Why Your Phone Is Slowing Down — and How to Fix It

When we use our smartphones, we often do things that slow them down. So how do you fix those problems and keep your iPhone or Android running smoothly? Kevin Charron, Senior Repair Manager at BackMarket.com, shares his insights.

BackMarket.com is an international marketplace for refurbished electronics, headquartered in Paris. By giving devices a second life, the company helps combat electronic waste.

Charron says many people overlook the main reasons their smartphones start to lag. So what are they?

Too Many Unused Apps Running in the Background

Charron explains that as smartphone performance has improved, the number of apps available for download has grown. But research shows we use about 90% of our apps no more than ten times. That means most are digital clutter—something users often forget. And those apps may still run in the background, eating up memory and draining the battery.

The good news is that turning off or deleting unnecessary apps is easy on both iPhones and Android devices. You can boost your phone’s performance with a few simple steps.

Go to Settings and review your list of installed apps. Delete the ones you rarely or never use. As Daily Mail reports, this small change can immediately speed up your phone.

Your Phone’s Storage Is Full

If your phone’s storage is more than 90% full, it can seriously slow things down.

Charron says a phone needs at least 10% free storage to handle cache—temporary files that help apps run smoothly. Without that space, performance drops.

Clear your phone’s cache and delete large, unnecessary files like old games and videos. Move that content to cloud storage to free up space.

Battery Issues

Another common reason for a sluggish phone is battery trouble. As batteries age, their capacity falls and they don’t hold a charge as well, Charron explains.

For example, an iPhone battery should retain at least 80% of its original capacity. Go to the “Battery” section in your settings to check battery health. If performance is poor, consult a technician. A replacement battery may be the best solution.