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When your phone starts to run slower than normal, it can be a headache and the famous question arises: Why is my phone so slow? How to speed up your iPhone and Android?
Sometimes it happens suddenly, and sometimes it's a gradual change over time. What is the cause? And what can you do to speed up your phone?
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At myPhoneup, our experts help millions of customers get the most out of their favorite technology every day, from diagnosing your phone problems to resolving them as quickly as possible.
Here are tips for fixing a slow iPhone® and Android™ phone, as well as tips to help your phone charge faster.
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What's slowing down my phone?
If you've noticed your phone getting slower lately, there are some common phone repair issues that could be behind the slowdown:
- There is not enough storage space on the device
- Too many applications or programs open
- Bad battery health
- Running an older operating system
- Irregular internet connection
- The phone is overheating
Why do phones slow down over time?
It's normal for older phones to be a little slow. Not necessarily due to the device itself, but due to the storage and performance requirements of newer app and operating system updates that you download to your phone.
These updates are often created with newer phone models in mind, so older devices may not be able to handle them as well.
How to speed up an iPhone
If your iPhone seems to be running slower than usual, here are some solutions to try:
1. CLOSE OPEN APPS
If too many apps are open, your iPhone may be working overtime.
- For iPhone 8 and below, double-tap the Home button. Swipe up on an app to close it.
- For devices without home buttons, swipe up from the bottom of the screen and pause without lifting a finger. Tap and hold the app you want to close, then tap the minus sign.
2. RESTART THE DEVICE
An occasional restart is a great way to clean up unnecessary background processes that may be causing performance issues.
3. CHECK STORAGE
A phone may struggle to perform simple tasks if it is low on storage. To check available storage, tap Settings > General > iPhone Storage. If your storage is low, check out our tips on how to free up storage space on your phone.
4. LOOK FOR DAMAGES
If the phone has physical or liquid damage, it may not work properly. Here's how you can tell if your phone has water damage.
Don't let a broken phone ruin your day
When your phone stops working, your life shouldn't. Go to the nearest store or schedule an appointment to have it fixed quickly.
How to Speed Up a Slow Android Phone
If your Samsung Galaxy® or Google Pixel® feels slow, here are four things you can try to speed it up:
1. CLEAR YOUR CACHE
If you have a slow or crashing app, clearing the app cache can solve many basic problems.
- Go to the settings of your device.
- Choice Applications.
- Click on a frequently used app, like Chrome. Then click Storage.
- Click on the icon Clear Cache in the lower right corner.
- Repeat these steps for the other apps on your device.
2. CLEAN YOUR PHONE STORAGE
Your phone speed will be affected if your phone is full of many rarely used apps.
To see which apps are using storage space on your device and delete the ones you can live without, tap Settings > Device Care (depending on your phone model, this may be Battery and Device Care) > Storage.
For more tips on organizing your phone, check out our guide on how free up space on your smartphone.
3. DISABLE LIVE WALLPAPER
Sure, the live wallpaper on your home screen looks fancy, but it can be a huge drag on your device's performance.
If you're experiencing a long delay when switching between apps or when clicking away from an app to return to the home screen, try switching back to a static background and see if that helps.
Use a favorite image from your gallery, or if you need inspiration, check out Unsplash's collection of free HD phone wallpapers.
4. CHECK FOR SOFTWARE UPDATES
Software updates often contain bug fixes, new features, and performance improvements.
To see if new updates are available, tap Settings > Software update > Check for updates.
Most updates are standard procedure, but it's still a good idea to back up your phone beforehand.
What to do if your phone is still slow
If you've tried all of the above and your phone is still lagging, you may need to do a factory data reset. Only do this as a last resort. A factory data reset will erase everything from your phone and will restore original settings of the software.
Why is my phone charging slowly?
If your phone is taking forever to charge, there are three main things to watch out for:
- Check the cable. A bad charging cable is the number one culprit behind a slow phone charge. Check the cable for any signs of physical damage – make sure it is not frayed or kinked. Next, make sure the cable is approved by the manufacturer. Otherwise, it may not work as well as one that is.
- Unplug the power adapter. A bad power brick can also cause your phone to charge slowly. Before you give your power cord the old heave-ho, make sure the power adapter you plugged into the wall isn't the problem.
- Clean the phone's charging port. A charging port full of dust and dirt can prevent your phone from charging properly. To clean your phone's charging port, take a toothpick or cotton swab and gently (and slowly) wipe the port.
