Android phone running slow? Restart it first, then check storage. Google says phones can start having problems when less than 10% of storage is free.
Next, update Android and your apps, close apps you aren’t using, and test in safe mode to find a bad app. On a Samsung Galaxy, run Settings → Device care → Optimize now. A factory reset is the last resort.
Most slowdowns come from a few common causes: storage that’s nearly full, software that’s out of date, or one app misbehaving in the background. The fixes below go from quickest to most drastic. Menu names vary a little between Pixel, Samsung and other brands, but every step exists on most Android phones.
Android phone running slow, or is it the connection?
If only websites, video and online apps are slow, while the camera, settings and offline apps are fast, the problem is probably your Wi-Fi or mobile data, not the phone. Switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data to compare, restart your router, or contact your carrier. If everything is slow, including opening Settings and typing, keep reading.
Fix 1: Restart your phone
A restart clears temporary memory and stops apps stuck in the background. Press and hold the power button until the power menu appears and tap Restart. If the phone is frozen, Google says to press the power button for about 30 seconds, until it restarts.
Fix 2: Free up storage
This is the biggest single fix for an Android phone running slow. Open Settings → Storage (on Samsung, Settings → Device care → Storage) and check how much is free. If it’s under 10%, clear space:
- Delete apps you haven’t opened in months.
- Back up photos and videos to the cloud, then remove them from the phone.
- Clear out your Downloads folder and old video files from chat apps.
Our step-by-step guide shows how to free up storage on Android without losing anything important.
Fix 3: Update Android
Updates fix bugs that cause lag. Open Settings → System → Software update and install anything available. On Samsung Galaxy phones, Software update sits near the bottom of the main Settings list. Galaxy owners can read our One UI 9 update guide to see what’s new.
A phone can feel slow for a day or two after a big update while it finishes optimizing apps in the background. Leave it charging overnight before deciding the update made things worse.
Fix 4: Update your apps
- Open the Google Play Store.
- Tap your profile icon at the top right.
- Tap Manage apps & device.
- Under Updates available, tap Update all, or update the apps you choose.
Fix 5: Close apps you aren’t using
If one app seems to be slowing things down, force it to stop. Open Settings → Apps, tap the app, and tap Force stop. Google suggests noting which apps you force stop, so you can spot a pattern if the same one keeps causing trouble. Swiping apps away from the recent apps screen is fine too, but you don’t need to do it all day. Android manages memory on its own.
Fix 6: Clear the cache of a heavy app
Apps such as browsers and social media store temporary files that can grow large or become corrupted. Go to Settings → Apps → the app → Storage (or Storage & cache) → Clear cache. This doesn’t delete your account or messages. Don’t tap Clear storage or Clear data unless you’re ready to sign in again. Our guide explains how to clear cache on Android in detail.
Fix 7: Test in safe mode
Safe mode temporarily turns off every app you downloaded, so only the phone’s built-in software runs. If your Android phone runs fast in safe mode, a downloaded app is the problem.
- Restart your phone in safe mode. The steps vary by phone. On many Android phones, you open the power menu and touch and hold Power off or Restart until a safe mode option appears. If that doesn’t work, check your phone maker’s support site.
- Use the phone for a few minutes. “Safe mode” shows at the bottom of the screen.
- If it’s faster, restart normally to leave safe mode.
Stuck in safe mode afterward? Here’s how to turn off safe mode.
Fix 8: Remove recently installed apps one at a time
If safe mode was faster, Google suggests this method: restart normally, uninstall the most recently downloaded app, then restart and check the speed. Repeat, one app at a time, until the slowdown stops. The last app you removed was probably the cause. You can reinstall the others afterward.
Fix 9: On Samsung Galaxy, use Device care
Galaxy phones have built-in tools that tidy up memory, storage and background apps.
- Settings → Device care → Optimize now → Done. Samsung says this closes background apps, clears memory, deletes unneeded files and scans for malware.
- Settings → Device care → Memory → Clean now stops background apps. Add apps you always want running under Excluded apps.
- Settings → Device care → Auto optimization → Auto restart restarts the phone when needed to keep it running smoothly. You can also set Restart on schedule.
- RAM Plus (Device care → Memory) uses storage as up to 8GB of virtual memory. It only helps if you have plenty of free storage.
If slowness arrived together with fast battery drain after an update, see our guide to One UI 9 battery drain.
Fix 10: Factory reset as a last resort
A factory data reset erases everything on the phone: apps, photos, messages and settings. Back up first and make sure you know your Google account password.
If nothing else works, a reset returns the phone to how it left the factory. Google says most phones can reset from the Settings app, but the menu varies by maker. On a Samsung Galaxy, go to Settings → General management → Reset → Factory data reset, then tap Reset and Delete all. Restore your apps carefully afterward. If you reinstall everything at once, you may bring the problem back. Our Android setup guide walks you through the first steps after a reset.
Still slow? Check these
- Signs of malware: pop-ups, apps you didn’t install, or data use you can’t explain. See is my phone hacked?
- A hot phone: phones slow themselves down when they overheat. Take off a thick case and avoid gaming while charging.
- An old phone: if it no longer gets Android updates, apps built for newer phones may always feel slow. It may be time to upgrade.
Find more phone fixes in our Android section.
FAQ
Why is my Android phone so slow all of a sudden?
Common causes are storage that’s nearly full, an app update that misbehaves, or a phone that’s still optimizing after a system update. Restart, check storage, and try safe mode to find a bad app.
Do task killer or cleaner apps speed up Android?
They’re rarely needed. Android manages memory on its own, and Samsung phones already include Device care. Some cleaner apps run constantly in the background and show ads, which can make things slower.
Does clearing cache speed up my phone?
It can help when one app is slow or uses a lot of storage. It doesn’t delete your data, but the app may load a little slower the first time while it rebuilds its cache.
Will a factory reset make my phone faster?
Often yes, because it removes buildup from years of apps and files. But it erases everything, so try the other fixes first and back up before you reset.
