If I want my iPhone to last, there are certain mistakes I simply cannot afford to make. From skipping critical software updates to mishandling upgrades to an iPhone 16 Pro, each misstep can quietly erode performance, security, and battery health. Here are 12 things I never do with my iPhone if I care about keeping it fast, safe, and reliable.
1. Never Skip iOS Updates
Never skipping iOS updates is one of the simplest ways to protect an iPhone from security flaws and performance bugs, and I treat that as non‑negotiable. When I delay an update, I leave known vulnerabilities open for longer, which can expose passwords, banking apps, and personal photos. Guidance on things never to do on iPhone stresses that ignoring iOS updates is a core mistake because Apple often patches actively exploited issues.
Beyond security, updates usually fix crashes, improve battery management, and optimize newer apps. If I keep tapping “Remind me later,” I am effectively choosing slower performance and higher risk. I schedule major updates when I can plug in, back up first, and then install promptly so my device benefits from the latest protections and stability improvements.
2. Never Use Cheap or Unofficial Chargers
Never using cheap or unofficial chargers is another rule I follow to avoid damaging my iPhone. Reports on iPhone care warn that off‑brand cables and bricks can deliver inconsistent voltage, which stresses the battery and can even cause overheating or short circuits. Advice on using cheap or fake chargers notes that they damage both the battery and the phone itself, especially when left plugged in for long periods.
To reduce that risk, I stick to Apple’s own chargers or accessories that carry the official MFi certification. That way, the hardware is designed to meet Apple’s power standards and safety checks. It also protects me from subtle long‑term battery health decline that might not show up for months but eventually forces earlier, expensive replacements.
3. Never Leave Your iPhone in a Cold Car During Winter
Never leaving my iPhone in a cold car during winter is about more than convenience, it is about preventing permanent damage. Lists of things you should never leave in your car during winter specifically flag electronics, because extreme cold can crack screens and cause batteries to lose capacity. When temperatures plunge, lithium‑ion chemistry slows, and the phone may shut down or refuse to charge correctly.
In a parked car, especially overnight, the interior can drop well below freezing, even if the dashboard thermometer looks acceptable while driving. I avoid leaving my iPhone in the glove box or on a seat, and if I must step away, I take it with me or power it off and insulate it in a bag to reduce thermal shock when I return.
4. Never Let the Battery Drain to 0% Regularly
Never letting the battery drain to 0 percent on a regular basis is essential if I want to preserve long‑term health. Guidance on prohibited iPhone battery habits explains that repeated full discharges put extra strain on lithium‑ion cells, which are designed to perform best when kept between roughly 20 and 80 percent. When I constantly run the phone flat, the chemistry degrades faster, and maximum capacity drops sooner than it should.
Instead of waiting for a shutdown, I plug in when the battery dips into the red. I also avoid living in permanent Low Power Mode, which other advice on living in Low Power Mode notes can mask underlying battery issues rather than solving them. Managing charge levels thoughtfully keeps performance stable and delays the need for a costly battery replacement.
5. Never Ignore Potential Hacking Signs
Never ignoring potential hacking signs is critical, because subtle changes can signal a serious compromise. An expert who detailed the signs your iPhone has been hacked by a scam pointed to unusual battery drain, sudden pop‑up ads, and unexplained slowdowns as red flags. If I see apps I never installed, mysterious charges, or messages sent without my knowledge, I assume something is wrong rather than dismissing it.
The stakes are high, because once malicious software is on the device, it can capture one‑time passcodes, banking logins, and private conversations. When I suspect trouble, I immediately change passwords on another device, review app permissions, and consider a full reset from a clean backup. Acting quickly can limit how much data an attacker can steal or manipulate.
6. Never Jailbreak Your iPhone
Never jailbreaking my iPhone is a deliberate choice to keep Apple’s security protections intact. Guidance on never do these 12 things to your iPhone highlights that removing software restrictions opens the door to malware and voids warranty support. Once I bypass Apple’s safeguards, I lose many of the checks that prevent malicious apps from accessing sensitive system areas.
Although jailbreaking can unlock customization and unofficial apps, it also breaks the trusted update path and can leave the device stuck on older, vulnerable software. For anyone who relies on their iPhone for banking, work email, or two‑factor authentication, that trade‑off is risky. I prefer to keep the stock system, which is designed to balance flexibility with robust, ongoing security patches.
7. Never Forget to Back Up Your Data
Never forgetting to back up my data is one of the most practical habits I maintain. Advice on dangerous iPhone mistakes stresses that once a phone is lost, stolen, or corrupted, photos, contacts, and messages without a backup are gone for good. Hardware can fail without warning, and even a minor repair can require a full erase.
To avoid that nightmare, I enable automatic iCloud backups on Wi‑Fi and occasionally create an encrypted backup on a Mac or PC. That redundancy protects not only media, but also app data and keychain items. If I ever need to replace or restore my iPhone, I can be back up and running quickly, instead of starting from an empty home screen.
8. Never Expose Your iPhone to Freezing Conditions
Never exposing my iPhone to freezing conditions goes beyond the car scenario and applies to any harsh winter environment. The same warnings that list electronics among things you should not leave in your car in the cold weather explain that sub‑zero temperatures can cause internal condensation when the device warms up again. That moisture can corrode connectors and logic boards, leading to intermittent glitches or total failure.
When I am outside in deep cold, I keep the phone in an inside pocket close to my body, rather than in an exposed bag. If the device does shut down from the cold, I let it return to room temperature before charging. That simple patience helps prevent microscopic damage that might not show up until months later as random crashes or charging issues.
9. Never Download Apps from Unverified Sources
Never downloading apps from unverified sources is central to keeping my iPhone free of spyware and scams. Guidance on iPhone security no‑gos warns that sideloading from outside the App Store bypasses Apple’s review process, which is designed to screen for malicious behavior. Once I install a rogue profile or enterprise certificate, a seemingly harmless app can start logging keystrokes or tracking my location.
Instead, I stick to the official App Store and scrutinize developer names, reviews, and requested permissions. If a game or utility demands access to contacts, camera, and microphone without a clear reason, I walk away. That cautious approach reduces the chance that a single careless tap will compromise my entire digital life.
10. Never Upgrade to iPhone 16 Pro Without Preparation
Never upgrading to an iPhone 16 Pro without preparation helps me avoid unpleasant surprises. A hands‑on account of unexpected things before upgrading describes quirks like different battery behavior and camera changes that can catch users off guard. If I assume everything will feel identical to older models, I may misinterpret normal differences as defects.
Before I switch, I review how the new display, camera system, and charging options behave in real use. I also check app compatibility and storage needs so I do not discover mid‑setup that my iCloud plan is too small. Going in informed lets me adjust settings, manage expectations, and get the most from the hardware instead of fighting it.
11. Never Switch from iPhone 12 Pro to iPhone 16 Pro Blindly
Never switching from an iPhone 12 Pro to an iPhone 16 Pro blindly is closely related, but focuses on specific trade‑offs. A detailed comparison of five things to love and three disappointments notes issues like inconsistent haptics and overheating during intensive tasks. If I upgrade expecting only improvements, those drawbacks can feel jarring.
By studying those real‑world disappointments in advance, I can decide whether the new features outweigh them for my own use. For example, if I game heavily or shoot long 4K videos, thermal behavior matters more than for someone who mostly messages and browses. Treating the upgrade as a nuanced trade, not a guaranteed win, helps me spend wisely.
12. Never Overlook Hidden iPhone Capabilities
Never overlooking hidden iPhone capabilities is about getting full value from hardware I already own. A deep dive into 19 things your iPhone can do highlights lesser‑known tools like advanced automation, accessibility shortcuts, and powerful privacy controls. If I never explore these, I miss out on time‑saving workflows and extra protection for my data.
Features such as Focus modes, Shortcuts automations, and system‑level tracking controls can streamline daily routines and limit how much information apps collect. Learning them once pays off every day afterward. By regularly exploring settings and curated tip lists, I turn my iPhone from a basic communication device into a tailored hub that works harder on my behalf.
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