Android Phone Running Slow? Try These Fixes

Common causes

• Less than 10% of storage free
• A downloaded app causing problems
• Problems with the apps on your phone
• A problem with your network or internet connection

Step-by-Step Solutions

Work through these steps in order and restart your phone after each one to see if it’s faster.

1. 1

   Step 1: Restart your phone

   Google’s Android Help suggests restarting your phone after each step to see if it fixed the issue.

   On most phones, press your phone’s power button for about 30 seconds, or until your phone restarts. On the screen, you might need to tap Restart.

   On Pixel 6 and later, including Fold, press and hold the Power button and the Volume up button for a few seconds, then tap Restart.

2. 2

   Step 2: Check your connection

   Google’s steps for a slow phone include checking your network and connection settings.

   Check your network and connection settings.

   If you still have internet connection issues, contact your network administrator, Internet Service Provider (ISP) or mobile carrier.

3. 3

   Step 3: Check for Android updates

   Google lists checking for Android updates as one of the steps for a slow phone.

   Open your phone’s Settings app. Near the bottom, tap System, then Software update. If needed, first tap About phone. When the update status appears on your screen, follow the steps.

   Updates can be large and may take some time. Before you update, connect to Wi-Fi and charge your phone to at least 75%.

   Pixel phones install downloaded updates in the background, and the updates become active the next time you restart. Many other Android phones restart automatically while they install downloaded updates.

   Good to know

   Settings can vary by phone. For more info, contact your device manufacturer.

4. 4

   Step 4: Check storage and free up space

   Your phone can start having issues when less than 10% of storage is free.

   On most phones, you can check how much storage you have available in the Settings app. On a Pixel, open Settings and tap Storage. If you’re running low, these are ways to clear space:

   • If you back up with Google Photos, you can delete the copies on your phone. You can find the backed-up copies in the app when your phone is connected to the internet.
   • Move files and folders to a computer with a USB cable, then delete them from your phone.
   • Delete downloaded files you don’t need.
   • Uninstall apps you don’t use. If you need an app later, you can download it again, and you don’t have to buy it again if you paid for it.
5. 5

   Step 5: Update your apps

   Google’s steps for a slow phone include checking for app updates.

   Open the Google Play Store app. At the top right, tap the profile icon, then tap Manage apps & devices. Under “Updates available,” choose to update all apps or a specific app.

6. 6

   Step 6: Close apps you’re not using

   Google suggests closing apps you’re not using by force stopping them.

   You can usually force stop an app through your phone’s Settings app. On a Pixel, open Settings, tap Apps, then See all apps. Tap the app, then Force stop, then OK.

   Make a list of the apps you force stop. It helps you identify which apps are causing problems.

   Good to know

   Settings can vary by phone. For more info, contact your device manufacturer.

7. 7

   Step 7: Restart in safe mode

   Safe mode temporarily turns off all downloaded apps, which helps you find out whether an app causes the problem.

   Restarting in safe mode varies by phone. To learn how to restart your phone in safe mode, visit your manufacturer’s support site.

   Use your phone normally and check if the problem goes away. If it does, an app is likely causing your problem, so go to the next step. If it doesn’t, an app isn’t causing your problem, and you can skip to the factory reset step.

   To exit safe mode, you can usually restart your phone normally.

   Good to know

   Safe mode removes some Home screen widgets. If you use widgets, take a screenshot to help you put them back.

8. 8

   Step 8: Remove recently downloaded apps

   If the problem went away in safe mode, remove recent apps one at a time to find the one causing it.

   One by one, remove recently downloaded apps. After each removal, restart your phone normally and see whether removing that app solved the problem.

   After you remove the app that caused the problem, you can add back the other apps that you removed.

   Good to know

   If you reinstall the app that caused the issue, the problem could come back.

9. 9

   Step 9: Consider a factory reset

   A factory data reset removes all data from your phone, so Google recommends trying other solutions first.

   You can restore any data stored in your Google Account, but all apps and their data are uninstalled. Back up your phone before you reset it.

   Make sure you know the password for the Google Account on the phone. If you’ve set a screen lock, make sure you know your phone’s PIN, pattern or password. If you recently reset your Google Account password, wait 24 hours before you reset your phone.

   A factory reset can take up to an hour. Charge your phone to at least 70% and connect it to Wi-Fi or your mobile network.

   On most phones, you can reset your phone through the Settings app. Check your manufacturer’s support site for device-specific instructions.

Frequently Asked Questions