Help How do I take care of a spare phone

[roalush]

I keep a spare phone in my drawer ready to replace my main device if needed. Is it OK to just keep it in my drawer for months, or should I take steps to take care of it in order to keep it in good working condition?

 

[lunatic59]

Charge it every now and then to keep the battery from going completely flat. Other than that, don't drop it in the toilet and you should be good.

 

[roalush]

Great. Thanks.

 

[tube517]

Keep only the necessary apps that you use on the spare phone and update them once in a while.

Turn on the spare phone once in a while. I once let a (spare) phone sit without turning it on and didn't charge it and it bricked. (It was rooted so I was able to revive it by restoring a nandroid backup)

I am presently using my spare phone as a house phone by using T-Mobile's Digits app.

Use it as a spare media player. I use mine around the house. Watching netflix or listening to Spotify. Why wear out the battery on the primary phone when you have a spare! LOL

 

[PitCarver]

Why wear out the battery on the primary phone when you have a spare! LOL

Got a couple retired phones that I set up as media players, just because of the same reason.

 

[dontpanicbobby]

I just charge mine every now and then. I still use them for non-phone things like playing music, watching movies and reading.

I charge them all the way up then do a full power off to stop them from looking for updates.

 

[roalush]

Wow, great tips. I guess I'll find some use for it so it won't just sit in the drawer turned off as it was. I love this phone and wish I could use both my phones.
Damn this SIM system I hate it!!!

 

[mikedt]

Wow, great tips. I guess I'll find some use for it so it won't just sit in the drawer turned off as it was. I love this phone and wish I could use both my phones.
Damn this SIM system I hate it!!!

Usually with the SIM system you can do exactly that, just swap the SIM between the phones that you want to use for the day. Are you on a restrictive CDMA carrier, like Verizon or Sprint or something?

 

[roalush]

Unfortunately, SIM cards are not reliable and best left untouched. Also, my carrier charges 10$ for SIM replacement. My phone has nano SIM while the other sports micro SIM.

 

[lunatic59]

I picked up a pay-as-you-go sim for my 'beater phone' just to have mobile data. I never use the number. I do have to recharge it every three months because the plans expire, but $10 every three months is worth it for the convenience.

 

[dontpanicbobby]

My goto for internet is my Samsung Galaxy Note 3 mostly, but the LG G6 has a big screen too.

HTC ONE M8 for non-accessory speaker listening.

And the HTC 10 for headphone listening.