Is your Android phone suddenly running slow, freezing, or lagging when opening apps?
You’re not alone.
This used to happen to me a lot on my older Infinix device until I learned a few simple speed-up tricks that actually worked.
In this guide, I will show you step-by-step how to make your Android phone faster — even if you are not a tech expert.
Related Guide: If you want the full Android troubleshooting hub, read:
How to Fix Common Android Phone Problems (Step-by-Step Beginner Guide)
Table of Contents
Why Android Phones Become Slow Over Time
Most Android phones slow down because of:
- Too many unused apps installed
- Cached files building up
- Background apps consuming RAM
- Storage almost full
- Outdated software
The good news is: you can fix all of these without buying a new phone.
Step 1: Clear Cached App Data (Quick Speed Boost)
Cached files help apps load faster, but too much cache can slow your phone down.
This fix worked instantly for me when my phone started lagging.
Steps:
- Open Settings
- Scroll down and tap Storage
- Tap Apps or Other Apps
- Select a heavy app like WhatsApp or Chrome
- Tap Storage & Cache
- Tap Clear Cache
✅ Do this for your top 5 most-used apps.
Step 2: Uninstall Apps You Don’t Use
Unused apps take space and run background processes.
Steps:
- Open Settings
- Tap Apps
- Select an app you don’t need
- Tap Uninstall
- Confirm removal
I have helped many people free up space just by removing apps they forgot they installed.
Step 3: Restart Your Phone (Simple but Powerful)
A restart clears temporary memory and stops stuck background processes.
Steps:
- Press and hold the Power button
- Tap Restart
- Wait for the phone to boot again
Do this at least once every few days.
Step 4: Turn Off Background Apps Running Unnecessarily
Some apps keep running even when you are not using them.
Steps:
- Open Settings
- Tap Battery
- Select Background usage limits
- Turn on Put unused apps to sleep
This helped my phone feel smoother immediately.
Step 5: Free Up Storage Space (Very Important)
If your storage is above 85% full, Android becomes slow.
Steps:
- Open Settings
- Tap Storage
- Check what is using the most space
- Delete:
- Old videos
- Duplicate photos
- Large downloads
- Empty your Recycle Bin in Gallery
Try to keep at least 5GB free.
Step 6: Update Your Android Software
Updates often improve speed and fix bugs.
Steps:
- Open Settings
- Scroll to System
- Tap Software Update
- Tap Check for updates
- Install if available
Step 7: Disable Animations (Advanced Speed Trick)
This makes Android feel much faster.
Steps:
- Open Settings
- Tap About Phone
- Tap Build Number 7 times to enable Developer Options
- Go back → tap Developer Options
- Reduce these to 0.5x:
- Window animation scale
- Transition animation scale
- Animator duration scale
This trick is amazing on older phones.
Step 8: Use Lite Versions of Heavy Apps
Apps like Facebook and TikTok can slow phones down.
Instead, install:
- Facebook Lite
- Messenger Lite
- YouTube Go (if available)
This worked for me when my phone had low RAM.
Step 9: Scan for Malware or Suspicious Apps
Sometimes slowness comes from harmful apps.
Steps:
- Open Google Play Store
- Tap your profile icon
- Select Play Protect
- Tap Scan
Remove anything suspicious.
Final Thoughts (Important)
Making your Android phone faster is possible without spending money.
If you follow these steps:
- Clear cache
- Remove unused apps
- Free storage
- Limit background activity
…your phone will feel smooth again.
I’ve used these same fixes on Infinix, Tecno, Samsung, and Xiaomi devices, and they work very well.
Written with care by Smsmobile24.com
Trusted mobile and tech guides since 2011.

