1) Update Discipline
Keep automatic updates on for apps and system components. For larger releases, set a quiet window and connect to power. After installation, restart once and run a short smoke test on the two apps you rely on most. If anything feels off, try one more reboot before deeper steps; many issues clear after the first clean boot.
Readiness: 10–20% free storage • stable network • cool surface for long installs.
2) Permission Fit
Permissions are doors—keep them narrow by default. Review camera, microphone, precise location, contacts, and files for your most-used apps. Prefer “allow only while using the app.” Hide sensitive lock-screen previews and limit “special access” (overlays, admin rights) to a tiny, trusted set.
- Silence nonessential notification categories instead of muting whole apps.
- Trim auto-start entries; re-enable one by one while testing.
3) Storage Headroom
Installs and caching need room. Delete old installers and exports; move large media to dated folders (year/month). Aim for 10–20% free space. Expect battery estimates to wobble for a day after heavy installs—let the device settle before judging battery health.
4) Browser & Network A/B
Many “site issues” are profile issues. Test in a private window or a clean profile to bypass cached data and extensions. Next, A/B the path: try the same step on Wi-Fi and cellular (or another Wi-Fi). If the failure is path-specific, focus on local rules, DNS quirks, or congestion.
When to wait: if release notes mention a bug that affects your workflow, delay the update until the follow-up patch lands.
5) Safe Mode Check
Safe mode doesn’t erase data—it just starts the system without third-party apps. If the symptom disappears here, reintroduce recent apps gradually to locate the trigger. If the symptom persists even in safe mode, focus on system updates, storage health, or hardware-adjacent factors like heat.
6) Backups That Restore
Backups count when they restore. Keep two copies—cloud + local drive—and perform a tiny restore right now (one photo or document). Label drives and store them safely; if encrypted, confirm you can unlock the backup before you need it.