You pay a lot of money for your beloved smartwatch. So it’s natural to want to protect it for longevity. We’ve devised a list of ways to protect your smartwatch from the inside and out.
A beautiful smartwatch is the perfect finishing touch to any ensemble. You are less likely to damage the display if you remove your watch anytime you participate in strenuous activity and clean it whenever it becomes filthy. Though, is that feasible?
In reality, the majority of watch displays are made to withstand some scratches. Unfortunately, even the most durable devices can be scratched. So how can you look after it?
Read on.
Outside
1. Get a screen cover
Get a tempered glass screen cover. These glass guards will protect your screen better than the plastic covers and will not obstruct your ability to use it with your finger. Ideally, make sure you buy something made specifically for your model.
2. Clean it
When your watch becomes visibly filthy, clean it. Seems obvious but if you reduce any build-up it becomes less likely that the dirt will become an issue.
3. Remove any scratches
As soon as you spot a scratch, try to remove it. You could use various cream solutions available online for your specific screen material. If even then the scratch won’t come out, get the crystal replaced by a certified smartwatch repair shop.
4. Handle it properly
When you put the watch down, make sure the bezel is facing up. Spread the band out evenly over the surface so that it is flat.
Plus, when putting the watch on or taking it off, grasp the band or the bezel. Direct contact with the crystal may transmit any residue or dirt from your hands to the watch’s face. You’ll never risk harm to the watch if you don’t touch the display.
5. Buy one with a solid build
Smartwatches come in all sorts of materials that have different properties. For example, more durable watches are made of titanium or ceramic. When it comes to the band, silicone tends to be better than leather. Whichever material you choose, it’s always wise to opt for a smartwatch that is waterproof to a degree. This should enable you to at the very least, shower in your watch. Essentially, the better the ATM rating, the more protection.
Also, you keep an eye out for properties such as being dust, sweat and mud proof.
Inside
There are security issues to be mindful of with almost every smart gadget these days. Given that data security is an important aspect of data privacy, here’s a short tip to ensure that your wristwatch isn’t leaving you susceptible to hackers.
1. Keep an eye on your smartphone
Smartwatch security starts with your smartphone. The communication connection between your wristwatch and your smartphone is one of the most vulnerable areas. Even worse, hackers just need access to one of the systems to sniff data—they don’t need to penetrate both.
False applications are the simplest method for someone else to get access to your smartphone. This is most common on Android phones, but iPhones aren’t completely immune. Stick to applications downloaded through the Google Play Store or the iOS App Store as a general rule. Before you download an app, do some research on its legitimacy. And, if you’re an iOS user, although jailbreaking your phone is freeing, it may also expose you to security risks.
2. Update the software on your smartwatch on a regular basis
There’s a reason why developers provide updates. They typically not only improve the speed of an operating system or programme but also address potentially serious security vulnerabilities.
While waiting 30 seconds for your wristwatch or favourite app to reboot may be inconvenient, it could save you hours of dealing with unscrupulous hackers.
3. Take care with your fitness information
Advertisers and insurance firms, as this site has already shown, are not the only ones who may cause havoc with your data. Companies often purchase customer data in order to improve their marketing and pricing.
This is particularly concerning when it comes to health and fitness information. Smartwatches may save a wealth of useful data about you. For example, if an insurance company notices that you have heart problems or consume a lot of saturated fat, they may attempt to raise your rates or, worse, refuse to cover you at all.
Check the privacy settings of any fitness app before using it. Choose what information is made public. Also, use an alias as a username so that your daily sodium intake isn’t traced back to you.
4. Turn on anti-theft features
Aside from the digital risks, you may face, bear in mind that someone might just take your wristwatch and access your data that way.
The manufacturers of smartwatches are aware of this potential. That is why many people have established security settings to prevent theft. Take, for example, Apple’s Activation Lock, which stops criminals from connecting your Apple Watch with an unauthorised device. Other smartwatches have their own take on this, so check to see whether it’s enabled.
And there you have it! If you take heed of these tips, you can enjoy your smartwatch for years to come!
