Android is a more affordable, more accessible and, for some, more enjoyable smartphone system — but over time, Android phones are notorious for slowing down. If you want to maintain the convenient high speeds of a brand-new mobile device, you need to be careful about how you use your phone. If your Android is already showing signs of slowing, you might use the following tricks to improve performance now and into the future.
Restart Your Phone
It might seem trite, but — have you tried turning it off and on again? Sometimes, slow performance is due to some background process that isn’t running properly, and restarting your phone can allow the malfunctioning code to fix itself. In fact, you might get in the habit of restarting your Android every couple days just to cut down the number of background processes that are running.
Update Your Phone
Updates are ways for software developers to close vulnerabilities and enhance functionality after their applications have been released. As software ages, its performance naturally decreases, and updates are essential for maintaining apps into the future. You should set your Android to automatically download and install updates of your most important apps, so their performance never wanes.
Relocate Your Data
Your Android utilizes its memory to store information about the apps you are using, so if its memory is crowded with data like pictures and notes, your phone will be slower to execute your commands. You might consider storing your data on a cloud server, where your phone can access it easily but where it will not interfere with system performance. You might also schedule semi-annual data migration events, when you move your data from your phone to another device.
Uninstall Unwanted Apps
Speaking of storage space, apps demand a significant amount of your phone’s memory. Every so often, you should peruse the apps that are downloaded onto your phone and fully delete the ones you do not need or use. If you are in the habit of downloading apps and allowing them to use the language on your device, you should try to avoid this practice going forward.
Remove Widgets From the Home Screen
Widgets are elements of the Android user interface that allow access to information contained in an app without opening the app. For example, you might have a widget for weather that tells you more about the highs and lows for the day. Unfortunately, widgets not only clutter your home screen but also demand a surprising amount of processing power to maintain. It is much more efficient to open and close your apps when you need them than to allow them to run in the background perpetually.
Clear Your Cached Data
Digital devices cache certain types of data to make applications run faster, but over time, that cached data can pile up and actually slow down app performance. You can delete the data cache for individual applications to improve their speed, or you can use an Android cleaner to automatically keep caches clear.
Use an Antivirus Tool
Android phones are slightly more susceptible to mobile malware than iPhones and devices with other non-Android operating systems because Android is notoriously open, which makes it easier for cybercriminals to develop malicious apps targeting users. Mobile malware might be slowing down your phone, and to check, you can use antivirus solutions built for Android devices.
Install a Custom ROM
ROM stands for read-only memory, which is the type of memory that Android phones use to manage application processes. You can install custom ROMs on Android phones to enhance performance speed — but doing so will void your warranty, so you might want to do this only if your phone is so old that the warranty has already expired.
Change the Animation Speed
Android plays animations as users open and close apps, which helps the user interface feel more fluid. You can speed up the rate of these animations, which generates a feeling that the phone is operating faster. In truth, the apps are opening and closing at the same rate, but the feeling of improved system performance might be all you need to enjoy using your Android.
Invest in a New Phone
Eventually, all phones become obsolete. Many experts advocate replacing an Android phone after two years of use to ensure that your device is fully up to date with the latest cybersecurity standards, but ultimately, it is up to you to determine when your phone is too old to use. If you find yourself perpetually frustrated by the slow speed of your phone, it might be time for an upgrade.
