In the world of smartphones, blunders are as ubiquitous as apps. From cringe-worthy autocorrect fails to accidental pocket dials, we’ve all been there. This article dives into the realm of common phone mistakes, exploring the digital faux pas that unite us all. Brace yourself for a humorous yet relatable journey through the mishaps of our everyday mobile interactions.
Leaving your mobile data on all the time
Leaving your mobile data on constantly drains your battery, leaving you stranded when you need your phone the most. It’s like keeping a faucet running; you’re wasting resources and risking overage charges. Plus, it opens the door to potential security threats. Save power, money, and peace of mind—turn it off when you can.
Having your brightness turned right up
Blazing brightness might seem ideal, but it’s a fast track to a dim battery life. Your phone becomes a needy energy hog, constantly begging for a charge. Plus, it’s a strain on your eyes, like staring into a tiny sun. Opt for balance; save your battery, and your eyes will thank you.
Not turning off read receipts
Lots of people may not know that this is possible, but if you still have your read receipts on, what are you doing? Don’t let those needy texters know when you’ve read their text, you reply whenever it suits for you! We live in a world where people expect responses from us immediately, and turning off your read receipts helps to relieve you from that pressure.
Putting someone on ‘Do Not Disturb’
That being said, if you put one of your contacts on ‘Do Not Disturb’, it will show up for them at the bottom of your text thread, meaning that they will know that you’re actively trying to avoid reading their correspondence. Nobody likes their mother-in-law, but you don’t want to hurt her feelings either!
Not closing apps when you’re done
Leaving apps open is like keeping a swarm of uninvited guests at your phone’s party—they’re munching on your memory and slowing everything down. It’s a recipe for frustration, akin to clutter in a small room. Shutting them down is like tidying up; your phone breathes easier, and you’ll notice the speed boost. Keep it clean for a smoother digital experience.
Keeping random screenshots in your camera roll
if you’re one of those people that has 10,000 photos in your camera roll, but only a quarter of them are actual photos and the rest are random accidental screenshots or tickets from events past – you need to get a grip. Although it can be time consuming, going through and deleting all of these photos will not only free up space on your phone for actual memories you want to keep, but allow your phone to run more smoothly.
Leaving your phone out in the sun
Letting your phone bask in the sun is like subjecting it to a digital sunburn. The heat is its kryptonite, causing battery woes and potential long-term damage. It’s a risky tan that your device won’t thank you for. Spare it the sizzle; find some shade. Your phone deserves better than a hot and bothered meltdown.
Or the snow…
Exposing your smartphone to any extreme temperatures will do it some serious damage. Although you might want to get some awesome videos on that ski trip, you should limit your phone’s exposure to freezing conditions as it will damage the battery, and could cause long-term damage in general. Treat it like you would your fingers—keep it warm, tucked away. Your phone prefers cozy pockets over icy snowdrifts any day.
Not installing updates
Skipping updates on your phone is like avoiding a health checkup—it leaves your device vulnerable to bugs and security threats. Updates bring improvements, fix glitches, and fortify against digital ailments. Ignoring them is like neglecting your phone’s well-being. Embrace those updates; they’re the vitamins your device needs for a robust and secure life in the ever-evolving digital world.
Leaving your email inbox with 200+ unread emails
Leaving your inbox with 200+ unread emails is like adopting a herd of digital dust bunnies – they multiply and mock your organizational skills. It’s a chaotic jamboree of missed deadlines and buried important stuff. Don’t let your inbox throw a wild party; clean it up, or it might start sending out eviction notices!
Giving apps all the permission they ask for
Granting apps all permissions is like handing over your house keys to a stranger – it’s a privacy invasion waiting to happen. Apps might snoop into personal spaces they shouldn’t. Be the guardian of your digital kingdom; selectively grant permissions. It’s a smart security move that keeps your data fortress impenetrable and your secrets safe.
Using cheap charging cables
Using cheap charging cables for your phone can be problematic for several reasons. These cables often have inferior build quality, leading to faster wear and tear. They may not be designed to handle the electrical demands of your device, potentially resulting in slower charging, overheating, or even damage to your phone’s battery. Investing in a quality cable ensures a safer and more efficient charging experience for your device.
Charging your phone overnight
Charging your phone overnight, although convenient, can have potential drawbacks. Continuous charging after your device reaches 100% can stress the battery, leading to long-term degradation. Modern smartphones are designed to manage charging, but overnight charging can still contribute to wear over time. To optimize battery health, consider unplugging once fully charged or use features like “overnight charging optimization” if available.
Not backing up your device
Not backing up your devices is like playing a risky game of digital roulette. If your device crashes, gets lost, or succumbs to a glitch, your data—photos, documents, memories—could be lost forever. Backing up is your safety net, ensuring a smooth recovery. Don’t gamble with your digital life; hit that backup button regularly.
Downloading software from untrusted sources
Downloading files from the internet can be risky because it opens the door to potential security threats. Files may contain malware, viruses, or other malicious software that can harm your device, compromise your data, or even lead to identity theft. Always be cautious, use reputable sources, and have reliable antivirus software to minimize the risks associated with downloading files.
Using public Wi-Fi
Using public Wi-Fi on your phone can pose security risks. Public networks are often less secure, making it easier for hackers to intercept your data. Without proper encryption, personal information, passwords, or financial details could be exposed. Always use a virtual private network (VPN) on public Wi-Fi to encrypt your connection and add an extra layer of security.
Using battery monitoring apps
Using battery monitoring apps on your smartphone can have potential downsides. While some apps claim to optimize battery life, they often run in the background, consuming additional resources and potentially causing more battery drain than they save. Modern smartphones have built-in systems to manage battery usage efficiently, and unnecessary third-party apps may interfere with these processes, leading to suboptimal performance.
Using your phone while it’s charging
Using your phone while it’s charging can generate heat, stressing the battery and potentially affecting its long-term health. Additionally, the combination of electrical current from charging and processor activity during use can contribute to overheating. While modern smartphones are designed to handle this to some extent, minimizing usage during charging helps maintain a cooler environment and promotes overall battery longevity.
Using a phone case whilst charging
Charging your device when it’s inside certain styles of cases may generate excess heat, which can affect battery capacity. If you notice that your device gets hot when you charge it, take it out of its case first. Your fluffy pink case may look cute, but it could be dangerous…
Using your phone in the shower
Using your phone as a speaker for your in-shower concert can be tempting, and you might think that bringing your phone near the shower but not under the water is okay, however, the steam can be as bad as the actual water. Texts can wait; your phone’s aquatic skills are about as impressive as a fish on a unicycle. Keep it dry and drama-free!
Not using a passcode
Having a smartphone without a passcode is like leaving your front door wide open in a digital neighborhood. It’s an invitation for nosy apps, prying eyes, and potential data thieves. Lock it up! A passcode is your smartphone’s superhero cape, shielding your privacy and keeping your digital secrets safe from curious invaders.
Or using one that’s too easy to guess
If your password is “1,2,3,4” or “password”, you may as well not have one. When you are picking a password, you should avoid using your name, your pet’s name…or anyone’s name for that matter. Go for random words, numbers, special characters and capital letters to make sure you secrets stay secret.
Doing work tasks on your personal phone
Mixing work tasks on your personal phone is like hosting a business meeting at your family dinner table—it blurs the lines and can lead to burnout. Keep work and personal life separate for a healthier balance. Your phone deserves a break too, away from the hustle and bustle of the work world.
Opening unknown texts or emails
Opening unknown emails or texts is like accepting mystery packages from strangers—it’s a digital gamble. They might be hiding viruses, phishing schemes, or spam monsters ready to unleash chaos on your inbox. Save yourself from a virtual rollercoaster; keep your inbox a secure fortress, and leave the mysteries for detective novels.
Or answering unknown calls
“Do you like scary movies?” It may not be Ghostface on the other end of the phone, but that doesn’t mean that you should answer anonymous calls, even if curiosity does want to get the better of you. Seriously, unless you are expecting a call from a withheld number, if one does ring you, it’s definitely not a competition you’ve won.
Using your phone in bed
Using your phone in bed is like inviting a chatty friend to a serene library—it disrupts the peace. The blue light messes with your sleep hormones, turning bedtime into a digital fiesta. Reserve your bed for rest, not restless scrolling. Your dreams will thank you for a tech-free sanctuary.
Viewing the Instagram stories of people you don’t follow
Peeking at the Instagram story of someone you don’t follow is like accidentally stumbling into a stranger’s private photo album. It’s a cringe-worthy journey into unfamiliar territory, leaving you questioning your digital manners. Spare yourself the awkwardness; stick to the stories of those who invited you to the party.
Liking someone’s Facebook photos during a stalking session
Liking someone’s ancient Facebook post is like digging up a time capsule without permission—it’s a cringe-worthy trip down memory lane. You inadvertently expose your archaeological tendencies and might leave the post owner wondering if you’re a digital detective or just lost in the social media wilderness. Proceed with caution!
Pocket-dialling someone
We’ve all done it, just admit it… There’s nothing worse than taking your phone out of your pocket, to find that you’ve accidentally rang someone that you haven’t spoken to in years. And the worst part is that it’s never your partner or your mom, it’s always someone you stopped talking to in high school or an ex…
Paying for everything with your phone
Relying solely on Apple Pay or other smartphone payments, while convenient, poses potential security risks. In the event of a digital breach, sensitive payment information could be compromised. Diversifying payment methods and incorporating traditional options enhances overall financial security by reducing vulnerability to digital threats and ensuring adaptability in various situations.
Making embarrassing typos
Embarrassing typos in texts are the digital equivalent of tripping over words in a speech—you cringe, replay the moment, and wish for an instant edit button. Autocorrect fails or clumsy fingers can turn a casual conversation into a linguistic rollercoaster. The struggle is real, and the typo-induced embarrassment lingers on in your text thread forever.
Accidentally creating a group chat with people
Accidentally creating a group chat instead of separate messages is like shouting your private thoughts in a crowded room—you’re exposed. The horror dawns as personal messages become public fodder. It’s an inadvertent broadcast of your communication blunder, leaving you in a cringe-worthy spotlight.
Accidentally reading a message you were avoiding
Ever try to swipe away a message but instead you accidentally click on it and are then either forced to reply or destined to ignore it and be seen as rude? Read receipts are a terrible thing that have come about in our digital age, and just seem to add more anxiety to already overwhelming experiences. There’s literally nothing worse than reading messages you were avoiding.
Searching for someone on Instagram
If you search for a person once or twice, you will not appear to them as a new friend suggestion unless the Instagram algorithm finds something common between you two. However, if you search for someone on Instagram again and again, the algorithm will think that you know each other, and show you in their friend suggestions, which could be a little awkward if you don’t actually know them…
Clicking on ads
If you use TikTok, Facebook or any other social media platforms, you should avoid clicking on too many ads. That can be really hard, since they are usually tailored exactly to you, but interacting with every ad that you see will make your social media turn into an online shopping platform rather than somewhere that you can actually see posts from your friends and family.
Not using mobile banking
Mobile banking is like having a bank branch in your pocket – super handy! It gives you quick access to your account, lets you pay bills on the fly, and even tosses in extra security with fingerprint or face ID. Forget waiting in line; manage your money whenever, wherever. It’s like magic, but with fewer rabbits.
Not using a health tracking app
Using a health tracking app on your phone is like having a personal health buddy that fits in your pocket. It keeps tabs on your steps, sleep, and workouts, giving you insights into your well-being. It’s a convenient way to stay accountable to your fitness goals, fostering a healthier, more informed lifestyle.
Using your wireless earbuds too much
There aren’t just phone mistakes to be made, associated devices can be harmful if they aren’t used correctly, too. When using your earbuds, as background noise levels rise, you’ll naturally turn up the volume to hear your music or podcast more clearly. The problem is that your ears become accustomed to the loudness, and you lose the sensation that your music is too loud
Connecting to bluetooth in your car
We all love taking a road trip, wind in our hair, listening to our favorite songs at full volume, but this can be bad for your phone’s battery life. That is because a higher volume output requires more electricity in order to be able to output a higher volume sound through the speakers. There is no free lunch, more volume power means it needs more battery power.
Not using a screen protector
Not using a screen protector on your smartphone leaves your device vulnerable to scratches, smudges, and potential cracks in case of accidental drops. Daily interactions with keys, coins, or even just placing the phone on surfaces can gradually wear down the display. A screen protector acts as a shield, preserving the pristine condition of your screen and potentially preventing costly repairs or replacements.