7 Mistakes You’re Making With Your iPhone (And How To Fix Them)

1. You’re charging it wrong

Even though your iPhone has superior technology to prevent its lithium-ion battery from being overcharged, your poor habits may be accidentally diminishing your phone's battery life. To begin, you should remove your phone's case when charging because the cover might trap heat.

In general, you should charge your phone whenever feasible. Just be cautious while charging at night; if your charger has exposed wires, it might be a fire danger, and you don't want it anywhere near your bed.

That's all the more incentive to invest in high-quality iPhone charging cords that are correctly rated. Sure, your local gas station definitely offers iPhone cords, but buying cables from a random third-party manufacturer is a major risk.

If you must use a third-party wire, choose the AmazonBasics nylon-braided cable. The braiding is attractive, and because the shielding isn't plastic, you're unlikely to wind up with exposed wire (unless you're quite rough on your cables).

Amazon provides a one-year limited warranty and copper wire to ensure consistent conductivity. We prefer AmazonBasics cables to OEM manufacturer products—once you've experienced braided cables, it's difficult to go back.

Get AmazonBasics Braided iPhone Cables on Amazon here.

Anker's PowerLine series is another high-quality cabling choice. With a basic grayish white shield, they are similar to the old iPhone appearance, but they're far tougher owing to bulletproof aramid fiber. Thick-gauge wire and a bend lifespan of 5000+ bends make these some of the best aftermarket cables money can buy. They also come with an 18-month warranty.

Get Anker PowerLine iPhone Cables on Amazon here.

1. You're not monitoring the weather forecast.

To some extent, your iPhone is weather resistant.

"The iPhone can endure a wide range of temperatures," Emily Shapiro of Apple reseller site iPowerResale told FashionBeans. "When in use, the iPhone can work normally in temperatures ranging from 32 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit, and when not in use, it can operate normally in temperatures ranging from -4 to 113 degrees Fahrenheit."

If you leave your phone in the car on a cold winter day, for example, let it to gradually warm up before turning it back on. Similarly, keep it out of direct sunlight for lengthy periods of time.

"Most phones nowadays can manage temperatures so that excess heat is dissipated," Shapiro explained. "However, direct sunlight can be hot enough to override this capability, so [it's] always better to remove your phone from situations like these." This most typically occurs when phones are left on the dashboard on a hot day or near to a window with a direct sunbeam. Beyond this, the temperature is unlikely to exceed the capability of the iPhone."

If you really must keep your phone in your car, such as if you work in a place that does not allow cellphones, invest in a car shade. It's not enough to merely slip the phone inside the glovebox, because temperatures can still rise to dangerously high levels.

"Most phones nowadays can manage temperatures so that excess heat is dissipated," Shapiro explained. "However, direct sunlight can be hot enough to override this capability, so [it's] always better to remove your phone from situations like these." This most typically occurs when phones are left on the dashboard on a hot day or near to a window with a direct sunbeam. Beyond this, the temperature is unlikely to exceed the capability of the iPhone."

If you really must keep your phone in your car, such as if you work in a place that does not allow cellphones, invest in a car shade. It's not enough to merely slip the phone inside the glovebox, because temperatures can still rise to dangerously high levels.

Car blinds are now quite affordable and simple to install. EzyShade sells an overlapping shade system for under $13, and it easily fits over the windshield of most current automobiles, blocking UV rays and keeping your car (moderately) cool. Not that it counts, but these shades also look great, and each transaction includes a non-slip sticky dashboard pad to collect coins, chargers, and other small objects. Just don't dump your iPhone on the floor.

Get the EzyShade windshield sunshade and bonus non-slip mat on Amazon here.

Consider a vehicle cooler for camping vacations or other scenarios where you're locked in your car with your phone.

1. You don't wipe your phone on a regular basis.

Your iPhone is disgustingly unclean. Some studies have found that cellphones contain up to ten times the germs found on most toilet seats, and while we would advise against a microbial panic—bacteria are everywhere—we would also encourage periodic cleanings.

After all, if you can avoid carrying the equivalent of a public toilet in your pocket...we believe we have made our point.

However, typical cleaning products cannot be used on an iPhone (or any other smartphone, for that matter). Apple advises users to avoid solvents, abrasives, and aerosol sprays, which can cause immediate and irreversible harm. Never spray a cleaner straight onto your screen; instead, spritz a soft cloth and gently wipe your phone, keeping moisture away from any apertures on the device.

Invest on some good screen cleaners. MagicFiber's microfiber cleaning cloths are an excellent choice since they are soft enough to remove dust, grease, fingerprints, and debris without damaging your screen. A six-pack costs around $9, and bigger packs are available if you adore cleaning your phone. They are reusable and hand washable (do not wash them with your regular laundry).

Get MagicFiber microfiber cleaning cloths on Amazon here.

Of course, microfiber cloths are only useful for removing obvious pollutants such as dust. You'll need something more powerful to get rid of infections. In this area, iCloth touchscreen wipes are a good choice; each pre-moistened wipe has an unique water-based mix with isopropyl alcohol to eradicate microbiological contamination.

Tech Armor's screen cleaning kit is an excellent value for an all-in-one solution (or, in this case, 12 bucks). It comes with a gel screen cleaner, a microfiber cleaning cloth, and alcohol-free wipes, all of which should keep your iPhone germ-free for the foreseeable future. Tech Armor has great Amazon reviews and a no-hassle replacement warranty.

Get Tech Armor’s Pro Device Cleaning Kit on Amazon here.

Assume the worst-case scenario occurs: you drop your iPhone in a toilet, an industrial garbage can, or on the ground at a Kid Rock performance. How will you ever touch it again without remembering how nasty it was?

The Ledmei Smartphone Sterilizer is a simple O3 sanitizer that claims to eliminate 99.99 percent of germs in roughly six minutes. It kills bacteria from the fractures and crevices of your iPhone by employing ozone as a sanitizer—not just surface-level impurities. The product description mentions that it sanitizes and charges while "dispelling odors," which is the most amusing statement we've ever seen in a product description.

Get iCloth Cleansing Wipes on Amazon here.

Take a look at this!: In recent months, a drop in video card prices has been reported due to the fall in Bitcoin prices.

1. You're not willing to pay for the actual charges.

Why not get one of those generic chargers? They're a lot less expensive, and they appear to operate just fine. Indeed, several retailers appear to sell chargers that appear to be similar to Apple's Lightning chargers—for a fraction of the price.

Not so quickly. Many of those "similar" chargers are fakes, and they might be deadly. According to a survey conducted by the UK's Chartered Trading Standards Institute, a consumer protection group, about 99 percent of counterfeit Apple chargers passed basic safety tests.

The researchers said, "The results were literally stunning." Shapiro concurred.

"We've encountered so many people who had their phones ruined by cheap, off-brand chargers," she claimed. "We've even seen chargers explode as a result of bad manufacture" (which completely destroys the phone). We've also observed a number of these generic chargers die rapidly."

While a cheap charger may save you a few pennies, it may jeopardize the health of your device. That's not to argue that all third-party chargers are terrible; simply do your homework before purchasing.

Consider the Anker Elite, a dual-port charger that charges at up to 2.4 amps, for a low-cost yet dependable alternative. Its IQ charging method provides adequate amperage to your cellphone without endangering it, and it is compatible with all modern iPhone models. It also has a folding plug, which is convenient for traveling, and Anker provides an 18-month guarantee on all charger items.

Get the Anker Elite Dual Port Wall Charger on Amazon here.

If you're always squabbling with family members over USB ports, Anker's 40-watt, 4-port combination charger is a better solution. Its MultiProtect safety technology guarantees that the correct voltage is delivered to your iPhone, and each connection supplies up to 2.4 amps.

Even a welcome guide is included, which...welcomes you to the world of USB-powered electronics? We're not completely certain. For around $25, though, this little wall unit is a high-quality tool for keeping your electronics charged up.

Get Anker’s 4-Port USB Wall Charger on Amazon here.

We'd avoid chargers with built-in wires when charging your iPhone in your car. They will ultimately conk out, and they aren't usually very well constructed. Instead, get a USB port charger from Maxboost, which converts your car's lighter plug into a universal charging station. It has a sophisticated circuit design that prevents overheating and overcurrents, which is critical if you're charging on the move. Essentially, if your car's electrical system fails, the Maxboost charger will be damaged, but your phone will be protected. It also comes with a one-year guarantee.

Get the Maxboost USB Car Charger on Amazon here. 

1. You are always linked.

We recognize that some Bluetooth functions are critical, but they are also the reason our iPhones die after only a few hours of frequent use.

Bluetooth drains the battery, according to Apple's website, but it doesn't state how much—and it shouldn't, because different types of Bluetooth devices consume varying amounts of power from your phone's battery.

So, how can you tell whether an app is constantly interacting through Bluetooth (and draining your battery)?

"The best method to find out is to check at your battery in the settings of your iPhone," Shapiro said. "This will tell you what is draining the battery the most and what is depleting it precisely."

If an app appears to be using an excessive amount of battery life, you may quickly close it by double-clicking your home button and swiping up on the app. However, if you don't notice a problem, don't close apps; this approach might actually deplete your battery because the apps won't be operating in the background. To re-open them, your phone will have to work harder.

By the way, wifi depletes your battery, but not as much as a cellular data connection, so you may leave it on.

If your battery life is still an issue, consider purchasing a charging case. The iPhone X has a 2,716 mAh battery, while the iPhone 8 has a somewhat smaller battery. Charger enclosures have the potential to easily increase that capacity, although there’s a trade-off since they’ll add some bulk to your phone. Trianium’s 4000 mAh Atomic Pro case is a good best-of-both-worlds option for the iPhone X, as it adds upwards of 11 hours of web browsing time (or 8 hours of talk time) while maintaining your phone’s slim profile.

The main limitation is that it is incompatible with Apple's standard headphones or the Lightning-to-3.5 mm headphone converter, so if you don't use Bluetooth headphones, you'll have problems. Having said that, it's a fantastic small case with a microUSB connection. MicroUSB cables are substantially less expensive than Lightning cables and are equally capable of charging.

Get Trianium’s Atomic Pro Charger Case for the iPhone X on Amazon here.

If you have an iPhone 8, ZTESY's 5000 mAh iPhone cover is an excellent choice. It also works with Lightning headphones and is compatible with the iPhone 6, 6S, and 7. It's also quite protective, which is important—more on that later.

Get ZTESY’s iPhone 8/7/6/6S Battery Charging Case on Amazon here.

1. You use the wireless charger far too frequently.

Wireless charging dramatically shortened Kingsley-Hughes' iPhone's battery life owing to a basic flaw with the technology; when you put your phone on a wireless charging pad, it continues to charge every time the phone requires power.

This isn't an issue when the phone is wired because the phone is fueled by the electricity that comes through the charging cord. Even with wireless charging, the phone is still powered by its battery. As a result, every operation consumes some battery life, and the battery must be regularly recharged. This adds to the wear and tear.

That being said, if you just use the wireless charger on occasion, you shouldn't be too concerned. Just don't leave the phone on the charger for too long. If you're going to leave your phone charging for several hours, plug it in.

Another thing to keep in mind: if you're charging wirelessly, choose a high-quality charger and remember to remove your phone from its case. Wireless charging pads, like regular chargers, can cause heat to build up, possibly harming your phone.

Get the Yootech wireless charger on Amazon here.

Use a high-quality wireless charger that is rated for your phone. Yootech provides a very good Qi-certified charger that is compatible with both the iPhone 8 and iPhone X. (along with various Samsung phones and other Qi-enabled devices).

It has an innovative temperature management technology that keeps the phone from overheating when charging. It also features built-in LEDs that indicate whether or not your phone is charging—a critical feature because there's nothing more unpleasant than picking up your phone after hours of charging only to find that your battery is low.

If you want a somewhat more adaptable wireless charger, Mipow's 2-in-1 charging station is a unique improvement; it includes a 5000 mAh power bank. If you don't have time to wait for the powerbank to charge completely, simply unplug it and carry it with you. It is, of course, substantially more expensive than a standard wireless charger, but you get what you pay for.

Get the Mipow 2-in-1 charging station here.

Anker provides a wireless charging iPhone stand, and its built-in overvoltage protection and temperature management should assist to minimise the hazards connected with wireless charging. It's also perfectly placed for checking messages, viewing incoming alerts, and watching videos.

Get Anker’s Qi-certified wireless charging stand on Amazon here.

1. You're acting as though that phone is inexpensive.

The iPhone 13 Pro costs $999, and even if you choose a less expensive model, you're still spending a lot of money on your smartphone. Why would you then leave it unprotected?

Shapiro claims to have witnessed hundreds of phones crack, break, and bust due to easily avoidable mishaps. While you may naturally regard your phone as an extension of yourself, there is all the more need to safeguard it.

The solution is simple: keep your phone in your pocket when you're on the go. While getting your phone out of your pocket might be inconvenient at times, it's nothing compared to the moment your phone slips out of your hands, falls in slow motion, and cracks on the concrete.

Another piece of advice: Get a good case. While Apple sells a variety of covers, we recommend investing in something more durable.

That doesn't necessarily imply you have to spend a fortune. SUPCASE provides a minimalist case made of shock-absorbing TPU materials and a polycarbonate backing that successfully avoids scratches, flaws, and mild fall damage It is an inexpensive way to secure your investment, costing roughly $10.

Get the SUPCASE for the iPhone X on Amazon here.

If you're prepared to spend a little extra money—and remember, a more costly case is considerably less expensive than a new phone—OtterBox is the gold standard in phone protection. Their Symmetry line is stylish and elegant, with a variety of styles available, and the dual-material structure adequately protects your phone. Raised bevel edges safeguard your touchscreen from drops, but you'll still want extra screen protection because the Symmetry cases leave the iPhone's frontside exposed and vulnerable to scratches.

OtterBox also gives a lifetime warranty for further piece of mind.

Get the OtterBox Symmetry Series for iPhone 8 and iPhone 7 on Amazon here.

Get the OtterBox Symmetry Series for the iPhone X on Amazon here.

The main issue with most cases is that they conceal the iPhone's beautiful design. If it worries you but you don't want to expose your phone to the weather, ESR's compact soft cover is a good option.

While it isn't as protective as the other cases we've discussed, it does employ a soft TPU material to give adequate shock protection without adding much thickness (about 1 millimeter, per the manufacturer). A microdot design keeps it from looking "wet" like other clear cases, plus it doesn't obstruct your camera or touchscreen.

Get ESR’s Clear iPhone X Case on Amazon here.