We rely on our iPhones for almost everything—banking, messaging, photos, tickets, work, and more. But many everyday habits quietly degrade performance, drain battery life, and compromise your privacy.
Here’s a practical breakdown of 12 things you should stop doing to your iPhone—and what to do instead.
1. Avoiding Installing Apps from Untrusted Sources. Yes, in some regions, you can now install apps from outside the App Store. That flexibility is powerful—but it’s also risky.
Untrusted apps can hide malware, steal logins, or cause constant crashes.
Do this instead:
Only install apps from the App Store or well-known, reputable developers. If a site looks shady or spammy, don’t trust it with your phone.
2. Storing Passwords in Plain Text
Many people use the Notes app as a “password vault.” The problem? By default, it’s just text on your phone and in the cloud. If someone gets into your device, they get everything.
Do this instead:
Use a dedicated password manager, or at a minimum, lock sensitive notes with a separate password and Face ID.
3. Tapping “Allow” on Every Permission
Those prompts for camera, mic, location, and tracking aren’t just annoying—they’re your warning labels.
If every app can track you or access your location, you’re trading privacy and battery life for convenience.
Do this instead:
- Turn off tracking in Settings → Privacy & Security → Tracking.
- Review app permissions and revoke anything an app doesn’t genuinely need.
4. Turning Off “Find My iPhone”
Some people disable Find My to “save battery” or just because they don’t think they’ll need it. Until their phone is lost or stolen.
Do this instead:
Make sure Find My iPhone is enabled in your Apple ID settings. It’s one of the best protections you have.
5. Skipping Medical ID & Emergency Contacts
Your iPhone can surface critical health info and who to call in an emergency—right from the lock screen. Most people never set it up.
Do this instead:
Open the Health app and set up your Medical ID: medications, allergies, conditions, and emergency contacts. Enable “Show When Locked.”
6. Living in Low Power Mode
Low Power Mode is designed for emergencies, not everyday use. Running it full-time can throttle performance and delay useful background activity like backups and syncing.
Do this instead:
Use Low Power Mode only when you really need to stretch battery life, then turn it off once you’re charged.
7. Force-Quitting Every App All the Time
Swiping up to close every app might feel like you’re cleaning house. Still, iOS is designed to manage suspended apps efficiently. Constantly force-quitting can actually use more battery.
Do this instead:
Only force-close apps that are frozen or misbehaving. Otherwise, let iOS do its job.
8. Letting Every App Refresh in the Background
Background App Refresh is great for email and messaging, but not every random app needs to wake up when you’re not using it.
Do this instead:
Go to Settings → General → Background App Refresh and turn it off for apps that don’t need constant updates.
9. Ignoring iOS & App Updates
Those “Install update tonight?” pop-ups often include critical security fixes and performance improvements—not just new emojis.
Do this instead:
Turn on automatic updates, or at a minimum, set aside time regularly to install iOS and app updates.
10. Never Restarting Your iPhone
Most of us only reboot when something breaks. But a regular restart can clear glitches, free up memory, and help with specific security issues.
Do this instead:
Restart your iPhone about once a week. Think of it as a reset for your device’s brain.
11. Skipping Backups
If your iPhone died today, would you lose years of photos, notes, and documents? If you’re not backing up, the answer is probably yes.
Do this instead:
- Turn on iCloud Backup to have your phone back up automatically.
- Or regularly back up to a Mac or PC via cable.
- Backups are boring… until they save you.
12. Letting Your iPhone Overheat
Leaving your phone in a hot car, using it in direct sun for long stretches, or charging it under a pillow can all lead to overheating and long-term battery damage.
Do this instead:
Keep your iPhone out of extreme heat. If you get a temperature warning, power it down, remove the case, and let it cool in a normal room—no fridge, no ice packs.
Quick Action Checklist
Use this checklist to do a 10-minute “iPhone health check”:
Security & Privacy
- Delete any apps installed from unknown or sketchy sources
- Move passwords from Notes into a password manager
- Lock any remaining sensitive notes with Face ID/Touch ID
- Review app tracking: Settings → Privacy & Security → Tracking
- Audit app permissions for camera, mic, photos, and location
- Turn on Find My iPhone
- Set up Medical ID and emergency contacts in the Health app
Performance & Battery
- Turn off Low Power Mode as your default
- Stop force-quitting apps out of habit—only do it for frozen apps
- Limit Background App Refresh to only essential apps
- Enable automatic iOS and app updates
- Restart your iPhone at least once a week
Hardware & Safety
- Turn on iCloud Backup, or schedule regular computer backups
- Make sure your phone isn’t routinely left in hot environments (car dashboard, direct sun, under a pillow while charging)
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