In today’s digital world, Android smartphones have become essential companions in our everyday lives. Whether you want to stay connected with loved ones, boost your productivity, or enjoy entertainment on the go, Android devices are powerful enough to handle it all. However, the way you use your smartphone plays a huge role in shaping its performance, user experience, and longevity. To ensure optimal performance and extend your phone’s lifespan, you must avoid certain things and adopt smarter practices to enjoy the best Android experience.
Here we will discuss some of the most common mistakes Android users make and explore ways to avoid them. We have listed 14 things you should never do on your Android phone. This includes a variety of topics from skipping software updates to ignoring data backups, and everything in between. We will also discuss the consequences of overlooking security measures and rooting your smartphone. Some of these might surprise you, while others will help you learn something new about your Android phone.
Skip software updates
The Android operating system regularly releases software updates for its devices. These updates add new features, patch security issues, fix common bugs, and improve the overall performance. Software updates also bring new security features to protect your Android smartphone. In most cases, your Android phone will receive a notification when an update is available. However, you have to initiate the installation process manually.
Even if you’ve enabled automatic updates, the phone has to reboot, and you often need to accept the new terms and conditions. Unfortunately, many users tend to overlook software updates. This is mainly because the installation needs time, and it might feel like an unnecessary interruption during a busy day. That said, it’s important to install the latest software updates for the optimal functioning of your smartphone. After all, there’s a reason why developers have released them.
Over time, running older OS versions can trigger issues like app incompatibility, slow performance, and random glitches. If you’re unsure whether you’ve installed the latest software update, you can check the Android version in the Settings app.
Here’s how to install the latest Android version on your smartphone:
Open the Settings app.
From the bottom, select System, and tap Software Update.
If an update is available, tap the Install button and follow the on-screen instructions.
Alternatively, if you receive an update notification, you can tap it and follow the same steps.
Stop restarting your phone regularly
Most people don’t restart their smartphones unless they encounter an issue. A simple reboot can fix common software issues, unresponsive or frozen apps, and improve the overall performance of your smartphone. It clears temporary memory, closes background processes, and gives a fresh start to the system. Many tech experts and the NSA (National Security Agency) recommend restarting your smartphone at least once a week. If your phone starts freezing randomly, shuts down unexpectedly, or apps crash too often, it’s a sign that your smartphone needs a restart.
Here’s how to restart your Android phone:
Press and hold the power button until a power menu appears.
Select Restart or Reboot.
If prompted, enter your phone’s passcode.
Some Android phones can be set to restart automatically at a set time. For instance, Samsung Galaxy phones offer an Auto Restart feature that automatically reboots your phone periodically.
Here’s how to automate periodic restarts on Samsung smartphones:
Open Settings.
Select Battery and device care.
Tap the More options icon (indicated by three vertical dots).
Choose Automation and turn on Auto restart at set times.
Set a Schedule when you want your phone to restart automatically.
Download apps from unknown sources
The Google Play Store has over 2.6 billion apps and games, but some users still download apps from third-party sources. Google enforces strict developer guidelines, multiple safety checks, and manual reviews, ensuring apps are safe to download. Apps from unknown sources may contain malicious code that can monitor your online activity, flood your device with annoying pop-ups, and steal sensitive information. Poorly optimized apps may also crash other apps or trigger stability issues on your Android phone. That’s not all. Fake and malicious apps may even expose you to serious threats, such as phishing. While Google Play Protect scans all your apps to keep your device and data safe, malicious apps can slip through.
To protect your Android phone, it’s a smart idea to avoid downloading apps from unknown sources. Some apps might look innocent, and even mimic official names like ChatGPT or WhatsApp, but they could hide adware and spyware. You might also come across hundreds of fake sensor-based apps that claim to measure body temperature, heart rate, blood pressure, and other features your Android phone can’t even perform. Not only are these apps useless, but they might also run in the background and drain your Android battery. If you’ve already installed an app from an unknown source and your phone is experiencing some issues, try uninstalling that app.
Open Settings and select Apps, then All apps.
Tap the app you want to remove and select Uninstall.
Tap OK to confirm your action.
Fail to monitor app permissions
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When you install a new app, it will send you a notification seeking permissions to use certain features on your device, such as the microphone or contact list. Most users do not pay attention to Android permission requests. They rush through app installations, granting all permissions without any second thoughts. However, not every app needs a camera, a microphone, or location access. For instance, if a flashlight app asks for the camera or location access, it should raise suspicions. If you’ve accidentally granted full access to an app, you can change its permissions.
Here’s how to change app permissions on your Android phone:
Open Settings.
Tap Apps and select the app you want to change permissions for.
Tap Permissions. It will show you all the allowed or denied permissions for the app.
To change a permission setting, tap it, then choose Allow or Don’t allow.
For microphone, camera, and location permissions, you may be able to choose from four options: All the time, Allow only while using the app, Ask every time, and Don’t Allow.
Neglect battery-optimization settings
Many people don’t know how and why to use Android’s battery optimization settings. When an Android phone is running low on battery and there’s no way to charge it, Battery Saver or Power Saving Mode can be a lifesaver. It reduces power consumption and helps conserve battery life on your phone. Android also recommends using Battery Saver to reduce battery drain on your device.
However, Battery Saver also turns off or limits some features on your device. For instance, it turns off the always-on display, delays notifications, and limits background activity, among others. This may result in slower response times and reduced performance. With that said, you can still access important features like calling and messaging. You don’t need to use Battery Saver mode all the time. It is especially useful in emergencies, and won’t damage your Android phone’s battery health.
Some users also download third-party battery saver apps, but this isn’t necessary. Android’s built-in battery optimization settings are not only safe, but are more reliable and effective.
Here’s how to enable Battery Saver on Android phones:
Open the Settings app and select Battery.
Tap Power Saving or Battery Saver.
Toggle the switch to On.
Depending on your Android phone model, you might be able to schedule Battery Saver mode to automatically turn on at a certain percentage.
Get in the habit of fully charging and discharging your phone
Android smartphones pack lithium-ion batteries, which have limited charge cycles. A charge cycle count is the number of times you’ve discharged and charged the battery. When you charge your phone from 0 to 100%, it’s counted as one charge cycle. If you frequently drain the battery to zero, it will exhaust its charge cycles faster and harm your phone’s ability to hold a charge. Similarly, charging your phone to 100% puts more stress on the battery and may shorten its lifespan.
Many users have a habit of using their phones until the battery drops to zero, and then charging it to 100%. Leading Android manufacturers and research experts say the habit of letting the battery drain to zero and then charging your phone to 100% might harm the Android battery health. To maintain your phone’s battery health, try to keep the battery levels between 50% and 80% whenever possible. As mentioned, many Android phones have built-in battery health optimization features. Samsung, for instance, offers a “Protect battery” feature, which limits the charging to 85%. Now, that doesn’t mean you can never charge your phone to 100%. It won’t do much harm on the odd occasion, like before a long day of travel.
You must also avoid exposing your device to extremely low or high temperatures. Ideally, the optimal usage temperature for a smartphone is between 32 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit (or 0 to 35 Celsius).
Keep the phone low on available storage
After months or years of use, your Android phone may reach its storage limit. Low storage may impact your phone’s performance. It may prevent you from downloading software updates, saving new photos, and can even slow down the user interface. You may also notice a decrease in your phone’s overall speed. To escape such issues, you must regularly monitor and manage your phone’s storage.
This is how to check storage space on your Android phone:
Open the Settings app.
Scroll down and tap Device Care or Device Maintenance.
Tap Storage and it will show the used and available storage space on your device.
According to Google, an Android phone may experience performance issues when the available storage space drops below 10%. If your phone is running low on storage, it’s time to free up that precious space. You can delete unused apps, unwanted media, and older data. If you want to keep some data, you can use cloud storage services like Google Drive and OneDrive, or go for a microSD card, if your phone supports it.
Use your phone without security measures
While Android is fairly secure, its open-source nature and support for third-party apps can expose users to malicious attackers. The latest Android version may offer up-to-date security patches against hackers, but not every user installs software updates instantly. This may give hackers a chance to break into your device. That’s why it’s crucial to take additional security measures.
The best ways to safeguard your device are to install system updates regularly and avoid apps from unknown sources. Additionally, using security practices like two-factor authentication (2FA) adds an extra layer of security, preventing unauthorized access to your data. You should also avoid clicking on suspicious links or responding to shady emails. If you download apps or software outside of the Play Store, or often connect your phone to a computer that isn’t your own, you must install a good antivirus program. Make sure you only go for trusted options and avoid fake Android antivirus apps, as they can steal your private data.
Stop clearing app cache regularly
On an Android phone, cache refers to temporary data and files stored by apps so they can load faster. This may include images, videos, scripts, and other frequently used data. While cached data improves performance and speeds up loading times, it can also accumulate over time and cause issues on your phone. An overloaded or corrupted cache may crash an app or slow down general performance. For a smoother and faster experience, it’s important to clear the cache on an Android phone. Most Android apps have built-in ways to deal with cached data automatically. However, some apps may not have this feature and require a manual cleanup. There’s no need to install any third-party apps to clear the cache. You can delete this temporary data manually, using built-in options on your smartphone.
Here’s how to clear app cache on your Android phone:
Open Settings and select Apps.
Select the app you wish to clear cache for.
Choose Storage.
On the app’s info page, tap Clear Cache.
This will delete the app’s cache, without affecting your login status or saved progress. On the other hand, if you choose to clear the app’s data, it will delete settings, login info, and saved progress.
Connect your phone to a random PC
Connecting your phone to an unknown PC may expose it to security risks. If the computer is infected with malware, spyware, or viruses, it can spread to your phone. Malicious software on a computer can access your data, install faulty apps, or even steal your sensitive information like passwords and banking details. To safeguard yourself from such threats, you should only connect your phone to trusted devices. Avoid public, unfamiliar, or unverified computers, where you have no idea of the system’s safety.
Taking appropriate security measures can help reduce vulnerabilities. Android offers USB restricted mode, a security feature that protects user data by limiting USB access when the device is locked. Advanced Data Protection in Android 16 incorporates USB protection and various other features to prevent unauthorized data extraction. Additionally, keeping your phone’s software up to date and installing a good antivirus tool can help block potential threats.
Overload your phone with background processes
An Android phone can handle multitasking and manage background processes efficiently. You can open multiple apps at once and switch between them with ease. Some background apps on Android continue to run processes even when you aren’t using them actively. These apps continuously sync data with their servers to provide you with up-to-date information. However, your Android phone may begin to slow down due to excessive background processes. When too many apps run in the background, they can consume unnecessary system resources, drain battery life, and reduce overall performance.
It’s important to know how to check which apps are draining your Android battery. Sometimes, you may even find an app in the background that you haven’t used in months.
Here’s how to check for battery-draining apps on an Android phone:
Open Settings.
Tap Battery and select Battery Usage.
It will show you a list of apps and how much battery they have consumed in the past 24 hours.
Once you’ve spotted the apps consuming the most battery on your phone, you can force quit them. In case you don’t need certain apps, you can uninstall them entirely.
Ignore safety while using public wi-fi networks
Many users prefer to leave Wi-Fi on all the time. It’s convenient when you’re at home or the office and your phone connects to a trusted network. With the rise of flexible and remote work opportunities, libraries, cafes, and other public spaces have become popular workspaces. While such work settings offer a refreshing change, using unsecured public Wi-Fi networks may expose your data to hackers. Since an unsecured network doesn’t require a password, anyone can join it without any authentication. This elevates security risks, such as malware infections, data interception, identity theft, and man-in-the-middle attacks.
To ensure your safety, you must only connect to password-protected and trusted networks. Carefully read all the terms and conditions before signing up for the Wi-Fi. When you connect to a public Wi-Fi network, avoid any financial transactions or entering bank details. Using a VPN is one of the most foolproof ways to protect your data while using a public network.
Forget regular data backups
A smartphone holds your important files and precious memories. While no one wants to lose their saved data, many Android users still skip regular backups. This is often because the process is time-consuming, and users may think they’re already taking enough safety measures to keep their data safe. Unfortunately, this mindset can put the data at risk in the event of accidental deletion, software issues, or hardware failure. Without a backup, there’s no way to restore the lost data. That’s why it is important to regularly back up your important data, such as photos, videos, and documents.
One of the most common and reliable ways to back up your Android phone is to transfer the data to a computer. It’s easy, free, and there’s no restriction on the storage space, as long as your computer can handle it. Alternatively, cloud storage services like Google Drive offer a versatile solution for storing your phone data. Depending on your needs, you can choose to upload individual items or entire folders.
Here’s how to back up your data to Google Drive:
Open the Settings app.
Tap Google and select All Services.
Under Backup and restore, select Backup and tap Backup Now.
Jailbreak or root your phone
While jailbreaking isn’t illegal, many manufacturers discourage it due to the associated risks. If something goes wrong during the jailbreak process, it could brick your phone, leaving it unresponsive and useless. Rooting also carries other risks, like the inability to receive future updates and potential system instability. Leading Android phone manufacturers like Samsung also void the warranty the moment you try to root your Android phone. If you still choose to root your phone, make sure to understand the involved risks and be ready to take full responsibility for any potential issues.
Fortunately, Android phones have built-in tools and tricks that can help you boost your connection. If your Android’s internet is running slow, there are a few steps to take to make it faster. Firstly, make sure you are not in airplane mode, as that turns off your internet. Then, you can reset your network to fix any connection issues. Also clearing your cache, apps, and tabs will give you a faster internet speed overall.
Adjust airplane mode to get faster internet
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Airplane mode is a smartphone setting that disables radio-frequency signal transmissions. The purpose of this is because airlines do not want devices to be used in-flight that may interfere with their own equipment. When you turn airplane mode on, your Android will turn off Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and cellular — basically all forms of wireless communication that connect to your phone. This can be used to your advantage, however, when having internet issues.
Our smartphones are built to connect to cell towers to get signals. As you move about throughout the day, your smartphone may not choose the best tower to connect to. There can be external factors like work being done on cell towers by the servicing companies, or network congestion from high internet usage at once. Resetting this connection can bring an internet speed boost when done through airplane mode.
Turn airplane mode on and then turn it back off again. Your Android will find a new connection at an optimal cell tower, resulting in faster internet. The airplane mode button is usually easy to find on your Android. It is marked by an airplane icon and may have the words “airplane mode” underneath it.
Clear out your cache to get faster internet
When you use apps or visit websites on your Android device, it saves bits of data in a temporary storage area called a cache. These can be images, scripts, files, or anything else deemed important. This helps things load faster the next time you open them, because your device doesn’t have to download everything from scratch. Over time, though, this cached data can pile up and actually slow things down on your Android or cause glitches. Clearing your cache removes these temporary files, which can free up space and sometimes speed up your internet experience, especially if an app or site is acting sluggish or buggy.
One way to clear your cache is through your internet browser. To do this, go to your chosen browser app, and choose the menu option to bring up your history. Some phone layouts and menu options may vary, but in the internet history menu will be the means to clear out your cache.
Android users can also clear out the cache of individual apps by going to Settings and then Apps. Click on any app you want, choose the Storage option, and there will be an icon you can select to clear the cache.