Android phones can be incredibly powerful devices with incredible features and capabilities, but sometimes they can start to feel a bit slow and sluggish. If you’re tired of waiting for apps to load, or frustrated by lag when using your phone, there are a few things you can do to speed things up. However, it’s important to note that not all tips and tricks will work for all phones or all users, so it’s worth experimenting to find what works best for you.

Here’s a roundup of things that work (and things that don’t) when it comes to making your Android phone faster:

Things That Work

1. Clear app cache and data

One easy way to speed up your phone is to clear the cache and data of your most frequently used apps. This will remove any temporary files that might be slowing them down, and give them a fresh start.

2. Uninstall unused apps

If you have a lot of apps on your phone that you don’t use, it’s a good idea to uninstall them. This will free up space and resources on your phone, and reduce the load on your processor.

3. Disable animations

Disabling animations is another quick way to speed up your phone. This can be done by going to Settings > Developer options > Window animation scale, Transition animation scale, and Animator duration scale, and choosing “Off.”

4. Use a lighter launcher

Launchers are apps that control the look and feel of your home screen, and using a lighter one can help speed up your phone. Some popular lightweight launchers include Nova Launcher, Apex Launcher, and Action Launcher.

5. Use Lite versions of apps

Many popular apps now offer Lite versions that are specifically designed to be smaller and use fewer resources. Facebook Lite, Messenger Lite, and Twitter Lite are just a few examples.

Things That Don’t Work

1. Task killers

While task killers were once thought to be a great way to speed up phones, they are now generally viewed as ineffective or even harmful. They can cause apps to restart unnecessarily, and can use up resources themselves.

2. Clearing RAM

Clearing your phone’s RAM cache might seem like a good idea, but it’s actually not necessary. Android is designed to manage memory automatically, and clearing RAM can actually slow your phone down.

3. Removing system apps

Removing system apps (apps that come pre-installed on your phone) might seem like a good way to free up space, but it can cause problems. Some system apps are essential for your phone to function properly, and removing them can lead to instability and other issues.

4. Overclocking

Overclocking is the process of increasing the clock speed of your phone’s processor, but it’s not recommended. It can cause your phone to overheat, drain your battery faster, and even damage your hardware in some cases.

5. Installing custom ROMs

While installing custom ROMs can give you more control over your phone, they can also make your phone less stable and can cause a range of issues. It’s generally best to stick with the official Android software that came with your phone.