So, you’ve got your shiny new iPhone and are ready to dive into its features. With 153 million iPhones active in the U.S. in 2023 alone, you’re in good company. But before you get started, there are some common pitfalls that can lead to frustration or even damage your device.
Here are 12 mistakes new iPhone users often make—and how to avoid them for a smoother experience.
1. Skipping the Optimized Battery Charging Feature
Your iPhone has a cool feature called Optimized Battery Charging. This helps preserve your battery’s health over time by learning your charging routine.
For example, if you plug your phone in at night, it will only charge to 80% quickly and then wait until just before you wake up to finish charging to 100%.
This way, your battery doesn’t stay at 100% for too long, which can help it last longer. With newer iPhones (like the iPhone 12 and beyond), this feature can keep your battery performing well.
2. Leaving Safari Tabs Open Unnecessarily
You’ve probably opened a ton of tabs in Safari and left them there for ages. Well, while it’s convenient, it can slow down your phone and use up more memory than necessary. It’s a good idea to close tabs you’re no longer using.
You can do this by tapping the Tabs icon (the square with a number), then swiping them away or tapping the “Close All” button. It’s a simple way to make sure Safari runs smoothly and doesn’t take up too much space in your iPhone’s memory.
3. Ignoring Software Updates
Your iPhone gets regular updates that fix bugs, add new features, and improve security. Not keeping your software up-to-date means you could miss out on important fixes or new features.
Updates are important for your iPhone’s performance and security. Newer iPhones (like the iPhone 15 series) can also benefit from the latest iOS features, so keeping it updated will help you get the most out of your device.
4. Using Unlicensed Accessories
It might be tempting to buy cheap, unlicensed accessories, like charging cables or headphones. But using these can actually harm your iPhone. They can cause overheating, slow charging, or even damage the battery.
It’s always best to use certified accessories, like those with the Apple MFi (Made for iPhone) label. (ref) These accessories meet Apple’s standards for safety and performance.
5. Neglecting to Back Up Your Device
One of the biggest mistakes iPhone users make is not backing up their device regularly. If your phone gets lost, damaged, or needs to be reset, you could lose all your photos, contacts, and other important data.
It’s super easy to back up your iPhone with iCloud. Just go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup, and make sure iCloud Backup is on. You can also back up to your computer using iTunes or Finder if you prefer. Regular backups will give you peace of mind, knowing your data is safe.
6. Forgetting to Use the Find My Feature
The Find My feature is a lifesaver if you ever lose your iPhone. It helps you locate your phone, even if it’s turned off or the battery is dead (with the iPhone 11 and later). To use this, make sure you’ve turned it on by going to Settings > [your name] > Find My.
You can also track other Apple devices, like an iPad or MacBook, with this feature. If you’ve misplaced your phone, simply use another device or log into iCloud.com to find it.
In case you can’t retrieve it, Find My can even remotely erase your data to keep your information safe. It’s one of the most useful built-in features of your iPhone!
7. Jailbreaking Your iPhone for Unapproved Apps
Jailbreaking your iPhone might seem tempting to get apps or features that aren’t available on the App Store, but it comes with serious risks. Jailbreaking removes Apple’s restrictions and can make your iPhone more vulnerable to malware or security breaches.
It can also void your warranty and prevent you from receiving important iOS updates. iPhones come with a ton of features already, and most apps you might want are available through the official App Store. It’s safer and smarter to stick to the official path to avoid these risks.
8. Not Enabling Dictation for Faster Texting
Dictation is a super handy feature that lets you speak instead of typing, saving time when texting or writing. It works with most apps, and you can use it just by tapping the microphone button on your keyboard.
This works well on any iPhone, and especially on models with the A15 chip (iPhone 13 and later) for faster, more accurate transcriptions. Whether you’re replying to a text, composing an email, or writing a note, dictation can speed things up while reducing the effort it takes to type out long messages.
9. Overlooking the Ring/Silent Switch
The small switch on the side of your iPhone—next to the volume buttons—is your Ring/Silent Switch. It lets you quickly toggle between silent mode and ring mode.
It’s especially useful in situations where you want to avoid notifications, like in meetings or at the movies. If you forget to flip it, you might miss important calls or alerts. So, make sure to check it every now and then, especially if your phone isn’t ringing as expected.
10. Using Unverified Third-Party Password Managers
While third-party password managers can be helpful, using ones that aren’t verified or trusted can put your data at risk. iPhones come with iCloud Keychain, which is built into iOS and securely stores your passwords and login details across all your Apple devices. (ref)
If you’re using a third-party password manager, make sure it’s a trusted one with good reviews and a solid reputation. It’s safer to stick with Apple’s own password management tools, especially when they’re built to sync across your devices effortlessly.
11. Applying Camera Mistakes
Your iPhone’s camera is one of its best features, but it’s easy to make mistakes that can affect your photos. One common issue is not using the right photo format.
For example, the HEIF format (High Efficiency Image Format) is great for saving space and keeping high-quality photos. However, older devices or non-Apple apps might not support it.
On newer iPhones, like the iPhone 12 Pro and later models, you also have ProRAW for higher-quality, professional-level photos. (ref) Just remember, using high-quality formats like ProRAW can take up more storage space, so it’s important to balance quality and storage.
12. Handing Your Phone to a Child without Guided Access
Handing your iPhone over to a child can be a bit risky if they start messing with apps or settings you don’t want them to touch.
That’s where Guided Access comes in handy. It lets you lock the phone into a single app, preventing the child from switching to other apps, changing settings, or exiting the app altogether. (ref)
It’s great for keeping kids focused on one thing—like playing a game or watching a video—without the risk of them accidentally opening something else or deleting your files.
Now that you’re aware of these common iPhone mistakes, you’re better prepared to make the most of your device and enjoy a smoother, more efficient iPhone experience.
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Martha A. Lavallie
Martha is a journalist with close to a decade of experience in uncovering and reporting on the most compelling stories of our time. Passionate about staying ahead of the curve, she specializes in shedding light on trending topics and captivating global narratives. Her insightful articles have garnered acclaim, making her a trusted voice in today's dynamic media landscape.