Smartphones are important for both professionals and individuals. We use them to do many things like to text our friends, to take picture & selfies, to create videos, to jot down notes and what not. Hence, we should take care of this amazing device to make it lasts long.
For this purpose and to boost our Android’s performance we follow certain tips recommended by others without even thinking if they are helping or are damaging the phone.
Of course, no one is skilled to know it but theirs is no harm if we keep our eyes open.
In this article, we will make your aware about 18 things that you might be doing wrong unknowingly.
- Manually Killing Apps or using Task Killer:
Most of us even after using Android for long aren’t aware of the fact that using task killer application or manually cleaning running apps harm performance of our Android. When we open the application part of the data is stored in RAM. Meaning when you open the same application later it will be loaded faster because the data is cached.
If we remove app the same process has start again meaning we are indirectly decreasing the phone’s performance. Plus, as technology advances Android has become smarter, it automatically feeds RAM by killing less priority apps, when required. As an idle sitting RAM is wastage of resources. Not only this it even kills non- responding apps and the ones consuming battery (like music and video apps).
Therefore, the user doesn’t need to kill apps manually or via a third-party app. Certain apps need to run in the background to work efficiently and if we kill them we would interfere with their working.
- Ignoring phone overheating:
While playing does your phone get heated? If yes you need to give it a break and let it cool. If someone says your its normal then don’t go by that.
Phone’s battery life decreases if it gets heated therefore you need to cool it off. To do so, slip off the cover (if you have it on and let it get some airflow). Plus, avoid sitting in direct sunlight when using phone as this also heats up the device.
Don’t test your phone, as you can’t work in pressure same way your phone can’t perform efficiently when heated. But to cool it down don’t put it in freezer.
Also Read: How To Prevent Your Phone From Overheating
- Not taking data backup:
Nowadays, smartphones have replaced almost everything. We use it to take photos, notes, scheduling, saving our important data. As we can carry it anywhere and it is an all in one device. But doing so we forget if the phone will crash what will happen. Therefore, we should not overlook the necessity of taking backup. One should take backup of their important data in timely manner. For this purpose, they use backup applications like Right Backup Anywhere, to install it click here.
- Keeping phone screen unlocked:
It may be irritating to unlock the phone each time you want to make a call or want to perform any job. But this doesn’t mean you can leave it open, treat your phone like your bank account and never make the mistake of leaving it unlocked.
As an unlocked smartphone is a treat for prying eyes and for those who want to take undue advantage of your data. Lock your phone with a password, pattern, voice, fingerprint and even with your Face.
- Not keeping phones software up to date:
Prepare your phone to fight against threats, update it periodically or when an update is released. Avoiding or missing an update may make you a victim of cyber security attack. Don’t avoid it due to the misunderstanding that update occupies space. Updating your phone is a must as it protects your phone from being attacks and lets it perform better and efficiently.
- Draining Battery:
Don’t wait for your phone battery to drain completely, charge it periodically to make your battery storage capacity run at its best.
- Installing more than one security application:
If you feel installing a security application on Android device is useless then you are wrong. To keep your device protected from threats you need to run an antivirus application. However, this doesn’t mean you install multiple application. If you do so your phone will not be able to use even one properly and these applications will take up resources like RAM and memory.
Therefore, you should run only one which performs all the basic and advanced task. For your convenience, we can suggest you one such tool named, Systweak Anti-Malware you can download it by clicking here.
- Improper Phone Charging:
This one is complicated and it is not your fault. How can you know which is the better way? For you, all that matters is the ‘charging’ symbol on your battery icon. But You’re Wrong! To get more battery juice always charge your phone with the actual charger rather than charging it using the USB port in your computer.
- Installing Apps from Unknown or Untrustworthy Sources
Make sure you only install apps from trusted sources (Like Play Store). That’s because APK files can be easily compromised and a malicious code can be added to them. Therefore, installing an app from untrusted source is like inviting the hacker to invade your privacy and steal your data.
- Not Restarting the Device
There’s a lot of controversy on this topic. But personally, I think rebooting phone occasionally is a good idea. That is the reason why many phone companies have introduced a feature to schedule rebooting of the phone.
Restarting the phone clears up clutter from your phone memory, removes temporary files thus giving your device a fresh startup. You should reboot the device once every week or once in a fortnight.
- Manual Cache Cleaning
Remember as discussed above, cache data is important for quick functioning of the app. Even if you delete the cache it will be again created once you use the app. Therefore, we should not clean cache often. However, if you are using it occasionally to clean leftover cached data from uninstalled apps or deleted media files, it is fine.
Habits That Put Your Android at Risk
1. Rooting
Rooting a device is not wrong but you should know why you are doing and what you’re doing.
Smartphones come with certain restrictions to protect your device being attacked. Rooting a device will remove those restrictions and will make your phone vulnerable. Meaning if any malicious app tries to access your device you won’t be notified and Android won’t be able to protect you from being attacked.
- Answering Texts from Unknown Contacts
When we receive a text message from a stranger the first thing we do is to reply and ask the sender who he is. There is nothing wrong in it, but if it is a spam text and you are responding to it. Hackers sitting on the other end will get to know they’ve got a valid number and a potential target.
- Using Public Wi-Fi Networks
Most users keep their Wi-Fi enabled so that whenever there is a public Wi-Fi enabled they are automatically connected to it and can save mobile data. But doing so they forget that the information sent and received on open network is visible to those who have access to the network. Meaning if hackers have hijacked the network then they have access to all the information transmitted. Therefore, to stay safe avoid using public Wi-Fi or make sure you use Wi-Fi that is password protected. If you can’t avoid temptation of using a Free Wi-Fi disable the Wi-Fi and use your mobile data network.
4. Clicking on Dangerous Links
Even after hearing a lot about phishing attacks smartphone users fall for them. The reason behind it is that spotting malicious URLs on phone network is not easy. Because the links are shortened thus, making it difficult to tell whether an address is legitimate or not. Therefore, to stay safe avoid clicking on a link received in a text message, even received from a known contact or a friend. Plus, if you receive an email or text asking you to click on a link and login to your account, never do it from your phone. Furthermore, avoid making any transaction that you are not sure of from your phone.
5. Infecting Your Computer Via Your Phone
If you connect an infected smartphone to your home or office computer you infect it as the infection will spread onto the device. Therefore, to avoid such situation you such have a habit of using a reliable antivirus program both on your phone and computer. Also, make sure that the security device is up to date. This will make detection of latest threats easy.
- Assuming You Won’t Be Attacked
If you think that Google is taking care of your phone security completely, then you are mistaken. Google can keep check on apps that you download from Play Store but for other things you need to be cautious. You need to face the challenge of taking out time and securing your phone. If you understand the risk you need to take care before it’s too late.
Hope by now you have understood what you are doing wrong and will pass on the information to others. People around you may be using their phone in wrong way for years. Now, that you have all the know how you can help them and be pro. So, what are you waiting for start using this tip and if we have missed out something do let us know.
We appreciate your feedback.
