The iPhone stands as one of the most advanced smartphones globally, seamlessly combining powerful performance, elegant design, and the innovative iOS operating system.
However, many users unknowingly make mistakes that impact their experience—whether in terms of performance, battery life, or even security and privacy.
These mistakes range from simple actions, like using a non-original charger, to more complex ones, such as disabling system updates or failing to utilize iCloud effectively.
Such habits not only affect the device’s efficiency but may also damage its internal components over time, leading to a decline in value or the need for early replacement.
In this article, we explore common practices that could be harming your iPhone experience without you realizing it. More importantly, we provide guidance on how to avoid these mistakes, ensuring you get the most out of your device while maintaining peak performance.
Relying Solely on Default Apps
Apple provides built-in apps for email, browsing, and messaging, but they are not your only options. There are numerous alternatives that offer enhanced features and a more tailored user experience.
For example, if you’ve switched from Android to iPhone, you might prefer Google’s apps, such as Chrome, Gboard, and Gmail, which can be set as defaults. Similarly, you can replace Apple’s built-in password manager with a more advanced option that works seamlessly across all your devices.
Ignoring the Notification Summary Feature
Persistent notifications from various apps can be distracting, and the iOS Notification Center is not always the most efficient way to manage them.
iOS includes a Notification Summary feature, allowing you to group non-urgent notifications and receive them at designated times—such as during lunch breaks or before bedtime.
This feature not only declutters your notification center but also helps maintain focus by preventing unnecessary interruptions while working or engaging in other tasks.
Not Customizing Control Center and Lock Screen
By default, the iPhone lock screen provides quick access to the camera and flashlight. However, you can customize it to add shortcuts to tools like Magnifier, Remote Control, or WhatsApp for faster access.
Additionally, you can enhance the Control Center by integrating widgets for essential apps, such as Notes for jotting down ideas, Shazam for identifying songs, or ChatGPT for instant queries—boosting productivity effortlessly.
Overlooking the Back Tap Feature
iPhones have a hidden “Back Tap” feature that allows you to perform specific actions simply by tapping the back of your device twice or three times.
You can use it to take screenshots, mute your phone, launch the camera, activate Siri, or even open specific apps—eliminating the need for button presses or navigating through menus.
Cluttering the Home Screen with Apps
By default, iOS automatically adds newly installed apps to the home screen, potentially leading to clutter and making it harder to locate your favorite apps.
To keep your home screen organized, you can configure your iPhone to add new apps to the App Library instead of the home screen, ensuring a cleaner and more structured layout.
Not Utilizing the Shortcuts App
If you frequently turn off Wi-Fi when leaving home, enable Low Power Mode at 30% battery, or set a sleep timer while listening to a podcast, you don’t have to do it manually every time.
Apple’s Shortcuts app allows you to automate such actions based on time, location, or device status—saving time and effort. While mastering Shortcuts takes some practice, the benefits are well worth it.
Improper Battery Charging and Using Non-Certified Chargers
iPhone batteries naturally degrade over time, but improper charging habits can accelerate this process.
Optimized Battery Charging reduces wear by pausing charging at 80% during prolonged sessions and resuming it based on your daily usage patterns. This is particularly useful if you often charge your iPhone overnight.
Additionally, since Apple no longer includes chargers with new iPhones, you might be tempted to use cheaper third-party alternatives. However, using low-quality chargers or cables—whether for CarPlay or regular charging—can cause issues such as slow charging speeds, overheating, or unexpected errors.
Non-certified accessories can also degrade your battery health over time, and Apple does not cover damages caused by them under warranty. Opting for original or MFi-certified accessories ensures long-term safety and performance.
Not Managing Storage Efficiently
Even with a 256GB or larger iPhone, storage space can quickly fill up, especially with accumulated photos and videos.
Instead of manually deleting files, enable “Optimize iPhone Storage” (available with iCloud+). This feature replaces high-resolution media on your device with smaller versions while keeping originals safely stored in iCloud—ensuring you never run out of space while capturing moments or downloading apps.
Delaying Important Software Updates
Postponing iOS updates is one of the most critical mistakes that could harm your iPhone.
Updates introduce new features, security patches, and bug fixes. Delaying them exposes your device to security vulnerabilities and may cause app performance issues due to incompatibility with outdated system versions.
To ensure optimal performance and security, always keep your iPhone up to date.
Conclusion
At first glance, some of these mistakes may seem minor, but their impact on your iPhone’s performance and user experience can be significant.
From customizing your home screen to optimizing battery charging and leveraging advanced iOS features, there are numerous ways to enhance your iPhone experience.
By avoiding these common pitfalls, you can maintain your device’s efficiency, extend its lifespan, and fully enjoy all the features it has to offer.
