Pioneer logo

Guide to a Digital Cleanup for Faster, Safer Devices

Madison McCollum

August 08, 2025

We’ve all been there: your phone lags, your laptop storage is maxed out, or you can’t find that one important file buried in a cluttered downloads folder. A regular digital cleanup can speed up your devices, protect your privacy, and make your digital life more organized. Follow this detailed guide to give your phone, laptop, and other devices a fresh start—aim to do this every six months for best results!

1. Back Up Before Starting (Safety First!)

Deleting files is risky without a backup. Safeguard your data to avoid losing irreplaceable photos, documents, or memories. It's not too hard or time consuming to do! Here are a few different ways to do it:

  • Cloud Backup: Use services like iCloud (iOS/macOS), Google Drive (Android/Windows), or OneDrive (Windows). Enable automatic backups in settings—for example, on iPhone, go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup and toggle it on. 
    • Expect 5-50 GB of free storage depending on the service, and don't be afraid to upgrade your storage on the cloud for a fee. I pay around $4 a month across Apple and Google for a lot of space! It's worth the piece of mind.
  • External Drive: Copy critical files (e.g., family photos, tax documents) to an external SSD or hard drive. A 1 TB external SSD costs about $80 and can store years of data. Use folders like “Photos_2025” or “Work_Projects” for organization.
  • Verification: After backing up, open a few files (e.g., a photo or PDF) from your cloud or drive to ensure they’re intact. If a backup fails, check your internet connection or disk space and retry.

2. Purge Unused Apps & Programs

Unused apps hog storage and may run background processes that slow your device, so lets clean it up!

  • iOS/Android: On iPhone, go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage to see “Last Used” dates; on Android, check Settings > Apps > Storage.
    • Delete apps unused for six months—games, old fitness trackers, or niche tools are common culprits. 
      • For example, deleting a single game like Candy Crush can free up 200-500 MB.
  • Windows/macOS: On Windows, go to Settings > Apps > Installed Apps and sort by “Last Used”; on macOS, use Applications > Utilities > Activity Monitor to spot resource-heavy programs. 
    • Uninstall via Control Panel (Windows) or drag to Trash (macOS). 
      • Example: Removing Adobe Creative Cloud (if unused) can free up 2-10 GB.

3. Organize and Trim Your Files

A cluttered downloads folder or duplicate photos waste space and time, and they're not all that hard to clean up!

  • Downloads Folder (on your laptop or Macbook): 
    • Open your Downloads folder and sort by file type (e.g., PDFs, images).
      • Delete outdated files (e.g., old installers or memes) and archive important ones to folders like “Work_2025” or “Personal_Misc.” 
        • Example: Deleting 100 duplicate PDFs can free up 1-2 GB.
  • Photo Library: Use Google Photos’ “Manage Storage” (on Android or web) or Apple Photos’ “Duplicates” feature (on iOS/macOS) to identify and merge duplicates. 
    • For example, Google Photos can detect near-identical selfies and save 500 MB or more. Back up photos to the cloud first!
  • Documents: Create clear folders like “Taxes_2025,” “Work_Projects,” or “Personal_Receipts.” Drag files into these folders and delete redundant copies. 

4. Clear Cache and Temporary Data

Cached files from browsers and apps build up and can slow performance.

  • Web Browsers: 
    • In Chrome, go to Settings > Privacy and Security > Clear Browsing Data; select “Cached Images and Files” and “Cookies” for the past 3 months. This can free up 500 MB-2 GB. 
    • On Safari, use History > Clear History.
  • Streaming Services: For apps like Netflix or Spotify, go to settings and delete offline downloads (e.g., watched episodes). This can clear up 1-5 GB per app.
  • System Cleanup: 
    • On Windows, use Settings > System > Storage > Storage Sense to remove temporary files (e.g., recycle bin, old updates). 
    • On macOS, go to Apple Menu > About This Mac > Storage > Manage to clear system junk.

5. Update Software & Firmware

Outdated software is a huge security risk and can cause performance issues.

  • Operating Systems: 
    • On iOS, go to Settings > General > Software Update
    • On Windows, check Settings > Windows Update. 
      • Updates patch vulnerabilities—as an example, a 2024 iOS bug exposed location data until patched. It's not a bad idea to enable automatic updates!

A thorough digital clean up does more than free up space—it speeds up devices, reduces security risks, and gives you a more organized digital life. It's not a terrible idea to try and do this every six months, which sets you up for a smoother year in the long game! Don't be afraid to ask a friend or family member for help if you feel overwhelmed. :) 


Madison McCollum

Published on August 08, 2025

Share:

Related Articles

What You Need to Know to about Data Breaches

Madison McCollum - 21 Jul

Why Supporting Local Matters During Prime Days

Madison McCollum - 09 Jul

How to Spot and Avoid Text Message Fraud

Madison McCollum - 26 Jun
Related articles

What You Need to Know to about Data Breaches

From the "Mother of All Breaches" to the AT&T and healthcare hacks, we break down recent massive data leaks and give you clear, practical steps to protect your personal information.


Madison McCollum

21 Jul

Why Supporting Local Matters During Prime Days

Discover why spending locally during big sales events like Prime Days benefits your community and economy.


Madison McCollum

09 Jul

How to Spot and Avoid Text Message Fraud

Learn how to spot deceptive text scams that have tricked locals into giving away personal information and losing control of their accounts.


Madison McCollum

26 Jun