To clean your phone internally, focus on software (deleting unused apps, clearing cache/downloads, using built-in storage tools like Device Care on Samsung or Files by Google), managing media (cloud backup for photos), and addressing physical ports (soft brush for dust), but avoid water on ports and abrasive cleaners on screens.
Because so much space is taken up by apps running in the background and unnecessary, cached temporary files, periodically clearing your Android memory will help keep your device running smoothly. Here's how to clean your Android phone memory: Go to Settings > Device care > Memory > Clean now.
“It's always very hard to pinpoint the exact source where you got the bacteria or virus,” Shumate tells Fortune. Some pathogens can also live on your phone for as long as five months, according to Shumate—but most viruses like norovirus and rhinovirus can only live on surfaces for about a week, she adds.
Evaluate and Delete Unnecessary Apps
Delete apps you rarely use, and don't worry—most can be reinstalled later if needed. Removing large or unused apps is one of the fastest ways to reclaim space. On an Android Device: Check Settings > Storage > Apps for a similar breakdown.
Plus, you'll learn some warning signs of an infection and tips to help keep your phone or tablet safe from malware.
Do not use rubbing alcohol, paper towels, compressed air, dish soap or vinegar. All of these can damage your phone: Paper towels can scratch your screen, and vinegar could damage its coating. Do not use hand sanitizer on your phone screen, but do sanitize your hands before touching your phone.
Photos can take up a lot of storage on your phone, which can slow it down. AARP tech journalist Ed Baig explains a shortcut to easily delete redundant pictures. Photos can take up a lot of storage on your phone, which can slow it down.
Scientists are looking into a possible link between cell phone use and certain types of tumor. One type is called an acoustic neuroma ("ah-COOS-tik nur-OH-ma"). This type of tumor grows on the nerve that connects the ear to the brain. It doesn't cause cancer, but it may lead to other health problems, like hearing loss.
“Chances are you're not regularly getting sick from germs on your phone, but viral diseases like influenza and bacterial diseases like E. coli can spread through contact with a phone carrying viruses and bacteria,” says Sarah Latoria, APRN, primary care clinician at Northwestern Medicine.
How to Sanitize Your Phone and Other Devices
Clearing app data is a more drastic step than clearing the cache, as it resets the app to its default state. IT admins should consider this option when an app is facing significant issues that cache clearing does not resolve.
Clear your junk files
The primary reason for clearing the application cache is to free up storage space. Clearing data is a dramatic step, generally reserved for when an app misbehaves. Some apps may experience glitches due to corrupted cache files, untested server-side changes, buggy software, or a new Android OS update.
Clear Old Messages & Media Attachments
Messages and the attachments that come with them, can quickly use up your storage space. So it's important to go through your text messages, as well as instant messaging apps like WhatsApp.
Popular apps such as 'Noizz', 'Essential Horoscope', 'UC Webbrowser' and 'SuperVPN' have been removed after being accused of spying and violating privacy. If you still have any of these apps on your phone, it is strongly recommended that you uninstall them immediately.
Yes, if your photos are backed up to Google Photos, deleting them from your phone (via your phone's gallery or the "Free up space" feature in the app) will keep them safe in the cloud, visible in the Google Photos app and on photos.google.com, but using the "Delete from device" option in the Google Photos app itself deletes them from both the phone and the cloud. The key is to ensure "Backup & sync" is on in the Google Photos app settings before deleting from your device.
Delete personal files or move them to an external storage device. Personal files such as videos, music, photos, and documents can take up a lot of space on your device.
Dialing *#21# on your phone uses a USSD code to check the status of your unconditional call forwarding, revealing if all your calls, data, or texts are being redirected to another number without your knowledge, which can happen if someone accesses your settings. It's not a definitive hack detector, but it quickly shows if a carrier-level setting is diverting your communications, potentially to intercept sensitive information like 2FA codes, and can be disabled with ##21#.
Microfiber or lens cleaning cloths are easy to come by and do a great job without leaving streaks or scratches. A quick wipe across all of the surfaces of your phone and screen will get rid of most of the daily yuck while leaving a nice polish.
Keep it out of your hands anytime you can and a good 12" away from your face and eyes is a good rule of thumb for "safer" exposure levels. EMFwise has a really good page of charts showing the safest distance you can be from any wireless device.