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Phones usually slow down because storage is nearly full, apps are running or misbehaving in the background, software is out of date, the battery has aged, or the phone is too hot. Start by restarting, freeing up storage (Google warns that problems can start when less than 10% is free), and installing updates. If your phone no longer gets software updates, it may be time to upgrade.
Few things are more frustrating than a phone that suddenly feels sluggish. Apps take longer to open, the keyboard lags, websites crawl, and simple tasks feel like a chore.
The good news is that a slow phone does not always mean it is time for a new one. Phones change over time: storage fills up, apps grow more demanding, batteries age, and background processes pile up. Most of these problems have simple fixes you can do yourself in a few minutes.
At Victra, the largest Verizon Authorized Retailer with nearly 1,500 locations across the United States, “Why has my phone gotten so slow?” is one of the most common questions we hear. This guide covers quick fixes, how to tell whether the problem is your phone or your connection, 12 proven ways to speed up your iPhone or Android, what to do after an update, how long phones get software support, and when it makes sense to upgrade.
Key Takeaways
- Restart first. A restart clears temporary memory and stuck processes.
- Keep at least 10% of your storage free. Google notes phones can start having issues below that.
- Update your software and apps for performance fixes and security improvements.
- Use safe mode on Android to find out whether an app is causing the slowdown.
- An aging battery or a hot phone can trigger performance limits that make your phone feel slower.
- Check your software support window. If your phone no longer gets updates, an upgrade may be the best long-term fix.
Quick Fixes to Try in 5 Minutes
- Restart your phoneClears temporary memory and stuck processes.
- Check your storageDelete or offload apps you do not use.
- Install updatesFor your phone’s software and your apps.
- Force close a frozen appInstead of waiting for it to recover.
- Switch Wi-Fi and cellularTo see whether your connection is the problem.
- Check battery healthEspecially if your phone is a few years old.
If your phone still feels slow, work through the 12 ways below.
Why Phones Slow Down Over Time
One of the biggest misconceptions is that phones suddenly “go bad.” In reality, performance usually changes gradually.
Over months and years, your phone juggles more apps, larger photos and videos, bigger software updates, and more demanding features such as AI-powered editing and high-resolution video. At the same time, storage fills up, the battery ages, and apps expect more from the hardware than they did when your phone was new.
Fills up with photos, apps, and files
Grow more demanding every year
Ages and delivers less peak power
More processes pile up over time
None of this means your phone is broken. It means some routine maintenance can go a long way.
Is It Your Phone or Your Connection?
Sometimes a phone feels slow when the real problem is the network. If web pages load slowly or videos buffer, but apps open quickly and the keyboard is responsive, your connection is the likely culprit.
| If you notice… | The likely cause is… |
|---|---|
| Apps open slowly, the keyboard lags, or animations stutter | Your phone |
| Web pages and videos load slowly, but the phone itself feels responsive | Your connection |
| Everything is slow only at home | Your Wi-Fi or router |
| Everything is slow only in certain places | Your cellular signal |
12 Ways to Speed Up Your Smartphone
- Restart regularly
- Free up storage
- Offload or delete apps
- Update your software
- Update your apps
- Limit background activity
- Clear cache
- Trim widgets and animations
- Use safe mode
- Check battery health
- Beat heat and malware
- Factory reset (last resort)
1. Restart Your Phone Regularly
Many people leave their phones on for weeks or months. Restarting clears temporary memory, closes stalled background processes, and gives the operating system a fresh start.
Restart
Press and hold the Side button and either Volume button until the slider appears, slide to power off, then turn it back on. See how to restart an iPhone.
Restart
Google says on most phones you can press the Power button for about 30 seconds, or until the phone restarts. Some phones ask you to tap Restart.
A weekly restart is an easy habit that helps keep things running smoothly.
2. Free Up Storage
Running low on storage is one of the most common causes of a slow phone. Your phone needs free space for temporary system files, app data, and updates. According to Google, your phone can start having issues when less than 10% of storage is free.
Signs your storage is too full: apps launch slowly, the camera will not save photos, updates fail to install, and downloads stop.
Check storage
Settings > General > iPhone Storage
Check storage
Settings > Storage (on Samsung, Settings > Battery and device care > Storage)
- Delete large videos and downloaded files you no longer need
- Remove duplicate and blurry photos, then empty the Recently Deleted album
- Move photos and videos to cloud storage
From the Victra store floor: Nearly full storage is one of the most common reasons we see phones slow down. Offloading a few unused apps and moving photos to the cloud often makes an immediate difference.
3. Offload or Delete Apps You Do Not Use
Apps you never open still take up space, and some keep running in the background. On iPhone, you can offload apps instead of deleting them. Offloading removes the app but keeps its data, and the icon stays on your Home Screen with a cloud symbol so you can reinstall it with a tap.
Offload Unused Apps
Settings > Apps > App Store > Offload Unused Apps
Offload App
Settings > General > iPhone Storage, tap the app, then Offload App
Uninstall
Settings > Apps, or press and hold an app icon and tap Uninstall
A good rule: if you have not opened an app in six months, you probably do not need it.
4. Update Your Software
Software updates include performance improvements, bug fixes, and security patches. As app developers build for the latest operating systems, older versions can become less efficient.
5. Update Your Apps
Outdated apps can be buggy or poorly optimized for your current software.
6. Limit Background Activity
Many apps keep working after you close them: refreshing feeds, syncing data, checking your location, and fetching notifications. Dozens of these processes running together can slow your phone.
7. Clear Browser and App Cache
Your browser and apps store temporary files, called cache, to load content faster. Over time, a large or corrupted cache can cause slowdowns or glitches.
Clear website data
Settings > Apps > Safari > Clear History and Website Data
Delete browsing data
Open Chrome, tap the three dots, then Delete browsing data
Clear an app’s cache
Settings > Apps, choose an app, tap Storage, then Clear cache
Clearing cache may sign you out of some websites, so make sure you know your passwords first. For more detail, see how to clear cache on iPhone.
8. Trim Widgets, Live Wallpapers, and Animations
Widgets update constantly, and animated wallpapers and visual effects keep your phone busy. On older phones, simplifying your Home Screen can make a noticeable difference.
- Remove widgets you rarely use, and choose a static wallpaper.
- iPhone: turn on Reduce Motion in Settings > Accessibility > Motion to cut down on animations.
Android (advanced): some users shorten animations in Developer options. Go to Settings > About phone and tap Build number seven times, then set Window animation scale, Transition animation scale, and Animator duration scale to 0.5x. Only change settings you understand, and turn Developer options off when you finish. For more shortcuts, see these Android hidden tricks and hacks.
9. Find a Problem App with Safe Mode
If your Android phone suddenly became slow, a recently installed app may be the cause. Safe mode temporarily turns off downloaded apps so you can test whether one of them is the problem.
- Restart in safe modeOn many Android phones, press and hold the power button, then touch and hold Power off or Restart until Safe mode appears. Steps vary by phone.
- Use your phone normallyIf it runs smoothly in safe mode, a downloaded app is likely causing the slowdown.
- Remove recent apps one by oneRestart normally, then remove recently downloaded apps one at a time, restarting after each.
- Add the others backOnce you find the culprit, reinstall the apps that were not the problem.
iPhones do not have a safe mode for apps. Instead, delete recently installed apps one at a time and test after each.
10. Check Battery Health and Performance Management
As batteries age, they can struggle to deliver peak power. To prevent unexpected shutdowns, some phones automatically limit performance when battery health declines, which can make your phone feel slower.
Peak Performance Capability
Settings > Battery > Battery Health shows whether performance management has been applied.
Battery health
Settings > Battery > Battery health on supported models.
Samsung Members
Run the battery test under Diagnostics in the Samsung Members app.
These Apple figures apply under ideal conditions. If your battery has significantly degraded, a battery replacement may restore much of your phone’s speed. To protect your battery, use built-in features such as Optimized Battery Charging or a charge limit. For more, see why your phone battery is draining so fast.
11. Keep Your Phone Cool and Check for Malware
Hot phones slow down
Gaming, sunlight, a hot car, or charging under a pillow can make your phone reduce performance to protect itself. Let it cool, remove a thick case, and avoid heavy use while charging. Learn why your phone overheats.
Watch for warning signs
Sudden slowdowns, pop-ups, overheating while idle, and unusually high data or battery use can point to a harmful app.
- Delete apps you do not recognize or did not intend to install
- Download apps only from the App Store or Google Play
- Keep your software updated with the latest security patches
- Be cautious with links in unexpected texts and emails
For more ways to stay safe, read our guide to securing your smartphone.
12. Back Up and Factory Reset as a Last Resort
If you have tried everything else and your phone is still unusually slow, a factory reset can help. It erases apps, settings, and personal data and returns your phone to its original software, clearing years of clutter.
Back up everything first. See how to back up your iPhone, or use Google One backup on Android.
Erase All Content and Settings
Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings. See how to reset an iPhone.
Factory reset
Settings > System > Reset options > Erase all data. On Samsung, Settings > General management > Reset > Factory data reset.
After the reset, restore only the apps you actually use.
Phone Slow After an Update?
It is common for a phone to feel slower or warmer for a few days after a major software update. Your phone keeps working in the background to finish installation tasks and reorganize data. Apple notes that these background tasks can affect battery life and thermal performance and recommends waiting a few days before checking again. On iPhone, you may see an Ongoing iOS Update message in Settings > Battery.
- Day 0Update installs
Your phone restarts and begins finishing tasks in the background.
- Days 1 to 3Background work
Keep it on Wi-Fi and plugged in overnight. Update your apps.
- Days 3 to 5Settling down
Performance should return to normal. Install any follow-up updates.
- After a weekStill slow?
Work through the 12 ways above, starting with storage and safe mode.
Does Your Phone Still Get Software Updates?
Software support is one of the best signs of whether your phone still has years of life left. Phones that no longer receive updates miss performance improvements and security fixes, and new apps may eventually stop supporting them.
| Phone | Software support (as of October 2026) |
|---|---|
| iPhone | iOS 27 supports iPhone 11 and later, plus iPhone SE (2nd and 3rd generation). iOS 26 ended support for iPhone XR, XS, and XS Max. |
| Google Pixel | Pixel 8 and later get 7 years of OS and security updates. |
| Samsung Galaxy | Galaxy S24, S25, and S26 models get seven generations of OS upgrades and seven years of security updates. |
If your phone is no longer on its maker’s update list, it is a strong sign that an upgrade will give you better speed and security.
Common Causes and Fixes at a Glance
| Problem | What to do |
|---|---|
| Storage almost full | Delete or offload apps, clear large files, move photos to the cloud |
| Too many background apps | Limit Background App Refresh or background usage |
| Outdated software or apps | Install system and app updates |
| A misbehaving app | Use safe mode (Android) or remove recent apps one at a time |
| Large or corrupted cache | Clear browser and app cache |
| Heavy animations and widgets | Simplify your Home Screen, turn on Reduce Motion |
| Aging battery | Check battery health and consider a replacement |
| Overheating | Let the phone cool, remove a thick case |
| Malware | Remove unknown apps, update your software |
| Slow Wi-Fi or weak signal | Switch networks, restart your router |
| Phone no longer gets updates | Consider upgrading |
Phone Speed Myths vs. Facts
MythClosing all your apps makes your phone faster.
Fact: Modern phones manage background apps automatically. Constantly closing and reopening apps can use more power and time. Close an app only when it freezes or misbehaves.
MythCleaner and RAM booster apps speed up your phone.
Fact: Your phone’s built-in tools handle storage and memory well. Many “booster” apps run in the background themselves, show ads, and can slow your phone down.
MythSoftware updates slow phones down on purpose.
Fact: A short slowdown right after an update is normal while background tasks finish. Updates usually include performance and security improvements.
MythA factory reset fixes everything.
Fact: A reset clears software clutter, but it cannot fix an aging battery or older hardware.
MythA slow phone always needs replacing.
Fact: Many slow phones speed up after a restart, freeing storage, updating, or replacing the battery.
When It’s Time to Upgrade
If you have restarted, freed up storage, updated your software, replaced the battery if needed, and removed unnecessary apps, but your phone still struggles with everyday tasks, it may be time for an upgrade.
| Keep and maintain your phone if… | Consider upgrading if… |
|---|---|
| It still gets software updates | It no longer receives software updates |
| A restart or freeing storage helps | It stays slow after every fix |
| Only the battery is worn | You also have charging, camera, or storage limits |
| It handles the apps you use | Apps you need run poorly or no longer support it |
Newer phones offer faster processors, more memory and storage, longer battery life, better cameras, improved security, and longer software support. When you are ready, learn how phone upgrades work, see what your current phone is worth with a Verizon trade-in, and browse the latest phones at Victra. Not sure which platform to choose? Compare iPhone vs. Android.
Quick Performance Checklist
- Restart your phone
- Keep at least 10% of storage free
- Offload or delete apps you do not use
- Install software updates
- Update your apps
- Limit background activity
- Clear browser and app cache
- Remove extra widgets and live wallpapers
- Turn on Reduce Motion (iPhone) if animations feel slow
- Test in safe mode (Android) to find a problem app
- Check battery health
- Let your phone cool down if it is hot
- Remove unknown apps
- Back up, then factory reset as a last resort
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my phone so slow all of a sudden?
Sudden slowness is usually caused by low storage, a recent software update, a misbehaving app, overheating, or a weak connection. Restart your phone, check your storage, and update your software and apps.
Why is my phone slow after an update?
After a major update, your phone finishes tasks in the background for a few days, which can affect performance and temperature. Wait a few days, keep your phone on Wi-Fi and charging overnight, and install any follow-up updates.
Does restarting my phone make it faster?
Yes. A restart clears temporary memory, closes stuck processes, and refreshes system resources, which often improves responsiveness.
How much free storage should my phone have?
Google says phones can start having issues when less than 10% of storage is free. Keeping at least that much space available helps your phone run smoothly and install updates.
Will deleting apps make my phone faster?
Removing apps you do not use frees storage and reduces background activity, both of which can help. On iPhone, offloading keeps the app’s data so you can reinstall it later.
Do I need to close apps to speed up my phone?
Usually not. Modern phones manage background apps automatically. Close an app only if it is frozen or not working correctly.
Does clearing cache speed up my phone?
It can help when a browser or app has built up a large or corrupted cache. Clearing it may sign you out of some sites.
Do phone cleaner or RAM booster apps work?
Generally, no. Your phone’s built-in tools manage memory and storage, and many booster apps run in the background themselves.
Can malware slow down my phone?
Yes. Harmful apps can run hidden processes that slow your phone, cause pop-ups, and use extra battery and data. Remove unknown apps and only download from official app stores.
Can an old battery slow down my phone?
Yes. When battery health declines, some phones limit performance to prevent unexpected shutdowns. On iPhone, check Peak Performance Capability in Battery Health.
Will a factory reset make my phone faster?
It can, especially if your phone has years of apps and data. Back up first, and remember that a reset cannot fix an aging battery or older hardware.
How do I know if my phone is too old?
If your phone no longer receives software updates, stays slow after every fix, or can no longer run the apps you need, it is likely time to upgrade.
The Bottom Line
A slow phone is frustrating, but the fix is often simpler than you think. Restart regularly, keep at least 10% of your storage free, stay on top of updates, and limit background activity. If your phone still struggles, check the battery, test for a problem app, and consider a factory reset. And if your phone no longer gets software updates, an upgrade may be the smartest move.
Need Help Speeding Up Your Phone?
Visit a Victra store near you, and our Verizon experts will help you find the right fix or the right new phone.
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