Speed up an Android Smartphone

To keep your Android running quickly, you'll want to remove old apps and files that you don't use anymore. Clearing the app cache can also free up a lot of space and improve performance. If your device is loaded down with pictures, transferring them to a computer can be the quickest way to safely back them up. Finally, you can perform a factory reset and restore the device to its original performance.

Steps

Uninstalling Old Apps

  1. Tap the Settings app. You can find this in your app drawer by tapping the grid at the bottom of your Home screen. You can also typically access settings from the Notification Panel.
  2. Tap Apps or Application manager.
  3. Switch to the All tab. This will display all of the apps installed on your device.
  4. Scroll through the list to find apps you don't use. Apps that you know longer use may be taking up space and running in the background, slowing your device down. You'll see the amount of space each app takes next to the entry in the list.
    • Some versions of Android allow you to sort by size by tapping the ⋮ button.
  5. Tap an app that you want to uninstall.
  6. Tap the Uninstall button. If this button is not available, the app likely came preinstalled and cannot be completely removed.
  7. Tap Disable or Turn Off if you can't uninstall. You may have to tap "Uninstall updates" first.
  8. Repeat for any other apps you want to remove. The more apps you can remove, the more space your phone will have. This will lead to better performance.[1]

Clearing Out Old Files

  1. Tap the app list button. This is the grid at the bottom of your Home screen.
  2. Tap Downloads.
  3. Tap the Trash button. The layout of this screen will vary depending on your device, but there's usually a trashcan button or a Delete button you can tap at the top of the screen.
  4. Tap each file you want to delete. Each file you want to delete will have a checkmark next to it.
  5. Tap Clear or Delete.
  6. Check the Delete downloaded files box.
  7. Tap Clear.

Clearing Your Cache

  1. Tap the Settings app. You'll find this in the list of all of your apps.
  2. Tap Storage & USB. It may just be labeled Storage.
  3. Tap Cached data.
  4. Tap OK. This will clear all of the app cache data on your device. You'll have to sign into your apps again when you next launch them.[2]

Transferring and Removing Pictures (Windows)

  1. Connect your Android device to your computer.
    • If you have a Mac, see Speed-up-an-Android-Smartphone.
  2. Swipe down from the top of the Android screen.
  3. Tap the USB notification.
  4. Select File transfer or MTP.
  5. Open the Computer/This PC window. You can click the folder or Computer button in the Start menu, or press ⊞ Win+E.
  6. Right-click on your Android device.
  7. Click Import pictures and videos.
  8. Click the More options link.
  9. Check the Delete files after importing box.
  10. Click OK.
  11. Click the Import all items now radio button.
  12. Enter a name for the folder.
  13. Click Import. The photos will begin copying to your computer, and will then be deleted from your device.
  14. Disconnect your Android after the photos finish transferring.
  15. Open the Pictures folder on your computer to find the photos.

Transferring and Removing Pictures (Mac)

  1. Connect your Android device to your Mac.
  2. Swipe down from the top of the Android screen.
  3. Tap the USB connection option.
  4. Tap Photo transfer.
  5. Click the Go menu on your Mac.
  6. Click Applications.
  7. Double-click Image Capture.
  8. Click your Android device in the Devices menu.
  9. Click the arrow in the lower left corner.
  10. Click the Delete after import box.
  11. Click the Import all button. The pictures on your Android device will be transferred to your computer's hard drive, and will then be deleted automatically from your Android's storage.

Factory Resetting

  1. Back up your contacts. If you are signed in with a Google account on your Android, your contacts should automatically be synced with your Google account. You can check your Google contacts at contacts.google.com. If you have contacts you need to back up manually, see Back Up Your Contacts with an Android Phone, Gmail or Moborobo.
  2. Save any files you may need. When you factory reset, all of your data will be wiped. If you have files on your Android that you need to keep, connect your Android to your computer and transfer the files for safekeeping. See Transfer Data Between a Cell Phone and Computer for detailed instructions.
  3. Tap the Settings app on your Android. Once your data is safely backed up, you can start the reset process.
  4. Tap the Personal tab (if applicable). Some Android devices, notably Samsung devices, will require you to switch to the Personal section to find the reset options.
  5. Tap Backup & reset.
  6. Tap Factory data reset.
  7. Tap Reset phone.
  8. Wait while your device resets.
  9. Start the device setup process.
  10. Sign in with your Google account when prompted. This will restore your contacts and settings, as well as your Google Play Store app purchases and downloads.

Tips

  • Avoid apps that claim to speed up your phone. By keeping storage clear on your device removing apps you don't need, you'll keep your Android running as quick as it can.
  • As devices age, they may not be able to keep up with the latest apps, even if your device is in peak shape. If your Android device is older than 3-4 years and you're trying to use apps like Facebook and Snapchat, you'll likely encounter a lot of performance problems.

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ http://www.androidcentral.com/how-fix-slow-android-phone
  2. ↑ http://www.androidauthority.com/android-device-running-slow-speed-up-phone-638039/
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