Even the latest Android smartphones can start to slow down over time due to data buildup and limited memory. While a factory reset is a common solution, there is a more gentle approach that involves disabling system animationsThis can significantly improve performance by freeing up memory resources.
We also share other great Android tips on our FB page.
Turning off animations can significantly speed up your older Android smartphone
Animations in the operating system make the user experience more fluid. They provide visual cues for actions such as opening apps or switching screens. But on devices with limited performance, these animations can cause slowdowns, lag, and screen tearing. When a user opens an app, changes screens, or performs other actions on their device, animations are an important aspect of a smooth and visually pleasing experience.
For modern and powerful smartphones with large RAM and fast processors, these animations are designed to be smooth and do not put any strain on the system. However, on older and less powerful devices, these animations can be more of a hindrance, causing slowdowns and screen tearing. Each animation consumes a portion of system resources that could otherwise be used to process other tasks faster. Disabling animations is therefore simple, but effective way to solve these problems.
How to turn off animations on an Android smartphone?
Access developer settings:
First, go to the Settings app on your device. Find the About phone (or About device) section, and then tap the Version field. Then tap the version number seven times to unlock Developer options (you may need to enter your PIN).
To turn off animations:
In the System Update menu, open Developer Options. Find the Rendering section, and here set Window animation scaling, transition animation scaling, and animation length scaling to Off or a lower value (e.g. 0,5x).
Disabling animations can make transitions seem abrupt, but the performance improvement is often worth the price tag, especially on older devices. Consider the age of your device in particular, as the older your smartphone, the more disabling animations can help.
More tips for maintaining performance
Besides turning off animations, there are several other ways you can improve the performance of your Android device. Regular clearing application cache is one of them, as it helps free up memory and speed up the device. If you own a smartphone with an older version of Android, just go to the settings and in the storage section find the internal memory menu. Here you can clear the cache of all applications at once.
This option is not available in newer versions of Android, but it is still possible in the Applications section. clear cache for specific apps individually. You can do this for the apps you use the most. In Settings, go to the Apps section, where you can select the app whose cache you want to clear.
It's also important to uninstall apps you no longer use to prevent them from unnecessarily using system resources. Regularly update device software It is also essential for improving performance and ensuring the latest security patches. We also recommend using built-in memory management tools, such as Google Files app, which will help remove unnecessary files and optimize your device's storage.
Final recommendations
For older devices, it may be useful to use a lighter version of the home screen (launcher), which is less resource-intensive and provides smoother operation. In this case, we recommend Nova Launcher, Smart Launcher or AI LauncherIf none of these strategies work, you may need to: restore factory settingsThis step should be your last resort as it will erase all your data and return your device to its original state. Be sure to back up any important data before doing this step.
Did you like this tutorial? We have another one where we show you how to speed up your smart TV or TV box with a few simple tricks!
Speed up your smart TV or TV box: A complete guide to optimizing the Android TV system
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