Now that you’ve reduced your smartphone to the essential apps you need on the go, in this second part, we’ll focus on how to make your smartphone usage even more efficient and straightforward.
Use App Groups and Organize Them Visually
Based on the analysis of your smartphone usage from Part 1 of this blog post (LINK), you should cluster your apps into functional groups. The best way to do this is by placing all apps belonging to a specific function on one screen. On Apple devices, you can do this by long-pressing the app and moving it to different screens. On Android, it works similarly.
Advantages of Screen Organization:
- You can find all functions immediately, as all apps in a functional group are gathered on one screen. This is particularly helpful if you use multiple phones or switch between different devices.
- A clear structure prevents you from installing unnecessary apps, like shopping or social media apps, which you don’t actually want to use, as outlined in Part 1 of this blog post.
- At a glance, you can identify if you have redundant apps (apps that serve similar functions), allowing you to save storage space.
It’s important to note that I’m not talking about organizing apps into folders but rather organizing them across different screens. The reason for this is that nested app groups can make it harder to keep track, as you can’t immediately see which apps are in which folder. Additionally, individual apps take up less screen space compared to groups, creating the impression that you have fewer apps installed than you actually do.
Keep Data Storage Minimal and Make Regular Backups
Once your apps are organized, you should think about data backup. It’s advisable to store as little data as possible locally on your smartphone and synchronize most of it via cloud storage. Sometimes it makes sense to store data locally temporarily, like train tickets, or permanently, like phone numbers. However, these should also be backed up in the cloud.
Therefore, check what data is stored only on your phone. Your mobile operating system’s storage management feature gives you an overview of where most of the data is stored. Go through it step by step and check if certain apps store data only locally and whether it would be better to back them up elsewhere.
Then decide how often you want to back up your apps. Ideally, only a few apps should have data that can’t be moved to cloud storage. Your operating system might handle this task for you, allowing you to set how frequently backups should occur. If, like me, you don’t have much critical data on your smartphone, a weekly backup interval should be sufficient.
Protect Your Smartphone from Loss and Theft
When talking about backups, you shouldn’t forget the physical security of your phone. Memorize all important logins and emergency contact numbers. There’s nothing worse than being unable to reach important contacts because all the numbers were stored only on your phone, which is no longer in your possession.
Your smartphone should be secured with a strong passcode and, ideally, also with a biometric factor. Never share this code, not even with your emergency contacts. Avoid rooting or jailbreaking your phone, as this weakens the system’s security and unnecessarily exposes vulnerabilities in your operating system.
If available, use the remote location feature for your smartphone. This way, you can check whether you’ve just misplaced it. If your phone is indeed stolen, report it to the police immediately, as any suspicion of data misuse can be more easily proven if reported early.
Consider whether a privacy screen for your display might be useful to prevent “shoulder surfing,” where someone might spy on your online banking PIN or phone unlock passcode. It also helps to always place your phone in the same location, whether on your desk at home or in the same pocket when you’re out and not using it. This minimizes the risk of accidentally leaving it behind when leaving a café and allows you to focus better on conversations without constantly checking for new messages.
With these tips, you’re well-equipped to use your smartphone not only as a communication tool but as a real Swiss Army knife for your daily life. Stay organized and secure, and you’ll find that using your smartphone can become much simpler and more efficient.
Checklist:
- Organize your apps by function and place all apps of a category on the same screen.
- Regularly check your smartphone’s storage and use cloud storage to back up important data such as photos, documents, and contacts.
- Set up a backup routine to create weekly backups of your important data.
- Secure your smartphone with a strong password and activate biometric security features like fingerprint or Face ID.
- Memorize the phone numbers of your most important emergency contacts to be prepared in case of an emergency.
- Use a privacy screen to protect your display from prying eyes.