Smartphone Safety Tips | Get The Most out of Your iPhone & Android

Our smartphones are like modern-day safes. They hold a ton of crucial and personal information that we guard with our lives. The main difference – our smartphones are way less secure.

Think about what it would mean to lose your phone or maybe worse, open the data that’s accessible through your phone to unintended people. Just the thought of that emits a sense of panic and anxiety. For that reason, you should be doing everything you can to make sure your phone is as safe and secure as possible.

Two Main Issues Regarding Phone Safety

When you get a new smartphone, there are two things you should care most about in terms of phone safety:

1. Phone Longevity (Getting the Most Out of Your Smartphone)

These devices aren't cheap, and you want yours running smoothly for as long as possible. That’s why we take our brand new phones out of one box and put it another one – your phone case. That’s also why we operate our phones in a way that protects its battery life.

2. Protection from Cyber Threats

Your phone is a goldmine of personal info. Contact information. Credit card details. The list goes on. And hackers these days are finding new and creative ways to get their hands on that priceless data.

How do you keep your phone safe and secure?  Here are a few simple tips.   

Avoid Wired Chargers in Public Spaces

Those charging stations at your local coffee shop and the airport might seem tempting, especially when your phones are on ‘E’. But these USB ports can be hotspots for something called "juice jacking."

This is where bad actors exploit public USB charging stations to steal your data or install malware on your phone. Basically, when you plug into that free charger at the airport or café, you might be opening the door to hackers.

Use Wireless Charging or Travel with a Wireless Charging Power Bank

So, what's the move? You can either use a wireless charging station (if available) or get yourself a wireless charging power bank. You don’t need to rely on public chargers when you’re traveling or even when you’re out and about. Not to mention the peace of mind and reduced battery anxiety.

Use ONLY Qi Certified Chargers

Now, let's talk chargers. Those super-cheap ones you found online? They might save you a few bucks, but they could fry your phone or worse. Always opt for Qi Certified chargers. They're tested for safety, interoperability, and efficiency, ensuring your device charges properly without any nasty surprises.

Qi has been protecting smartphones for over a decade and today millions of people throughout the world rely on Qi every day to safely charge their smartphones. Qi was invented by the Wireless Power Consortium in order to implement a standard for wireless charging safety and increase the lifespan of your smartphone. So next time you’re thinking about saving a few bucks on a wireless charger, think about your $1,000 smartphone.

DO NOT Leave Your Phone in the Sun

Sunbathing may feel good but it’s not great for your skin or your phone. Leaving your device in direct sunlight, a hot car or a hot room can overheat the battery, leading to reduced performance or even permanent damage. So, when you're soaking up rays use sunscreen and keep your phone tucked away in the shade.

Avoid Buying Cheap Cables

Similar to wireless chargers, not all cables are created equal. Cheap, knock-off cables can short circuit or fail to charge your phone efficiently. Invest in quality cables from reputable brands. Your battery (and data) will thank you.

Avoid Using Public Wi-Fi (Evil Twin Attack)

Free Wi-Fi at the coffee shop? Tempting, but think twice. Hackers can set up fake networks—called "evil twins"—that look legit but are designed to steal your info.

These attacks are extremely dangerous because they’re nearly impossible to spot. Malicious actors usually set these up in high-traffic, public spaces. The name even appears the same in your WIFI settings.

A group of journalists decided to test this theory. So, they set up a fake access point at one of the largest security conferences to see how many people will actually connect to the “fake” Wi-Fi. A staggering 4,500 people ended up connecting to their Wi-Fi network!

If you have to use public Wi-Fi, consider a VPN to encrypt your connection. Better yet, stick to your mobile data for sensitive activities.

Regularly Audit App Permissions

Here’s one that many people might not think of. App permissions and privacy laws can differ country to country. So, when you travel, make sure to review your in-app permission settings. Some countries have more stringent laws about what you’re downloading and installing on your phone.  Other countries might be just the opposite - more lax about privacy and permissions. 

Beware of Malicious QR Codes

QR codes are everywhere these days—menus, ads, even business cards. But be cautious. Scanning a malicious QR code could direct you to a phishing site or download malware onto your phone. Only scan codes from trusted sources.

Be Cautious with Contactless Features

NFC (Near Field Communication) is that feature on your phone that lets it communicate with other devices when they're really close—a few centimeters close. It's what powers Apple Pay and Google Wallet.

RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) is similar but a bit old school. It's used in things like contactless credit cards and those keycards you might use to get into your office. RFID chips can be read by scanners to get the info stored on them.

Why Should You Care?

Well, according to the Identity Theft Resource Center, RFID-related thefts have jumped by 44% last year. Hackers have gotten crafty with something called "RFID skimming," where they use a device to read your card or passport info without you even knowing.

With NFC, the risk is something called "NFC hacking." Because NFC connections don't always require a password or any kind of authentication, a bad actor could potentially connect to your phone if they get close enough. Investing in a signal blocking smartphone case or wallet is always advisable.