I want to keep your iPhone fast, safe, and reliable for as long as possible, and the easiest way to do that is to avoid a few surprisingly common mistakes. From risky tweaks to quiet battery killers, each misstep on this list can shorten your phone’s life or put your data at risk. Here are 12 things I never do with my own iPhone, and why you should avoid them too.
1. Never Jailbreak Your iPhone
Never jailbreaking your iPhone is one of the simplest ways to protect both your data and your warranty. When you bypass Apple’s protections, you disable many of the built in security checks that keep malicious apps out of the system. Reporting on iPhone risks warns that unauthorized modifications can void support and leave you on your own if something breaks. Once the device is flagged as modified, official repairs can be refused or become far more expensive.
Security specialists note that a Jailbroken phone is “much more susceptible to performance issues, viruses, and hacking” that can expose your identity. That risk is not theoretical, because sideloaded apps often request broad permissions without the usual App Store review. For anyone who uses banking apps, password managers, or health data, the stakes are obvious: one compromised tweak can leak everything. I see jailbreaking as trading long term safety for short term novelty, and it is rarely worth that price.
2. Never Skip iOS Software Updates
Never skipping iOS software updates is essential because those downloads quietly fix the vulnerabilities attackers rely on. Guides to hidden iPhone features stress that regular updates patch security flaws and often improve performance or battery management. When you delay them for weeks, you are effectively running a known vulnerable system that criminals have already studied. That is especially risky if you reuse passwords or store sensitive documents in apps like Files or Notes.
I treat updates as basic hygiene, like locking a front door. The process is far less disruptive than it used to be, with automatic overnight installs and smaller incremental downloads. For families, keeping every device on the latest version also ensures features like Messages, Screen Time, and Find My work consistently. The broader trend in the reporting is clear: the people who suffer worst from malware or data theft are often those who clicked “Later” one too many times.
3. Never Use Uncertified Third-Party Chargers
Never using uncertified third party chargers protects both your battery and your safety. Cheap bricks and cables often skip the circuitry that regulates voltage and heat, which can lead to port damage or even electrical failure. A detailed upgrade diary from iPhone 12 to iPhone 17 notes that power accessories are one of the most noticeable differences between generations, with newer phones expecting smarter chargers.
When I look at reports on device failures, many unexplained shutdowns or swollen batteries trace back to bargain adapters bought for a car or office. Morning Overview’s warning to Never Use Cheap and Unofficial Chargers reflects the same pattern. Certified USB C or Lightning cables with proper overcurrent protection cost a little more, but they are far cheaper than a logic board replacement. For households with kids or shared outlets, that reliability is even more important.
4. Never Leave Your iPhone in Extreme Heat or Cold
Never leaving your iPhone in extreme heat or cold is critical because temperature swings quietly destroy battery health. People upgrading from an iPhone 12 Pro to an iPhone 16 Pro describe unexpected issues when phones are left in hot cars or freezing bags, with sudden shutdowns and long term capacity loss. Separate battery care reporting is blunt that Heat is “one of the worst threats” and notes that, Specifically, Apple warns degradation can occur when ambient temperatures rise over 95 degrees Fahrenheit.
I think of a parked car in summer or a ski jacket pocket in winter as hostile environments for lithium ion cells. Morning Overview’s reminder to Never Leave Your phone in a cold car during winter captures the same risk from the other direction. Over time, those extremes translate into fewer hours per charge and earlier battery replacements. For anyone who travels, works outdoors, or uses navigation in a dashboard mount, planning around temperature is one of the easiest ways to extend an iPhone’s lifespan.
5. Never Manually Force-Quit Background Apps
Never force quitting background apps out of habit matters because iOS is designed to manage memory more efficiently than most users can. People who moved from an iPhone 12 Pro to an iPhone 16 Pro report that iOS multitasking keeps suspended apps in a low power state, ready to resume without draining resources. Swiping them away forces the system to reload everything from scratch, which can use more CPU and battery than simply leaving them paused.
In my experience, the only time a manual quit makes sense is when an app is clearly frozen or misbehaving. Treating the app switcher like a to do list to clear is counterproductive, especially on newer devices with more RAM. Over a full day, constant relaunching of heavy apps like Instagram, Google Maps, or games can shave noticeable minutes off screen time. The broader trend in user reports is that trusting the operating system yields smoother performance than micromanaging every process.
6. Never Disable Automatic iCloud Backups
Never disabling automatic iCloud backups is crucial if you ever plan to switch phones or platforms. People who moved from Android to iOS and then back again describe regretting lost photos and chats when they turned off automatic backups to save space or data. When a device is lost, stolen, or dropped in water, there is no time to create a fresh manual backup, so the last automatic one is all that stands between you and permanent data loss.
I see backups as the safety net that makes every other risk on this list less catastrophic. With iCloud, the process is largely invisible once configured, capturing app data, messages, and settings while the phone charges on Wi Fi. For families, that means a teenager’s broken screen or a parent’s misplaced phone becomes an inconvenience rather than a crisis. The broader ecosystem trend is toward seamless migration, but that only works if you let the system do its job in the background.
7. Never Ignore Haptics Feedback Adjustments
Never ignoring haptics feedback adjustments matters more than it might seem, because vibration strength shapes how reliably you notice alerts. A detailed comparison of the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra and the iPhone SE notes that haptics are one of the most striking differences when switching platforms. If you leave the default settings untouched, you may miss calls or notifications in a pocket or bag, or be annoyed by constant buzzing on a desk.
When I set up a new iPhone, I always test vibration patterns for calls, messages, and key apps like WhatsApp or Slack. Fine tuning intensity and patterns makes the phone feel more responsive and reduces the urge to check the screen constantly. For people with hearing impairments or those who work in noisy environments, properly calibrated haptics are not just a comfort feature but an accessibility tool. Ignoring them wastes one of the most subtle pieces of hardware engineering in the device.
8. Never Activate Always-On Display Without Monitoring Battery
Never activating the always on display without watching its battery impact is important because the feature can quietly shorten time between charges. Early impressions of the iPhone 16 Pro highlight that the always on screen looks great for glanceable information but does consume extra power, especially in bright environments. If you simply toggle it on and forget about it, you may find your phone dipping into low power mode earlier in the evening than you expect.
My approach is to treat always on as a luxury that should earn its place. I enable it for a few days, then check battery statistics in Settings to see how much impact it has on my typical routine. For some users, the convenience of seeing the clock and widgets without tapping is worth a small hit. For others, especially heavy travelers or gamers, every percentage point of battery matters more than ambient aesthetics.
9. Never Pair Accessories Incompatible with iPhone 12 Design Evolution
Never pairing accessories that ignore the iPhone 12 design evolution helps you avoid wasted money and poor fit. Reviews of the iPhone 12 & iPhone 12 Pro review: Family resemblance point out that while the models share a clear visual language, small differences in camera bump size, button placement, and thickness can make older cases or docks incompatible. Assuming that anything labeled “for iPhone” will fit a newer Pro model is a recipe for loose protection or blocked lenses.
When I buy cases, MagSafe wallets, or car mounts, I always check the exact model list rather than just the series name. A case designed for an iPhone 12 might technically snap onto an iPhone 16 Pro, but misaligned cutouts can affect microphones or speakers. For accessories like gimbals or tripod mounts, even a millimeter of difference can throw off balance. Paying attention to family resemblance is smart, but treating every generation as identical can lead to frustrating mismatches.
10. Never Test Water Resistance Beyond Specs
Never testing water resistance beyond the official rating is vital, no matter how dramatic the marketing looks. Guidance on things never to do with an iPhone stresses that even IP68 rated devices are not designed for repeated or deep submersion. Water can seep into speaker grilles or the SIM tray, and over time, tiny amounts of moisture can corrode internal contacts. Once that happens, repair centers often classify the damage as liquid exposure, which is rarely covered.
I treat water resistance as a last line of defense against accidents, not an invitation to film underwater videos in a pool. Chlorine, salt, and soap all increase the risk of corrosion compared with fresh water. If a phone does get wet, rinsing gently with clean water and drying thoroughly is safer than continuing to use it while damp. The broader pattern in user horror stories is that “it survived once” often leads to overconfidence the second or third time.
11. Never Attempt to Delete Built-In Apple Apps
Never attempting to delete built in Apple apps without understanding the consequences helps you avoid breaking core features. Tips on lesser known iPhone capabilities explain that some system apps are tightly integrated with services like Siri, CarPlay, or default file handling. Removing or offloading them can cause unexpected behavior, such as links not opening correctly or voice commands failing. Even when icons disappear from the Home Screen, parts of the app may still be required behind the scenes.
When I want to declutter, I prefer to move unused apps into a folder or hide them from the Home Screen rather than deleting them outright. That way, default handlers for mail, music, or maps remain intact, and I can still change my preferred apps in Settings. For shared family devices, keeping core apps available also prevents confusion when someone else picks up the phone. The small storage savings from deleting a system app rarely justify the potential friction.
12. Never Habitually Charge Overnight to 100%
Never habitually charging overnight to 100 percent is one of the more controversial tips, but it has solid backing in battery science. A first hand account of upgrading from an iPhone 12 to an iPhone 17 notes that battery behavior and charging habits become more noticeable as devices age. Keeping lithium ion cells at full charge for hours, especially in warm bedrooms or under pillows, can accelerate chemical wear and reduce maximum capacity over time.
I prefer to plug in later in the evening or use optimized charging so the phone reaches 100 percent closer to my wake up time. That approach balances convenience with longevity, particularly for people who keep phones for four or five years. Combined with avoiding extreme heat and cheap chargers, smarter charging habits can delay the day you need a battery replacement. For anyone who relies on their iPhone for work or travel, that extra year of healthy capacity is worth a small change in routine.
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