “This feature is set up because not everyone has an unlimited data plan,” he explains. Luckily, this is an easy fix. To connect your iPhone to your network, just go into Settings and then Wi-Fi.

Did you know that iPhones allow you to keep your health information on hand in case you have a medical emergency? “When you fill out this information, first responders know what medical conditions you have and will be able to help you,” explains Kelso. It’s also a good idea to set up the Emergency SOS feature so you can call for help when you need it at the touch of a button. This amazing feature could save your life one day.

Sign up here to have Reader’s Digest’s favourite stories straight to your inbox.

Source: RD.com