Android Phone Running Slow How to Speed It Up

Share this post

Android Phone Running Slow: How to Speed It Up

A phone that lags when you open apps, stutters while scrolling or takes seconds to respond to a tap is frustrating - but it's usually fixable without buying a new one. Work through these steps in order: they go from quick and harmless to the last resort.

Menu names vary between phone makers (Samsung, Pixel, Xiaomi, OnePlus and others) and Android versions. If a menu isn't where described, use the search bar at the top of Settings.

1. Restart the Phone

A restart clears apps stuck in the background and memory that's been used up over days or weeks. Hold the power button (on some phones power + volume up) and tap Restart. If the screen is frozen, Google's advice is to hold the power button for about 30 seconds until the phone restarts.

If the phone is fast after a restart but slows down again within a day, an app is the likely cause - see step 6.

2. Install Android and App Updates

Android: open Settings > System > Software update (on Samsung: Settings > Software update) and install anything available.
Apps: open Google Play Store, tap your profile icon > Manage apps & device, and update all.

Right after a big Android update, a phone can feel slow for a day or so while it optimises apps in the background. Give it time and keep it charged.

3. Free Up Storage

Android slows down noticeably when storage is almost full. Check Settings > Storage (on Samsung: Settings > Battery and device care > Storage or Device care > Storage, depending on the version).

Quick wins:

delete old videos and downloads,
move photos to cloud storage and remove the local copies (Google Photos has a Free up space option),
clear large chat media in messaging apps.

For a full list, see smartphone storage full: 14 things to do. Storage problems can also stop app downloads - see Google Play Store not downloading apps.

4. Remove or Disable Apps You Don't Use

Every installed app can run background tasks.

Open Settings > Apps and go through the list.
Uninstall apps you don't use.
For pre-installed apps that can't be uninstalled, tap Disable (if available).

Pay special attention to "cleaner", "battery saver", "booster" and duplicate antivirus apps. They often run all the time and slow the phone down rather than speeding it up.

5. Clear a Misbehaving App's Cache

If one app is slow or freezing:

Go to Settings > Apps and select the app.
Tap Storage & cache (or Storage).
Tap Clear cache.

Clear cache is safe - it removes only temporary files. Clear storage / Clear data resets the app and can delete its saved data, so use it only if you know what the app stores.

6. Test in Safe Mode

Safe mode starts the phone with only the apps it came with. If the phone is fast in safe mode, an app you installed is the cause.

Press and hold the power button (or open the power menu from Quick Settings).
Touch and hold Power off (or Restart) until Reboot to safe mode appears, then tap OK.
"Safe mode" shows at the bottom of the screen.
Use the phone for a few minutes. If it's smooth, restart normally, then uninstall recently installed apps one at a time until the slowness is gone.

The exact steps vary by maker; on some phones you hold volume down while the phone starts.

7. Simplify the Home Screen

Live wallpapers and many widgets (weather, news, feeds) keep updating in the background. Switch to a static wallpaper and remove widgets you don't use. If you installed a third-party launcher, switch back to the built-in one to test.

8. Check Battery Saver and Heat

Battery saver / power saving mode deliberately slows the processor. If it's on all the time, the phone will feel sluggish. Turn it off to test.
Heat makes phones throttle their speed. Remove a thick case while gaming or charging, keep the phone out of the sun, and don't use it heavily while fast-charging.

9. Check for Malware

Pop-ups outside apps, apps you don't remember installing, or sudden data use are warning signs.

Open Play Store > profile icon > Play Protect and tap Scan.
Remove unknown apps, and apps you installed from outside the Play Store.
Check Settings > Apps > Special app access > Device admin apps for anything you don't recognise.

10. Factory Reset (Last Resort)

A factory reset erases everything on the phone and returns it to how it left the factory. It fixes software clutter, but back up first: photos, chats (use each app's own backup), contacts and files. Make sure you know your Google account password - after a reset the phone asks for it.

The reset is usually at Settings > System > Reset options > Erase all data (factory reset) (on Samsung: Settings > General management > Reset > Factory data reset). After the reset, reinstall only the apps you really use.

When It's the Hardware

If a phone is several years old, has very little storage for today's apps, or is still slow after a factory reset, it may simply have reached its limits. A battery that's worn can also slow a phone, and phone storage slows down as it ages.

Other Android problems? See phone charging slowly on Android and WiFi not working on Android.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why is my Android phone so slow all of a sudden?

Common causes are almost-full storage, an app misbehaving in the background, a pending or just-installed update, or the phone overheating. Restart it, check storage, and boot into safe mode to see if an app is to blame.

Do cleaner or RAM booster apps speed up Android?

Generally no. Android manages memory itself, and many cleaner apps run constantly in the background and show ads, which can make the phone slower. Use the built-in storage tools instead.

Will clearing an app's cache delete my data?

No. Clearing cache removes temporary files only. Clear storage (or clear data) is different - it resets the app and can delete saved data, logins and offline files.

Does a factory reset make an Android phone faster?

It often helps a phone that's slow because of software clutter, but it erases everything on the phone. Back up first and try every other step before resetting.