Maximize Your Phone’s Lifespan with These Simple Tips

The superb iPhone 16 Pro or Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra are among the best phones you can buy in 2025. At least until the iPhone 17 comes along. These top-end phones have a lot in common, from their excellent cameras and high performance, but also their whopping price tags. Even wallet-friendly phones like the Google Pixel 9A still cost a sizeable chunk of money. With purse strings continuing to tighten the world over, it’s never been more important to squeeze the most value from whichever phone you buy, and the best way to do that is simply to keep using it for longer, spreading that costly purchase out over the years, rather than upgrading more often.

Doing this isn’t just better for your bank account; it’s much better for the planet, too. Upgrading your handset less often means fewer phones being produced and shipped while fewer old phones end up in a landfill. The good news is that companies like Apple, Google, Samsung, and others are supporting their phones with software updates for longer, meaning the phone you buy today will remain safe to use for years to come.

The rest of it is up to you. Keeping your phone in good working condition for the seven or eight years of software support it might receive takes some effort, plenty of care, and a few key strategies.

Install All Available Updates

Using a phone that no longer receives security updates simply isn’t safe and should be avoided. Previously, many Android manufacturers supported new phones for only two to three years, but now you’ll find options like the Google Pixel 9 series coming with seven years of software support. If you’re buying a new phone, make sure you check how long it’ll be supported as this will give you more value for money throughout the phone’s lifespan.

Updating your phone to the latest security update will help keep hackers out and keep your device free of malicious software that could slow it down. Most phones will automatically prompt you to install updates, but if you’re using an older phone, head into your settings menu, scroll down to Software Update, and click to see if an update is available.

Protect with a Case

If you’ve just bought a shiny new iPhone, the best thing you can do to physically protect it is to put it in a case immediately. It’ll not only keep it safe should you accidentally drop it, but it will also protect against micro scratches from keys or coins. A screen protector is a smart addition too; if it gets scratched, you can simply replace it while keeping your phone looking fresh.

Replace a Tired Battery

Your phone’s battery will gradually wear down over time, offering less battery life per charge than it did when new. This is true for all phones. Some older models may have batteries that only provide 50 percent of what they once did. However, it’s pretty easy to replace the battery on most phones to give it a whole new lease on life.

Offload Old Apps and Photos

If you’ve had your phone for years, it’s likely cluttered with thousands of photos and various old apps. A lack of storage can degrade performance and hinder crucial software updates. Take the time to back up what you want to save to the cloud and delete anything that’s taking up unnecessary space.

Clean Out Your Ports

Finally, give your phone a good cleaning, especially in the charging port. Pocket lint can easily clog it, making charging difficult. Use a wooden toothpick to gently remove any debris, and an old toothbrush can help clear any dirt around the speakers and microphones to ensure clear calls.