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With the release of the brand new shiny iPhone XS, smartphone fans are clamouring to get their hands on Apple’s latest offering. But you don’t necessarily need a new phone, especially if your current iPhone isn’t all that old.

However, if you’re an iPhone aficionado, you know that after a while it seems as if your phone is slowing down, or just not performing as well as it did when it was the shiny new phone on the block. So how can you improve the performance of your current model and avoid shelling out for the latest one? Here are 6 tips on how to improve your iPhone’s performance.

1. Restart Your iPhone

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If you have ever had to troubleshoot computer issues with your office’s IT expert, you know that the number one step is usually powering off your computer and re-starting it. Similarly many of us rarely turn off our iPhones completely. We generally just plug them in at night without powering them down. Just as shutting down your computer or laptop often helps clear out the bugs causing problems, it can be equally helpful for your iPhone. Hold your power button down for 10 seconds, wait 30 seconds, and then restart your phone.

2. Check Your Software Updates

Updating to the latest version of iOS often fixes bugs and may improve your phone’s performance, while also introducing new features. However, if you have an older model, your phone may not support the latest version, so this strategy will only help newer phones. To check whether or not you’re running the latest version of iOS:

• Click on the Settings app
• Scroll down to General
• Click on Software Update
• If there is an update waiting to be installed, scroll down and click on Install Now. The update will take around 10-15 minutes to complete

3. Shut Down Apps Running in the Background

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To close down your apps, double click the Home button and then swipe the apps up to close them. As was highlighted in our recent post about preserving your iPhone battery, there are two opinions on whether or not to fully close your apps rather than just minimizing them. While double-clicking on an app and fully closing it is what many of us are told to do (since having them running in the background is a drain on the phone’s battery), on the other hand, when you’re fully closing apps down, it takes more power to re-open them every time. For the purposes of speeding up your iPhone, we’re going to suggest trying this technique to see whether or not it makes a difference in your phone’s overall performance.

4. Delete Unused Apps, Photos, Music, and Videos

To identify which of your apps are monopolizing your storage space, here are the steps to check:

• Click on the Settings app
• Scroll down to General
• Click on iPhone Storage

As you scroll down you’ll see the list of your apps and how much space they’re taking up on your phone. This is a great way to decide which of your apps can be deleted. As you tap on the app name you’ll be directed to another screen where you can delete the app.

It’s also a great idea to occasionally scroll through your photos, music, and videos and delete any old media you no longer use, as these can also be slowing your phone down.

5. Turn off Automatic Downloads

Not only will this step improve your phone’s performance, it will also help preserve your battery. Here’s how to do this:

• Click on the Settings app
• Scroll down to iTunes and App Store
• You’ll see several buttons under Automatic Downloads, including Music, Apps, Books and Audiobooks, and Updates. Toggle all buttons to off.

6. Reset Your iPhone

Photo by Saulo Mohana on Unsplash

If you’ve tried all of the above steps and your smartphone is still not performing as you feel it should be, try a full reset. It takes a little longer than merely re-starting, but it can be an effective tool in fixing the bugs slowing down your phone. Press and hold the Home and Power buttons at the same time. Keep holding them until the screen goes black and the Apple logo appears. Once you see that, you can let the buttons go.

Hopefully these tips will fix your performance issues, but if none of these steps work for you then it may be time to admit you need a new phone after all. For all things iPhone, visit London Drugs and speak to our tech experts about all your smartphone needs.

How it works

HP Instant Ink acts like your own personal ink assistant. When you need ink, your printer automatically lets HP know to send more. HP Original Ink is delivered straight to your door before you run out^2,9 – and only when you need it (no stockpiling!). Plus, trying it is risk free – you can cancel anytime.

1. PICK YOUR PLAN. 4 plans to choose from based on how many pages you print each month.
2. GET INK BEFORE YOU RUN OUT^2,9. We send HP Original Ink directly to your door. Cartridge recycling and shipping included.
3. ENJOY AN EASIER WAY TO PRINT. No commitment or annual fee—cancel anytime⁴.

The plans

Our plans are based on the number of pages you print in a month, which saves you money. Not sure how much you print? That’s okay! Rollover unused pages to the next month³ or buy more pages for just a few cents. You can also upgrade or downgrade your plan anytime.⁴ Have a question? See our FAQ

What else? Color and black and white pages cost the same, so you can print whatever you need to. HP Instant Ink cartridges are also bigger than XL cartridges – which means you won’t have to replace them as often.

Go green

Did you know HP Instant Ink has a smaller environmental impact than buying ink in traditional ways? Use our prepaid envelopes to make cartridge return and recycling easy!

1. Print free for life: The free printing plan allows you to print 15 pages per month at no cost (paper not included) for the life of your printer. Additional pages are excluded and will be charged to customer credit/debit card at the end of the month at a rate of $1.25 per each additional set of 10 pages (Customer to be charged $1.25 for each set even if customer doesn’t use entire set). HP reserves the right to modify or cancel the free printing plan anytime on 60 days’ notice. This offer cannot be redeemed for cash except as required by law. Additional information available in HP Instant Ink Terms at HP Instant Ink Terms of Service. Free printing plan not available on all printers.
2. Based on plan usage, internet connection to eligible HP printer, valid credit/debit card, email address, and delivery service in your geographic area.
3. Rollover allows unused pages in a month to be placed in a rollover account and then applied to pages in excess of your monthly allowance. The rollover account balance is limited to a maximum of your monthly service plan pages (e.g.: Occasional Printing Plan 50 pages = 50 page rollover maximum).
4. When upgrading the plan you can choose for the change to take effect in the current billing cycle or the next billing cycle. Cancellations and plan downgrades are effective after the last day of the current billing period. For service details, see HP Instant Ink Terms of Service.
5. Customer is responsible for any overage fees and applicable taxes during the free months of service. Offer valid in any country (a “Participating Country”) where (i) Instant Ink service is provided and (ii) the Refer-a-Friend (RAF) program is live, provided that both the existing customer and the referred customer reside in Participating Countries. Must be 18+. For existing customers referring Instant Ink, only qualified referrals (as defined in Instant Ink terms and conditions) are eligible for one month free service, equivalent to the then-current service plan chosen. There is no limit to the number of free months existing customers can earn under the RAF program. Referred customers must use a referral link or code to activate enrollment, limited to one referral code/link per printer. Requires creation of HP Connected and Instant Ink accounts and acceptance of terms of service at HP Instant Ink Terms of Service. Offer cannot be redeemed for cash except as required by law. The program incentive may be combined with other offers provided by HP – see full RAF terms and conditions for details. Requires eligible printer, online enrollment, valid credit/debit card, email address and Internet connection to printer. Unless service is cancelled within the free period online at hpinstantink.com, a monthly service fee of $3.99, $5.99 or $10.99, based on the plan chosen, plus taxes and overage fees will be charged to customer’s debit/credit card.
6. Program availability varies: Original HP cartridge return and recycling is currently available in more than 60 countries, territories and regions in Asia, Africa, Europe, and North and South America through the HP Planet Partners program. Program availability varies. For details, see www.hp.com/recycle.
7. Compared with non-subscription purchase of the same HP Ink cartridges. Based on a 2017 life cycle assessment (LCA) performed by Four Elements Consulting and commissioned by HP. Analysis includes the CO2 equivalent associated with customer trips to purchase ink cartridges at a retail store versus delivering directly to a customer’s house, and it includes recycling empty ink cartridges versus throwing them away. Data and assumptions drawn from six years of customer data in the United States. Reductions in materials consumption, carbon footprint, energy use, and water usage are average values.
8. When redeemed, the stated maximum retail card value shown on the front of the card is credited to your account and applied to the first months’ service paid in arrears.
9. Printers require direct connection to the internet for program participation. Internet access sold separately.

With your hectic lifestyle, wouldn’t it be nice to have a little extra help at home? You can take control with smart home technology that keeps your home secure and your family safe, comfortable and entertained. We’ve got tips to help you experience all the benefits of home automation with a diverse selection of innovative smart home solutions that you can easily find online or in store.

Safety and Security

The Swann NVK-460 Wi-Fi Security Camera Kit

Imagine being able to know who’s at the door even when you’re miles from home or having the ability to check in on your pets and kids anytime, from anywhere. Smart home monitoring systems can give you true peace of mind and discourage intruders, helping to protect your family and your property. We offer a wide range of home monitoring products, from video doorbells to security cameras to complete safety systems. Once easily installed, these smart home monitoring solutions can be controlled with just a few taps on your smartphone or tablet.

Shop for more Safety and Security products here.

Comfort and Convenience

The Nest Learning Thermostat

Home automation can even help make your environment feel more comfortable. Smart thermostats give you more control over your heating and cooling system, helping you reduce your energy consumption while keeping the temperature exactly where you want it. Smart lighting products brighten every room and can be operated remotely, so you’ll never have to return to a dark house or get out of bed to switch off that light you left on. Smart power outlets give you the ability to remotely control power to small appliances and electronics in your home, even if they’re not smart devices themselves.

Shop for more Comfort and Connivence products here.

Smart Entertainment

Google Home Voice Activated Speaker Assistant

Smart home technology isn’t purely for the practical; home automation can also mean more fun for your family. Today’s smart speaker systems, like Google Home, let you live life to your own soundtrack with music that can be enjoyed anywhere in your home. These speakers also act as your personal assistant that can help you stay organized by giving you reminders, tracking your to-do lists and providing answers to questions like, “What’s the weather going to be like today?” or “What I can make with that leftover chicken in the fridge?”

Shop for more Smart Enterntainment products here.

Connect Your Whole Home

Netgear Orbi Home Networking Router Kit

If you want to connect the devices in your home, you’re going to need to connect to the internet. Any old modem just won’t do if you want the ease of home automation – you’re going to need some more horsepower to get all of your gadgets onto the information super-highway. Enjoy Wi-Fi throughout your home, on all your devices with a solution that works with your modem and Internet Provider, so you can stream, download and share without missing a beat.

Shop for more Network and Internet products here.

You don’t have to be a technical wizard to live in a smarter home. As experts in smart home products, the team at London Drugs can make connecting your home simple. Let us help you select products that make your home a more safe, comfortable and enjoyable place to relax at the end of the day. Shop London Drugs online or in store for smart home products today!