We’ve all been there. You’re in the middle of something and your phone just freezes — maybe when you’re halfway through an email, a video call or beating the final boss level of your favourite game. The screen gets frozen, nothing is turning up, and now you are helpless, frustrated even.
It’s not simply an inconvenience to have a hanging phone — it can hinder productivity, cause embarrassment and, in the long term, have negative effects on your phone’s performance, as well as your peace of mind. But here’s the good news: you don’t have to be a tech expert to fix it or stop it.
And in this blog, I’m going to take you through 5 easy but incredible things to do to never have your phone hang ever again. Android or iPhone, here’s how to help your phone last as long as possible.
1. Clear Cache Regularly
What is Cache?
Cache is a pile of temporary files stored by apps and websites to load quickly the next time you use them. When you arrive at Instagram or Chrome, they keep little chunks of that data, perhaps to speed up load times or performance (by caching pages) the next time you visit a site. Over time, however, this cached data will accumulate and start to clog your phone’s memory, slowing apps down and causing the phone to lag.
How to Clear It:
On Android:
- Go to Settings → Storage → Cached data
- Tap on it and tap OK to clear cached data of all your installed apps.
You can also go app by app:
- Settings → Apps → choose an app → Storage → Clear Cache
On iPhone:
iPhones don’t allow you to delete all your cache at once, but you can do so for each app individually:
- Go to Settings → Safari → Clear History and Website Data
- For other apps, occasionally uninstall and reinstall them to wipe their cache.
Why It Works:
Consider clearing cache as cleaning up the clutter in your room — which makes more space for your phone to work better and faster. This is something that can literally be a matter of seconds from time to time and is also something that you can do every two weeks and get a massive boost in speed.
2. Remove Unnecessary Apps and Files
We all download apps that we use once or twice and never touch again. Or maybe we hold onto hundreds of photos, memes and videos that we never return to. Disrupt: Each unwanted app or file hogs the available space, runs in the background or even the background of the background and consumes RAM, which is your phone’s short-term memory.
How to Clean Up:
- Review your apps: Extract the unused apps by long-pressing on them to delete.
- Delete duplicate or blurry photos: Either use a gallery management tool, or do it the old fasioned way.
- Transfer files to cloud storage: Files can be saved to Google Drive, iCloud or Dropbox — that way your phone won’t be overloaded with data.
- Use File Managers: On Android, apps such as Files by Google can be used to easily track down junk files.
Bonus Tip:
Apps like WhatsApp store loads of media files in your gallery. Head over to WhatsApp → Settings → Storage and data → Manage storage and delete old memes, videos and forwarded junk.
3. Keep Your Software Updated
Why Updates Matter:
Apple’s software updates aren’t just about new features — they’re mostly about security fixes, bug patches, and performance improvements. A lot of folks dismiss updating as unnecessary or bothersome, but un-updated software is possibly the largest cause of a slow and/or laggy phone.
How to Stay Updated:
- Android: Go to Settings → System → Software Update
- iPhone: Go to Settings → General → Software Update
Also be sure to update all your apps:
- Open Play Store or App Store → tap on your profile → look for the app updates.
Pro Tip:
And make sure to enable auto-updates for both your system and your apps, so you don’t miss out on essential fixes that can help keep your phone operating in tip-top shape.
4. Restart Your Phone at Least Once a Week
Why Restarting Helps:
But when your phone is on for days or weeks at a time, all those background apps pile up, the temporary memory (RAM) fills up, the phone begins to drag. Restarting purges memory, closes down processes and lets your device start anew — similar to rebooting your brain with sleep.
Set a Reminder:
If you’re someone who leaves your phone on pretty much all the time, consider a weekly reminder instead:
- Your phone feels noticeably faster after a restart, that’s why.
Your phone feels noticeably faster after a restart, that’s why.
5. Avoid Live Wallpapers and Heavy Widgets
The Hidden Culprit:
Live wallpapers (moving background images) and widgets (such as weather, clock, news, and so on) do look cool, but they drain battery, RAM, and processor, particularly on older or lower-end devices. This constant drive load can slow down the system and that’s when the dreaded freeze or lag on your phone will appear.
What to Do:
- Use non-live wallpapers Static wallpapers require no power to display.
- Leave only important widgets (such as time or calendar) on your home display.
- Delete any widgets that refresh too often or are constantly updating data in the background (such as news feeds or crypto tickers).
Extra Tip:
Disabling auto-sync on apps you don’t want updated in real time (such as Facebook or Gmail) can also save processing power.
Bonus Tips:
While the above 5 are the most important actions you can take, here are a few more quick wins:
🔋 Enable Lite or Go versions of apps
Apps like Facebook Lite, Messenger Lite, or YouTube Go consume less memory and storage, yet offer most of the same features.
🧼 Use a good phone optimizer (with caution)
Apps like SD Maid, Norton Clean, or CCleaner can clean junk and boost performance. Just avoid apps that are ad-heavy or constantly ask for permissions.
📶 Keep an eye on background data and auto-start apps
Go to Settings → Battery or Apps → see which apps are draining power in the background and restrict them.
Final Thoughts: The Golden Rule—Less is More
The key to a fast, smooth, and responsive smartphone isn’t the latest technology; it’s the software that powers nearly all smartphone features. It’s all about how well you look after your phone.
Like an automobile, your phone may occasionally require maintenance. You don’t have to be tech-savvy to try the following. A handful of simple habits — clearing cache, removing apps you don’t use, updating software, restarting often, reducing visual clutter — can make a big difference.
In exchange, you will have a faster problem-free phone that lasts longer.
Action Checklist:
Here’s a handy checklist you can screenshot or print:
✅ Clear app and browser cache
✅ Delete unused apps and junk files
✅ Update all apps and system software
✅ Restart your phone
✅ Use static wallpaper & minimize widgets
Repeat these, and you’ll never have to struggle with a hanging phone again!
Disclaimer: Information provided is based on publicly available sources and user experiences.
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