Phone slow and freezing: how to speed it up without losing data

The keyboard can't keep up with your fingers, apps take ages to open, the camera takes seconds to start. Here's what actually helps.

1. Free storage

When storage is 90%+ full, the phone slows down. Check: - iPhone: Settings → General → iPhone Storage. - Android: Settings → Storage.

Delete old videos (they take the most space), media in messenger chats and unused apps. Turn on cloud photo storage.

2. A worn battery

On an iPhone the system reduces performance when the battery is worn, to stop the phone shutting down. Check Settings → Battery → Battery Health. After a battery replacement the phone often "comes back to life" — see battery health at 80%.

3. Heat

A hot phone deliberately slows down. Take off a thick case and don't game while charging in the sun — see phone gets hot.

4. Updates

Update the system and apps. For a day or two after a major update the phone may lag while it indexes data.

5. Background apps and widgets

Turn off background refresh for apps you don't need and remove heavy live wallpapers and extra widgets. On Android, check apps with high battery use.

6. Restart

Obvious, but restarting every few days helps.

7. Reset as a last resort

If nothing helps, back up and reset the phone. But rule out the battery and storage first.

When it's a fault

• Freezes and restarts after a drop or water.
• Slowness together with restarts — see iPhone keeps restarting.
• The phone gets very hot at rest.

Then it needs diagnosing: a phone inspection is free, and if board diagnostics are needed they cost 100 ₾, only if you decline the repair. If the phone is old, compare repair with a new one: repair or new.

Read also

• Phone fell in water: what to do in the first 10 minutes (and why not rice)
• Phone dropped in the sea: why salt water is worse than fresh water
• IP68 water resistance: can you swim with your phone?
• Cracked glass but the screen works: can you replace just the glass?