How to Speed Up Your Phone
Stutters, slow app launches and constant reloading rarely mean you need a new phone. These fixes work on both iPhone and Android — most take just a few minutes.
A phone that stutters, takes a beat to open the camera, or reloads apps every time you switch back to them is frustrating — and rarely means you need a new device. Most of the slowdown comes from full storage, too many background apps and outdated software, all of which you can fix in minutes. This guide covers both iPhone and Android.
Key takeaways
- Low storage is the number-one cause of a slow phone — keep at least 10–15% free.
- A restart and a software update resolve a large share of stutters and crashes.
- Limit background refresh for apps you don’t need updating constantly.
- Heat and an aging battery can throttle performance — both have clear fixes.
What actually slows a phone down
Phones don’t wear out their processors, but several things stack up: storage fills with photos, videos and app caches; dozens of apps refresh in the background; software updates add features designed for newer chips; and a battery that has aged past ~80% of its original capacity can cause the system to reduce peak performance to prevent unexpected shutdowns. Address these in order and most phones feel years younger.
Restart and update first
Phones are rarely turned off, so memory leaks and minor glitches accumulate. A full restart (power off, wait ten seconds, power on) is the fastest fix and costs nothing.
Then update the software. Updates ship performance optimisations and security patches:
- iPhone: Settings → General → Software Update.
- Android: Settings → System → System update (wording varies by maker).
Update your apps too, from the App Store or Google Play — an old version of a heavy app is a common cause of lag.
Free up storage
When a phone’s storage is nearly full, everything slows: the system has no room to manage caches and temporary files. Aim to keep at least 10–15% free.
See what is using space
On iPhone: Settings → General → iPhone Storage. On Android: Settings → Storage. Both show a breakdown and recommendations.
Clear the biggest offenders
Photos and video usually dominate. Back them up to cloud storage, then remove local copies. Delete downloaded podcasts, offline maps and videos you’ve finished.
Offload or clear app caches
iPhone’s Offload Unused Apps frees space while keeping your data. On Android, clear cache for heavy apps under Settings → Apps. See how to clear cache and cookies.
Turn on automatic photo backup (iCloud Photos or Google Photos) and enable “optimise storage” so full-resolution originals live in the cloud and only smaller versions stay on the device.
Tame background apps and notifications
Apps that refresh in the background consume processor cycles, memory and battery. You rarely need every app updating constantly.
- iPhone: Settings → General → Background App Refresh — turn it off for apps that don’t need live updates.
- Android: Settings → Apps → (app) → Battery → set to Restricted/Optimised for apps you don’t use often.
Trimming notifications also helps: each push wakes the screen and the radios. Disable notifications for apps you don’t act on.
Don’t bother force-closing every app. On modern iPhones and Android phones, manually swiping away all apps usually hurts battery and speed, because the system has to reload them from scratch. Only force-close an app that is actually misbehaving.
Reset and refresh
If it’s still sluggish, escalate gently. On iPhone, Reset All Settings (Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Reset) clears configuration quirks without deleting your data. On Android, clearing cache or resetting app preferences can help.
A full factory reset is the nuclear option that almost always restores like-new speed — but back up first and treat it as a fresh start. Our guide on transferring data to a new phone covers backing everything up cleanly.
Battery, heat and performance
Heat is the enemy of speed. A phone left in direct sun or running a heavy game will throttle. Take it out of a thick case while charging and avoid using it under load in hot conditions.
On iPhone, check Settings → Battery → Battery Health & Charging. If Maximum Capacity has dropped well below 80%, the system may be limiting peak performance to avoid shutdowns — a battery replacement restores full speed. Our battery life guide covers slowing that decline.
Know when it is the hardware
If a phone is several years old, no longer receives software updates, and remains slow after a reset and battery check, the hardware has simply been outpaced by modern apps. At that point our smartphone buying guide will help you pick a replacement that lasts. For most people, though, the steps above add years of life.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my phone so slow even though it is not old?
The usual cause is full storage or too many background apps, not age. Free up space so at least 10–15% is available, update the software, and restrict background refresh for apps you don’t need updating constantly. A restart alone fixes many cases.
Does closing apps make my phone faster?
No — on modern iPhone and Android, force-closing all apps usually makes things slower and uses more battery, because the system reloads them from scratch. The OS manages background apps efficiently. Only force-close an app that is actually frozen or misbehaving.
How much free storage should a phone have?
Keep at least 10–15% of total storage free. Below that, the system has no room for caches and temporary files and the whole phone slows down. Back up photos and video to the cloud to reclaim the most space.
Can a worn battery slow down my phone?
Yes, on iPhone especially. Once battery health drops well below 80% of original capacity, the system may reduce peak performance to prevent sudden shutdowns. Replacing the battery restores full speed. Check Settings → Battery → Battery Health.
Will a factory reset speed up my phone?
Almost always — it clears years of accumulated data and settings and restores near-original speed. Back up everything first, because a factory reset erases the device. Treat it as a last resort after the quicker fixes.
Sources & further reading
- Apple — Check your iPhone battery health
- Apple — Manage iPhone storage
- Google — Free up space on your Android device
This guide is independently produced. We reference primary documentation from device makers and security authorities. Tudug is reader-supported and may earn from ads.
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