Tips for Protecting Your Tech Devices

Losing or damaging your phone, tablet or laptop can be frustrating, stressful and sometimes expensive – especially if it takes important data with it.

While tech gets smarter each year, accidents and breakdowns still happen. That screen can crack, your battery can die and someone could walk off with your device.

Fortunately, picking up a few realistic habits can go a long way in keeping your devices working when you need them most.

Take out cover

If you accidentally drop your device on the pavement and the screen shatters, a good gadget insurance policy can cover the cost of repair or replacement without you having to pay the full price.

Look for a plan that covers accidental damage, theft and mechanical faults, and always check the excess and claim limits before signing up. A small monthly cost can help you prevent hundreds of pounds in repairs or replacement fees.

Use protective cases

As the first line of defence, invest in a well-designed case with shock absorption to prevent your phone or tablet from cracking if it slips out of your hand or drops off a table. Likewise, a padded laptop sleeve can protect against knocks during commutes or when stored in a backpack.

Choose a case that fits well, leaves ports and buttons accessible and adds a bit of grip to reduce the chance of slips in the first place.

Avoid extreme temperatures

Leaving your device in direct sunlight can cause it to overheat, slowing performance, damaging internal components and increasing the risk of an explosion. Likewise, using a phone or tablet in freezing temperatures can drain the battery faster or cause the screen to become unresponsive.

Keep your devices in shaded, ventilated spaces during summer and refrain from leaving them in cars or near heaters during winter.

Conduct regular backups

Saving your data regularly – on the cloud or an external drive – means you won’t lose your photos, files or messages if your device breaks or disappears. This process takes a little time but can save you days of stress later.

Enabling automatic cloud backups on your phone or tablet can help you restore your data with just a few taps if you lose it. For laptops, try setting up a weekly backup schedule to an external hard drive or a trusted online service.

Small steps to stay protected

Tech problems can feel overwhelming in the moment, but you can evade many of them with a few steady habits and smart decisions. You don’t need to bubble-wrap your phone or lock your laptop in a safe – just stay aware of how you use and store your devices.