Four-step routine to make an Android phone run faster

ZDNET contributor Sabrina Ortiz lays out a four-step routine to make an Android phone operate like new without rooting the device.

Ortiz says the primary focus should be clearing storage. Step one is to delete unused apps — you can review installed apps in Settings > Storage > Apps or long-press an app and use App Info > Uninstall — to stop the phone allocating resources to forgotten software.

Step two is to clear more storage by checking the File app and the Downloads folder, offloading photos to an external drive or the cloud, and clearing app caches via Settings > Storage > App > Clear Cache. Step three is to check for OS updates in Settings > General > System Update and to update remaining apps in the Google Play Store.

As a bonus, Ortiz recommends adjusting animation speed in Developer options to make the interface feel snappier: enable Developer options via Settings > About phone > Software information and tap the Build number seven times, then set Window animation scale to 0.5x and reduce Transition animation scale and Animator duration scale. Once these changes are made, the phone should feel faster; Ortiz also suggests refreshing the home screen or wallpaper to give the device a new feel.

Key Topics

Tech, Android, Sabrina Ortiz, Developer Options, Google Play Store, App Cache