If you want your iPhone to last, what you avoid doing can matter as much as the features you use. Recent reporting on iPhone pitfalls and overlooked capabilities shows that small habits, from how you charge to when you upgrade, can quietly shorten your phone’s life or compromise your data. I am focusing on 12 specific mistakes experts flag so you can steer clear of them and keep your iPhone running securely and efficiently.
1. Never skip iOS updates on your iPhone
Never skipping iOS updates is one of the simplest ways to protect your iPhone from security flaws and performance bugs. Recent guidance on things you should never do to your iPhone highlights how outdated software leaves devices exposed to exploits that Apple has already patched, and it also notes that poor charging routines and neglected backups often go hand in hand with ignoring updates. In the same spirit, a detailed list of iPhone habits to avoid stresses that staying current is part of basic maintenance, not an optional extra.
Beyond security, skipping updates means missing optimizations that improve battery management, camera processing, and everyday speed. Reporting on hidden iOS features shows that Apple frequently tucks new toggles and automation tools into Settings, and those only arrive with newer versions of iOS. For anyone holding on to older hardware, these software refinements can narrow the gap with newer models, which matters if you are trying to delay an expensive upgrade while still keeping your phone safe and responsive.
2. Never use your iPhone in extreme heat
Never using your iPhone in extreme heat is critical because high temperatures can warp internal components and permanently damage the battery. Coverage of common user errors warns that leaving a phone on a hot car dashboard, next to a sunny window, or pressed against a laptop exhaust can push it well beyond its safe operating range. When that happens, lithium-ion cells age faster, performance throttles, and in worst cases the device can shut down unexpectedly to protect itself, which is exactly the kind of avoidable stress experts say shortens an iPhone’s lifespan.
Heat also compounds other bad habits, such as gaming or recording 4K video while the phone is fast charging. Those workloads already generate internal warmth, and stacking them on top of a hot environment makes thermal throttling more likely. For people who rely on their iPhone for navigation in a car or as a boarding pass at the airport, a sudden overheat shutdown is more than an inconvenience, it can disrupt travel or work. Using a vent mount in a vehicle and keeping the phone out of direct sun are simple ways to avoid this silent hardware killer.
3. Never delay upgrading from an iPhone 12 to iPhone 17
Never delaying an upgrade from an iPhone 12 to an iPhone 17 matters if you care about speed, battery life, and camera quality. A detailed comparison from someone who moved directly between those models describes five big differences, including much faster app launches, smoother multitasking, and significantly better low light photos. That reporting underscores how four generations of chip and camera improvements add up, especially once older phones start struggling with newer versions of iOS and more demanding apps like modern games or advanced photo editors.
Battery health is another reason not to stretch an iPhone 12 indefinitely. Even with careful charging, a cell that has been cycled for years will not hold the same charge, and newer models pair larger batteries with more efficient processors. While some users, such as those who explain why they are still comfortable with an iPhone 14 Pro in 2025, can justify waiting, the gap between an iPhone 12 and an iPhone 17 is far wider. At a certain point, clinging to older hardware becomes its own risk, making crashes, slowdowns, and missed camera shots more likely just when you need reliability most.
4. Never ignore hidden iPhone features
Never ignoring hidden iPhone features is about more than missing fun tricks, it can directly affect performance and battery life. A deep guide to lesser-known iPhone capabilities shows how built-in tools like Focus modes, automation in Shortcuts, and smarter notification controls can cut down on constant screen wake-ups and background activity. When those features stay buried, people often blame the hardware for poor battery life or cluttered home screens, even though iOS already includes ways to streamline exactly those pain points.
Ignoring these options also means leaving privacy and safety tools unused. Features such as app tracking controls, Mail privacy protection, and more granular location sharing are designed to reduce how much data leaks from your phone. Reporting on iPhone pitfalls notes that many users never open these menus, which leaves them more exposed to targeted ads and potential misuse of location history. Learning a handful of these hidden settings can reduce distractions, extend battery life, and tighten privacy, all without spending a cent on new hardware or third party apps.
5. Never forget to back up before switching models
Never forgetting to back up before switching models is essential, especially when moving from an iPhone 12 Pro to an iPhone 16 Pro. A first hand account of five unexpected changes in that jump explains how interface tweaks, new camera controls, and different default settings can catch people off guard. Without a recent iCloud or computer backup, any misstep during setup can mean losing message histories, app data, and carefully tuned layouts just as you are trying to adapt to a new device.
Backups also protect you from activation snags or hardware defects that only appear after you have already wiped the old phone. If a new iPhone 16 Pro needs to be exchanged, having a complete backup lets you restore to a replacement without starting from scratch. Reporting on iPhone mistakes repeatedly stresses that neglecting backups is one of the most painful errors, because no amount of later troubleshooting can recreate lost photos or notes. Taking a few minutes to confirm a successful backup before you trade in or sell your old phone is the only real insurance against that kind of permanent loss.
6. Never expose your iPhone 12 to water without caution
Never exposing your iPhone 12 to water without caution is crucial, even though the device carries an IP68 rating. A detailed review of the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro notes their close design “family resemblance,” including shared approaches to water resistance. That rating is tested under controlled conditions, not in chlorinated pools, saltwater, or soapy sinks, and it can degrade over time as the phone experiences drops and temperature swings. Treating the rating as a license for underwater photography is exactly the kind of misuse that later leads to corrosion and intermittent failures.
Water damage is particularly insidious because symptoms may not appear immediately. A phone that survives a quick dunk might later develop muffled speakers, unreliable charging, or camera fogging as moisture works its way inside. Reporting on iPhone hazards emphasizes that liquid damage is often excluded from standard warranties, leaving owners with expensive repair bills. Using a proper waterproof case for beach trips, avoiding steamy shower shelves, and keeping the phone out of pockets in heavy rain are simple precautions that respect the limits of the iPhone 12 design instead of assuming it is indestructible.
7. Never travel without essential iPhone protectors
Never traveling without essential iPhone protectors is a lesson frequent flyers have learned the hard way. A packing guide built around 12 must have travel items from someone who has been flying for 40 plus years highlights how inexpensive accessories, starting from 5 dollars, can prevent damage in cramped cabins and chaotic security lines. Sturdy cases, screen protectors, and padded pouches shield phones from drops on jet bridges, pressure in overstuffed backpacks, and bumps from rolling suitcases in overhead bins.
Travel also increases the odds of theft or loss, which makes protective gear and smart accessories even more important. A brightly colored case is easier to spot on a seat, while a slim crossbody bag or organizer keeps your phone from slipping out of pockets during boarding. For international trips, a compact surge protected charger and reliable cable reduce the temptation to borrow questionable chargers in hotels or airports. Reporting on iPhone care repeatedly shows that a few small purchases can save you from the far higher cost and disruption of replacing a phone mid trip.
8. Never let your battery drop to 0% repeatedly
Never letting your battery drop to 0 percent repeatedly is one of the clearest takeaways from recent lists of iPhone mistakes. Coverage focused on things you should never do to an iPhone singles out poor charging routines as a major reason batteries feel “shot” long before the rest of the hardware is obsolete. Deep discharges put extra strain on lithium-ion cells, accelerating the chemical wear that reduces maximum capacity and makes sudden shutdowns more likely when the phone is under heavy load.
Keeping the battery between roughly 20 and 80 percent whenever possible is a more gentle pattern, and Apple’s own optimized charging features are designed around that principle. Letting the phone learn your schedule so it finishes charging near the time you usually unplug can also reduce the hours it spends sitting at 100 percent on a nightstand. For people trying to stretch a device for several years, especially older models like the iPhone 12, these habits can delay the point at which battery health drops enough to require a costly replacement or push you into an earlier upgrade than you planned.
9. Never click unknown links in messages
Never clicking unknown links in messages is a basic but often ignored rule that directly affects iPhone security. Reporting on user pitfalls explains that phishing attacks increasingly arrive through SMS, messaging apps, and even calendar invites, mimicking delivery alerts or bank notices to trick people into tapping. Once you follow a malicious link, you may be steered to a fake login page or prompted to install a configuration profile that hands over access to your accounts or device data, risks that no amount of hardware durability can offset.
Even though Apple’s ecosystem is more locked down than many platforms, social engineering bypasses technical safeguards by targeting human behavior. That is why security experts consistently advise typing known URLs directly into Safari or using official apps from banks and services instead of trusting unsolicited links. For businesses that rely on iPhones for work email and messaging, a single compromised device can expose contacts, internal documents, and multi factor authentication codes. Treating every unexpected link as suspicious, especially those that urge immediate action, is one of the cheapest and most effective defenses you have.
10. Never use cheap third-party chargers
Never using cheap third party chargers is about protecting both your iPhone and your safety. A detailed account of someone who moved from an iPhone 12 Pro to an iPhone 16 Pro and outlined five positives and three disappointments notes that power accessories are an ongoing cost of ownership, not an afterthought. Incompatible or poorly regulated chargers can cause overheating, unstable charging speeds, and in extreme cases electrical hazards, all of which undermine the reliability gains you expect from a newer device.
Using certified cables and adapters that meet Apple’s specifications helps ensure that fast charging works as intended without stressing the battery. It also reduces the risk of damaging the charging port, which can be expensive to repair and may leave you relying solely on wireless charging. For people who travel or work in multiple locations, investing in a couple of high quality chargers is far cheaper than dealing with intermittent charging issues or a phone that refuses to power on. The broader trend in reporting is clear, cutting corners on power accessories is one of the most avoidable ways to ruin an otherwise healthy iPhone.
11. Never clean your iPhone screen with abrasive materials
Never cleaning your iPhone screen with abrasive materials protects the delicate oleophobic coating that keeps fingerprints manageable. iPhone care guidelines repeatedly warn that paper towels, rough cloths, and household cleaners with ammonia or alcohol can strip that coating and leave micro scratches. Once the surface is damaged, smudges become harder to wipe away, glare increases, and the screen can feel less smooth under your fingers, all of which make the device less pleasant to use even if the underlying display panel is still intact.
The safer approach is to use a soft microfiber cloth, slightly dampened with water if necessary, and to avoid spraying liquids directly onto the phone. Adding a tempered glass screen protector creates a sacrificial layer that can absorb scratches and be replaced relatively cheaply. For people who upgrade less frequently, such as those who explain why they are still satisfied with an iPhone 14 Pro in 2025, preserving the look and feel of the display is part of keeping an older device feeling premium. Treating the screen gently costs almost nothing and prevents cosmetic damage that cannot be reversed later.
12. Never share your iPhone passcode
Never sharing your iPhone passcode is a foundational rule for protecting your privacy and finances. Recent advice on iPhone privacy and safety stresses that once someone knows your code, they can change account passwords, disable security features, and access sensitive apps like banking or password managers. Unlike Face ID or Touch ID, which require your physical presence, a passcode can be used without you nearby, turning a moment of misplaced trust into a long term security problem.
Instead of handing over your code, it is safer to use features like Guided Access when you want to lend your phone temporarily, which locks the device to a single app. You can also set up Screen Time restrictions to require a separate PIN for certain settings or purchases, adding another layer of protection. For people who keep work email, health data, and two factor authentication apps on their iPhone, the stakes are especially high. Treating your passcode like the keys to your home, never casually shared or typed where others can see, is one of the clearest ways to avoid turning your iPhone into a liability.
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