How to Spring Clean Your Smart Phone Any Time of Year

Autumn cleaning just doesn’t have the same ring!

You might not associate spring cleaning with your cell phone, but just like your home, your phone can get packed with digital clutter and unnecessary files that slow it down and make it less easy to use. That’s when a good cleaning is in order.

Cell phones hold a lot of valuable information, including financial apps, restaurant apps, games, social media accounts, news digests and more. Depending on how often you add new apps, finding anything on your phone can become nearly impossible. Your home screen is probably a mess and the more you add, the harder it can be to disconnect.

This is why it’s crucial to periodically thumb through your phone and clean it out. Getting rid of apps you never use, photos you have backed up elsewhere and otherwise unnecessary information can open the door to a more simplified digital life – something we could all use.

Don’t know where to start? We’ve got you covered.

1. Get rid of old photos.

Your phone can be a treasure trove of memories. You might have pictures from every vacation, special event and gathering with friends and family. But even if your cell phone has an abundance of storage, photos can take up a lot of memory, especially if you save every video, too.

If photos and videos begin to consume excess memory, start going through older photo files and remove the ones you no longer need. These might include duplicates of the same photo or photos you’ve already uploaded to a cloud server or your computer.

2. Organize and declutter apps.

Chances are, there are numerous apps on your cell phone that you don’t use. These might include old games or apps that no longer serve a useful purpose. Rather than let these clutter your screen, go through them and remove those you haven’t used in months or years. If you later decide to use the app, you can easily re-download without paying for it again.

You can also organize the remaining apps into folders, like you’d do on a computer or laptop. Folders are perfect for quick access and organization – you can set up separate folders for games, cuisine, entertainment, news, social media and more, clearing up your screens and making things easier to find.

Occasionally, you may notice some apps working improperly, slowing down or crashing unexpectedly. If you continue to have issues, check to see if the app’s developer has an update. Updating the app might correct the issue. If not, delete the app and reinstall it.

3. Turn off the phone.

Can’t remember the last time you turned off your cell phone? If so, you’re not alone. Many people never turn off their phones. Keep in mind, however, cell phones are essentially pocket-sized computers. And the same way you occasionally turn off your computer to reset it, you should do the same for your cell phone. This can solve slowdowns and glitches and help non-responsive apps work properly again. You don’t have to turn off the phone every day, but turning if off every couple of days for a few minutes can be a quick fix for minor issues.

4. Update your operating system.

Also, make sure your phone’s operating system is up-to-date. You can find the most recent updates by going to your phone’s general settings. Updating only takes a couple of minutes and in most cases, these updates can correct any annoying bugs you’re experiencing. If you always forget to update your phone, see if there’s an option for automatic updates. As long as your phone is connected to a power source, it may update automatically.

You’re connected to the entire world in the palm of your hand, something we often take for granted. But taking the time out to clear your phone can help you connect faster and easier, a luxury that’s well worth the effort.