Top Ways People Damage Phones and How to Avoid Them

We all love our phones. From staying in touch with loved ones to managing work and play, we use them all the time. But with so much use, it’s no surprise they get damaged. We’ve all been there, dropped a phone or found a cracked screen at some point.

In this post we’ll look at the top ways people damage their phones and more importantly how you can avoid them to keep yours in good nick for longer.

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1. Dropping Your Phone

One of the most common ways people damage their phones is by dropping them. Whether it slips out of your hand while texting, falls from your pocket when getting out of the car or takes a tumble off the table, drops happen often. The result? Cracked screens, dented edges and in worst case scenarios internal damage.

How to Avoid It:

  • Get a tough phone case: A shock-absorbent case can prevent cracks and dents from minor drops. Look for cases with extra protection around the corners.
  • Get a screen protector: Tempered glass protectors can take the impact and help prevent screen cracks, give you peace of mind.
  • Be careful where you put your phone: Don’t leave your phone on the edge of tables or on uneven surfaces where it could easily be knocked off.

2. Water Damage

Accidental water damage is another way people ruin their phones. Whether it’s dropping your phone in the toilet, spilling a drink or getting caught in the rain, water and electronics don’t mix well. Even if your phone seems to work after being exposed to water, moisture can damage internal components over time and cause long-term problems.

How to Avoid It:

  • Get a waterproof case: For people who spend time around water—whether at the beach, pool or even just in the kitchen—a waterproof case is a must.
  • Keep it out of the bathroom: As tempting as it is to bring your phone into the bathroom for music or texting, the risk of water damage (or worse) is high.
  • Be careful when you are near liquids: Be mindful of where you put your phone when you’re having drinks or cooking in the kitchen.

3. Extreme Temperatures

Many people don’t realize that both extreme heat and cold can damage their phones. Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight can overheat the battery, while extremely cold temperatures can shorten battery life and affect overall performance. Over time, this can cause permanent damage.

How to Avoid It:

  • Keep your phone out of direct sunlight: Don’t leave your phone in hot places like a car dashboard or near a window on a sunny day.
  • Don’t leave your phone outside in cold weather: If you’re out in freezing temperatures, try to keep your phone warm by storing it in an inner pocket or case to maintain battery health.
  • Avoid temperature changes: Going from freezing cold to a hot room quickly can cause condensation inside your phone and water damage.

4. Sitting on Your Phone

Phones left in back pockets are at risk of being sat on and bent, cracked or even internal damage. It’s a common accident that’s easily avoidable.

How to Avoid It:

  • Don’t keep your phone in your back pocket: The safest place for your phone is in a secure front pocket, bag or jacket pocket where it’s less likely to be sat on.
  • Get a protective case: If you do sit on your phone, a tough case can help absorb the impact and prevent serious damage.

5. Charging Mistakes

Overcharging your phone, using faulty chargers or charging in a risky environment can cause overheating, battery degradation or even short circuits. While modern phones have safeguards, constantly leaving your phone plugged in overnight or using low quality chargers can shorten battery life over time.

How to Avoid It:

  • Get a quality charger: Always use official or reputable third-party chargers that meet safety standards. Cheap knockoff chargers can be dangerous and damage your device.
  • Don’t charge in unsafe places: Don’t charge your phone on soft surfaces like beds or under pillows where it can overheat. Make sure there’s good airflow.
  • Don’t overcharge: While most modern phones stop charging when they hit 100%, it’s still a good habit to unplug your phone once fully charged to prevent unnecessary stress on the battery.

6. Not Updating Software

Software updates may not physically damage your phone but neglecting them can cause performance issues, security vulnerabilities and software crashes. Outdated software can also affect battery life and make your phone more prone to malware.

How to Avoid It:

  • Update your phone regularly: Keeping your phone up to date means you get the latest security patches, performance improvements and bug fixes.
  • Install updates when asked: If you get a notification to update your phone, try to do it as soon as possible to prevent performance issues.

7. Improper Cleaning

Cleaning your phone is important for hygiene but using the wrong cleaning materials can damage sensitive parts of your phone like the screen or ports. Harsh chemicals or too much liquid can damage the finish and even seep into internal components.

How to Avoid It:

  • Use phone-friendly cleaning products: Stick to microfibre cloths and a small amount of water or phone-friendly cleaning solutions. Avoid harsh chemicals or too much moisture.
  • Clean gently: Be careful when cleaning ports, speakers and buttons—use a soft brush to remove dirt instead of forcing anything into small openings.

8. Forgetting to Backup

Accidents can happen without warning and while physical damage to your phone is annoying, losing all your data is even worse. Without regular backups, you risk losing important contacts, photos and documents when accidents happen.

How to Avoid It:

  • Set up automatic backups: Make sure your phone is backed up to the cloud regularly so even if the worst happens you won’t lose your data.
  • Backup manually as a safety net: For extra security backup manually to a computer or external storage every now and then.

Conclusion: Protect Your Phone from Common Accidents

Phones are expensive and delicate, so protecting them from everyday mishaps is crucial to making them last. Simple steps like getting a protective case, using a high-quality charger, and being careful around water or extreme temperatures can go a long way in keeping your phone safe.

If your phone is damaged, don’t worry—at The Big Phone Store, we have high-quality refurbished phones at affordable prices. Whether you need a replacement or just want to upgrade, we’ve got options to suit every budget.

Take care of your tech, and it’ll take care of you!



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