How to Optimize Apps on Android

Last Updated: May 25, 2021 Tested

This wikiHow teaches you how to keep Android apps running smoothly by running updates, uninstalling unused apps, and changing your animation settings.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Updating Apps

1
Open the Play Store. It’s the multicolored triangle icon on a white suitcase. You’ll typically find it in the app drawer. If you’re having trouble with the performance of certain apps, you may just need to install their updates.
- Make sure you’re connected to a wireless network before you install updates.
2
Tap ☰. It’s in the white box at the top-left corner of the screen.

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3
Tap My apps & games. It’s under “Apps & games.”
4
Tap UPDATE next to the name of an app. Or, if there are a lot of updates available, tap UPDATE ALL at the top-right corner of the list. The listed apps will now update to their latest versions, which may include bug fixes and performance updates.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Updating the Android Software

1
Open your Android’s Settings. It’s the gear (
) icon in the app drawer.
- This method will help you check for an update of the Android operating system. Running the latest version of Android ensures that you can always use the latest versions of apps. Apps that are updated often are usually optimized for the latest version of Android.
2
Scroll down and tap System Updates. It’s under the “System” header.
3
Tap Check Update. If a newer version of Android is found, follow the instructions to install it. If not, try again later.
- If you want new updates to install without you having to check manually, tap Auto-download system update and select “Auto-download via Wi-Fi.”

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Changing Animation Settings

1
Open your Android’s Settings. It’s the gear (
) icon in the app drawer.
- This method will teach how to speed up the performance of your apps by reducing the amount of animations.
2
Scroll down and tap About Phone. Depending on your device, this option may also be called About or About Tablet. You’ll find it near the bottom of the list under “System.”
3
Tap Build Number 7 times. After the 7th tap, you’ll see a message that says “You have activated Developer Options.”
- If you don’t see Build Number, it may be under Software information.
- If you see a message that says “No need, you are already a developer,” tap the back button until you’ve returned to the Settings screen.
4
Tap the back button to return to Settings.
5
Tap Developer options. It’s under the “System” header.
6
Scroll down to the “Drawing” header.
7
Tap Window animation scale. A pop-up will appear.
8
Select Animation scale .5x.
9
Tap Transition animation scale.
10
Select Animation scale .5x.
11
Tap Animator duration scale.
12
Select Animation scale .5x.
13
Scroll down to the “Hardware accelerated rendering” header. It’s right beneath the current set of options.
14
Tap Force GPU rendering. This moves the switch to the
position.
15
Tap Force 4x MSAA. This moves the switch to the
position. Now that you’ve made these changes, your app should launch much faster, and you should be able to switch between them more quickly.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Deleting Unused Apps

1
Open your Android’s Settings. It’s the gear (
) icon in the app drawer. You can use this method to remove apps that may be bogging down your Android.
- You may find that some apps that came pre-installed on your device cannot be uninstalled.
2
Scroll down and tap Apps. It’s in the “Device” group.
3
Tap the app you want to remove. This opens the app’s properties screen.
4
Tap Uninstall. A confirmation will appear.
- If you see Disable instead of Uninstall, this means the app is a system app that cannot be removed. Tap Disable instead if it’s an app you don’t use.
5
Tap OK to confirm. The app will now be removed from your phone or tablet. Repeat this process for all apps you don't use. This will free up space, which often makes the remaining apps work much better.