Personal | Business
Sign in or Register
O2 Logo White
  • Shop

    Phones

    • Phones
    • Upgrades
    • Apple iPhone
    • iPhone 16
    • Android phones
    • Refurbished phones

    Tablets, laptops and dongles

    • Tablets
    • Apple iPad
    • Android tablets
    • Laptops
    • Dongles and mobile WiFi

    SIMs and Tariffs

    • Pay Monthly SIMs
    • Pay As You Go SIMs
    • Tariffs
    • International
    • Top-up
    • Essential Plan

    Accessories and more

    • Tech and accessories
    • Apple Watch
    • Smartwatches
    • AirPods
    • Coming soon
    • Great deals
  • Why O2

    Flexibility

    • O2 Switch up
    • O2 custom plans
    • Multisave
    • O2 Recycle
    • Click and collect

    Perks

    • O2 Extras
    • Volt
    • Priority tickets and offers
    • Perks at O2 venues
    • Pay As You Go Rewards

    Services

    • Manage your account
    • Keeping kids safe online
    • Ideas and Inspiration
    • Insurance

    Connected

    • Coverage checker
    • Network coverage
    • 5G coverage
    • O2 WiFi
    • Using your phone abroad
    • Live bigger with Volt

      Discover extra benefits
    • O2 bubbles

      See all the reasons to choose O2

      Why join O2?
  • Help

    Help and support

    • Account
    • Products and services
    • Device guides
    • Network and international
    • Safety and security

    Most popular

    • Activating your SIM
    • eSIM
    • How to track your order
    • Payment support
    • Understanding your bill

    Useful links

    • Store locator
    • Network status
    • Faulty device
    • Virgin Media O2
    • Fraud help

    Contact us

    • O2 Community
    • My O2 App
    • Contact us
  • My O2
  • Search
  • Basket
Media-banner

Help your phone go the distance

Check out our tips and tricks for device care to make your phone last longer and save you money

Your phone is a strong little thing – whether you’re throwing it in your bag, sitting on it in your back pocket, or giving it an impromptu crash test when you accidentally knock it off the sofa. It’s designed to withstand your daily life and general wear and tear.

But it’s not indestructible. Fortunately, you can do a few things to make your device go the distance. Keeping hold of your phone for longer will both save you money with O2 Refresh (we automatically lower your bill when you’ve paid off your phone) and help the environment. Scroll down to read our top tips.

Prolong your battery’s lifespan

Your battery is your phone’s engine room, so take care of it. There are a couple of easy tricks to ensure your battery’s lifespan (the amount of time your battery lasts until it needs to be replaced) is maximised. Always upgrade to the latest version of software, as updates often include energy-saving technologies. And avoid extreme ambient temperatures, which can have a negative effect on battery life. In winter, that means trying not to let your device get very cold for prolonged periods, such as leaving it in your car. When hot weather rolls around, keep your phone out of direct sunlight and consider removing it from its case to let it cool down if it feels like it’s overheating.

Clean your screen

How many times do you think you touch your phone screen each day? Put it this way: it’s a lot. So, it stands to reason you should probably take care of it more than rubbing it on your shirt occasionally. A gentle wipe with a dry microfibre cloth (while your phone is off) is a good place to start. Equally, there are effective phone screen cleaners or antibacterial cleaning kits for a deeper clean. But watch out! Stronger liquids, substances or materials that aren’t designed to do the job may corrode your screen.

Protect your phone

A phone case is usually a prerequisite for a shiny new phone these days. But it wasn't always so.  Many of us have had an “experience” that led us down that enlightened path. But if you’re lucky enough not to have experienced the heartbreak of seeing your device bounce off a pavement, take advice from the weary thousands who learned the hard way: get a good case with shock absorption. A screen protector gives you double defence. Even if your screen takes a hit, it’s so much easier (and cheaper) to replace the screen protector than more valuable components.

Repair or replace parts

Your phone is often one of the most expensive pieces of kit in your home. Yet unlike so many other things we own – washing machines, fridges, boilers or even computers – repairing it isn’t always our first thought. But doing so is simpler, quicker and – crucially – cheaper than you might assume, especially minor fixes like adding new screens or batteries. And if your phone is only a few years old, parts will be readily available. Make sure you always go directly through the manufacturer itself or a certified service provider to ensure a reputable repair that lasts and doesn’t cause further problems.

Get rid of your device the right way

Once you decide to upgrade your phone, don’t let the old one clutter up your home or throw it away. Instead, give it a new lease of life with O2 Recycle. Not only is this better for the environment then consigning old devices to landfill, you can earn some extra cash. For example, a Samsung Galaxy S10 128GB could be worth up to £50 (as at 10/01/2024), so long as it’s in fully working order. Plus, by sending us your old phone, you can also help us reduce e-waste, as many of your phone’s components can be reused in future devices. It’s a win-win.

Healthier tech tips

Find out how to use your phone to boost health and wellbeing

Read the article

O2 SIM guide

Find out how to choose the best SIM for you

Read the article

Your essential smartwatch guide

Our handy guide will help you choose the perfect model

Read the article
  • Find a store
  • Check our network
  • Sign in to My O2
  • Track my order
  • Search

Popular in shop

  • iPhone 16 Pro Max
  • iPhone 16 Pro
  • iPhone 16
  • Apple Watch Series 10
  • Apple iPad A16
  • Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
  • Samsung Galaxy S25
  • Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6
  • Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
  • Google Pixel 9 Pro
  • SIM Only Deals
  • Virgin Media broadband deals

Help and Support

  • Help home
  • Contact us
  • My O2
  • Collection and delivery

Shop

  • Phones
  • Tablets
  • Pay Monthly SIM
  • Collection and delivery
  • Virgin Media O2 Joint Venture
  • Facebook
  • Youtube
  • X
  • Instagram
  • About O2
  • Better Connections Plan
  • Careers
  • News & PR
  • Sponsorship
  • Virgin Media and O2
  • Accessibility
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookie policy
  • Modern Slavery Statement

©2025 Telefonica UK Limited

In relation to consumer credit, Telefónica UK Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Reference Number 718822)

  • Home
  • Inspiration
  • The drop
  • Device maintenance