This is the time of year we typically spend a couple of weekends tidying up storage closets, sweeping out from underneath furniture, and cleaning windows. Another type of spring cleaning can be done while resting in your favorite chair with your feet up.
Are you tired of your smartphone being more cluttered than your grandma’s attic? Well, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and give that device a spring cleaning.
If it’s been a while since you’ve looked under the hood of your smartphone so to speak, let’s get to work for a little while.
1. App-ocalypse: Start by reviewing your apps. If you haven’t used an app since the last time you saw a flip phone, it’s probably safe to delete it. For iOS users, hold down the app icon until it jiggles and tap the ‘X’ to send it to app heaven. For Android users, drag it to the ‘Uninstall’ option and bid it farewell.
Tidy up the home screen
1. Home Screen Makeover: Remove any unnecessary icons or widgets from your home screen. You know, the ones that make you wonder, “What was I thinking?”
2. Folder Frenzy: Group similar apps into folders. This way, you can find what you need without having to scroll through a sea of icons.
Manage Your Photos and Videos
1. Photo Purge: Use apps like Duplicate Photos Fixer or Gemini Photos to identify and remove duplicate or low-quality photos. You don’t need 17 versions of the same selfie.
2. Albums Galore: Create albums for different events or categories. This way, you can easily find that one photo from your cousin’s wedding without scrolling through thousands of images.
3. Cloud Storage Savior: Upload important photos and videos to cloud services like Google Photos or iCloud. Then, delete them from your device to free up space for more cat videos.
Clean Up Your Messages
1. Message Massacre: Go through your messaging apps and delete old conversations you no longer need. Yes, that includes the 2018 group chat about who ate the last donut.
2. Save the Memories: Before deleting conversations, save any important photos or videos to your gallery or cloud storage. You never know when you might need proof of that epic meme.
3. Auto-Delete Magic: Use features that automatically delete messages after a certain period. It’s like having a digital Marie Kondo for your texts.
Organize Your Files
1. File Frenzy: Check your downloads folder and remove files you no longer need. You know, the ones you downloaded for “research” purposes.
2. File Manager to the Rescue: Use a file manager app to organize your files into folders. For Android users, Files by Google is a great tool. iOS users can use the Files app.
3. Folder Fiesta: Create folders based on categories like work, personal, or travel. This way, you can find that important document without digging through a digital haystack.
Review Your Notifications
1. Notification Ninja: Go to your phone’s settings and disable notifications from apps you don’t need updates from. You don’t need to know every time someone likes your tweet from 2019.
2. Customize Your Notifications: Tailor your notifications to only include important updates. This way, you won’t be distracted by unnecessary pings and can focus on more important things… like scrolling through social media.
Use Cleaning Apps
1. CCleaner, Cleanup, or 1-Tap Cleaner: Use apps like CCleaner or 1-Tap Cleaner to remove junk files, clear app caches, and reclaim storage space. It’s like a digital spring cleaning!
2. Smart Cleaner: For a comprehensive clean-up, consider using Smart Cleaner to organize and clear out photos, contacts, and large videos.
Step 8: Regular Maintenance
1. Schedule a Digital Detox: Set aside time every few months to review your apps, messages, and files. It’s like a spa day for your smartphone.
2. Stay Organized: Continuously monitor your phone’s storage and performance to ensure it remains efficient and organized. Think of it as a digital New Year’s resolution.
And if your Email app shows a huge number of unopened emails, either spend hours reading them all or do an all-at-once deletion. If you haven’t responded to their email from 2023, they’re not waiting around for a response.
Best of all, these things can be done while you’re watching March basketball.
