Tech Reference

'Why is my Android slow?': 3 ways to troubleshoot your Android device if it's not running efficiently

Written by Steven John
Samsung Galaxy Note 10
If your Android is running slow, it might be time to try a few troubleshooting methods. Hollis Johnson/Business Insider
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Let's be real here: when your phone is glitchy and working too slowly, it's just about the worst thing possible.

Don't freak out too much, though — if your Android device is running slow, getting it back up to speed should be a pretty quick process. 

Try these fixes before you head to the shop for repairs, replace the phone with a newer model, or toss the thing out the window in a fit of rage.

Check out the products mentioned in this article:

Samsung Galaxy S10 (From $899.99 at Best Buy)

How to troubleshoot your Android if it's running slow

Samsung Galaxy Note 10
There are several things you can try. Hollis Johnson/Business Insider

Here are three ways to try and fix issues affecting your Android speed.

Clear your cache

android so slow
Clear your cache in Chrome and third-party apps. Steven John/Business Insider

Every time you browse the web on your phone, it stores away bits of data in your cache. Clearing out your cache can greatly increase your Android speed.

To clear your browsing or third-party app cache, read our article "How to clear the cache on your Android phone to make it run faster."

Delete unused apps and files

Samsung Galaxy Fold
You should also delete unneeded programs and data. Hollis Johnson/Business Insider

Deleting apps you never use can free up storage and operational space. It's also helpful to delete files, photos, videos, documents, and anything else you just don't need. 

You can get a good sense of what's eating up your phone's space and likely slowing it down by going into your Settings app, then opening "Storage" (which may be under the "Device maintenance" tab) and noting how much free space you have and what's taking up the most room.

Restart or reset your Android device

why is my android slow
A factory reset will return your phone to its default factory settings. Steven John/Business Insider

If you have tried all the basic fixes and that Android of yours is still slow, including turning the device on and off again, it's time to wipe it clean and restore factory settings. 

1. Back up your phone first, then go to Settings.

2. Tap "General management" and select "Reset." 

3. Hit "Reset settings."

And if that doesn't work, try a full "Factory data reset." After that, it's time to turn to the pros for further help.

Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech:

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Steven John
Steven John has been a freelance writer for more than a dozen years and has been a regular contributor to Business Insider since 2017. His work includes a focus on the tech world, covering companies including Apple, Microsoft, Meta, Google, and others. He also reviews restaurants, shares how-to cooking articles, and writes general interest pieces.Steven also writes for publications including Architectural Digest, The Daily Beast, Forbes, and more. In the past, he also wrote for New York Magazine, Mashed, U.S. News & World Report and other outlets. He runs his own outdoor lifestyle site, Dad Gear Review, and co-hosts the Fact Trekkers podcast with his son. He has had two novels published, Three A.M. and Outrider. He graduated from Emerson College with a degree in communications focused on filmmaking.He is an avid outdoorsman and can be frequently found in a kayak or on a mountain trail, often with his family along for the adventure.Expertise:Tech industryTech hardwareOutdoorsCookingRestaurantsDIYPopular articles:Microsoft: A history of the software giant co-founded by Bill Gates, its products and services, jobs, layoffs, and moreYouTube is a major entertainment force. Here's the platform's history, plus how to create a channel and upload videos.Inside the life and career of Bill Gates, the Microsoft co-founder, billionaire, and philanthropistTim Cook net worth: How the Apple leader earns and spends his moneyBecoming an Amazon seller is a simple process. Here's what's involved, plus how you make money and get paid.