Hello there. In this image there are two hearts, the one on the left is bright red and inside it is the text ‘Happy Valentines Day’ written in white. On the right is a blue heart which is slightly smaller than the red one and the text inside it reads ‘love your phone’. To the bottom left of the image is an outline of a mobile phone in red, with a small red heart and the blue Simpatico logo on the screen. Happy Valentine's Day!

Do you LOVE your mobile phone?

Is your mobile phone feeling neglected and taken for granted?  Is it working hard and not getting any appreciation?

It’s a powerhouse in your back pocket that’s always there to solve problems, keep you entertained, help with the shopping, remind you to get your haircut or remember birthdays, keep you connected with friends; it can even help you figure out who that familiar actor is, whose name you can’t quite recall.

And how do you return the favour?  Leave it on charge all night, let it roll around with the crumbs in the bottom of your bag, ignore it when you have company, forget where you left it, or even DROP it?

So in honour of Valentine’s Day, we’ve put together some ideas on how you can show your phone some love:

Keep the Battery Healthy

Modern phone batteries charge relatively quickly so there is no need to leave them on charge overnight, in fact, it is probably better instead to periodically top up the charge during the day.  Apple recommends that an iPhone battery is best kept between 30 and 80%, with perhaps a full 100% charge once a month.  You can check your iPhone battery health by going to Settings > Battery > Battery Health and Charging. On an Android you can find information about your Battery by going to Settings > Battery.

Buy a Phone Case and Screen Protector

Buying a protective case for your phone will help to keep it free from scratches and damage, and a screen protector will do as the name suggests and protect the screen.  In the event of a drop or a knock to the phone, the combination of case and screen protector should ensure that your phone is safely cocooned from any damage.

Clean It!

You know how much better you feel after a shower, well your phone probably feels the same way after a clean down, however, don’t take it in the shower with you!  Use a damp lint free cloth to wipe away all the greasy marks, and also give the charging port a clean every once in a while, we have already written a post about this here.

Keep It Up To Date

Make sure your phone is up to date by downloading the latest software updates, they often fix bugs and battery drainage issues, and sometimes have interesting new features.

Avoid Extreme Temperatures

Phones don’t like to get too hot or cold (a bit like us) and if you’re lucky enough to have an iPhone, it will actually tell you if it gets too hot and a warning will appear on the screen; you won’t be able to use the device until the temperature returns to normal.

To avoid putting your phone under too much stress, avoid leaving it on a sunny windowsill, don’t use it whilst charging, keep gaming to a minimum, don’t have too many apps open at once, and don’t put it in the freezer.

Happy Valentine’s Day, mobile phone!