Many Android users experience frustration due to their phone slowing down and lagging after using it for a year or more . If you want to boost the performance of your Android phone, here are nine actionable steps you can take to speed it up and make it more responsive. Let’s get started and optimize your phone’s performance.
If you’ve been using your Android device for a while, you may have noticed a decrease in speed, with slower app loading times and delayed menu displays. Although this is a common issue, it doesn’t mean you have to put up with it. Even iOS devices can experience this problem, where an older phone may slow down with the latest iOS update. However, the solutions for Android and iOS are slightly different, so let’s take a look at various ways you can try to boost your Android’s performance.
Restart Your Android Phone
One of the easiest steps to try is restarting your Android device, which can give everything a fresh start and clear the memory. Often, a simple restart can fix minor problems and improve speed. You can typically access the restart option on many Android devices by pressing and holding down the power button until a menu appears, and then selecting “Restart” from the options.
Clear the App Cache on Android
To clear the cache on your Android device, you can navigate to the Settings menu, then select “Apps,” choose an app, and tap “Clear Cache.” While removing these temporary files may enhance performance, it’s important to note that they will be redownloaded eventually.
- First, open the settings and go to the “Apps” section.
- Go to “Storage & Cache” or just “Storage.”
- Select “Clear Cache.
How to Update an Android Phone
Running outdated software can cause sluggish performance on your Android device. You can check for updates by going to the Settings menu, then selecting “System,” and tapping on “System Update.” It’s crucial to keep your device up-to-date, as even if the latest version of Android isn’t available, you may have monthly security patches that need installing.
Free Up Storage Space on Android
Unused apps can take up valuable space on your phone and contribute to slower performance. To combat this, you can easily uninstall multiple Android apps at once from the Play Store. While Android has features in place to limit unused app functionality, removing them entirely is the most effective solution for freeing up space and optimizing your phone’s speed.
- Open the Play Store and tap your profile icon in the top right. Select “Manage Apps & Device” from the menu.
- Go to the “Manage” tab and select the apps you’d like to uninstall. Tap the trash icon in the top right to remove them.
Regularly Update Apps on Android
Updating your apps can often resolve performance issues on your Android device. To update your apps, simply open the Play Store and navigate to “Manage Apps & Device,” then select “Update All” or “See Details” followed by “Update.” Even if the changelog simply states “bug fixes and improvements,” it’s possible that the developer has addressed performance issues that were affecting the app’s functionality.
Animations speed up on Android
You can speed up your Android device by adjusting the animations in the hidden “Developer Options” menu. This trick has been used for a long time to make devices feel faster, and it’s still effective. To access Developer Options, go to your device’s Settings and look for “About Phone.” Tap on the “Build Number” multiple times until you see a message saying “You are now a developer!” Then, open Developer Options and find “Window Animation Scale,” “Transition Animation Scale,” and “Animator Duration Scale.” By default, they’re set to “1x,” but you can speed things up by switching to “.5x” or “Off.”
Use “Lite” version of Android Apps
To optimize the performance of your Android device, consider using “Lite” versions of popular apps. Many of these apps require significant storage and resources, which can cause sluggish performance on older or low-powered devices. However, there are “Lite” versions available for many popular apps, including Facebook Messenger, Facebook, Google, Gmail, Microsoft Outlook, YouTube, and Instagram. By using these alternatives, you can conserve resources and ensure smooth functionality on your device.
Automatically Turn On Wi-Fi on Android
To improve the performance of your Android device, it’s important to ensure that you’re using a fast and stable internet connection. Whenever possible, connect to Wi-Fi instead of relying on cellular data. Android devices can automatically switch to Wi-Fi when in range of familiar networks, preventing slow data connections.
On Samsung Galaxy devices, navigate to Settings > Connections > Wi-Fi > Intelligent Wi-Fi > Turn Wi-Fi On/Off Automatically to enable this feature. By doing so, you can ensure that your device is always connected to the fastest and most reliable internet connection available.
Reset Your Android Device
To solve persistent performance issues on your Android phone, you can try a factory reset as a last resort. This involves erasing all data on your device and restoring it to its original state when it left the factory. This often resolves common problems.
- To begin, access Settings and navigate to System > Reset Options > Erase All Data (Factory Reset).
- The subsequent screen displays a list of everything that will be erased, along with all the accounts you’re currently signed into. Press “Erase All Data” to proceed.
- You’ll be prompted to enter your lock screen PIN or password, and then tap “Erase All Data” once more to confirm.
- The device will start the process of erasing all data and restart. You’ll have to set it up again, just as you did when you first obtained the device.