Are you trying to squeeze every last drop of life out of your smartphone? It's one thing to deal with a battery that won't last a day and broken apps to avoid spending a big chunk of change.
But it is risky to use your phone after it wears out. This also applies to clicking on a link that comes to you. It's a bummerhackers weave them into chatbot results for artificial intelligence.
Let's look at one of the easiest ways to keep your digital life more secure: only use devices that receive current security updates.
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Lifelong low point
Today isaverage lifespanof smartphones is about 2.5 years. For some units it can be even shorter – between 15 and 18 months. That's not much when phones cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
Larger brands such as Apple and Samsung usually have a longer lifespan than smaller companies. Here isaveragelifespan of some of today's most popular phones:
◾ iPhone – 4 to 8 years
◾ Samsung – 3 to 6 years
◾ Google Pixel – 3 to 5 years
◾ Huawei – 2 to 4 years
These are averages, which means your mileage may vary.
Find your number
Your phone's life clock starts from the moment it was created.doesn'twhen you bought it. It makes it a bit difficult to keep track of it all. If you're not sure when your phone was manufactured, you can find out with a few naps.
◾ Do you have the original box of the phone? The date of manufacture must be stated on the packaging or in any accompanying documentation.
◾ If you have thrown away the box, the information should be listed in your phone's settings under 'About' or a similar option.
◾ You can also use your phone's serial number to decipher when it was made. Many manufacturers hide the date or year within these numbers. The serial number is stored in your phone's settings.
◾ There are also special call codes and boot log menus that can show you this information.
Are your eyes blinded? I thought so.
There is an easier way
Instead of doing all the steps above, you can check your phone's end of life, or EOL for short, on this pageend of life.date.
This simple site provides an overview of EOL dates and lifecycles for devices, software programs, and more. It tracks 261 products and has iCal integration so you can get a reminder to upgrade something.
At the very top there is a search field. Enter your make and model there and the information you need will appear directly on the screen. Or choose from the four major manufacturers listed in the Devices row. If you can't find your phone there, browse the full list of products and manufacturers in the menu on the left.
When you click on a manufacturer, the phones are listed chronologically. You can see the release date of each phone, when it will be discontinued, and if the manufacturer still supports it.
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This is serious business
Using a phone past the EOL data causes problems. It's you if you're still using an iPhone 5C, Google Pixel 5 or Samsung S10S – among many others.
You won't get the latest and greatest features and improvements, but that's not the biggest problem.
When a smartphone reaches its expiration date, the manufacturer no longer pushes security updates to that device. This means that any bugs and security issues in your phone will not be fixed.
An outdated phone is a goldmine for hackers, who can quickly gain access to everything from your bank accounts and company information to your health data. They can even steal your voice through audio data from phone calls and voicemails.
Do yourself a favor and make sure your phone is safe. If not, it's time to start shopping!
Keep your technical knowledge up to date
My popular podcast is called “Kim Komando today.It's a solid 30 minutes of tech news, tips, and calls with tech questions like you from all over the country. Find it wherever you get your podcasts. For your convenience, you can click the link below for a recent episode.
PODCAST CHOICES:Block war videos online, trade houses in NYC and say goodbye to passwords
Plus a site that makes it easy to find any movie on streaming. And hey, victims of the MGM cyberattack: Larry Flynt's Hustler Club has something to make up for. The health features your watch can track and how to keep your location out of Google Maps.
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Learn more about the latest technology atKim Komando-show, the country's largest radio talk show. Kim answers calls and provides advice on today's digital lifestyle, from smartphones and tablets to online privacy and data hacking. Visit her website for her daily tips, free newsletters and more.
