7 tips to give your smartphone a fresh start

From unused apps to files you downloaded once from the internet, extra mobile clutter can make your phone sluggish or simply make it difficult for you to find what you are looking for. Follow these easy tips to give your phone a fresh start.

1. Get into the habit of backing up your data

Running out of space in your phone to save your pictures, music and more? Upload them to the cloud or simply copy everything to an external hard drive. That way, your data will also be safely stored elsewhere in case something happens to your phone. TrySugarSync, a file syncing service that will sync your new photos and other files to the cloud automatically.

2. Drop unused apps like bad habit

If you have not used an app in the last few months, it’s not likely you will use it again. Instead, the icon sits there taking up space and making it harder to find the apps you do use. Go through all your apps and see which ones you use on a daily basis — delete the rest.

3. Move to a smarter browser

Something like the Opera Mini, if you haven’t checked it out. The Opera Mini app shrinks data to as little as 10% of its original size before it lands on your phone. This speeds up the web on your phone, saving you a great deal of time — since you’ll be able to open websites in the blink of an eye — as well as money and battery.

4. Periodically clear cached files

Your apps and browser create temporary files that can take up space and memory. You can download an app to help you do the job, such as Easy Cache Cleaner (for Android), which scans your phone and allows you to clear out the cache files. Once you’re done, you might as well delete the app.

5. Spruce up your message, email inbox

You’ll gain space, and you are never going to read them again anyway. It only takes a few seconds to delete them all — you can even use an app like Delete Old Messages (for Android) to help you — and you’ll feel refreshed after you do it. Do the same for your email inbox, and your phone’s memory will love you for it.

6. Investigate your contacts list

If you cannot figure out who that person in your contacts is or where you know them from, ditch them. Also, check for duplicates on your address book, as syncing from different sources can cause double-ups. It’s all about the space.

7. Conserve power

If your phone drains battery, there are a few steps you can take. Close the apps you’re not using, turn the mobile data, 3G, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth off when you don’t need them, lower the brightness on your screen and turn the keyboard clicks off.

With these tips you will get your phone spruced up prim and proper. Even if it’s working fine, following these steps will keep things from piling up on your phone, giving you more free space to use when you need it and making it easier to find what you’re looking for.