Common causes of phone damage

We are addicted to our smartphones. They keep us connected, informed and updated during the hectic everyday life. For many of us, those smartphones have become more than a simple tool, so we should probably take better care of them than we do. Instead of treating them like toys that can be replaced on a whim, we should treat smartphones like they contain sensitive data and our jobs depend on them.

What steps can you take to ensure you don’t damage or destroy your mobile device? I have a list of nasty things that can be harmful to your smartphone or tablet.

To expose it to the elements

Both heat and cold can bring the smart device to the land of destruction. Leaving your phone in a car in the heat of the summer or overnight in the cold of winter is a sure way to say goodbye and have to return to your carrier for a replacement. Studies have shown that Android devices do better in the cold than iOS devices, but at around -40 degrees Fahrenheit, both platforms will stop working.

SEE: 10 Common Misconceptions About Mobile Device Batteries

The heat is worse. At 113 degrees Fahrenheit, the units will be adversely affected. The best way to avoid the heat effects is to turn off the unit. Moral of the story: don’t leave your phone in your car (and if you’re in the wilderness, turn that device off).

Rooting wrong

There is a certain cross-section of users who want to take as much control over their devices as possible. To do this, they root their smartphones. There are many reasons to root a device and one reason not to. There is always a small chance that improper rooting can brick a phone. This is why on every set of rooting instructions you find, you will see warnings that should make average users turn away from the action.

In fact, in many cases some tools make rooting quite simple. But even with that simplicity, you may find yourself with a device that refuses to work. Root carefully.

Ignores malware

Malware isn’t just for desktops. The threat of malware can do even worse damage to a smartphone. Why? Because smartphone malware can, among other things, track your location (regardless of where you are) and grab very sensitive data. Zscaler’s ThreatLabz saw a 29% increase in mobile malware from banks during 2024, with banking malware representing 20% ​​of the overall Android threat landscape.

Loïc Guézo, Senior Director of Cybersecurity Strategy at Proofpoint, said: “Fraud, smishing and mobile malware have increased exponentially in the last few years. This is a trend that began pre-pandemic and continues. Trust in mobile messaging makes it a very attractive platform for commercial and marketing activity; it also makes the mobile channel ripe for fraud and identity theft by cybercriminals.”

WATCH: Cybercriminals deploy new malware to steal data via Android’s near-field communications

You need to be careful when installing apps on your smartphone. I recommend users to install an app like Malwarebytes to keep their phones as malware free as possible. Don’t ignore the threat of malware. Install enough malware-laden apps and your phone will become useless until it’s removed.

Stuff it full

Smartphones have very little storage space. Unless you’re using an Android phone and using SD cards intelligently, you can quickly fill these devices up to failure. My wife didn’t realize she was working without an SD card until the unit started malfunctioning. I found she had no space left so I added an SD card and transferred all her photos from main storage. Everything was good.

Without enough storage, the device simply won’t work. Monitor the space on your device and use SD card if possible.

SEE: How to free up storage space in Android 11

Leave it on… always

Our smartphones work, and work, and work, and work. In fact, in many cases these devices perform better than our desktops and laptops. The thing is, even these remarkably stable mobile platforms need a break. At least once a week, restart that device or (better yet) shut it down for 30 minutes or so.

Doing this ensures that the cache is cleared and the subsystems restart properly. Shutting down the device once a week will help with the longevity of the RAM on the device and allow certain diagnostics to run on startup.

Disturbance of the SIM card lock

There’s one good reason to put a lock on your SIM card — so others can’t use it. But both the SIM card lock and that SIM card are toast. I understand this is not the device itself – but until you can get the SIM card replaced your phone will not work. If you feel the need to put a lock on the SIM card, do so VERY carefully. Not sure how to do this? Read my post here: Protect your Android SIM card with a SIM PIN lock.

Puts it in carelessly

These micro USB connections aren’t as bad as USB connections (there’s always a 50/50 chance you’ll get it right on the first try), but they can still be a bit tricky to connect. When frustration sets in, it’s tempting to force the issue. Fight that urge at all costs. With a single push, the micro-USB port is destroyed. If you break it, the phone will be gone (at least when the battery finally dies).

Trust me, I’ve known a few people who have done this and had to pay for a new unit. Always be careful when connecting the device.

WATCH: Apple pulls iPhone 14 and SE from EU member states ahead of USB-C deadline

Flashing the wrong ROM

There are many ROM options or ROMs out there for Android devices – ROMs that bring all kinds of great features or even just a bare minimum of functionality. But if you flash the wrong ROM on your device, it will be toast. Flashing a wrong ROM can even kill the mobile radio. Make sure you flash a ROM designed for your specific device. You have been warned.

SEE: How to find out which Android apps use the most memory

Getting wet

I left the obvious for last. You may be surprised that even the tiniest bit of water can irreparably damage a smartphone. This means that if you use your device for outdoor activities – such as running or cycling – make sure to put the device in a waterproof case or baggie. Just make sure it doesn’t get too hot or you risk heat damage.

If your device gets exposed to water, the first thing you should do is shut it down and pull out the battery (if applicable). And you can always use the “rice trick” – immerse the device in dry rice so that all the moisture is removed. I’ve done this and it works (if the moisture hasn’t already ruined the unit).

How do you destroy a phone’s battery?

There are several ways to damage your phone’s battery. The most common is overcharging, as constantly leaving a phone plugged in after it reaches 100% generates heat and stress, degrading its capacity. On the other hand, frequently discharging the battery to 0% can cause chemical imbalances in lithium-ion batteries that shorten their life.

As mentioned above, keeping the phone in a very hot environment, such as in direct sunlight, accelerates chemical reactions inside the battery, leading to irreparable damage. Cheap or non-certified chargers may also deliver inconsistent or excessive voltage, which will stress or potentially overheat the battery. Similarly, fast chargers can gradually wear down their internal components as they generate more heat and stress.

Avoiding these practices can extend the life of your device’s battery, but if it’s already too late, check out the top ten gadgets to increase your iPhone’s battery life.

What causes a phone screen to crack?

Smartphone screens are very fragile, often made of aluminum silicate glass. Although this material is chosen because it is scratch resistant and looks expensive, it will still crack with blunt force. This risk can be increased if the device is exposed to sudden temperature changes between hot and cold, as this can cause the glass to expand and contract, weakening it and making it more likely to crack. Consider a high-quality screen protector and phone case to protect your device from impacts that cause screen damage.

Fiona Jackson updated this article in January 2025.