Eight Ways to Make Your Old IPhone Look New Again
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Okay, I admit, the new iPhone Air is really cool . Not to mention the 17 Pro Max’s battery life is truly impressive. And even the base iPhone 17 is a great deal: pro features and 256GB of storage for the same $799. Apple is tempting me with new iPhones again.
It’s normal to want the latest and greatest device, especially when Apple is behind it. But if you’re like me, you really don’t need a new iPhone. Honestly, if it weren’t for its random, untimely demise, I’d still be rocking my Pacific Blue iPhone 12 Pro Max (may it rest in peace). My 15 Pro Max is alive and well, though it does look a little dated compared to Apple’s new lineup of devices.
Instead of shelling out a significant amount of money for an iPhone 17 and needlessly retiring a perfectly good device, I suggest many of us try to breathe new life into our aging iPhones.
Replace the battery
If your phone is a few years old, the battery life probably isn’t the same as when you bought it. A new battery is usually much cheaper than even a mid-range phone, but it can do more than just extend the time between charges.
Some phones, especially iPhones , automatically slow down when their batteries get old . (Apple got into hot water a few years ago for failing to disclose this practice.) The operating system does this to prevent your phone from shutting down unexpectedly. And while you can turn this feature off, performance will likely be significantly slower than with a new battery. Even if it were, you run the risk of your iPhone suddenly breaking. A new battery can change all that.
To see if your battery needs a refresh, go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health . Here, check the “Maximum Capacity” — the amount of charge your battery can hold compared to when new. If this reaches 80% or less, it’s probably time to replace your battery. Pay attention to any warnings about your battery getting low. This is also a sure sign that you may need a replacement.
Free up storage space
Managing storage is not the most pleasant task, but it is necessary, no matter what your device. If your phone is full of apps, photos, videos, and other files, it can lead to problems. After all, any computer needs extra memory to function properly. If your phone constantly screams that it is almost full, believe me.
The good news is that when it’s time to clear out storage, you don’t have to clear out a lot of space — just 5 to 10 percent of your total storage. These days, iOS makes it easy to see what’s taking up the most space on your device. Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage . From here, iOS will offer suggestions for deleting large files to free up space. For example, when I open this page, I see recommendations to “Review large attachments” in Messages, which will apparently save me up to 40.55 GB; and “Offload unused apps,” which will free up 16.31 GB. Keep whittling away until you see that you have at least a small sliver of space left.
Clean the charging port.
If you find that your phone is not charging, is charging slowly, or is inconsistent, you don’t necessarily have to buy a new device. Instead, try cleaning out the charging port. You won’t believe how clogged it gets: lint and debris from your pockets can get stuck in the port, preventing the charger from connecting properly.
To clean the port, use a thin wire (like a SIM eject tool or an unscrewed paper clip) to gently remove any foreign objects from the port. The key word here is “gently” : this port is fragile, and rubbing the contacts too hard can permanently damage them.
If after a thorough cleaning the port still won’t charge, hope is not lost. If your iPhone supports wireless charging, try using one of these chargers instead of a wired one. Better yet, use MagSafe if your iPhone supports it so you can hold your iPhone in your hand while it charges.
Change the wallpaper
Every time you look at your phone, you probably see the same wallpaper on your lock screen. If you’re bored with it, that monotony can make you less likely to upgrade.
It’s a small change, but see if your mood changes after changing your wallpaper, preferably to something completely different. Choose something with a contrasting color scheme, theme, art style, etc. If you haven’t changed your wallpaper in a while, you might be surprised by the amount of customization Apple now offers . You can choose to match your home screen wallpaper to your lock screen wallpaper, or choose a different option.
Change the arrangement of apps and widgets
Your home screen is probably getting old, too. Just like with new wallpaper options, Apple has made some big changes to home screen customization in recent years. Try adding new widgets you haven’t used before, and diversify the order of the apps you use every day. You can even place them anywhere , just like on Android.
Get a new case
Part of the appeal of a new phone is its new look. Instead of buying a new device just because of the new color or the dents in your old one, try putting a new case on your old one. You’ll be surprised at how much of a difference it can make. A leather case can make your device look more expensive, while a bright silicone case can jazz it up. You can even find a case that can double as a wallet .
Or, if you’re feeling brave, try going caseless for a while. Sure, you risk damaging your iPhone, but it’s nice to remind yourself every now and then what these devices actually look and feel like.
Replace the screen or protective film
Stop living with that battered screen protector. A good one can be pricey, but a cracked and scratched piece of plastic or glass will likely negatively impact your experience with your phone. Likewise, if your phone’s display has taken a beating, consider getting it repaired. Depending on the phone model, this can be quite expensive (Apple charges up to $379 for the service on new devices), but if the price is between that and the $1,000 iPhone 17 Pro, it’s a win for your wallet. (It’s also worth noting that a phone with a broken screen is generally not eligible for trade-in.)
Update to iOS 26
iOS 26 is almost here , and it’s arguably the biggest design change to the iPhone since iOS 7. Much of that has to do with the new Liquid Glass design , and while it may not be for everyone , I think many people will love it. You can even choose to view your apps and widgets in transparent mode by going back to the Home screen settings.
The best thing about iOS 26 is that it doesn’t require a new iPhone to work. In fact, it works even on iPhones as old as the iPhone 11 , which was released in 2019. While you’ll need an iPhone 15 Pro or newer to get Apple Intelligence features , I’d bet most of us don’t need one. Instead, iOS 26’s visual refresh, coupled with the new features that are available to everyone, should make even the iPhone 11 feel a little newer.