How-To #46: Speed up Slow/Sluggish Android Devices

Have you started noticing that your Android device is running slow or sluggish? Well, you are not alone. It really is easy to keep your Android running like new. You just need to learn how to bring back the performance of the device and know how to keep it that way; as there is only a handful of problems that could slow down your device. 


Like any other computing devices, it requires regular maintenance and due diligence. Follow the steps below to greatly improve any Android.

1. Uninstall or Remove Unused Apps
Applications are great, espically the widgets, but once you start to install them on your device, they start to stack up to become a force that can greatly slow down the system. Ask yourself, do you really need that app? Also do not forget to keep a close eye on free apps, as the trend has become to display background ads on the notification bar.

Steps:
Go into Settings
Click on Applications
Click on Running Services or Manage Applications
Uninstall or stop any apps that you don't need

2. Install a Task Manager tool
Task managers are able to kill running apps. It can clear the RAM so that the Android system has more memory to work with. If you have alot of running apps with little to no ram, your system will feel close to a crawl.


Steps:
Go To Google Play Store
Download a Task Manager app
Clear the Cache/Ram and Kill any running apps

3. Update the System Firmware
New firmware always bring something valueable to the table. In fact, the new Ice Cream Sandwhich firmware gives Android the ability for Hardware Accerlation; which users reported up to 2x speed increases. Always remember to update to the latest version.

Steps:
Go in Settings
Click on About Phone
Select Software Update.

4. Overclock the CPU
Of course, overclocking is for highly experience Android users with Root. Overclocking basically means running the CPU over the prescribe limits. This can greatly improve the speed of ANY android device on the cost of battery life and stability. Do not do this if you do not know what your doing.

Steps:
Get Root
Get ClockWorkMod
Flash an overclock-capable kernel for your specific Android device
Download SetCPU or CPU Master to set the CPU Clock.

5. Flash a Custom ROM
Like the above, flashing a custom ROM can be risky and is only for experienced users with Root. ROMs are custom firmware created by developers to help improve the functionality/userability of an Android device. Custom ROMs could help in a variety of ways, such as modded scripts to improve RAM effiecently, removed bloatware(apps introduced by manufactuers), improved UI, fixed many bugs, and many more.

Steps:
Get Root
Get ClockWorkMod
Flash custom ROM for your specific Android device

6. Reboot the device
A simple reboot fixes many things. 

7. Factory Wipe
If all else fails, wipe the phone and the phone will be as good as new(since all the data is erased). Remember to backup all the important data you want to save(book marks/sms messages/app data). Anything linked to your Google Account(contacts/clander) is saved on the cloud.

Steps - Two ways:
Go in Settings
Click on System / About Phone
Select Wipe Phone/Reset

OR

Go into Recovery Mode(this is shown how on the User-manual or just google it for your Android device - typically done after the phone is shutoff then holding down vol up + vol down + power then releasing power)
Select Wipe Phone or Factory Reset