Did you know you can customize Google to filter out garbage? Take these steps for better search results, including adding my work at Lifehacker as a preferred source.
Okay, I’ll admit, the new iPhone Air is really cool. Not to mention, the battery life on the 17 Pro Max is legitimately impressive. And even the base model iPhone 17 is a great deal, offering pro-features and 256GB of storage at that same $799. Once again, Apple is tempting me with new iPhones.
It’s normal to want the latest and greatest device, especially when Apple is behind it. But if you’re like me, you really don’t need a new iPhone. To be honest, had it not meant an accidental untimely end, I’d still be rocking with my pacific blue iPhone 12 Pro Max (RIP). My 15 Pro Max is alive and well, however, though it is looking a bit vintage against Apple’s fresh slate of devices.
Rather than shell out a significant amount of money on an iPhone 17 and unnecessarily retire a perfectly working device, I suggest many of us try to breathe some life back into our aging iPhones.
Replace the battery
If your phone is a few years old, you’re likely not getting the same power-on time as you did when you first bought it. A new battery usually costs a fraction the price of even a mid-range phone, but it can do more than just extend your time away from the charger.
Some phones—especially iPhones—slow themselves down automatically when the battery gets too old. (Apple got in some hot water years ago for not disclosing this practice.) The operating system system does this to prevent your phone from shutting down unexpectedly, and while you can turn this feature off, you probably won’t see nearly the same performance you would with a new battery. Even if it did, you run the risk of your iPhone crashing at a moment’s notice. A fresh battery can change all that.
To see whether your battery might be due for an upgrade, open Settings > Battery > Battery Health. Here, check your “Maximum Capacity,” which is the amount of charge the battery can hold relative to when it was new. When this number reaches 80% or below, it’s likely a good idea to replace the battery. Take note of any warnings that your battery has degraded. These are also excellent clues that you probably need a replacement.
Clear up some storage space
Storage management isn’t fun, but it’s essential no matter your device. If you have apps, photos, videos, and more filling your phone to the brim, it’s going to cause problems. That’s because all computers need some extra storage space to function properly. If your phone keeps screaming at you that’s it’s nearly full, believe it.
The good news is, if it’s time to clear some storage, you don’t need to clear a whole lot—just at least 5–10% of your total memory. These days, iOS makes it easy to see what’s taking up the most storage on your device. Head to Settings > General > iPhone Storage. Here, iOS will offer tips for deleting large files to free up room. For example, when I head to this page, I see suggestions to “Review Large Attachments” in Messages, which would save me up to 40.55 GB, apparently; and “Offload Unused Apps,” which would clear out 16.31 GB. Whittle things down until you see that you have at least a small chunk of free space available.
Clean out your charging port
If you find that charging your phone is impossible, or that it charges slowly or inconsistently, you don’t necessarily need to buy a whole new device. Instead, try cleaning out the charging port. You wouldn’t believe how clogged these things get; lint and debris from your pockets can get trapped and packed down into the port, blocking the charger’s ability to properly connect.
To clean it, use a thin piece of wire (like a SIM tool or an untwisted paperclip) to carefully scoop any obstructions out of the port. The key word here is carefully; this port is fragile, and if you scrape the connections too hard, you could damage them irrevocably.
If your port still won’t charge after a good cleaning, all hope isn’t lost. If your iPhone supports wireless charging, consider using one of these chargers instead of a wired connection. Even better, use MagSafe, if your iPhone supports it, so you can hold your iPhone while its charging.
Swap out your wallpaper
Every time you look at your phone, you’re probably looking at the same Lock Screen wallpaper. If you’ve gotten bored of it, that sameness could be influencing your desire to upgrade.
It’s a small change, but see if you feel different after replacing the wallpaper, preferably to something totally different from what you had before. Pick something with an opposite color scheme, subject, art style, etc. If you haven’t changed your wallpaper in a while, you might be surprised by the amount of customization Apple allows for now. You can choose to match your Home Screen’s wallpaper to your Lock Screen, or have a different option altogether.
Change up your app and widget arrangements
Your Home Screen layout is likely getting stale as well. As with the new wallpaper options, Apple has made some significant changes to the way you can customize your Home Screen in recent years. Try adding new widgets that you haven’t used before and mix up the order of the apps you use on a daily basis. You can even put them anywhere you want now, a la Android.
Get a new case
Part of the appeal of a new phone is the new look; instead of buying a new device just for a new color or because your old one is dinged up, trying slapping a new case on your existing phone instead. You’d be surprised how transformative this can be. A leather case can make your device feel a bit more premium, while a colorful silicone one can brighten up its appearance. You can even find one that will replace your wallet.
Or, if you’re feeling daring, try going caseless for a bit. You’ll put your iPhone at risk of damage, sure, but it’s nice to be reminded of how these devices really look and feel from time to time.
Replace your screen or screen protector
Stop living with that beat-up screen protector. A good one can be a bit pricey, but a cracked and scratched piece of plastic or glass is likely taking its toll on your perception of your phone. Similarly, if your phone’s display has taken a beating, think about getting it fixed, too. Depending on the phone, that can get really expensive (for newer devices, Apple charges up to $379 for the favor), but if it’s between that or a $1,000 iPhone 17 Pro, there’s a clear winner for your wallet. (It’s also worth noting that you typically can’t trade in a phone with a broken screen.)
Upgrade to iOS 26
iOS 26 is just about to drop, and it marks arguably the biggest design change for iPhones since iOS 7. That’s in large part due to the new Liquid Glass design, and while it may not be for everyone, I think a lot of people are going to find it refreshing. You can even choose to see your apps and widgets in clear mode, going back to Home Screen customization.
The thing about iOS 26 is, it doesn’t require a new iPhone to run. In fact, it works with iPhones as old as the iPhone 11, which dropped back in 2019. While you need an iPhone 15 Pro or newer to run Apple Intelligence features, I’d wager most of us don’t need these. Instead, the visual refresh of iOS 26, coupled with the new features that everyone gets, should make even an iPhone 11 feel a bit newer.
