Phone running slow? How to make it faster

If you've had your current phone for a few years, you might have noticed it slowing down, taking longer to load apps and switch between tasks. Fortunately, there are ways to improve performance without splashing out on a new one.

Having limited space left on your smartphone can affect its speed, as can outdated apps, battery issues, resource-hogging widgets and a poor data signal.

Below, we share tips for getting things running more smoothly when your phone's running slow, plus how to tell when it's time to replace it.

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Try this first: 7 fixes for a phone running slow

1. Restart your phone

At a glance This clears background activity that may be slowing your phone down.

This is often the easiest place to start. Restarting your phone can sometimes improve performance by closing background apps and clearing temporary system processes that may have built up over time.

It’s particularly useful if your phone feels slow or unresponsive, and is often the quickest fix to try before moving on to other steps. You don’t need to do it regularly unless you’re having issues.

On both iPhone and Android, press and hold the power button (or power and volume buttons together) and select Restart or Power off, then turn it back on.

2. Clear space on your phone

At a glance If your mobile is crammed with pictures and videos and low on space as a result, it could be the reason your device is running slower than usual.

• On an iPhone, try this: Tap Settings > General > iPhone Storage. Here, you'll see an overview of files on your phone. Identify the largest segments in the chart and explore the Recommendations section for space-saving tips.
• On Android, try this: Open the Files by Google app (or your phone’s built-in file manager). Tap Clean at the bottom of the screen and work through the suggested categories, such as large files, duplicates and unused apps.

Check your Bin or Trash folder (usually within the Photos or Files app) and empty it to free up space permanently. You can also consider storing files in the cloud, using services such as Google Drive, iCloud or Dropbox, if you're not convinced they need to remain on your device (find out more about how to choose the best cloud storage).

For even more tips, check in with our dedicated guide on how to free up space on your phone.

3. Update your apps and operating system

At a glance Updates can fix bugs, improve performance and patch security issues that may be slowing your phone down.

Check whether any apps you're using need updating, as well as your phone's OS (operating system).

• On an iPhone, try this: Head to the App Store, select your profile picture and scroll down to see available app updates. To check for OS updates, tap Settings > General > Software Update.
• On Android, try this: Open the Google Play Store, tap your profile picture and choose Manage apps and device > Update all. Then, to check for OS updates, tap Settings > System > Software Update or System update (depending on your model).

If you haven’t updated your phone in a while, install any available updates and then restart your device – this can help ensure the changes take full effect. It’s also worth deleting apps you no longer use, as these can take up space and run in the background.

See our mobile phone security guide for details on how long mobile phones receive important software and security updates.

4. Check your battery health

At a glance An ageing battery can affect performance, reduce charging speed and shorten battery life – frustrating when you're travelling somewhere without convenient charging points.

• On an iPhone, try this: Open Settings > Battery and scroll down to Battery Health & Charging. Check Maximum Capacity – if this is significantly reduced (typically below 80%), you might notice poorer performance and shorter battery life. In this case, you can consider arranging a battery replacement through Apple or a reputable repair service.
• On Android, try this: Open Settings and select Battery > Battery health (this may be listed slightly differently depending on your device). Here, you can view battery health status and read tips to potentially extend its lifespan. You'll also see Battery capacity, which shows how much charge your battery can hold compared to when it was new.

If your battery health is poor, replacing it is often more cost-effective than buying a new phone. See our guide to mobile phone repair for up-to-date pricing and options.

What’s draining your battery?

High battery usage can also affect performance, especially if apps are running heavily in the background.

• On an iPhone, try this: Go to Settings > Battery. Scroll down to Battery usage by app for a percentage breakdown.
• On Android, try this: Go to Settings > Battery > Battery usage. Examine the list of apps under the View by apps button.

If apps you rarely use are near the top of the list, consider deleting them or restricting their background activity. Note that streaming, navigation and social media apps are common battery drainers – closing or limiting these can help your phone run more smoothly (see also: Easy ways to improve battery life on iPhone and Android).

How to buy the best refurbished phone – see which phones we recommend buying refurbished or second-hand, and how our lab tests helped establish a 'sweet spot' for phone grades.

5. Cut down on widgets

At a glance Although widgets are useful for quick updates, some refresh regularly in the background, which can use processing power and battery.

• On an iPhone, try this: Press and hold a widget, then tap Remove Widget and confirm.
• On Android, try this: Press and hold on a widget to select it, then drag it up to the Remove button at the top of your home screen.

If you use widgets for information like weather or news headlines, consider replacing them with dedicated apps that you can open only when needed. Widgets that update frequently or show live data (such as step trackers, news feeds or stock tickers) tend to use more resources than simple, static ones.

You can try removing one or two widgets and see if your phone feels smoother over the next day or so – the difference might be subtle, but still noticeable on older devices.

6. Check mobile and wi-fi strength

At a glance Your mobile might feel slow because of a poor internet connection. 

If your phone is slow to load content, the problem could be with your internet connection rather than the device itself. A good starting point is to check the strength of the signal you're using. A weak signal means you'll struggle to load webpages, download files or send emails.

• On an iPhone, try this: Open Settings > wi-fi and check the visual indicator next to the name of your network. More bars generally indicate a stronger signal. For mobile data, go to Settings > Mobile Data and check the signal bars at the top of your screen.
• On Android, try this: Go to Settings > Network & internet (or Connections, depending on your device). Tap wi-fi and check the signal strength indicator next to your network. For mobile data, check the signal bars at the top of your screen or within Mobile network settings.

Assuming your wi-fi signal is the issue, try moving closer to the router, or buy an extender. If it's your mobile data, see our mobile network coverage map. You may be able to switch to a provider that offers better reception in your area.

7. Manage your notifications

At a glance Silencing non-essential notifications can reduce interruptions and limit some background activity, helping your phone to feel more responsive.

• On iPhone, try this: To manage alerts from a specific app, swipe the notification to the left and then choose Options. From here, you can choose between Mute for 1 Hour, Mute for Today or Turn Off.
• On Android, try this: When you receive a notification, long-press it and choose Turn off notifications. To adjust your notification settings without waiting for a message to appear, go to Settings > Notifications > App notifications.

For more details, including how to use focus mode to improve your productivity, see our guide on the easy way to get rid of annoying phone notifications.

Is your phone slow to charge?

‘If your phone is charging slowly, it’s worth checking your charger first. Try using one from a reputable brand and make sure it supports the right wattage for your device – using the wrong one can really slow things down.

'It also helps to avoid using your phone too much while it’s charging, as this can generate heat and affect charging speed. If you need a quick boost, switching on Airplane mode can help it charge a bit faster by reducing background activity.

'For those who often run low on battery when out and about, a portable charger can be a handy backup. These let you top up your phone on the go, and the best models we’ve tested can recharge your device quickly and reliably. See our guide to the best power banks to find one that suits your needs.’

Adam Speight, Which? smartphones expert

Factory reset (if all else fails)

At a glance This deletes all apps, settings and personal data on your phone, returning the device to the state it was in when you bought it.

Only try this if other fixes haven’t worked, as it will completely wipe your device.

Before resetting, make sure your photos, contacts and important files are backed up, and that you know your Apple ID or Google account details – you’ll need these to set the phone up again afterwards.

• On iPhone, try this: You can back up files by going to Settings, tapping your profile picture and choosing iCloud. When you're ready, go to Settings > Transfer or reset iPhone > Erase all content and settings.
• On Android, try this: You can back up files by going to Settings > System > Backup. When you're ready, go to Settings > System > Reset options > Erase all data (factory reset).

Is your phone too old?

While many smartphones can physically last for years, their lifespan is limited by software support. This is how long the manufacturer continues to provide updates, including security patches and bug fixes.

Once support ends, performance can decline over time. You may notice apps slowing down or ceasing to work at all, and your phone will be more exposed to security risks. If your device is more than three or four years old, it’s worth checking whether it’s still supported, as this can be a key factor in deciding whether to replace it.

That said, there’s no need to upgrade sooner than necessary. Our phone support calculator can help you see how long your device is likely to keep receiving updates, so you can make a more informed decision.

You also don’t need to spend a lot on a replacement. Our guide to the best smartphones highlights strong performers at a range of prices, including Best Buys under £400 and Great Value alternatives.

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