In order to optimize the normal functioning of an Android device, it is necessary to perform regular maintenance which involves a few simple steps: the elimination of all temporary and unnecessary files and the complete uninstallation of all the apps that are not used. Clearing the application cache can also free up a large amount of memory and consequently increase the overall performance of the device. If you have a large number of images stored on it, you can free up valuable memory space by transferring them to your computer, which is a quick and easy way to back them up. As a last resort, you can do a factory reset of your device to return it to the original state it was in at the time of purchase.
Steps
Part 1 of 6: Uninstall Unused Apps
Step 1. Launch the Settings app
You can do this by accessing the "Applications" panel by pressing the button featuring a grid-shaped icon placed directly on the device's Home. Normally, you can access the settings menu directly from the Android notification bar.
Step 2. Select the Applications or Application Management item
Step 3. Go to the All tab
Inside there is a complete list of all applications installed on the device.
Step 4. Scroll through the list to find the applications to remove
However, any installed programs that are no longer used continue to take up space on the device's internal memory and consume valuable system resources when they run in the background, which results in a noticeable decrease in performance. The amount of memory they are occupying is also indicated next to the name of the apps in the list.
Some Android versions allow you to sort the list of installed apps according to different criteria by pressing the "⋮" button
Step 5. Tap the name of the application you want to uninstall
Step 6. Press the Uninstall button
If it is not present or cannot be pressed, it means that most likely the app in question is part of those integrated into the operating system or pre-installed by the smartphone manufacturer, so it cannot be removed.
Step 7. Press the Deactivate or Stop button in case uninstallation is not possible
Before you can use this feature, you may need to uninstall all updates by pressing the "Uninstall Updates" button.
Step 8. Repeat the above steps for all the apps you want to remove from your device
The more programs you can uninstall, the more memory will be freed, which results in an increase in device performance.
Part 2 of 6: Delete Temporary or Unnecessary Files
Step 1. Go to the "Applications" panel
To do this, press the grid-shaped button of the same name located directly at the bottom of the Home screen.
Step 2. Tap the Download icon
Step 3. Press the Delete or Remove button
In this case, the layout of the screen varies according to the model of the device and the version of Android in use, but in general there should be a button in the shape of a trash can or characterized by the words "Delete" placed at the top of the screen.
Step 4. Tap the name of all the files you want to remove from the device
At the end of the selection, all the files that will be deleted will be identified by a check mark.
Step 5. Press the Delete or Delete button
Step 6. Select the Delete downloaded files check button
Step 7. At this point, press the Delete button
Part 3 of 6: Clear the Cache
Step 1. Launch the Settings app
It is listed within the "Applications" panel, along with all the apps installed on your device.
Step 2. Tap on Memory and USB
This menu option may also be simply referred to as Memory.
Step 3. Tap Cached Data
Step 4. Press the OK button
In this way all the data in the cache of each installed application will be removed from the device. At the next start of each program, you will need to log in again using the appropriate account.
Part 4 of 6: Moving and Deleting Pictures (Windows Systems)
Step 1. Connect your Android device to your computer using the supplied USB cable
If you are using a Mac see this section of the article
Step 2. Access the Android notification bar by swiping your finger across the screen from top to bottom
Step 3. Tap the USB link notification that appeared
Step 4. Choose the option Multimedia device or MTP (the precise name of this item varies according to the smartphone model and the version of Android in use)
Step 5. Open the "Explorer" or "File Explorer" window
To do this, you can select the folder-shaped icon on the taskbar or choose the "Computer" item in the "Start" menu. Alternatively, you can press the hotkey combination ⊞ Win + E.
Step 6. Select your Android device with the right mouse button
Step 7. Choose the Import images and videos option from the context menu that appeared
Step 8. Now click the More options link
Step 9. Select the Delete files from device after import check button
Step 10. Press the OK button
Step 11. Select the radio button Import all new items now
Step 12. Type a name for the folder where the selected files will be transferred
Step 13. When done, hit the Import button
All images detected by the automatic search procedure will be copied to the indicated folder on your computer, then removed from the Android device when the transfer is complete.
Step 14. After the data transfer is complete, disconnect your smartphone from your computer
Step 15. Navigate to the Pictures folder on your computer to manage all newly imported images
Part 5 of 6: Moving and Deleting Images (macOS and OS X Systems)
Step 1. Connect the Android device to the Mac using the supplied USB cable
Step 2. Access the Android notification bar by swiping your finger across the screen from top to bottom
Step 3. Tap the USB connection notification to view the available options
Step 4. Touch the item PTP Camera (the precise name of this item varies according to the smartphone model and the version of Android in use)
Step 5. Access your Mac's Go menu
Step 6. Select the Applications option
Step 7. Double click the mouse to select the Image Acquisition item
Step 8. Click your Android device icon located in the Devices menu
Step 9. Click the arrow icon in the lower left corner of the window
Step 10. At this point, select the Delete items after import check button
Step 11. Press the Import All button
The images on the Android device will be copied to the hard drive of the computer and, at the end of the data transfer, they will be permanently deleted from the internal memory of the smartphone.
Part 6 of 6: Restoring the Factory Data
Step 1. Backup your contacts directory
If you have linked your Android device with your Google account, all contacts in your address book should be synced automatically. You can see the complete list of your Google contacts via this URL contacts.google.com. If you need to manually backup some contacts, you can refer to this wikiHow guide.
Step 2. Save all the files you want to keep
When you perform a factory reset of an Android device, all the data in the internal memory is permanently erased. For this reason, it is a good idea to manually back up all the files you want to keep by connecting the device to your computer via USB cable, and transferring all the data to it that should not be deleted. Consult this guide for more information on the procedure to follow.
Step 3. Launch the Settings app on your Android device
Once the data backup is complete, you can perform a factory reset.
Step 4. Go to the Personal tab (if any)
Some Android devices, mainly Samsung-branded ones, require you to access the "Personal" tab or section in order to select recovery options.
Step 5. Tap Backup and Reset
Step 6. Select the Factory data reset option
Step 7. Press the Reset Device button
Step 8. Wait for the factory reset procedure to finish
Step 9. Start the initial device setup process
Step 10. Log in to your Google account when prompted
This will automatically restore the contacts and configuration settings stored on your Google account together with all the apps purchased and downloaded for free from the Play Store.
Advice
- Avoid using the applications they advertise that can speed up an Android device. By simply deleting unnecessary files and applications, you will be able to take full advantage of the performance your Android device can offer.
- Over time, older devices may no longer be able to support the installation of the most modern apps, even if you carefully follow the steps described in this article. If your Android device is more than 3-4 years old, running applications such as Facebook or Snapchat, you will most likely notice problems related to a noticeable drop in performance.
