With a new season typically comes new tech product releases, and you might be tempted to move on from your old devices and acquire some new ones. But before you decide to buy new ones, consider cleaning and revamping your current devices. Also: 5 ways to keep your smartphone working like new, for longer With the help of Catherine Hiley, a mobile expert at Uswitch, ZDNET is helping you welcome the spring season and transform your personal tech devices. Also: The best external hard drives you can buy If there’s an app you can do without, consider deleting it to free up some space. You can always go back and re-download the app if needed. “Cached data is information that is stored on your mobile after visiting a website. Developers use cached data to improve your online experience, and the files in your cache are usually small,” Hiley says. “But over time, they can impact your device’s speed.” According to Hiley, a stockpile of cached data can slow your device’s performance. So, every now and then, consider clearing your device’s cached data. However, when you open websites and apps after clearing the cache, they’ll just be reloaded onto your device. So this solution isn’t incredibly useful if you’re really low on storage. Luckily, ZDNET can guide you through how to clear the cache on your iPhone and Android phone or tablet. Also: Is your iPhone charging slower? Turn off this default power setting now Hiley says by checking your device settings, you can see how much storage you have left and what’s taking up the most storage. “But, with sentimental value often attached to our snapshot memories, it can be difficult to clear them from our camera rolls,” she says. “Start by removing old screenshots, duplicated videos, and blurry photos.” But if you just can’t let go of some photos but still don’t have enough space, consider buying more storage for your Apple and Android devices. “Wipe down your mobile with a dry microfiber cloth or a disinfectant technology wipe, and use a circular motion to prevent scratching,” she says. Also: The best wireless chargers for iPhone and Android phones Scratches and smudges on your screen protector can make your device look dingy. It could be time to buy a new screen protector to help your screen look brand new. While you’re at it, you can buy a new case for your device to give it a fresh look. There are two types of software updates to be aware of: version and security updates." she says. “Version updates are designed to tackle bugs and performance issues, such as poor battery performance. Meanwhile, security updates are necessary to solve security breaches, such as password leaks.” Also: It’s time to update all of your Apple devices again. Here’s why Security updates are incredibly important to maintain on your device. If you’re behind on security updates, your personal information, like addresses, payment information, and passwords, can be vulnerable to hackers.
