This blog post on How To Spring Clean Your Digital Devices is a guest post from Claire Mac. You can also find her on Instagram and Twitter.
With Spring fast approaching, now is the perfect time for us to do a digital declutter. A spring clean of your digital devices, if you like. We all know how easy it is to accumulate excessive digital clutter, from old emails to unnecessary apps. But just how spring cleaning your home can make you feel organised and in control, decluttering your digital life can have the same effect.
In this blog post we’ll be looking at how to spring clean your digital devices in simple ways. So grab your phone, laptop, tablet and let’s get feeling refreshed, organised and in control of our digital lives.
How To Spring Clean Your Digital Devices
Delete any unused apps
An easy way to start decluttering and spring cleaning your digital devices is by deleting unused apps. I’m sure we’re all guilty of downloading an app, using it once and then forgetting about it.
But these apps take up valuable storage and can slow down our devices. It’s worthwhile spending a bit of time going through the apps on your phone and deleting those you’ve not used in a while. If you’re anything like me, you’ll be surprised at how much storage you’ll be able to free up.
Additionally with the remaining apps you have, it’s useful to create folders and group similar apps together. Not only does this make thighs easier to find, but it actually looks better and makes the process more user friendly. I have sections for socials, for work and for my daughters’ school.
Dispose of any unused or broken tech
Another important, yet usually forgotten about step in digitally decluttering is disposing of any old, unused or broken tech. It’s easy to hold onto things, I know this as well as anybody (currently harbouring an unused for 5 years and probably unsalvageable laptop in the loft) but keeping a hold of them is pointless, and potentially dangerous.
If you have unused tech which is salvageable it might be worth looking into selling them on or donating them to someone in need. This can be a great way to give them a new lease of life and help others whilst doing so.
It obviously goes without saying, but before giving away or disposing it’s important to erase any personal information which may be held on your devices.
Review your social media accounts
Spring cleaning your digital devices is also about decluttering your online presence. Reviewing your social media accounts is not only a great way to spring clean, but I think it can be so beneficial for our mental health too. Start by unfollowing any inactive or unnecessary accounts. I think it’s important to be a fussy follower on Instagram and only follow those that make you feel good.
Take a moment to review any privacy settings too. As a mum to two small children I’m super careful with the images I share of my children online and the amount of information I give away. I’d recommend setting up two step verification codes on your accounts to try and maximise security.
Additionally it might also be a good time to review the social media platforms you’re actually using. Are they still serving and inspiring you? If not, I’d declutter and get rid. You can always reinstall them at a later date if necessary.
Related read: 8 Reasons To De-Clutter Your Facebook Friends
Unsubscribe from unwanted emails
Emails can pile up so quickly. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by newsletters, promotions and general junk that arrives in your inbox. Unsubscribing from unwanted emails may feel like a daunting task to begin with, but I can assure you that in the long run it’s so beneficial.
Unsubscribing from any unwanted emails will not only spring clean your inbox, but it reduces distraction too, allowing you to concentrate on those important emails.
Stop paying for unused subscription services
Many of us have subscriptions to streaming services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime & Disney+ etc. But how many of us are actually using them? Or enough to warrant paying for them anyway.
During your digital spring clean it’s worth going through these subscriptions and cancelling any you no longer use. It might also be handy if you have multiple streaming services to look into overlapping content. Can you declutter and cut multiple services down to just one?
Organise and back up photos
If you’re anything like me you’ll have a backlog of photos that all look exactly the same. Maybe it’s because I’m a mum? Maybe it’s because I’m a blogger?
But I know for sure, I’m not the only one. Have a look through your photos, delete any that no longer serve a purpose – Screenshots, I’m looking at you! And whittle down those photos that all look the same only from slightly different angles.
Backing up photos is really important too. Google photos is a wonderful thing, but having that extra bit of security is crucial when it comes to preserving precious memories.
It’s worthwhile popping photos onto discs, but I think having a physical copy printed is an amazing thing too. It’s only since having my children that I’ve gotten into printing photos and keeping family albums, but the albums feel so much more sentimental.
With all that in mind I hope you’re feeling motivated for your digital declutter. Like a spring clean in the home, your digital declutter requires maintenance. It’s worthwhile doing these types of things seasonally to ensure a stress free digital life. These tasks all sound pretty simple but I can assure you they’ll make a massive difference to your digital lives. I bet you’ll be surprised at how free you feel!
When was the last time you did a digital declutter?
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Thanks for sharing, I need to do a digital detox at some time, as I have lots of old bits that I have, and to backup all my photo’s again 🙂
Hope you get around to it!
Some really great tips here! I recently started trying to be a bit more organised with my photos, along with backing them up. Especially on my phone, the amount of photos I have on there soon builds up! 😅
Clem xx
Oh I totally feel that, I’m a sucker for keeping like all my photos!! Xx
Excellent post! All these things make a difference! Good spring- cleaning tips that we may not have thought about! 🙂
Absolutely!
I really have to do a digital clan up. I am so bad as I hold onto old laptops and phones, who knows for what! this is an amazing reminder x
Hahah same girl!
I actually have a blog scheduled titled this and how to spring clean your blog.
As part of my quartet reset I always have to clear out my phone. Photos, music, unused apps and messages. I hate when my phone and other devices get cluttered. It is good to feel all fresh. Thank you for sharing your suggestions.
Lauren x
Yes I wrote a post called spring cleaning activities for you and your blog a couple of years ago but I think this post from Claire was much more specific in the digital aspect of it! Doing it quarterly is a good idea, at least you’re keeping on top of it.
I definitely need to work on unsubscribing from old newsletters that don’t apply to me anymore. So very many unneeded emails every week. Thank you for sharing.
Oh same! I unsubscribed from a few yesterday actually. Weirdly ones I don’t remember subscribing to in the first place!
I love digital decluttering! Thanks for the great reminders, I have an old laptop sitting around that I should get rid of.
So do I as it goes, I just can’t seem to part with it haha!
The bit about old, broken, or unused tech resonates loudly – I have a MacBook from a previous job that I keep meaning to sell on eBay as I hate the whole operating system (I’m a Windows girl) and could never get on with it – this is my prompt to get on and do it! Fab post x
Yes do it! Make some money on it!
Great tips, thanks for sharing. I regularly spring clean the apps on my phone but I have some catching up to do when it comes to actually decluttering unwanted emails and yes, the photos 🙁
I desperately need to go through my emails!
I need to do this with my devices too! Thanks for the reminder!
Hope you get around to it soon!
Great ideas and I need to work on removing unwanted apps and games. Thank you for sharing!
Hope you get around to it soon.
I am adding some of these to my personal life to-do list for this spring because, well, we all need a bit of TLC and clear out! I did get rid of most of my non-working devices in November last year so I hope the rest is all good, may be time to sell some bits too!
Excellent! Yes I need to do some of these things too x
I did a digital declutter yesterday. I unsubscribed many useless emails. I also unsubscribed from many YouTube channels that are not updated. It was surprising to find out that so many successful Youtubers have quit or abandoned their channels. After removing so much of bluk, I felt awesome.
Amazing! Bet that felt great!
Unsubscribing from emails is probably my biggest one. I have so many!
Same girl!
I already spring clean my laptop. Now I need to spring clean my phone. Thank you for sharing your tips.
Hope you get around to it soon
This post has some great ideas. For one, I really need to delete a load of photos and back up the rest. You’re right about being a fussy follower too. I sometimes have no idea why I have followed certain accounts which lack relevance to my interests. xxx
I feel that! I’m always finding myself wondering why I’m following a certain account!
I really, really need to so this — a perfect post to get me started as sometimes I feel like I don’t know where to begin with it all. Thanks!
It can definitely feel overwhelming at first!
What a fab post! I definitely need to back up my photos, I have so many and can’t remember the last time I did it. I’ve also just unsubscribed from Netflix, I just can’t justify the price anymore, so definitely best to let it go xx
Hannah | https://luxuryblush.co.uk/
I’m terrible with photos – I never want to delete any!
Technology has become my biggest clutter. It might be one or two devices but they become over filled with useless time-consuming apps that really do me no good. I like the idea of spring cleaning my technology
Totally agree with that!
I started backing up my photos each month when Jack was born and it made me do a manual digital clean up as often as possible. It’s crazy how many unused apps, subscriptions etc was slowing my phone down!
Rosie
Doing it monthly is a great idea!
Thanks so much for having me! For a second when it came up on twitter I thought the image was actually me, because I could only see the long hair and loungewear haha. Hope people enjoy the post. X
Hahaha! You’re welcome, thank you for the great post 💗