Let’s be honest. Our smartphones are basically an extension of our anatomy. They go everywhere we go, and we do virtually everything with them. However, all this attention makes them susceptible to some serious clutter, which in turn can cause them to run slow and perform well below par.
With Spring right at our doorstep, now is the perfect time to do a little cleaning. Here are a few tips to help you organize your smartphone and get it in tip-top shape.
Get Rid of Useless Apps
Apps are fun, but they take up precious space, and if we’re not careful, we can end up hoarding them. Take some time and scroll through your list of apps. If there’s one you don’t use frequently (at least once a week) then you probably don’t need it. Delete the space wasting apps, and only keep the ones that are useful.
Also, consider using apps that have multiple functions or cover a broad spectrum to cut down on using multiple, specific apps.. For example, if you like college football, use the ESPN Champ Drive app instead of ones made for a certain team. Or, if you shop, consider using something like RedLaser, which features a wide variety of options for both on and offline shopping.
Categorize All the Things
Most smartphones allow you to create folders on your home screen to store similar apps. This is a great way to keep your smartphone decluttered and organized so that you can quickly and easily navigate and find the apps you need.
Consider creating folders such as “Social” for your social media apps, or “Financial” for banking, shopping, or other money management apps.
Update
Updates are a necessary part of being a smartphone owner. If you notice your phone running slow, apps crashing, or your internet not wanting to load pages, it may be time for an update. Your phone should alert you when a new update becomes available.
Take note, however. As smartphone technology progresses, some updates may do more harm than good. If you’ve got an old model phone, it may not have enough storage space or processing power to handle the update. In this case, it’s time to upgrade.
Click here for instructions on iPhone updates, and here if you have an Android.
Clean Out the Multi-Media
One of the coolest things about our smartphones is that we can snap pictures, record video, and listen to our favorite music on the go. However, these types of multi-media take up a TON of space, so you might want to consider slimming down.
And let’s be real, do you REALLY need your entire music library on your phone? Or what about those pictures of your ex? She’s moved on, dude. Time to let it go.
Of course, you don’t have to delete it all. You can clear space and keep all your cherished memories by simply backing them up on the cloud or your home computer. Either way, clearing up your multi-media will not only de-clutter your phone, but will speed it up as well.
Clear Your Cache and Close Your Apps
You smartphone cache is easy to overlook. If you’re unfamiliar, a cache is simply a component that stores information, such as browsing history, login information, etc., so that it will be easier to access later. However, a full cache can cause your smartphone to run slow. You clear the cache through the settings on your smartphone browser.
Along the same lines, when you’re done with an app, be sure to close it completely. Simply exiting won’t close it all way, and apps that are left running cause your phone to run slow, eat up your data, and drain your battery.
With an iPhone, you need to double click your home button, which will bring up all the running apps. You can then swipe up to close them.
With an Android, press the app manager button to see what apps are running. You can then click on the running app to stop it.
Turn Off Push Notifications
Push notifications are what alert you to a message, comment, update, or any other change or event on an app. Most apps feature them, especially social apps and games. Some people prefer to keep them turned on so that nothing slips past them. However, if you’re diligent enough to check your apps without reminders, you might want to consider turning the notifications off, especially if you’re a heavy social user.
Though it won’t much of an impact on your speed, multiple notifications can quickly clutter your phone. Not to mention, much like apps that are left open, they can do a number on your battery life and data. If you’re unsure how to turn off your notifications, go here for the iPhone and here for the Android.
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