We’re definitely living in a digital world these days. We rely on our gadgets for both personal and professional applications. Some of us may even feel like a piece of us is missing if we accidentally leave our phones at home. With 395 iPhones sold every minute, it’s no wonder we’re dependent on this technology. Research has even shown that many of us experience a particular type of fear and anxiety if we can’t access our phones or if the battery dips too low. That means having functional cell phone cable accessories will prove vital. But even when they’re of the highest quality, lightning cables don’t last forever. They may be durable, but they’re not indestructible. So what can you do to protect them? Follow the tips below.
Pull The Plug (The Right Way)
When you’re in a hurry, you might be inclined to tug on the cord of your cell phone cables or other electronics cables to unplug them. Even with high-quality cables, this can eventually lead to wear and tear. It could cause the cable to split and thus expose the internal wiring, which can be dangerous. If you want to safeguard your lightning cables for as long as possible, you should get a grip on the plastic jacket that plugs directly into the outlet when you unplug. The connector is quite durable, but even Apple-endorsed cabling can detach from this connector if it’s tugged at roughly and repeatedly. So always take care to grab the right component of the cable when unplugging.
Become a Wrap Artist
This tip applies to not only lightning cables but HDMI cables, Ethernet cables, and virtually any other type of cabling. If you fail to wrap your cables correctly when they aren’t in use, you could be cutting their lifespans short. Instead of simply winding your cell phone cables around your hand and throwing it in your purse or glove compartment, you should do what’s called coil wrapping. Essentially, this involves looping the cable around to create a smooth circle. This will eliminate the possibility of kinks, which can actually do damage to the internal wires. By mastering this type of wrapping, you’ll be able to preserve those lightning cables even when you’re on the go.
Don’t “Bend and Snap”
An iconic movie involving a spoiled blonde coed-turned Harvard law student would have you believe that the “Bend and Snap” is a great move for getting what you want. But if you bend your iPhone cable, the type of snap that’ll occur isn’t desirable at all. Creating sharp bends in these cables will ruin the internal wires and can render the charger unusable — particularly if bends occur near the connector. That’s why you should always make sure to have a direct path for your cable to travel without bending it around furniture. Although these cables can last a long time, they can easily split if you don’t take good care of them.
Keep Them Clean
You probably don’t give lightning cable maintenance that much thought. But keeping these cables clean can make all the difference. Any little bit of moisture or friction can present a hazard to the exposed pins on these cords. Be sure to clean these components off immediately if you spot any moisture or foreign debris to ensure that the cables continue to function as intended. Keep in mind that if you use these cables frequently in your car or when you’re traveling, you should clean and inspect them even more often.
Although you shouldn’t have to be overly cautious when you buy high-quality lightning cables, it does pay to follow these protective tips. That way, you’ll feel secure in your investment and won’t ever have to panic over your device’s low battery.
