Your smartphone needs a spring cleaning, too. There's a lot of important stuff on your phone, but there are probably a few things you can get rid of as well. Between apps you haven't opened since you downloaded them to photos that are better off in the cloud, here's a roundup of our favorite ways to clear the digital clutter.

1. By Lookout, Inc.
SPRING CLEANING FOR
YOUR SMARTPHONE

2. IT’S THAT TIME OF THE YEAR
The sun is out, the sky is blue — it’s time to get rid
of the digital clutter that’s been piling up on you.


3. 
THIS MESS GOES BEYOND
YOUR GARAGE
Maybe you went on a downloading spree when you unwrapped
your phone over the holidays, or maybe you’ve been
accumulating junk for a while. Either way, there’s a good chance
your phone is starting to look like an episode of Hoarders.

4. UPDATE YOUR SETTINGS
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5. 
Do you allow downloading from unknown sources? (Hint: You should
check “No”) Does your phone automatically connect to WiFi networks
that might not be secure? (No) Is your device encrypted? (Yes)
!
Spending a few minutes to make sure your phone settings keep the
bad stuff out can save a lot of heartache later on.
G
etourtips!

6. CHANGE YOUR PASSWORDS
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7. ****Between your phone, tablet and computer, how many accounts are
you logged into right now? Do you even know? Change the
passwords to your most used accounts, especially if they hold
important financial or personal information.
!
If you’re using the same passwords across many accounts (not that
you would ever do something like that…), using unique passwords
on the important ones will leave you much less vulnerable to fraud.
G
etourtips!

8. REVIEW APP PERMISSIONS
3

9. 
If your so-called free Flappy Bird knockoff game is requesting
access to your financial info, you might have downloaded more
than you bargained for.
!
It’s best to read reviews and check permissions before you
download an app, but you can double check what your apps
are collecting and uninstall the ones that seem fishy.

10. UNINSTALL FORGOTTEN
APPS
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11. 
Remember that app that was all the craze for about a week three
months ago? Yeah, neither do we.
!
Most of us have about 10 apps we use ALL the time, but the rest
can build up into a crowded graveyard of forgotten apps. Factor
in the fact that some of the lesser known ones may not have the
best privacy standards, and it’s better to just cut the cord.

12. BACK UP CONTACTS
AND PHOTOS
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13. Be honest, how much do you love taking pictures of your lunch? We have
nothing against your extensive album of sandwich pics, but they’re
probably taking up space you could be using for other things (like more
lunch pics).
!
We’re living in the digital age, people! There’s no reason that valuable
data has to live only on your phone. Back up what matters, delete what
doesn’t and your phone can be running more efficiently in no time.
Lookoutcan
help!

14. BE PROACTIVE
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15. Download a mobile security app like Lookout to make
sure you and your phone don’t encounter too much
trouble before your next spring cleaning.

16. For more mobile security tips, follow
  
Lookout