How to instantly speed up a sluggish smartphone

Is your smartphone not running as quickly as it used to? Is it acting slowly when you open new browser tabs or switch from app to app? 

We know how frustrating it can be — but don’t worry! The fix could be something as easy as cleaning up some space or clearing out your cache. Here are a few simple tricks to get your phone running like new again.

If you’ve noticed that your smartphone feels generally slower than it did when you first unboxed it, then you might need to clear your device’s cache, the temporary storage of data that keeps your phone from having to download the same data over and over again. 

Your phone’s cache usually keeps your device running quickly, but if it gets full, it’s time to empty it out. Clearing your browser and app cache will free up valuable space, especially on older models, and hopefully speed up internet browsing and general phone performance at the same time. Here’s how:

Instantly Speed up your Apple Device

Clearing cache on an iPhone or iPad using Safari (via Apple)

1. Go to Settings > Safari
2. Tap Clear History and Website Data, then confirm.

If you use another common browser on your iPhone or iPad, here are the instructions for Google Chrome and Firefox.

Offloading apps on Apple device to clear space

You may also see improvement by deleting data or cache for individual apps on your smartphone, especially if you have a device that has limited storage. 

You can do this by offloading certain unused apps that are using up a lot of space, which will temporarily delete the app from your device, but retain its settings and documents if and when you decide to download the app again. 

1. Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage (or iPad Storage)
2. Scroll down to see a list of apps arranged by how much storage space each is using.
3. Tap the app that is using up a lot of space.
4. If you’re not currently using the app, but want to save its data and documents, click Offload App.
5. If you don’t think you’ll use the app again, and you also don’t care about losing associated data, click Delete App.

Alternatively, you can enable your Apple device to offload unused apps automatically when you’re running low on space. You can do this by going to Settings > General > iPhone Storage (or iPad Storage) and click Enable to turn on that feature.

Instantly Speed up your Android Device

Clearing cache on an Android device using Chrome (via Google)

1. On your Android phone or tablet, open the Chrome app.
2. At the top right, tap three dots for More.
3. Go to History > Clear browsing data.
4. At the top, choose a time range. To delete everything, select All time.
5. Next to “Cookies and site data” and “Cached images and files,” check the boxes.
6. Tap Clear data.

Clearing app cache on an Android device

Similar to the iPhone, you can clear out cache for individual apps to improve performance. (Note: Instructions may vary depending on manufacturer and model)

1. Go to Settings > Storage > Internal Storage
2. Tap Cached Data
3. Tap “OK” to clear out app cache for all apps.

Here are some additional tips from Google on speeding up an Android device.

Restart your device

When all else fails, it’s always a good idea to restart your device, which can free up some memory, stop background processes or unstuck an app that is causing you problems.

• Here are some detailed instructions to restart your iPhone or restart your iPad.
• Here are additional instructions to restart a Samsung device or turn off your Pixel.

Consider upgrading your device

If your phone still isn’t performing the way you’d like, consider upgrading your device. We are offering some amazing deals on the latest smartphones — and your phone bill will help empower climate justice, civil rights and economic justice, at no extra cost. Visit CREDOMobile.com and find the phone that’s right for you!