Turning on, charging and caring for a device
How to switch devices on and off, restart them when they freeze, charge safely and keep them working for years.
How to turn your device on and off, charge it safely, and keep it working for years. To turn on a phone, press and hold the power button for two or three seconds, until the screen lights up. On most phones the power button is on the side. On laptops, it's usually near the top of the keyboard. When the screen is on but locked, swipe up, then enter your PIN, pattern or fingerprint to unlock it. To turn the phone off, press and hold the power button until a menu appears, then tap Power off. If your phone is slow or stuck, tap Restart. It fixes lots of problems, so it's always the first thing to try.
Charge it safely
Charging the right way keeps your battery healthy and keeps you safe. Use the charger that came with your device, or a good quality one. Very cheap chargers can damage the battery. You don't need to let the battery run down to zero before charging. Topping up often is fine. Don't charge your phone under a pillow or on a bed. Batteries get warm, and heat damages them. If a battery swells, gets very hot, or smells strange, stop using it and get it checked. In many places, the electricity goes off and comes back often. When the power comes back, there can be a sudden surge that damages chargers and devices. If you can, unplug chargers during a power cut, and use a surge protector or stabiliser.
Everyday care
A case and a screen protector help your phone survive drops. Keep devices away from water, rain and very dusty places. Clean the screen gently with a soft, dry cloth. Never spray water straight onto it. And when your phone is very full, it slows down. Deleting old videos and apps you don't use keeps it running well.
Quick check
Quick check. Your phone is frozen and won't respond. What should you try first? Restart it. Press and hold the power button, then tap Restart. That fixes most freezes. Options: Hit it on a table; Restart it; Put it in water; Buy a new phone.
Recap
Press and hold the power button to turn a device on or off. Restarting fixes many problems. Charge with a good charger, away from heat. Unplug chargers during power cuts to avoid surges. And use a case, keep it dry, and keep some storage free.
Key points
- Press and hold the power button to turn a device on or off. Restart it when it's slow or frozen.
- Use a good charger, don't charge under pillows, and stop using a battery that swells or gets very hot.
- Power surges can damage devices. Unplug chargers during power cuts and use a surge protector if you can.
- A case, a screen protector, keeping it dry and freeing up storage all help a device last longer.
Try it: Look after your device
Do these on your own phone or computer. Save anything you're working on first.