This article shows you how to free up space in the RAM (Random Access Memory) of a device. RAM memory is the hardware component of a computer and smartphone used for running programs and applications. Normally, to free up space inside the RAM, it is sufficient to close unused apps and programs and, in the most complicated cases, to restart the computer or mobile device in use. If you are using an iPhone, there are some additional methods that allow you to optimize the RAM usage of the device. Even if using an Android device it should never be necessary to optimize the use of RAM memory, the operating system still offers the user the possibility of forcing the closure of applications running in the background but not in use, in order to free RAM currently unnecessarily occupied. Users of Samsung Galaxy devices can use the "Device Maintenance" system tool to optimize RAM usage.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Windows
Step 1. Close all unnecessary programs
Select the icon in the shape of X located in the upper right corner of the window of the program you wish to terminate. Normally this is enough to stop any software from running. If you need to close a program that is running in the background, follow these instructions:
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Click the "Show hidden icons" icon
Android7expandless located in the lower right corner of the desktop.
- Select with the right mouse button the icon of the program to be closed visible in the menu that appeared.
- Choose the option Close or Go out present in its context menu, then confirm your choice if necessary.
Step 2. Force quit programs that no longer respond to commands
If you can't stop a program from running using the normal method, you can force it to close by following these instructions:
- Press the key combination Ctrl + ⇧ Shift + Esc (or click an empty spot on the Windows taskbar with the right mouse button and choose the option Activity management from the context menu that will appear);
- Access the "Processes" tab, then select the name of the program you wish to close;
- Push the button End activity located in the lower right corner of the window.
Step 3. Disable the automatic start of unnecessary programs
These are applications that run automatically when the computer starts. These elements can considerably slow down the system startup phase and unnecessarily occupy the computer's RAM. To disable the automatic start of programs, follow these instructions:
- Press the key combination Ctrl + ⇧ Shift + Esc (or click an empty spot on the Windows taskbar with the right mouse button and choose the option Activity management from the context menu that will appear).
- Access the card Start at the top of the window.
- Select the name of the program you want to disable from running automatically when your computer starts.
- Push the button Disable located in the lower right corner of the window.
Step 4. If necessary, choose to use a more efficient internet browser
If you are using Internet Explorer or Microsoft Edge to browse the web, you can reduce the workload of your computer's RAM memory simply by using a browser such as Google Chrome or Firefox.
Microsoft recommends using your Microsoft Edge internet browser for better performance, however if you notice a slowdown in normal computer activities when using Edge, consider trying one of the other browsers available
Step 5. Restart your computer
After disabling the automatic start of any programs you don't need, restart your computer to decrease the amount of RAM used. Follow these instructions:
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Access the menu Start clicking the icon
Windowsstart -
Click the icon Stop
Windowspower - Choose the option Reboot the system.
Method 2 of 4: Mac
Step 1. Close all unnecessary programs
Select the red circular icon located in the upper left corner of the window. On a Mac, to completely stop a running program, follow these steps:
- Hold down the Control key while selecting the icon of the program to be closed on the system Dock with the mouse.
- Choose the option Go out from the context menu that appeared.
Step 2. Force stop programs that no longer respond to commands
In this case, the blocked applications must be forced to stop by following these instructions:
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Open the search field Spotlight clicking the icon
Macspotlight - Type in activity monitoring keywords, then select the icon Activity monitoring from the list of results that appeared.
- Choose the program to close listed on the tab CPU.
- Click the icon in the shape of X located in the upper left corner of the window, then press the button Forced exit.
Step 3. Disable the automatic start of unnecessary programs
These are applications that run automatically when the Mac starts up. These elements can significantly slow down the system startup phase and unnecessarily occupy the computer's RAM. To disable the automatic start of programs follow these instructions:
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Access the menu Apple by clicking the following icon
Macapple1 - Choose the option System Preferences ….
- Click the icon Users and Groups, then select your user account name listed in the left pane of the window.
- Access the card Login elements.
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Deselect the check button on the left of each program in the list that appears and that you do not want to be started automatically when you log in to the Mac.
Before you can make these changes, you may need to click the lock icon in the lower left corner of the window and enter your security password
Step 4. If necessary, choose to use a more efficient internet browser
While Safari is considered to be the best internet browser for Mac, Google Chrome and Firefox are both a great alternative that could also reduce the amount of RAM you use while browsing the web.
Step 5. Use the Terminal window to clear the RAM memory cache
This is an operation that allows you to free up some space inside the system RAM:
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Open the search field Spotlight clicking the icon
Macspotlight - Type in the terminal keyword, then select the icon Terminal from the list of results that appeared.
- Type the command sudo purge inside the window Terminal, then press the Enter key.
- If prompted, type the security password linked to the user account you are using, then press the Enter key again.
Step 6. Restart your Mac
After disabling the automatic execution of all unwanted programs, reboot the system to free up the RAM memory that is currently unnecessarily occupied. Follow these instructions:
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Access the menu Apple by clicking the following icon
Macapple1 - Choose the option Restart ….
- Push the button Restart when required.
Method 3 of 4: iPhone
Step 1. Press the Home button on your device twice consecutively
A list of all apps currently running will be displayed.
- If you're using an iPhone X, slide your finger up on the screen, starting at the bottom and going up to the middle, then wait for the list of open applications to appear without lifting your finger from the screen.
- If nothing happens after pressing the Home button twice, there are currently no apps running.
Step 2. Review the list of recently launched applications
Swipe it left or right to find the programs you need to close.
Step 3. Close all running apps that are no longer needed
Slide its window to the top of the screen. The app in question will be closed automatically.
Applications that heavily use the device's RAM, such as those for streaming content or video editing, will cause a noticeable decrease in RAM compared to closing normal programs
Step 4. Clear the iPhone's RAM cache
Sometimes it is necessary to do this due to running out of available memory which significantly slows down the normal operation of the device. To fix this, press and hold the "Power" button until the slider appears on the screen slide to turn off. At this point, press and hold the Home button until the homonymous screen appears again (it will take at least 5 seconds).
- You may need to disable Siri in order to do this.
- If you are using an iPhone X, you will need to activate the "AssistiveTouch" feature and follow these instructions: start the app Settings, choose the option General, scroll down the menu to locate and select the item Switch off, tap the "AssistiveTouch" icon, then press and hold the button Home until the screen of the same name appears on the screen.
Step 5. Restart the iPhone
If the device still has slowdowns in performing normal operations, performing a forced restart may restore normal operation. Follow these instructions:
- iPhone 6S and earlier - Press and hold the Side button and the Home button until the Apple logo appears on the screen. At this point, release the indicated keys and wait for the device to restart completely.
- iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus - Press and hold the side button and the "Volume down" button until the Apple logo appears on the screen. At this point, release the indicated keys and wait for the device to restart completely.
- iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X - press the "Volume Up" and "Volume Down" keys in succession, then hold down the side button until the Apple logo appears, then release it.
Method 4 of 4: Android
Step 1. Force close an application on any Android device
Unlike iOS devices, when you close an application on an Android device, it is not removed from the device's RAM memory. To free up space in RAM, an application must be forcibly closed. Follow this procedure:
- Launch the app Settings.
- Choose the option Applications.
- Select the name of the program you want to close.
- Push the button Forced shutdown placed at the top of the page that appeared.
- Select the item Forced shutdown or OK when required.
Step 2. Go to the "Settings" menu of your Samsung Galaxy
Swipe down the screen from the top, then tap the icon Settings
in the shape of a gear placed in the upper right part of the panel that appeared.
If you don't own a Samsung Galaxy device, the rest of the steps outlined in this method will not give any results
Step 3. Select the Device Maintenance option
It is listed at the bottom of the menu that appeared. The system application of the same name will be launched.
Step 4. Press the Memory button
It is displayed at the bottom of the screen.
Step 5. Select the Clean Now option
It is positioned in the center of the screen. All unnecessary data will be deleted from your Samsung Galaxy's RAM memory.
Step 6. Wait for the RAM cleaning procedure to finish
When the graphic animation visible in the center of the screen has disappeared, all unnecessary or unused elements present in the RAM of your Samsung Galaxy will have been removed.
Step 7. Restart your device if necessary
If the Samsung Galaxy continues to have operating problems, for example an abnormal slowness in carrying out normal operations, you can restart it to free all the RAM memory currently occupied. Follow these instructions: Press and hold the key Power power, choose the option Restart, then press the button Restart when required.
