Are you frustrated by your phone? Does it judder and complain every time you try to unlock it? Does it grind to a halt whenever you ask it to do a task that’s even mildly taxing?
You might be tempted to simply throw it in the bin, and invest in an entirely new handset. But that might be a mistake. Make sure that you’ve tried a few simple steps before you write the device off entirely.
Restart Regularly and Close Unneeded Apps
When your phone is running for days on end, it will accumulate processes. These processes will run in the background and suck up memory, to the extent that your phone can’t perform the tasks going on in the foreground.
Even apps that are seemingly idle will suck up memory and CPU cycles. In Android, you can close everything by pressing the three vertical lines at the bottom of the display. In iOS, you can simply swipe up from the bottom of the screen. Close the apps you don’t need.
Or, you can simply make a point of restarting your phone just before you get into bed.
Clear Cache, Cookies and Unused Files
Background processes are one thing. But what about your cache? This is data that your apps keep in storage, so that they can retrieve it more easily later on. Android lets you clear it on a per-app basis. Go to settings, and then apps, and then storage, and then ‘clear cache’.
Cookies work in much the same way, except with websites. You can clear the cookies from your browser in much the same way. In iOS, you can tap Settings, and then Safari.
If your storage drive is persistently full, then you’ll struggle to get the best possible performance. Free it up wherever possible.
Update Your Phone and Apps, But Be Selective
Software is continually developed, and smartphone applications are no different. The most recent version of a given app, or operating system, might be more power-efficient and less laggy. However, newer versions of a given app might also be more demanding, and packed with features that are only really viable on modern hardware. Either choose a different app, or look for a new handset.
Limit Animation, Visual Effects and Background Processes
Swipe animations can be visually appealing. More than that, they can help you to understand exactly what action you’ve taken. When you swipe through the home screen on your phone, the motion of the icons can orient you.
However, sometimes, background animations can be completely pointless. They consume resources, and actually stand in the way of you getting to where you want to be. If a particular animation is annoying you, then investigate whether it can be dispensed with. This will vary from app to app.
Free Up Storage & Use External Options Where Possible
If your phone is bursting with videos, photos, and other large assets, then you might consider backing these up externally and wiping them off the phone. Modern cloud storage provides a way of doing this that’s entirely seamless and endlessly scalable. You might also buy an SD card and move photos and other non-system files onto it.
