Unfortunately, your smartphone is vulnerable to more than one type of bug. While viruses and malware can impact the software on your phone, germs and bacteria often transfer across your touchscreen. With various locations, ranging from dodgy websites to dirty bathrooms, posing the risk of smartphone contamination, a clean phone should be everyone’s priority. However, while we wash our hands and wipe down benches and other surfaces several times a day, most of us neglect to wipe down our smartphones before pressing them against our faces.
A clean phone is a more hygienic phone, which poses a lower risk of passing on nasty illnesses. However, it’s important to clean your phone correctly. Some cleaning agents can damage the surface of your smartphone and its internal components, reducing the device's lifespan.
‘How do I clean my phone from viruses?’ is a question many smartphone owners have asked, and it applies to bugs found both on the Internet and under the microscope.
In this article, OzMobiles shows you how to keep your smartphone clean in every possible way. We’ll address questions like “What sort of solution should I use?” and “How do I clean my phone charger port?” so that you can better protect the long lifespan of your iPhone or Android device.
Cleaning Phone Hardware: Dos & Don’ts
Various types of germs can potentially contaminate the surface of your phone, which should come as no surprise, considering how often you touch it and the numerous surfaces it comes into contact with.
While there’s no hard and fast rule for how often you should clean your phone, a good rule of thumb is to do it once a week. If you regularly take your phone on public transport, gyms, restrooms or other germ-heavy environments, it’s worth cleaning it a little more often.
Yet not all methods for achieving a clean phone are created equal. Here are some dos and don’ts for cleaning your phone’s exterior and hardware components:
DO: Use 70% isopropyl alcohol cleaning wipes
Most tech companies recommend using cleaning wipes with a 70% isopropyl alcohol content. Anything less than 70% may not kill all the germs, while anything more may damage your phone’s screen. You can purchase specially made smartphone cleaning wipes with this alcohol quotient that are streak-free and safe for screens, although regular disinfectant wipes will also do.
DON’T: Use bleach, vinegar or high-concentration alcohol wipes
Some cleaning products are simply unsuitable for use on smartphones, with both Apple and Samsung warning against the use of bleach, vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, aerosol sprays or wipes with an alcohol content higher than 70%. Your smartphone screen is coated with a thin film that helps prevent smudges and fingerprints; harsh cleaning solutions can strip away this protective layer.
DO: Use the correct type of cloth
Most manufacturers recommend using a microfibre cloth to clean your phone, so the softer fibres don’t damage your screen.
DON’T: Use harsher cleaning cloths
Materials like tissues, paper towels, clothing and kitchen cloths are too abrasive and may scratch or damage your phone.
DO: Use soap and water if necessary
If no cleaning wipes are available, mild soap and lukewarm water can get the job done. Dip a microfibre cloth in a solution of water and dish soap, making sure it’s damp rather than drenched, then gently wipe the front and back of your phone. Don’t apply soap directly to the phone, and be cautious of excess water, especially if your smartphone has an IP rating below IP67.
DON’T: Spray or submerge
Avoid spraying liquid directly onto the phone, as moisture can enter through ports and internal components. Submerging your phone in solution is also a bad idea, even for water-resistant models, as the seals that prevent water from entering can degrade with time.
DO: Clean the charging port
Dust, dirt and lint can find their way into the charging port of your Android or iPhone, making it harder to charge your phone and eventually causing it to stop working entirely.
Here’s how to clean your phone charger port. For best results, use a can of compressed air, a bulb syringe or a toothpick. Avoid using a toothbrush as the bristles can get stuck inside, or blowing on the port, as your breath contains water particles that can cause damage.
First, turn off your device. Use the bulb syringe or can of compressed air to blast the ports until dust falls out. Use a toothpick to loosen up any stubborn dust. Make sure you work under bright light so you can see what you’re doing, and just in case the toothbrush breaks.
Cleaning Phone Software
You might think you have plenty of space on your phone until your Android starts playing up, or you run out of space on your iPhone while downloading a new app. Just like the clutter in your home, digital clutter slowly builds up until you have little space on your phone for the essentials. Here’s how to clean up the software on your phone.
For iPhone:
-
Go to Settings > General > [Device] Storage. You’ll see a colour-coded bar chart that lets you know how much space certain apps are taking up on your iPhone.
-
Delete or offload apps you don’t use. Offloading keeps them on your home screen, but you’ll need to download them again in order to use them.
-
Upload any photos or videos you don’t need on your iPhone to your chosen cloud service, and then delete them from your device.
-
Remove any other unnecessary files, like unwanted music and messages.
-
Clear browser data to delete cookies, cached images and other unnecessary web files.
For Android:
-
Just like with an iPhone, checking your Android’s storage will help you determine which files to delete in order to free up space.
-
Delete junk files by opening Files by Google, then tapping Menu > Clean > Clear.
-
Check the box next to cached images and files, select the time range to choose how far back you’d like to go and then tap ‘clear data’.
-
Go through your apps and delete the ones you’re no longer using. Be aware of bloatware, software that comes pre-installed on your Android phone. Software that you didn’t choose and aren’t even using can take up a lot of space.
How do you clean your phone from viruses? First, clear your cache and downloads and then restart your device in safe mode. Browse through the apps on your phone to check for any that are unfamiliar or seem suspicious, and delete them. Then, install anti-virus software that will protect your smartphone from malware and other malicious software.
How to Clean Phone Accessories
While a clean phone is the most important priority, considering how often you use it, it’s worth your while to clean your phone’s accessories too. Additional components, such as your phone case, headphones, and chargers, can be cleaned periodically. Some tips for cleaning your phone accessories are:
Wipe down your phone case
A microfiber cloth and a mild soap solution are enough to clean your smartphone case. Make sure it’s thoroughly dry before putting your phone back in it.
Clean headphones and audio accessories
The same disinfectant wipes you use to clean your smartphone can also remove germs from your headphones and audio accessories.
Clean your charger and cords too!
Your phone charger and cord can accumulate dust, dirt and bacteria. Like your phone’s other accessories, you can wipe them down easily with disinfectant wipes or a microfiber cloth.
Watch out for components like ports and buttons, and avoid exposing these areas to moisture. Instead, follow the instructions for cleaning a phone charger port as above.
Save When You Buy Refurbished Phones from OzMobiles
Refurbished phones are second-hand smartphones that a professional, such as OzMobiles, has comprehensively tested, repaired, and restored to a like-new condition. When you buy refurbished, you get a high-quality phone that’s fully functional, with the added benefit of potentially saving hundreds of dollars.
OzMobiles offers like-new iPhones with savings of up to $1,000 or more, as well as refurbished Android phones, including best-selling Samsung Galaxy flagship models. Every OzMobiles device is 100% fully functional and sold with a 12-month warranty. Our 72-point functional check and clean ensures all our devices are fit to be sold on the Australian marketplace.
To find out more about our iPhones and Android devices, contact the OzMobiles team.
