6 common mistakes users should avoid when using smartphones.

Many users unknowingly shorten the lifespan of their smartphones due to seemingly harmless daily habits. These range from improper charging methods, letting the battery completely drain, or leaving the phone plugged in overnight, to neglecting important software updates designed to optimize performance and patch security vulnerabilities.

In addition, frequently exposing your phone to excessively high temperatures, humidity, or direct sunlight can also cause the hardware to degrade quickly. Below are the most common mistakes you should avoid.

1. Use rice to dry a wet phone.

One common "tip" circulating on social media when a phone falls into water is to put it in a bag of rice to absorb the moisture. However, experts warn that this is misguided advice and may do more harm than good. Rice can only absorb a very small amount of moisture on the surface and is completely incapable of drying the internal components.

More dangerously, fine dust or debris from rice can get into the connectors, speakers, microphone, or SIM slot, causing more serious damage to the phone in the long run. A safer and more effective solution is to immediately turn off the device, remove the SIM card and memory card to reduce the risk of short circuits.

Next, use a silica gel desiccant packet – the kind often found in shoe boxes, handbags, or easily available online. Place the phone and the silica gel in a sealed container or zip-lock bag for 24-48 hours to allow the moisture to be completely absorbed. Only then should you try turning the phone back on. This is the method recommended by technicians, increasing the chances of saving the phone instead of making the situation worse.

2. Ignore software updates.

Do you frequently tap the "Remind me later" button every time your phone sends a system update notification? For many people, postponing updates is a common habit due to concerns about wasting time, draining battery, or disrupting work.

However, experts warn that consistently ignoring software updates is one of the most serious mistakes users can make. Updates don't just add new features; more importantly, they patch potential security vulnerabilities, fix system bugs, and optimize device performance.

Ignoring updates means you're making your phone more vulnerable, giving hackers opportunities to exploit vulnerabilities to steal personal data or install malware. Additionally, your device is more likely to become slow, laggy, or freeze when running on outdated software.

To protect your device, users should enable automatic updates, allowing the system to install new versions as soon as they are available. If you prefer manual control, proactively check periodically to ensure your phone remains secure, stable, and operating at its best.

3. Charging your phone in high-temperature environments or using a cheap charger.

During charging, phones always generate heat, and this heat not only affects the battery but also spreads to other components. If charging in an already hot environment, such as leaving the phone in direct sunlight or in a closed car, the temperature will increase even further, significantly reducing the lifespan of the battery and the device. This is why experts recommend users charge in a cool place, avoiding direct sunlight while charging.

Furthermore, using cheap, unbranded chargers may seem economical, but it actually poses many risks. These types of chargers often provide unstable current, easily causing the device to overheat, lack overload protection mechanisms, leading to the risk of battery damage, short circuits, or even fire and explosion.

Therefore, users should prioritize using genuine chargers from the manufacturer, or, if forced to choose an alternative charger, ensure it is a quality-certified product. Additionally, it's best to minimize the use of public charging ports to avoid the risk of malware infection while charging the device.

4. Connecting your phone to untrusted devices or public Wi-Fi.

Many users have plugged their smartphones into unfamiliar computers in libraries, cafes, or public places simply to charge their batteries or copy files. However, this seemingly harmless action actually poses a significant risk.

Public computer systems may be pre-installed with malware, which can then infect your phone, paving the way for hackers to access personal data, including passwords, private photos, or financial information.

Therefore, cybersecurity experts advise users to absolutely avoid connecting their phones to unfamiliar devices. Similarly, using public Wi-Fi is also a major risk. Hackers often exploit free access points to launch man-in-the-middle attacks, intercepting and stealing user data.

To minimize risk, stay away from Wi-Fi networks of unknown origin. If you must connect, the safest solution is to use a virtual private network (VPN), which encrypts all traffic, enhances security, and minimizes the possibility of sensitive information being stolen from your device.

5. Exposing the phone to excessively hot or cold temperatures.

Smartphones, like all electronic devices, are designed to operate stably within a certain safe temperature range. Exceeding this range will significantly reduce performance and may even lead to component damage.

Excessive heat not only slows down the device and causes apps to freeze, but also has long-term effects on the battery and motherboard. This is why users should avoid leaving their phones in direct sunlight, in closed cars on hot days, or near heat sources such as stoves or heaters.

Conversely, extremely cold environments are equally dangerous. When temperatures drop, chemical reactions within the battery slow down, significantly reducing battery life. The touchscreen may become unresponsive or even unstable. In particular, bringing a phone that has just been outdoors in cold weather into a warm room can cause condensation inside, posing a risk of short circuits and permanent damage.

To protect the device, users should limit the use of their phones in extremely hot or cold conditions, and allow the device to return to its normal operating temperature before using it again.

6. Keep your phone in your back pocket or breast pocket.

With the habit of using their phones constantly, many people often choose the most convenient storage location so they can quickly access them when needed. For many, the back pocket is a familiar choice. However, this convenience comes with several risks. When sitting down, the pressure from the body can cause the phone to bend, the screen to crack, or the frame to be damaged.

Furthermore, back pockets are also a prime target for pickpockets; a quick maneuver can make your device disappear without you even noticing. Many people switch to using breast pockets, but this method isn't completely secure either, as the phone can easily slip out when you bend over or move suddenly. Front pockets seem more practical, but if the pocket is too tight, the pressure from your body can put strain on the screen, causing it to crack or damage internal components.

For both safety and convenience, experts recommend using a dedicated pouch or belt holster, which keeps the phone well protected while still allowing easy access when needed.