10 bad habits iPhone users should give up

10 bad habits iPhone users should give up

Every iPhone user understands the joy of having one, even more if it’s new. The phone is sleek and bold and exhibits technological excellence. Unfortunately, many fail to avoid bad habits that may ruin it quickly. As there were more than 225 million iPhone users last year, many poor smartphone habits inadvertently became bad iPhone habits. Besides, some avoidable practices are exclusive to iPhone users. Therefore, here are some habits iPhone users should evade:

Neglecting battery health
iPhones have a phenomenally long battery life, so many users take their devices for granted. Many iPhone users go through multiple charge cycles during the day. Such practices tend to reduce the device’s longevity. Many users also ignore a critical ‘Low Power Mode,’ a battery-saving feature that gives them time to get to a power outlet so that their phone does not die completely.
Finally, a common habit is allowing the battery to run out of juice entirely before plugging it into a power outlet. Doing so repeatedly can damage any phone’s batteries in the long run.

Running outdated software
Opting for regular iOS updates is necessary as every update brings new bug fixes, performance improvements, and new software features to an iPhone. Despite these benefits, many iPhone users run outdated software or routinely ignore updates on their devices. Such users leave their phones vulnerable to poor performance, inadequate data security, and a drastically reduced battery life. Moreover, many iOS apps only work on the updated version of the operating system, so ignoring updates can cause many iPhone applications to work sub-optimally.
Avoiding such problems is incredibly easy: users just need to click on “install updates” on the regular patch updates that their iPhones come up with now and then.

Enabling apps to track all user activity
At a basic level, all apps need endless user data to sustain and develop themselves. Therefore, the sight of apps relentlessly asking users permission to access their data, locations, and contacts is very common. Now more than ever, users must be mindful of their privacy and data.
Users can always select the “Ask App Not to Track” option on their iPhones. Doing so would limit an app’s access to sensitive iPhone data.
Users who control the amount of data an app consumes receive fewer or zero personalized ads targeted toward selling them products they don’t need. By limiting data usage, users can prevent apps from accessing their personal information, which in turn restricts the ability of advertisers to tailor their ads based on the user’s browsing behavior. It leads to a more private and secure online experience for the user, free from intrusive and irrelevant advertisements.
Users can navigate the settings>Privacy>Tracking on their iPhone to see which apps have permission to track their data. Then, they can manually deny apps access to their data.

Using cheap or counterfeit chargers
Besides neglecting battery health, iPhone users make another battery-related mistake: using chargers unsuitable for their devices. Counterfeit chargers can damage iPhones or significantly limit their performance and scope of functionality. Additionally, many users have suffered safety hazards because of using cheap chargers. To avoid this problem, users must buy and deploy only genuine Apple or certified third-party chargers for their devices.

Not clearing the iPhone’s storage regularly
A common bad iPhone usage habit involves not regularly clearing the phone’s in-built storage, cache, and cookies. This practice may seem unnecessary, but it is helpful to de-clutter one’s iPhone. Not doing so causes the phone’s memory to be filled with unused apps and files, drastically slowing down the device and hampering its other critical functions.
Hence, one should regularly go through their phone and delete files, photos, or apps no longer required. Routinely clearing an iPhone’s cache and cookies will boost its overall performance.

Not syncing up with iCloud
iPhone users need to back up their devices from time to time. Syncing the device with iCloud ensures a copy is preserved in a safe space even when an iPhone loses its data. In such instances, users can retrieve this data without breaking into a sweat. Also, many users have found that iCloud backups are more reliable than iTunes ones.

Turning on the background app refresh for unnecessary apps
Multiple iPhone apps use the device’s background app refresh feature. This tool allows apps to refresh their content in the background using the mobile network or Wi-Fi. However, this feature can be highly power-consuming. It is advisable to turn off the background app refresh feature for apps that are not used much and do not need to be updated regularly.

Not using the Notes app for organizing tasks
The Notes app is one of an iPhone’s most efficient and effective information keepers. However, many users overlook this app and instead email themselves reminders “from the future” to keep tabs on their daily activities. A massive problem this habit creates is that users may still forget to follow up and retrieve all the information they sent to themselves earlier. Instead, using Notes allows users to organize their day much more efficiently.

Using the device without tempered glass or a back cover
While iPhones are generally sturdy, dropping them many times may damage screens and other device panels. As most iPhone users know, the device’s repair cost tends to be very high. Users can simply employ tempered glass and back covers on their devices to avoid incurring repair expenses. The tempered glass will protect the front glass from scratches or breakage, while the back cover will protect the gorgeous back visage of their iPhone.

Using device excessively
The iPhone is a desirable and alluring device, but using it excessively can be distracting and debilitating for users in the long run. Therefore, taking a break from one’s iPhone is recommended for users now and then.

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Top 10 Black Friday 2023 Smartphone Offers to Watch For

Black Friday is the perfect time to buy new and popular models of smartphones for oneself and one's loved ones. Shoppers can score great discounts on models from different popular brands like Samsung, Google, Apple, and many others during this shopping season. As the deals for Black Friday 2023 are yet to be revealed, let’s take a look at the top 10 smartphone offers of 2022 and know what to expect. Samsung phones 1. Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus The Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus comes with a dynamic 6.6-inch display and strong specs. This high-end smartphone features the latest Snapdragon chipset, 8GB of RAM, three rear cameras, and a 4500 mAh battery. For Black Friday 2022, the smartphone was priced at $750 on Amazon (was $999). A similar discount can be expected this year. 2. Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra Originally priced at $1200, the latest and the most desirable Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra was available for $975 on sale. This phone has a 6.8-inch AMOLED display that supports HDR10+ for a television-like experience. Combined with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor, an 8K camera system, and a smart pen, this Samsung smartphone is one of the best phones available in the market. 3. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 Originally priced at $1060, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 was on sale for $860. This foldable phone from Samsung is powered by a Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 processor. Other features include a dual camera system - 12MP wide-angle and 12MP ultra-wide, and 8 GB of RAM. Consumers can expect a similar deal this time, and one must try to grab the offer before it runs out! Google phones 4. Google Pixel 7 Pro Amazon offered the Google Pixel 7 Pro for $749 during the prior Black Friday sale, giving one a savings of $150. This mobile phone comes with triple rear cameras, including a 50 MP main camera, 12MP ultrawide, and 48 MP telephoto. The 6.7-inch display smartphone is powered by Google Tensor G2 and is paired with a Titan M2 security chip for better protection of one's personal information. 5. Google Pixel 7 The Google Pixel 7 has a fantastic 6.3-inch display with HDR 10+ support. This premium smartphone has the same processor as the Google Pixel 7 Pro. The Black Friday deal for the 128 GB variant was $500 (originally at $600). The dual rear camera setup includes a 50MP main camera and a 12MP ultra-wide camera. This phone can be expected to have a similar discount this year in 2023. 6. Google Pixel 6a For the Black Friday sale, the Google Pixel 6a was available at a discounted price of $299 (was $449). It uses the same Titan M2 chip as the Google Pixel 7 Pro and Google Pixel 7. The Pixel 6a has a 6.1-inch OLED display and features two cameras, including a 12.2 MP main camera and a 12MP ultra-wide camera. This smartphone from Google comes with 128 GB storage and 6 GB of RAM. OnePlus phones 7. OnePlus 10 Pro Another Black Friday deal to watch out for in 2023 is the OnePlus 10 Pro. This mobile phone from OnePlus normally sells for $800 but was priced at $550 at Best Buy. The 6.7-inch screen comes with a refresh rate of 120Hz, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor, and multiple cameras, including an 8MP telephoto. Apple phones 8. Apple iPhone SE With a powerful A15 Bionic chipset and 5G connectivity, the iPhone SE was available for $389 at Walmart (was $429). Despite its low price, its camera system includes a 12MP wide camera and a 7MP FaceTime HD camera. The 4.7-inch Retina HD display Apple iPhone SE is a great mid-range option. Apple fans can check for similar discounts on the device this year as well. 9. Apple iPhone 14 Pro Apple usually does not offer big discounts but there is a way where one can get the iPhone 14 Pro for free. This offer is only valid when one buys a Verizon select 5G unlimited plan and trade-in one's old phone. Plus, those who are switching from another carrier can save an additional $200. Motorola phones 10. Motorola Edge Plus The Motorola Edge Plus is a top-of-the-line phone that was available at a massively discounted price of $500 ($1000) at the Motorola store. The 6.7-inch OLED HDR+10 display model is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1. The Edge Plus also features three rear camera systems, including a 50 MP main camera, a 50 MP ultra-wide, and a macro camera that houses a 2-MP depth sensor. The 60 MP selfie camera is capable enough to capture detailed images. Conclusion The upcoming 2023 Black Friday smartphone deals from retailers, brands, and wireless carriers are something one absolutely needs to watch out for. Tech enthusiasts can find some great discounts on the latest iPhones or Android phones in various price ranges.

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6 tips to reduce data usage and avoid overage charge

Exceeding the data limit can lead to unexpected and costly overage charges. Whether an internet service provider (ISP) charges for data overage directly or indirectly, the fact remains that going over the allotted data will result in additional costs. Many smartphone users have experienced this scenario, only to be surprised with an extra data charge on their bill. Here are some tips that can help reduce data usage and avoid these charges. 1. Use Wi-Fi instead of mobile data Using Wi-Fi instead of cellular data wherever possible helps save on data usage to a great extent. This holds true when at home or visiting friends who have a protected network. Using free Wi-Fi at eateries, coffee shops, and retail establishments could be acceptable if one's browsing safely. However, a public Wi-Fi connection can be unsafe for many users as they may have illicit activities. In such cases, users can opt for an unlimited plan or opt for a Verizon Safe Wi-Fi to safeguard private information while accessing public Wi-Fi. It uses a virtual private network (VPN) that establishes a secure connection using banking-grade encryption technology. 2. Choose an unlimited data plan Consider an internet subscription that offers limitless data if one has a higher browsing requirement. One can be worry-free of exceeding the monthly data cap. Although these plans might be pricey, they may be worth every penny if one has a large number of users or devices in the household. Ask a chosen internet service provider if they offer unlimited data plans and what are the specifics of signing up for one. The new Value Plus plan from AT&T might be the best option if one only needs one line. One can have unlimited access to voice, text, and data and 5G connectivity. If one chooses multiple lines, one can get various features like a hotspot with free data or a free streaming service subscription. The prices of the unlimited plans vary depending on the plan chosen.  3. Create usage alerts Several ISPs provide the option of setting up consumption warnings or alerts for their users. This means that the user will receive a notification when they have reached the data allowance for the day or month. These notifications can help prevent excessive internet usage in the final days of the billing cycle, especially with internet service providers like US Cellular. One can configure the alerts to notify when one has used 50% and 75% of the data allotment. 4. Invest in affordable data plans No matter which smartphone one uses, whether it be the latest Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel, Apple iPhone, or any other, a good internet phone plan is essential to maximize the data usage. Below are some of the best internet plans available: T-Mobile has recently changed the order of their plans. The Essential Savings plan, which is a limited-time offer, costs $50 per month for a single line and replaces the previous base necessities option. One of the best online-only offers is the Sprint Unlimited Kickstart Plan. New Sprint customers can get unlimited minutes, messages, and data for just $35 per month by porting their existing number over or adding an additional line. 5. Check data plan for roaming When downloading a video, it is important to check if the chosen data plan includes roaming options. Many people are used to having unlimited roaming on their voice plans, but they may be surprised when they first use their data plan. So, it is important to review the contract and data phone plan before downloading any video. If one is traveling to a location where the provider does not offer data service, investing in a prepaid SIM card with a data plan is recommended. This is especially important when traveling abroad. 6. Disable background app refresh To reduce data usage and save battery, it is recommended to disable the background app refresh feature for apps that are not required to update continuously. To do this, navigate to Settings > General > Background App Refresh and turn off the toggle switch for the apps that one doesn't want running in the background. This will prevent apps from constantly updating and will save data usage. If one wants to disable this feature for all the apps, one can turn off the toggle switch at the top of the menu. By doing so, the apps won't be able to download new posts or updates when running in the background, but it will help extend the battery life of the phone.

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