If your Android phone isn’t as fast as it used to be, don’t worry—you may not need an upgrade just yet. Over time, performance can slow down for a variety of reasons, but the good news is there are plenty of ways to speed things back up. With a few simple tweaks, you can extend your phone’s life and keep it running smoothly for longer.
Not so fun fact: Your phone can be dirtier than a toilet seat, so do yourself a favor and get into a consistent cleaning routine.
You can also uninstall apps using the Play Store.
After removing any old apps, free up more storage by going through the files saved on your Android phone. It’s far too easy to forget about all of the files you’ve randomly downloaded — like the takeout menu of the new place down the road or a GIF a friend sent. And those files add up. The quickest and easiest way to manage your phone’s storage is to use the Files app that comes preinstalled.
Actually, some phones use a variation of that same app. On Samsung, for example, it’s called My Files. On the Pixel lineup, it’s just Files. On the OnePlus 10 Pro, it’s File Manager — you get the point.
I recommend opening the app drawer on your phone and reaching for “files.” Odds are that will reveal whatever your phone-maker calls the app.
Start with checking the Downloads folder, where you can either delete the files you no longer want or move them somewhere like Google Drive.
Most file apps will also reveal any large files that are saved on your device. For instance, the OnePlus 10 Pro’s File Manager app has a dedicated section in the app for files that are taking up a lot of space.
Your options for designing your home screen are endless.
Speaking of settings, now is a good time to go through and change any settings that have been annoying you. I have a roundup of settings you’ll want to change and customize on any Android phone to get the most out of it.
For example, turning on dark mode not only makes the app look better, but it saves battery life. And yes, I even show you how to stop app icons from automatically appearing on your home screen.
Use the Permissions Manager to control which apps have access to your data.
