It might be annoying when your phone starts to operate more slowly than normal. Sometimes it changes gradually over time, and other times it happens all at once. What is the reason? And how can you make your phone faster? Every day, our professionals at Asurion assist millions of clients in getting the most out of their preferred technology, from identifying and promptly fixing issues with your phone. These are their suggestions for resolving sluggish Android and iPhone phones.
What is slowing down my phone?
- If your phone has been performing slower lately, there are a few typical phone repair problems that might be the cause of the slowdown:
- The device’s storage space is insufficient.
- Too many applications or apps open
- Inadequate battery condition
- Using an outdated operating system
- Spotty internet connection
- The phone is getting too hot.
Why do phones slow down over time?
It’s common for older phones to get a bit slow. The storage and performance needs of the most recent operating system and app upgrades that you download onto your phone are more likely to be the cause than the device itself. Older smartphones might not be able to handle such upgrades as effectively because they are usually designed with current phone models in mind.
How to speed up an iPhone
Here are several fixes to try if your phone seems to be operating more slowly than usual:
1. Close open apps
- Your iPhone may be working overtime if there are too many open apps.
- Double-tap the Home button on the phone and on devices older than that. To exit an app, swipe up.
- To pause without using your fingers, swipe up from the bottom of the screen on smartphones without home buttons. To exit an app, press and hold it, then hit the minus symbol.
2. Restart the device
One excellent technique to get rid of pointless background activities that can be creating performance problems is to restart your computer sometimes.
3. Check the storage
If a phone has little storage, it may have trouble doing even basic activities. Select Settings > General > iPhone capacity to view the available capacity. Check out our advice on how to increase your phone’s storage if it’s low.
4. Look for damage
The phone might not function correctly if it has moisture or physical damage. How can you determine whether your phone is water damaged?
How to speed up a slow Android phone
The following four tips can help you speed up your phone if it seems to be dragging:
- Clear your cache
- Clearing the app’s cache can resolve many common problems if it’s crashing or operating slowly. Regarding a Samsung Galaxy:
- Select Settings > Applications.
- Select Size from the Sort by dropdown menu next to Your Apps, then press OK. The apps that use the most space will be shown first after your apps are sorted.
- After selecting an app, select Storage > Clear cache.
On Google Pixel:
- Navigate to Settings > Storage.
- To get a list of every program that is installed on your phone, tap Other Apps.
- Select the application whose cache you wish to remove.
- Press “Clear cache.”
2. Clean up your phone storage
When your phone is overloaded with infrequently used apps, it will slow down. Go to Settings > Storage or Settings > Battery and device care > Storage to discover which applications are consuming the most storage space on your iPhone and remove those you don’t need. See our article on how to free up your smartphone for further advice on decluttering your device.
- Disable live wallpaper
Although live wallpaper on your home screen may appear elegant, it might significantly impair the functionality of your smartphone. Try switching back to a static backdrop to see if it helps if you’re seeing a lot of lag when you switch between programs or when you exit an app to return to the home screen. Use a favorite photo from your gallery, or go through Unsplash’s selection of free high definition phone wallpapers if you’re feeling creative.
4. Check for software updates
New features, performance enhancements, and bug fixes are typically included in software upgrades. To check for software updates on your Samsung Galaxy, select Settings > Software update > Check for software updates. To see whether there are any software updates for your Google Pixel, touch Check for updates under Settings > System > System update. Even if the majority of upgrades are routine, backing up your phone in advance is still a smart idea.
What to do if your phone is still running slow
You might need to do a factory data reset if you’ve tried everything above and your phone is still underperforming. Use this only as a last resort. By doing a factory data reset, the phone will be cleared of all data and returned to its initial software configuration.
Disclaimer
The information in this article is provided for general educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as professional technical advice or a substitute for diagnosis or repair by a certified technician. Always back up your data before making major changes to your device, including resets or updates. If your phone continues to experience issues, consider contacting the device manufacturer or a qualified repair professional.