Phones and holidays now go hand-in-hand (Picture: Getty)
Mobile phones are an essential part of travelling, storing boarding passes, maps, and hundreds of holiday snaps.
So if anything goes wrong with your phone, it can really ruin things.
That’s why an expert has said a bit of work beforehand should be as much a part of preparation as packing your swimsuit.
Last summer, almost 1 in 5 travellers lost or damaged their devices. Some things can’t really be helped, such as knocking your phone off a balcony.
But other things are easy to change, such as backing up your data before leaving home.
Kewin Charron, from refurbished phone company Back Market, sets out his top tips for keeping your phone safe and your holiday undisturbed.
A little preparation goes a long way (Picture: Getty/iStockphoto)
1. Back up pre-trip
Make sure your photos and data are backed up on iCloud, Google Cloud, or your computer, so even if the worst happens and your phone is stolen or broken beyond repair, you’ll still have the software saved safely.
To do this, go to your phone’s system settings and find the back up option.
On Apple devices, this will be located under ‘iCloud > iCloud Backup > Backup Now.
For Androids: Go to Settings > Google > Backup. Below that, you will likely see an option that says Backup to Google Drive with a toggle next to it. (If you have Google One installed, it might say Backup by Google One.) Make sure it is toggled on. Select Back up now.
2. Keep phones dry
Newer iPhones are water resistant, and later models should survive even if they are submerged for up to half an hour.
But that doesn’t mean they are waterproof, and it’s still better to avoid getting them wet in the first place. You will be unable to charge the phone if water is detected, and will have to wait for it to dry out.
Many other models can also be damaged by water, but if this happens to you don’t panic.
If water does get on your phone, place it in a dry place and lightly tap the device with the connection port facing downwards to dislodge any moisture.
Despite what you’ve heard, don’t use rice to try to dry out a phone (Picture: Getty)
Avoid using a hair dryer, as excessive heat can harm sensitive electronics. Instead, gently wipe the uncovered phone with a clean towel, taking care to prevent water from entering its charging port, SIM or MicroSD slots, or headphone jack. Additionally, myths such as putting your phone in rice should be avoided.
3. Avoid direct sunlight and heat exposure
You might have gone away hoping to sunbathe, but your phone does not enjoy the activity. Direct sunlight or extreme temperatures can cause damage. Anything over 35C is too hot, and can damage battery life.
If a phone’s internal temperature exceeds the normal operating range, you will likely notice the display dimming, going completely black, or the camera flash being disabled.
To avoid the device overheating, it’s important to remove any phone cases or accessories before charging to ensure additional heat isn’t being held in the device. Whilst charging the phone, find a cool, moisture-free environment that’s less than 32C.
4. Keep it clean
After a day at the beach, sand, dust and crumbs can accumulate in the charging ports. Ensuring that you keep your phone clean will mean that the battery isn’t overheating and won’t cause long-term damage.
The first thing to do before cleaning any device is to switch it off. Then, shine a light on the device to see how much dust you’re dealing with. Use a soft, slightly damp, lint-free cloth to wipe around the area of the charging port.
To remove the debris within the port, use a toothpick, moving it from side to side, making sure you’re gentle as this area is very susceptible to damage. As debris comes out, wipe it away with your cloth and go in again with a clean toothpick.
Don’t forget to keep phone cases clean as well! You should be looking to clean your device cases about once a week as these too can accumulate unwanted dirt and grit.
A broken phone isn’t what you want on holiday (Picture: Getty)
5. Buy a shock-proof phone case and/or screen protector
Using a shock-proof or protective cover for your phone is one of the simplest tricks to prevent damage while you’re on holiday.
Having a reliable case to shield your device from harm, especially when you can’t easily access repair services, is important for your upcoming trip.