Smartphones and tablets weren't made to last forever. However, although some last longer than others, the reality is that the average lifespan of a smartphone is less than three years. Although this range is expected to increase over time, it is something that remains to be seen. There are many ways to optimize your Android device for better performance and a longer lifespan. This is even if it's been a while. So we're going to tell you the only way your cell phone can get faster!
This is the only way your phone will get faster!
Remove unused and questionable applications
The first essential step to optimizing your Android is to eliminate everything you don't need, starting with applications. It's likely that there are old, outdated apps taking up precious storage space on your device. Some applications may even be running in the background without you noticing. This doesn't make for a faster phone.
The first step to removing unused and questionable applications is to find them. In settings, the device displays the amount of space each app takes up, and some devices display the last time the app was used. From there, you can force stop an application that is running in the background or uninstall the ones you don't need.
You can also remove Android apps by long-pressing the app from the home screen until the options menu appears. If you're removing apps from an Android phone, make sure you're long-pressing the apps in the app drawer. To get there, just swipe up from any home screen.
If you want to go the extra mile with your cleanup, consider uninstalling apps that don't add to the Android experience, including those that pose known security risks.
Restrict applications that consume data
Ditching data-intensive apps can help your Android device run better. Imagine how many applications can be downloading small pieces of data – which accumulate over 10, 15 or more applications – while you are not even using your phone. Forcing apps to only use Wi-Fi and not suck up your data in the background can help your device run faster when using mobile data. Data restrictions are useful. Both for tablets with data and smartphones with a wireless plan. But even Wi-Fi-only tablets can benefit from some data cleansing.
Your tablet can run faster without apps accessing the Wi-Fi network without your explicit permission. Likewise, some streaming apps – like Netflix or Disney – may run slowly if your home Wi-Fi network isn't the strongest and other apps are running in the background.
Delete old and unnecessary downloads
What was the last thing you downloaded to your smartphone or tablet? If you happen to remember what it was, are you still using that downloaded file? Chances are not, and that document is taking up precious storage space.
So how exactly do you remove downloads from your device? It's not very difficult to find the files on your Android phone and start working to remove what you don't need. Samsung phones, for example, have a default My Files folder that's easy to access, while Google phones come equipped with a Files app.
When you reach the appropriate folder, you can see how much space your files are taking up and where.
Clear online and application cache
You may be familiar with your online cache thanks to desktop web browsers, but did you know that your smartphone and tablet also have a cache? In addition to the browser cache, devices also have application cache, where temporary data is stored on the device as part of the application's regular operation.
In the case of Androids that frequently experience crashes when browsing, clearing the Internet cache can remedy the situation. Clearing the cache is usually as simple as navigating to your favorite browser, selecting History from the menu and clearing the browser data using the appropriately named button.
The other type of cache cleaning you can do on a tablet or smartphone involves application management settings. You will have to clear your Android phone's cache one app at a time, unless you decide to download an app that clears it all at once. Manually clearing the cache doesn't take much time, especially if you focus on data-intensive apps like YouTube, music apps, and streaming services.
Clearing your apps' caches and removing data helps optimize your Android by minimizing the amount of work you're asking flash memory (the type of memory that phones and tablets use).
Optimize RAM usage for a faster phone
Have you ever been sitting at your PC when the fan comes on and suddenly it feels like it's going to fly away? On a smartphone or tablet, this phenomenon may feel more like time has slowed down or your phone is turning into lava.
When you ask your phone to do a lot of things – load graphics, switch between browser tabs, download things – it can become slow. The good news is that lethargy is something that can be resolved.
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Although it is not possible to change the factory-supplied RAM, it is possible to optimize RAM usage by changing some Android settings. On the one hand, ignoring animated wallpapers or larger ones helps to relieve your device's RAM.
Disabling widgets also helps divert power to other device functions. Even if it makes the phone a little less intuitive. Likewise, diving into Android's scheduler options to disable animations can help your battery last longer and increase performance.
Don't delay software or application updates
Most newer devices come equipped to automatically manage updates and, at the very least, alert you when one becomes available. Consider changing your settings to automatically accept updates so you don't miss any important fixes. This can contribute to a faster cell phone.
Invest in a replacement battery
With so many ways to charge modern devices, you may have forgotten that, in the past, it was possible to replace the battery on many smartphones. Tablets are another thing entirely, but some newer Android phones still have removable batteries, so it may be easier than you think to install a replacement battery. This will contribute to a faster cell phone.
Change settings to minimize delay
Most of the settings you can change to maximize your device's performance are easy to find. For example, optimizing your phone's battery life or dimming the backlight on your tablet are easy solutions. However, some settings are more complicated and require delving into the programmer's settings. However, these hidden settings could be ruining your Android experience, especially if your device is newer but acts like it's already tired.
A deep dive into Android settings reveals tweaks like enabling the high refresh screen and increasing refresh animation rates. Changing developer settings can be tricky and some changes won't be immediately obvious, so be prepared for some trial and error.
Clean your device with a factory reset
It may be a drastic step, but one of the simplest ways to optimize how your Android works is to do a factory reset. If you've tried all the other methods to optimize your Android and it continues to have problems and work poorly, a factory reset could be the magic method to get things back to normal quickly.
After checking for updates, clearing your device storage, and resolving app issues, even Google recommends a factory reset as a viable option. Remember to back up all important data, such as photos and login information, before factory resetting your Android.