If you’ve been wondering why your Android phone is running so slow, you’re not alone. Having issues with slow performance and freezing is quite common. For example, your phone might be taking an eternity to switch between different apps, or it might stop responding altogether. These issues can interfere with daily tasks, like getting an Uber, answering emails, and responding to texts. This article outlines what might be slowing down your Android phone and provides troubleshooting tips for better performance.
Factors That Contribute to an Android Phone’s Performance
There are four main factors that directly impact your Android phone’s performance and speed:
CPU Core Count
A CPU core processes all tasks and commands on your phone. Today’s Android phones feature eight cores—a combination of P-cores and E-cores working together. P-cores tackle intensive tasks like gaming and HD video playback at maximum speed. E-cores handle lighter tasks like texting and web browsing while preserving battery life. For basic phone use, four cores work perfectly fine, but having eight cores delivers the extra processing capacity needed for demanding apps and heavy multitasking.
CPU Clock Speed
Clock speed indicates how fast your phone’s processor completes tasks. When an Android phone runs slow and freezes, it’s often because the processor’s speed has dropped below optimal levels. New phones have clock speeds ranging between 1.8 GHz and 3.0 GHz. Higher speeds deliver better performance but use more battery power. Your phone may reduce its clock speed when it gets too warm or needs to save battery power, which can temporarily affect performance.
Random Access Memory
Random Access Memory, also known as RAM, is the active memory of your phone. It contains all open apps and ongoing tasks. This high-speed memory allows you to access apps that are already running instantly without the need to reload them from storage. Most phones have between 4GB and 12GB of RAM, but for regular users, 6GB is plenty. More RAM becomes necessary if you constantly switch between multiple apps throughout the day. Having enough RAM protects apps from restarting each time you return to them.
Internal Storage
Internal storage holds all your apps, files, and system data. When this storage space is full of clutter, it makes your phone work harder and slows down basic operations and applications. Current Android phones provide storage of 64GB to 256GB for apps and media. Having at least 15% of your storage free can maintain your phone’s speed and responsiveness.
Reasons Why Your Android Phone Is Running Slow
Your Android phone may be running slower freezing for the following reasons:
Low Storage Space
Keeping too many files, apps, and media fills up your device’s storage. Your Android phone may run slow when there’s less than 10% free space available. The system needs free storage to process daily tasks and create needed files. When storage is running low, even opening an app can turn into a hassle as your operating system searches for room to load the content.
Weak Battery
A weak battery can affect the overall speed and reliability of your phone. An old or damaged battery cannot supply enough power for your device to perform demanding tasks. When this happens, your device may intentionally slow some functions down to avoid unexpected shutdowns.
Outdated Software
Running old software can keep your phone from operating efficiently. Newer applications require newer operating systems with performance optimizations. This means that your phone will work harder trying to run modern applications on old software and may slow down as a result.
Software Updates
Recent updates need time to settle into your device’s system. They may cause your phone to run slowly because of the background processes they require.
Too Many Apps Open
Active apps consume your phone’s RAM. The number of apps open affects the overall speed of your operating system. When multiple apps are open, your device may struggle to cope with so many tasks and start lagging or freezing.
Cached Data
Phones store data when you open an app or visit a website for the first time. This data can build up over time, taking up space and decreasing processing speed.
Malware
Harmful malware can waste your phone’s resources. It can run unauthorized tasks, slowing performance and shortening battery life with unwanted background activities.
8 Ways to Troubleshoot a Slow or Unresponsive Android Phone
If your Android phone is constantly lagging or freezing, here are several solutions to get it running smoothly again:
Restart Your Phone
The fastest way to resolve most performance issues is to restart your device, which can iron out temporary glitches. This will not delete any of your data and will only take a few minutes. Since temporary glitches are what cause most freezing problems, you should always try restarting your phone before taking more drastic measures.
Here’s how to restart your Android phone:
- Press and hold the power button for 5 seconds.
- Tap “Restart” when a menu appears.
If your phone is completely frozen, try this instead:
- Press and hold both the power and volume-down buttons for at least 7 seconds.
- Wait for your phone to do a soft reset.
Delete Unused Apps
Having too many apps can overwork your phone and make it freeze. Different apps continue working and taking up resources even if you’re not actively using them. Removing apps you don’t use can vastly improve your phone’s performance.
Here’s how to remove unused apps:
- Open “Settings” on your phone
- Tap “Apps” or “Applications”
- Select the app you don’t need
- Press “Uninstall” and confirm
- Repeat with other unused apps
Manage Your Phone’s Storage
Your phone requires a fair amount of free space for seamless performance and efficient handling of temporary files. If its storage level becomes low, your Android phone may start running slow or freezing. These problems can be avoided with regular phone maintenance.
Here’s how you can check and clear your phone’s storage effectively:
- Open “Settings”
- Go to “Storage.”
- Review your space usage
- Select “Free Up Space”
- Choose files to remove
- Delete unnecessary downloads and media
- Move important files to cloud storage
Increase Your Animation Speed
Animation settings control the speed of animations on your phone when moving between apps and unlocking the device. Changing these settings can give the impression of faster performance.
To change your animation speed, you first have to enable developer settings:
- Go to “Settings” and then “About Phone.”
- Find “Build Number” and tap it 7 times
- Enter your PIN when prompted
After enabling developer settings, follow these steps:
- Go to “Settings,” then “System,” followed by “Developer Options.”
- Scroll down to the “Drawing” section until you find the animation scales
- Set each option to .5x speed
Check for OS Updates
Operating system updates can resolve bugs and improve responsiveness issues. Keeping your Android version current ensures compatibility with apps and better system stability. Regular updates are crucial for maintaining your phone’s performance.
To check and install system updates, here’s what you need to do:
- Connect to a stable WiFinetwork
- Open “Settings”
- Go to “System” or “Software Update.”
- Tap “Check for Updates”
- Download any available updates
- Follow installation prompts
- Restart your phone when complete
Clear Your Cache
Cached data builds up over time and may be the reason why your device is slowing down or freezing. While cached data helps apps launch more quickly, too much of it will affect your phone’s performance. Regular clearing of your cache can keep your phone running smoothly.
To clear cached data in individual apps, follow these steps:
- Go to “Settings” and then “Apps.”
- Select the app causing issues
- Tap “Storage” and then “Clear Cache.”
Factory Reset Your Phone
A factory reset restores the software of your phone to its original condition, solving deep-seated issues that simpler solutions aren’t able to fix. It erases all personal data, apps, and settings, providing your phone with a clean slate. This should only be performed as a last resort when other troubleshooting methods haven’t worked.
If you want to do a factory reset, you’ll need to backup all of your data first and then:
- Go to “Settings” and then “System.”
- Tap on “Reset Options”
- Select “Factory Reset”
Follow the on-screen instructions:
- Enter your PIN if required
- Confirm the factory reset
- Wait for completion
Protect Your Phone From Malware
Malware can slow down your phone, cause it to freeze, and even create unwanted pop-ups and security hazards. Installing a good antivirus app and enabling Google Play Protect are important measures that should be taken against malware. You should only download apps from trusted sources, like the Google Play Store, to maintain your phone’s security and performance.
Get Professional Help at Cell Phone Hospital
Performance issues can be a serious inconvenience, especially if you use your phone for work or to stay in touch with family members. At Cell Phone Hospital, our trained technicians repair various types of Android phones, including Samsung, Google Pixel, and OnePlus models and more. We have over ten years of experience fixing performance-related issues at affordable prices. Visit one of our four locations today, and we’ll provide you with same-day repair and an industry-leading warranty.
