The world is going through an economic recession caused by the Corona pandemic, and it is more important than ever that we care about our smartphones and other technical tools. We need to make our technology last longer.

Once a device such as a smartphone starts to work slowly or its battery deteriorates, we conclude that it is time to buy a new one, so we upgrade to a more expensive device while we can repair our existing one at a lower price.

"People love spending, spending, spending, they say, 'We don't want to fix it, we'll just get a new phone ... repairing it costs you $ 200, but you want to spend another $ 1,500?'" Says Shakeel Tayyeb, who runs a telephone and computer repair shop in South San Francisco. ".

Technology companies in general have helped sponsor this behavior of course, and many phone makers have given us incentives to buy new devices regularly, rather than providing help in making them durable.

So here are some of the most effective steps you can take to extend the life of your phones, tablets and computers.

Check the battery

Start thinking about your device's batteries as if they were car tires and replace them accordingly. And since batteries can only be charged a limited number of times before they deteriorate, changing them will be one of the most important things that extend the life of portable devices and laptops.

"Battery life varies according to different types of tools. In general, the smartphone battery will last for about two years, and the laptop battery will last three Or four years before needing to be replaced. "

So how do you evaluate if the battery needs to be replaced? There are several software tools that you can use to check their validity:

Apple users who use iPhones and iPads can open the settings, then click on the battery and determine the battery health, while Android devices have external applications such as AccuBattery that can confirm the validity of the battery.

Mac users can click on the Apple icon, then "About This Mac" and then "System Report". Then click the power icon to see the battery status. Windows users can download the BatteryInfoView application to measure battery life.

Checking the battery validity is one of the first steps to extend the life of your device (social media)

Regular cleaning

Tools need regular cleaning, as dirt can contribute to clogged air vents, which poses a risk to appliances in cases of overheating.

So, Wines recommended a regular cleaning protein. Firstly, “For portable devices, look inside the ports where dust or food crumbs easily enter the charging ports, which causes the phone to charge more slowly. Then project a flashlight into the port for a closer look. Use air or a needle. Sewing to remove any dirt or crumbs. "

Second, for computers, blow air to clean the device once a year. Opening the lid of the laptop or desktop computer reveals the fans, and accumulates a lot of dust and hair over time, and the more dirt the more, the more heated your device, and then take a small vacuum cleaner or an air blower to get rid of the stuck dirt.

Review your data

The more device storage you use, the slower the performance, so set a calendar reminder to scan data at least once a year.

Apple offers an iPhone storage tool, which displays a list of apps that consume the most data and when it was used last.

On Android devices, Google offers a similar tool called files, so you should use these tools to delete any applications that have not been touched for more than six months.

For a quick scan using computers, open a folder and sort files according to the time they were last opened. From there, you can instantly remove files and applications that you haven't opened in years.

If file disinfection is very cumbersome, another solution is to store data on an external medium. Some Android phones have a memory card slot, where you can download games and videos. Likewise, with computers, you can connect the device to an external drive.

Electronic devices need care to serve their owner for as long as possible (Reuters)

Protect your equipment

Most smartphone owners already install covers to protect their devices from falling off, which is a good job as it protects your phone from scratches and absorbs shocks in the corners, edges and back of your device. Carrying a phone without a hood is like driving a car without a fender.

Another screen protection is additional protection, as small scratches on the screen can weaken the glass, increasing the possibility of it shattering the next time it falls.

Wirecutter, a New York Times tech website, recommends Maxboost and TechMatte condoms, which cost between 8 and 14 dollars.

Find a good repair shop

Search for a hardware repair shop near you by asking or searching the internet and when collecting quotes from several stores, pay attention to price and customer reviews, and do a web search about repair to get a realistic idea of ​​the true cost and difficulty of the task, and don't be fooled by saying a store It will take longer, this does not mean that he will do better.