Why Your Phone Is So Slow and How To Fix It Yourself Like A Pro

A sluggish phone can be frustrating, especially when it lags during important tasks like sending messages, switching apps, or making video calls. While many people consider visiting a service centre or even replacing their device altogether, most slow phone issues can actually be resolved right at home. According to tech experts, a few simple maintenance steps and tweaks can help improve your phone’s speed and responsiveness without professional help. Whether you're using an Android or iOS device, here’s how you can revive its performance on your own, with no tools or tech skills required.

Clear the Cache and Temporary Files
One of the easiest ways to speed up your phone is by clearing cached data and temporary files. These are often created by apps to speed up processes, but over time, they can pile up and slow your system down. Go into your device settings and look for storage or app management. From there, clear the cache of apps you frequently use. This can free up space and help the phone run smoother instantly.

Delete Unused Apps and Media
Too many apps, photos, and videos can overwhelm your phone’s internal storage, causing it to slow down. Go through your app list and remove anything you haven’t used in a while. Do the same for media files—especially large videos and duplicate images. Experts recommend keeping at least 10–15% of your storage free to help your phone operate efficiently.

Update the Software
An outdated operating system can make your phone run inefficiently. Regular updates often contain performance improvements, bug fixes, and security enhancements. Make sure your phone’s system software is up to date. You should also update your apps regularly to ensure they work well with the latest OS version.

Limit Background Processes
Many apps continue running in the background even when you're not using them, draining both battery and memory. You can disable background activity for certain apps via the settings menu. Restricting background data and auto-sync can also help speed up your phone and extend battery life.

Restart Your Phone Regularly
Although it seems simple, restarting your phone at least once a week can help clear temporary files, reset background processes, and refresh system memory. If your phone has been left running for too long without a reboot, it’s more likely to slow down.

Reduce Animations and Visual Effects
Modern smartphones often come with flashy visual effects and transitions. While they look nice, they can eat up processing power. In your settings, you can reduce or disable these animations to improve performance. On Android, this is found under Developer Options. On iOS, look for 'Reduce Motion' under accessibility settings.

Install Lite or Web Versions of Apps
Many popular apps now offer 'lite' versions designed to use less memory and data. Alternatively, you can use the web version of some platforms instead of downloading the full app. These lighter options consume fewer resources and keep your phone from slowing down unnecessarily.

Scan for Malware or Unwanted Apps
Sometimes, a slow phone could be a result of hidden malware or resource-draining apps. Run a full scan using your device’s built-in security settings or a trusted antivirus tool. Remove any suspicious or rarely-used apps that may be hogging memory or operating in the background without your knowledge.

Reset Settings (Not the Entire Phone)
If your phone is still slow after trying these methods, consider resetting all settings without deleting your data. This option restores your device's default settings, including network, display, and permissions, which may fix any misconfigurations affecting performance. Be sure to back up important preferences first.

When All Else Fails, Factory Reset as a Last Resort
If nothing else works and you’re still experiencing severe lag, a full factory reset can give your phone a fresh start. This should always be your last option, as it erases all data. Make sure everything is backed up to the cloud or an external device. Once reset, reinstall only the apps you actually need to prevent a repeat of the same issues.