Common Causes of Phone Damage

We depend on our smartphones. They keep us connected, informed and updated during the hectic daily routine. For many of us, those smartphones have become more than just a 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 as if they contain sensitive data and our jobs depend on them.

What steps can you take to ensure you do not damage or destroy your mobile device? I have a list of unpleasant things that can be dangerous for the health of your smartphone or tablet.

Expose it to the elements

Both heat and cold can take that smart device to the land of devastation. Leaving your phone in a car in the middle of summer or overnight in the cold of winter is a sure way to say goodbye and having to return to your carrier for a replacement. Studies have shown that Android devices hold up 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, devices will be negatively affected. The best way to avoid the effects of heat is to turn off the device. The moral of this story: don't leave your phone in your car (and if you find yourself in the desert, turn off that device).

Improper rooting

There is a certain cross-section of users who want to have as much control as possible over their devices. 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 could brick a phone. That's why, in every set of rooting instructions you find, you'll see warnings that should make average users shy away from the act.

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

Ignore malware

Malware is not just for desktop computers. The malware threat could cause even worse damage to a smartphone. Because? Because smartphone malware can track your location (no matter where you are) and obtain highly sensitive data, among other things. Zscaler's ThreatLabz witnessed a 29% increase in mobile banking malware during 2024, with banking malware accounting for 20% of the total Android threat landscape.

Loïc Guézo, Senior Director of Cybersecurity Strategy at Proofpoint, said: “Scams, smishing and mobile malware have increased exponentially in recent years. This is a trend that started before the pandemic and continues. The reliance on mobile messaging communications 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.”

SEE: Cybercriminals deploy new malware to steal data via Android near field communication

You should be careful when installing apps on your smartphone. I recommend users install an app like Malwarebytes to keep their phones as malware-free as possible. Don't ignore the malware threat. Install enough malware-ridden apps and your phone will be useless until you remove it.

Filling it completely

Smartphones have very little storage space. Unless you use an Android phone and use SD cards wisely, you can quickly fill up those devices until they stop working. My wife didn't know it was working without an SD card until the device started malfunctioning. I found out he was out of space, so I added an SD card and transferred all his photos from the main storage. Everything was fine.

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

SEE: How to free up storage space on Android 11

Leaving it on…always

Our smartphones work, work, work, work. In fact, in many cases, these devices perform better than our desktop and laptop computers. The thing is, even these remarkably stable mobile platforms need a break. At least once a week, restart that device or (better yet) turn it off for about 30 minutes.

Doing this will ensure that the cache is cleared and the subsystems are successfully rebooted. Shutting down the device once a week will help prolong the longevity of the device's RAM and allow certain diagnostics to run at startup.

Fail SIM card lock

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

Plugging it in carelessly

Those 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 little tricky to connect. When frustration arises, it's tempting to force the issue. Fight that urge at all costs. With a quick push, the micro USB port is ruined. If you break it, the phone will disappear (at least when the battery finally dies).

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

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

Flash the wrong ROM

There are many read-only memory, or ROM, options for Android devices: ROMs that provide all kinds of amazing features or even minimal functionality. But if you flash the wrong ROM on your device, it will be a failure. Flashing the wrong ROM could even make your cell phone radio unusable. Make sure you are flashing a ROM designed for your specific device. You have been warned.

SEE: How to know which Android apps use the most memory

Wetting it

I left the obvious for last. You may be surprised to know that even the smallest amount of water can irreparably damage a smartphone. This means that if you use your device for outdoor activities, such as running or cycling, be sure to place it in a waterproof case or bag. Just make sure it doesn't get too hot or you'll risk heat damage.

If your device is exposed to water, the first thing you should do is turn it off and remove the battery (if applicable). And you can always use the “rice trick”: dip the device in dry rice to remove all the moisture. I did this and it works (if moisture hasn't already destroyed the device).

How do you ruin a phone battery?

There are several ways to damage your phone's battery. The most common is overcharging, as continually leaving a phone plugged in after it reaches 100% generates heat and stress, which degrades its capacity. On the other hand, frequently letting the battery drain down to 0% can cause chemical imbalances in lithium-ion batteries that shorten their lifespan.

As mentioned above, keeping your phone in very hot environments, such as in direct sunlight, accelerates chemical reactions within the battery and causes irreversible damage. Cheap or uncertified chargers can also generate inconsistent or excessive voltage that will overcharge or potentially overheat the battery. Similarly, fast chargers can gradually wear out their internal components as they generate more heat and stress.

Avoiding these practices can prolong the battery life of your device, but if it's too late, check out the ten best devices to increase the battery life of your iPhone.

What causes a phone screen to crack?

Smartphone screens are very fragile and are often made of aluminosilicate glass. Although this material is chosen because it is scratch resistant and looks expensive, it will still crack with blunt force. This risk can increase if the device is exposed to sudden temperature changes between hot and cold, as it can cause the glass to expand and contract, weakening it and making it more prone to cracking. 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.