iPhones cost a lot of money, so it's best to take good care of yours so you won't have to splash out on a new one every 12 months.

To prolong the life of your device, you should perform some regular maintenance tasks. So, let's look at some tips you can use to maintain the hardware and software of your iPhone.

1. Wipe Your iPhone

Cleaning iPhone Screen

Smartphones are dirty and germ-ridden because we carry them everywhere, so it's important to give your device an overall polish every so often to remove those fingerprint smudges and grime.

Apple recommends that you use a soft, damp, lint-free cloth. Avoid getting water in the various ports and physical buttons on your iPhone.

Never use anything abrasive, as iPhones are coated in a fingerprint-resistant oil repellent. It's natural to see it wear down over time, but heavy cleaning could prematurely remove the coating.

2. Replace the Screen Protector

At one point or another, you've probably dropped your iPhone. If you invested in a screen protector to help reduce the damage from such incidents, remember that the accessory also needs replacing.

Don't put off buying a new screen protector when you notice your iPhone's display is already affected by random scratches and tiny cracks. You'd be surprised how a simple replacement like this can make your iPhone look as good as new!

3. Clean the Charging Port

iphone lightning port

If you're having difficulty charging your phone, something as simple as a clogged Lightning port is often to blame.

To dislodge the gunk, your first port of call should be the SIM removal tool that came with your phone. Take care to act very delicately. Make sure you don't damage the contact points with over-zealous actions.

And if you still can't charge your device with a cable, you can try charging it wirelessly while looking into solutions for iPhone charging issues in the meantime.

4. Clean the Speaker and Microphone

Cleaning an iPhone's speaker and microphone is important. Failure to do so can affect call quality, music playback, and your ability to control Siri.

To begin the cleaning process, grab a soft-bristled toothbrush and gently rub it over the two openings to loosen the debris. Next, grab a piece of tape and gently press it over the area to collect the dust and lift it away.

Do not use compressed air because the powerful force can damage the speaker and microphone's membranes.

5. Manage Your iPhone's Battery

Often, people's biggest gripe with their smartphones is the battery life. If you're a heavy user, making your iPhone's battery last all day is a struggle. The situation only worsens as your battery ages. You can go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging to check your current battery capacity.

Although you can't reverse battery degradation, one way you can alleviate the problem slightly is by recalibrating your iPhone's battery on a regular basis. The process can help the battery drain more slowly and increase its overall lifespan. Also, practice good charging and usage habits to maintain your iPhone's battery health.

6. Create More Storage Space on Your iPhone

The high price of top-tier iPhone models leads many to settle for one with less internal storage. That storage fills up quickly, especially if you take a lot of photos and receive constant messages from friends and family.

You don't want to hit your storage limit at an inopportune moment, leaving you unable to take photos or download new apps. To review how much storage you have left, head to Settings > General > iPhone Storage.

It's wise to spend some time pruning your phone's data every now and then to create free space on iOS. You can clear out media files, browser data, unused apps, and other offline files.

7. Back Up Your Data

It's heartbreaking to lose precious photos from vacations and everyday moments if you accidentally dropped and permanently damaged your iPhone. Thus, it's impossible to overemphasize the importance of backing up your data.

There are two primary ways to back up iOS: locally using iTunes or Finder and iCloud. We looked into the pros and cons of each approach when we explained how to back up your iPhone or iPad.

8. Restart Your iPhone

"Have you tried turning it off and on again?" is the oldest advice in the book. It's also surprisingly apt for smartphone maintenance. How often do you really restart your iPhone? If you don't let the battery run out, the answer is probably "never."

Rebooting your iPhone has several benefits, including fixing memory leaks, freeing up RAM, preventing crashes, and improving battery life.

9. Update Your Apps

Many people often let dozens of updates sit without taking the trouble to download and install them. However, it's best to do so because updated apps bring new features, better security, and a more stable user experience.

To see if you have any app updates pending, open the App Store, tap your profile icon on the top right, scroll down, and tap Update All to start updating your apps in one go. If you're short of time and prefer to only update essential apps, just tap the Update button next to the app.

We recommend turning on automatic updates so you won't have to manually update your apps in the future. To enable automatic updates on iOS, go to Settings > App Store and toggle on App Updates.

10. Update Your iPhone

Apple provides iOS updates for an average of five years. For example, if you're still using the iPhone XS that launched in 2018, you can enjoy many of the best iOS 17 features Apple has to offer.

Go to Settings > General > Software Update to see if an update is available for your iPhone.

Make Your iPhone as Good as New

​​​​​Taking care of the hardware helps ensure your iPhone retains its shiny, prestigious appearance for as long as possible. On the software side, the focus would be mostly on decluttering and backing up data, plus keeping your iPhone's apps and system up-to-date. By following the tips discussed above, you're well on the way to a smoother iPhone experience!