There’s nothing more frustrating than trying to get work done or even just browse the internet when your computer or phone keeps lagging. A slow device can waste time, drain your energy, and disrupt your productivity. The good news? Most speed problems are easy to fix. You don’t need to be a tech expert or buy a new device. Simple changes can bring your device back to life, sometimes within minutes.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through practical, beginner-friendly steps to speed up your computer or smartphone. These are the same tips IT professionals use, but explained in a way anyone can follow.
Why Devices Slow Down Over Time
Before diving into solutions, it helps to understand why devices become slow:
- Too many apps and files taking up storage
- Low RAM because many apps run in the background
- Outdated software that hasn’t been updated
- Too many startup programs on your computer
- Hidden malware slowing the system
- Old hardware reaching its limits
Most of these have quick fixes, and you can improve performance without spending money.
1. Clear Out Unnecessary Apps, Photos, and Files
Storage plays a major role in speed. When your device’s storage is almost full, it will slow down automatically because it doesn’t have enough space to operate smoothly.
How to fix this:
- Delete apps you haven’t used in the last 30–60 days
- Clear your download folder
- Remove duplicate photos and videos
- Move large files to cloud storage (Google Drive, OneDrive, iCloud)
On phones, media files especially videos consume massive space. On computers, large software and forgotten files are usually the culprits.
Pro tip: Always leave at least 20% free storage for smooth performance.
2. Restart Your Device Regularly
It sounds too simple, but restarting clears temporary files, closes background apps, and resets memory usage. Many people keep their devices on for weeks without restarting, which causes slowdowns.
Best practice:
Restart your phone 2–3 times per week.
Restart your computer daily if you use it heavily.
3. Update Your Software and Apps
Software updates are not just for new features. They often include:
- Performance improvements
- Bug fixes
- Security patches
- Better memory usage
Outdated software can make apps crash, freeze, or load slowly.
What to update:
- Device operating system (Android, iOS, Windows, macOS)
- Browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari)
- Frequently used apps
Updates may take a few minutes, but the performance boost is worth it.
4. Close Background Apps Draining RAM
Many apps continue running even after you close them. This consumes RAM, which is the memory your device uses to keep apps open and responsive.
On phones:
- Check “Background Activity” or “Running Apps” in settings
- Force stop apps you’re not using
On computers:
- Use Task Manager (Windows) or Activity Monitor (Mac)
- Close apps using high CPU or memory
Don’t worry closing background apps doesn’t harm your device. In fact, it helps it breathe.
5. Disable Startup Programs on Your Computer
On Windows especially, many apps automatically launch when you start your computer. This makes boot time slow and constantly eats up memory.
How to fix this:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc
- Go to Startup Apps
- Disable any program you don’t need immediately after booting
Examples of apps you can safely disable:
- Zoom
- Spotify
- Adobe Reader
- Microsoft Teams (unless you use it daily)
Your computer will start faster instantly.
6. Free Up Your Browser
Browsers slow down over time because of cached files, history, and too many extensions.
To speed things up:
- Clear browsing history and cache
- Remove unnecessary extensions
- Limit the number of open tabs
- Use lightweight browsers like Brave or Opera
If Chrome feels slow, switching browsers could give you an instant boost.
7. Run a Malware Scan
Malware and unwanted software can secretly run in the background, slowing down your system. Even if you’re careful, they can sneak in through pop-ups, downloads, or infected websites.
What to do:
- Install a lightweight antivirus
- Run a full system scan
- Remove suspicious apps or files
On phones, watch out for apps that show ads randomly or drain battery excessively.
8. Reset Settings (If Necessary)
If your device remains slow after trying everything, a settings reset might help. This doesn’t erase your files it only resets system preferences to default.
When to consider a settings reset:
- Apps crash frequently
- Phone freezes often
- Computer becomes unresponsive
Only perform a full factory reset if the device is extremely slow and nothing else works and always back up your files first.
9. Consider a Hardware Upgrade (Computers Only)
For very old laptops and desktops, sometimes the hardware itself is the issue.
Two upgrades that make the biggest difference:
- Switching from HDD to SSD (this can double or triple speed)
- Adding more RAM
These upgrades are affordable and can make an old computer feel brand new.
10. Keep Your Device Clean Literally
Over time, dust builds up in computers, especially in the cooling fans. This causes overheating, automatic slowdowns, and even shutdowns.
Cleaning your PC’s fan or using a cooling pad can help reduce heat and improve speed.
Phones can also overheat due to poor ventilation or heavy apps, so keep them in open spaces when charging.
Speeding Up Your Device Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated
A slow device doesn’t always mean you need a new one. Most of the time, simple steps like deleting unused files, restarting regularly, closing background apps, and updating software are enough to restore speed. With a few minutes of maintenance each week, your computer or phone will stay fast, responsive, and reliable.
By understanding how your device works and taking small steps to care for it, you can extend its lifespan and enjoy a smoother digital experience without spending money on repairs or upgrades.