5-minute cleanup for your phone and computer

Digital junk piles up faster than real-life clutter. There are files you don't need, random screenshots, apps you downloaded and used once, and blurry photos clogging up your camera roll.

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All of this adds up to slow down your device and make everything feel cluttered. The good news? Cleaning is easier than you think. Let's do some simple tidying that will make people say, “Ah, I feel so clean.''

Step 1: Update your device

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• On a Windows PC, go to: setting > Windows update.
• On Mac, go to: common > Software updates.
• On Android, tap setting > System > Software.
• On iPhone, tap setting > common > Software updates.

Let's start with your mobile phone

1. Apps consume a lot of space

Scroll through your list of apps and remove the ones you no longer use. After a few months, you won't be using it anymore. Trust me. If you need it later, just download it again.

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In the meantime, move the apps you want to spend less time with (in my case, Instagram) from your phone's home screen. You can hide an app or move it to another page or folder.

For iPhone:

• Swipe left to go past the All Apps screen and open the App Library.
• To delete, app icon > Delete app > erase To confirm.

(Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

For Android:

• Open the Google Play Store app and profile icon.
• tap Manage apps and devices > management.
• Select the name of the app you want to remove and tap uninstall.

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1. Have time to easily clean up your photos

On your iPhone or iPad, the Photos app makes this easy.

• open photo app and select album.
• Scroll down and select Duplication. (Last time I checked, there were 2,933 duplicate photos and 49 duplicate videos.)
• strike choice > Select allTap , then trash can icon Click to delete. You can also choose merge Combine your ducks to create one great shot.

For Android, File by Google app, selection cleanafter that:

(Sungjun Cho/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

• tap confirm and release > Browse junk files Click to select the one you want to clear.
• When you're ready, tap clear > clear. That's all you need to remove screenshots, memes, duplicates, and other junk mixed in with your important photos.

to your computer

1. Start from your desktop

Here we will introduce a quick method. Create a new folder and drag all your random files, screenshots, and other stuff into it.

Pro tip: Confidential documents should not be placed on the desktop. If you really want to store your private documents locally, give the folder an off-base name like “Vacation Photos” to at least give prying eyes a more difficult time. Make sure your computer automatically locks when you leave the house and requires a password when you start it.

Quick lock: For Windows, Windows key + L. On Mac, use: Ctrl + command + Q.

1. Get rid of unnecessary or unused programs

These take up a lot of space, so be sure to regularly clear out anything you're not using. Additionally, older apps may be at risk. Leaving outdated programs on your computer can leave the door wide open for cybercriminals to infiltrate.

For Windows PCs:

• Click. start button Find an app or program. Long press (or right-click) an app to uninstall.

For Mac:

• Click. finder icon At the dock, then application.
• If the app is in a folder, open it and look for the uninstaller. Double-click on it and follow the on-screen instructions.
• If the app is not in the folder or there is no uninstaller, drag the app from the Applications folder to the Trash.

Don't forget the outside

We're aiming to be quick, so let's tackle a screen full of fingerprints.

Remove your phone case and accessories. We want to reach every nook and cranny. For computer monitors, before you start cleaning, dust the top, sides, and ridges on the back where dirt can accumulate.

You can also use a microfiber cloth, but I prefer screen wipes. It's very easy. Ditch the paper towels. Too coarse for such delicate work.

I always come back to this Screen cleaning wipes 210 pack. It can be used with smartphones, tablets, monitors, TVs, remote controls, and even glasses. Made with anti-static tissue that is scratch resistant and cleans without leaving streaks or lint.

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