If your Android phone runs very slowly, lags, or takes a long time to respond, start with a restart, updates, and a check of free storage. Then test whether a particular app is causing the slowdown. These low-risk steps may help, but they cannot overcome every hardware limitation, and Android menus vary by phone maker and version.
1. Restart the phone and check for updates
- Restart the phone. Test the same action that felt slow, such as opening a specific app or loading a page. Google recommends restarting after each troubleshooting step so you can tell whether it helped.
- Check for an Android update. Open Settings and search for “software update” or “system update.” Follow the option shown for your phone.
- Update your apps. Open Google Play, tap your profile picture, and look for the app update option. Install available updates, then test the phone again.
Labels and update procedures differ among manufacturers, and some Google instructions apply only to particular Android versions. If Settings search does not find the relevant control, consult your phone maker’s support instructions.
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2. Check how much internal storage is free
Storage and memory are not the same thing: storage holds files such as photos and music, while memory is used to run Android and apps. Google Android Help warns that a phone can start having issues when less than 10% of its storage is free. This is a warning threshold, not a promise that freeing a particular amount will make every phone faster.
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- Open Settings and search for “Storage.” Check the available space on the phone’s internal storage.
- If space is low, remove downloads you no longer need, uninstall unused apps, or transfer files to a computer if you have one and your phone supports the connection method.
- Before deleting photos or other files you want to keep, verify that they are backed up or that the transfer completed. Deleting a backed-up photo from the phone still removes its local copy.
Moving files to a computer can free space; it does not itself increase the phone’s speed. Avoid installing a “cleaner” app just to make room when built-in storage controls can identify what is taking up space.
#1 Best Overall
- Please note, this device does not support E-SIM; This 4G model is compatible with all GSM networks worldwide outside of the U.S. In the US, ONLY compatible with T-Mobile and their MVNO's (Metro and Standup). It will NOT work with other CDMA carriers, and it is also not compatible with their MVNO (Visible, Xfinity Mobile, US Mobile, Cricket Wireless, etc).
- Compatibility with certain third-party devices and accessibility accessories, including some hearing aids, may vary depending on manufacturer support, Bluetooth protocols, software compatibility, and regional firmware limitations. For additional hearing aid compatibility information, please refer to Samsung’s official support documentation.
- Camera: 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro). Battery: 5000 mAh, non-removable | A power adapter is NOT included.
3. Clear cache only for an app with a problem
If one app loads slowly, crashes, or behaves incorrectly, clearing that app’s cache is a targeted troubleshooting step. Search Settings for “Apps,” select the affected app, and look for Storage or Storage and cache, then Clear cache. The exact path varies by phone.
Cache is temporary data. Clearing it does not have the same effect as clearing app storage, but the app or a website may load more slowly the first time while temporary data is rebuilt. Clearing browser cookies can also sign you out of websites.
Rank #2
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
Do not tap Clear storage or Clear data as if it were another name for clearing cache. Google says clearing app storage permanently deletes all app data, which may include locally saved information and settings.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →4. Check whether a downloaded app is responsible
Safe mode temporarily turns off downloaded apps. If the slowdown disappears in safe mode, a downloaded app is likely involved; that is a clue, not proof of which app is responsible.
Rank #3
- Carrier: This phone is locked to Tracfone, which means this device can only be used on the Tracfone wireless network. Tracfone plan required, activating is easy, just 3 steps.
- DISPLAY: Immersive viewing on a 6.7-inch super-bright 120Hz display with powerful stereo speakers and Bass Boost for cinematic entertainment.
- CAMERA SYSTEM: Advanced 50MP Quad Pixel camera captures sharp, detailed photos and videos in any lighting condition
- PERFORMANCE: Lightning-fast 5G connectivity paired with a powerful processor and RAM Boost for smooth multitasking.
- BATTERY LIFE: Long-lasting 5000mAh battery with TurboPower charging technology delivers hours of power in minutes.
- Find your manufacturer’s instructions for starting your exact phone in safe mode. The button sequence and procedure vary by device.
- Use the phone in safe mode and test the action that was slow.
- If the problem is gone, restart normally. Remove recent downloads one at a time, testing the phone after each removal until you can identify whether one is linked to the problem.
Do not disable system packages or broadly restrict background processes as a generic speed fix. The official guidance does not establish those as universal solutions, and the effect can depend on the device and app.
5. Close or stop an app only when needed
Google says users generally do not need to close apps routinely. If a particular app is frozen or not responding, close it or use its app settings to force-stop it, then reopen it and test again. Repeatedly closing every background app is not a general remedy for a slow phone.
Rank #4
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
6. Consider a factory reset only after other checks
A factory reset is an advanced troubleshooting step, not a routine cleanup. It removes data and installed apps from the phone. Before resetting, back up anything you want to keep and make sure you can restore access to your accounts and important information.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →If an app caused the slowdown, installing it again after the reset can bring the problem back. If the phone is still slow after basic troubleshooting and app isolation, contact the manufacturer or carrier for device-specific support.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Charger NOT Included, 6.7" Super AMOLED FHD+, 90Hz Refresh Rate, 385 ppi, 800 nits (HBM), 1080x2340px, 5000mAh Battery
- 128GB, 4GB RAM, microSDXC, Exynos 1330 (5nm), Octa-Core, Mali-G68 MP2 or Mali-G57 MC2 GPU
- Rear Camera: 50MP, f/1.8 (wide) + 5MP, f/2.2 (ultrawide) + 2MP, f/2.4 (macro), LED flash, panorama, HDR; Front Camera: 13MP, f/2.0, Android 14, up to 6 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1
- 3G: HSDPA 850/900/1700(AWS)/1900/2100; 4G LTE: 1/2/3/4/5/7/12/13/14/20/25/26/28/29/30/38/39/40/41/48/66/71, 5G: 2/5/25/41/66/71/77/78 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - Nano-SIM + eSIM
- US Model – Global Connectivity – Compatible with Most GSM Carriers like T-Mobile, AT&T, MetroPCS, etc. Will Also work with CDMA Carriers Such as Verizon, Straight Talk.
Sources and device-specific guidance
- Google Android Help, Speed up a slow Android device.
- Google Android Help, Free up storage on your Android device.
- Android, How to clear cache and cookies on Android, published January 20, 2025.
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