Performance: that the phone feels like new
- Go to Settings → About phone.
- Tap 7 times on Build number (it will ask for your PIN/password).
- Go to Settings → System → Developer options (or use the search).
- Change the window animation scale, transition animation scale, and animator duration scale to 0.5x.
- Lock the screen and then unlock it: the interface will be smoother.
Put rarely used apps into “sleep” mode.
- Settings → Battery.
- Turn on Adaptive Battery or put unused apps to sleep.
- Settings → Apps → choose an app you hardly ever use.
- In Battery, turn off Background Activity or check Restrict.
- Repeat with social media/games that don’t require real-time notifications.
Clear heavy caches (without deleting data)
- Settings → Storage.
- Go to Application Cache or Apps → Sort by storage.
- Open the most resource-intensive app → Storage & cache → Clear cache (not “Clear data”).
- Note the ones that are growing the fastest (e.g., Instagram, YouTube, Google Maps) and repeat every 2–3 weeks.
Weekly automatic restart
- Open your Clock/Reminders app.
- Create a weekly reminder on Sundays at 3:00 AM: “Restart phone.”
- On some brands: Settings → Maintenance → Automatic restart and schedule.
Battery: more hours away from the charger
Pull down the Quick Settings bar.
Turn off Auto-Brightness and move the slider to a comfortable level (30–50%).
Settings → Display → Refresh rate: choose 60 Hz for everyday use and high only when gaming.
“Adaptive” energy saving
Settings → Battery → Battery Saver.
Turn on automatic/adaptive battery saving so Android learns your habits.
Optional: create a schedule (e.g., 8:00 PM–7:00 AM) or when the battery drops below 20%.
“Only when in use” location (less tracking, more battery)
Settings → Privacy → Permission Manager → Location.
Go into each app and select “Allow only while in use.”
Completely disable location services for apps that don’t need them.
Detect apps that drain battery
Settings → Battery → Battery Usage.
Check the Top 5 in the background.
Tap each problematic app → Battery → Restrict or Optimize.
If it’s essential (messaging), leave it enabled but disable features you don’t use (e.g., automatic video backup).
Storage: free and organized space
Analyze by folders, duplicates, and large files
Go to Settings → Storage, or open the Files app.
Go to Cleaning / Analyze: check Large Files and Duplicates.
Check Downloads, WhatsApp/Media, and Telegram/Telegram Video: delete old files and old .apk files.
Taming WhatsApp and Telegram
WhatsApp → Settings → Storage and data → Manage storage.
Delete sent files and large received videos.
Automatic download: uncheck Videos under Data and Wi-Fi if you don’t want them all.
Repeat on Telegram → Settings → Data and Storage.
Cloud backup with efficient compression
Open your cloud photo app and turn on Backup.
Choose High Quality/Space Saving if you don’t edit professionally.
On your phone, delete local copies of photos that have already been uploaded (the app usually offers a “Free up space” button).
Security and privacy: zero scares
Long PIN + biometrics + quick lock
- Settings → Security and privacy → Screen lock.
- Set a 6+ digit PIN and enable fingerprint (and face recognition if it’s secure on your device).
- Under Auto-lock, choose Immediate or 15 s.
On-demand permissions (camera/microphone/files)
Settings → Privacy → Permission Manager.
Check camera, microphone, files, and multimedia.
Set to Ask or Only when using non-critical apps.
Enable 2FA on your accounts
Install an authenticator app (Google Authenticator/Microsoft Authenticator).
Go to your services (email, social media, banks) → Security → Two-step verification.
Scan the QR code and save the offline backup codes.
4.4 Play Protect and trusted sources
Steps
Open the Play Store → profile icon → Play Protect.
Turn on Analyze apps with Play Protect.
Avoid APKs from unknown sources; if you install them, check the permissions and signature.
Productivity: more results with fewer taps
Time-saving widgets
Tap and hold the home screen → Widgets.
Add Calendar, Tasks/Reminders, Notes, and Timer.
Put them on the first screen and remove any shortcuts you don’t use.
Side Button Shortcuts (Camera/QR/Favorite App)
Settings → Advanced features or search for “Power button”.
Configure Double Tap for Camera or App (e.g. Notes/QR).
Test: lock the screen and double-tap to open.
Focus Mode and Digital Wellbeing
Settings → Digital Wellbeing & parental controls.
Create a work/study profile: choose which apps will be paused.
Activate Focus Mode with a single tap from Quick Settings.
Smart Clipboard and Quick Text
On your keyboard (Gboard or another): Settings → Clipboard → Turn it on.
Create snippets (e.g. “@@” → your email, “##” → address).
Paste from the clipboard icon in any app.
Camera: better photos without overcomplicating things
Auto HDR + touch focus
Open Camera → Settings → HDR Auto.
Before shooting, tap the subject to focus and adjust the exposure.
If it’s too dark or too bright, slide the brightness control next to the focus box.
Nite Mode without blurry photos
Switch to Nite Mode.
Prop up the phone (on a table, wall, or makeshift tripod).
Shoot and wait for processing to finish.
Enable RAW when you plan to edit.
Camera → Settings → Format: enable RAW/JPEG if your phone allows it.
Shoot in Pro/Manual mode for key scenes.
Edit later in Lightroom/Mobile; export to JPG or PNG depending on the use.
Games: stable performance without frying the battery
Panel/Game Mode
Look for Game Launcher or Game Mode in Settings or the app drawer.
Enable notification blocking, CPU/GPU priority, and a balanced profile.
Create rules per game (high FPS only where it’s worth it).
Control temperature
Reduce to 60–90 Hz if you notice overheating.
Lower the brightness, close everything running in the background, and avoid playing while charging.
Rest for 5–10 minutes every 30–40 minutes.
Connectivity: Wi-Fi, data, and Bluetooth properly configured
Choose wisely: 2.4 GHz vs. 5 GHz
On the router, create two networks (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) with different names.
Connect to the 5 GHz network near the router (faster speed).
Use 2.4 GHz if you’re far away (more range/stability).
Saving data without breaking apps
Settings → Network & Internet → Data Saver.
Activate it and mark apps as unrestricted (messaging, maps).
Check your monthly data usage in Data Usage and adjust it.
Secure Hotspot/Tethering
Settings → Tethering & portable hotspot.
Set a strong password (12+ characters) and the correct APN if your carrier requires it.
Turn off the hotspot when you’re done.
Accessibility that boosts productivity
Gesture-based magnification
Settings → Accessibility → Magnification.
Enable triple tap (or floating button).
Use it to read small print in apps that don’t allow zooming.
Instant subtitles (when available)
Settings → Accessibility → Live Caption.
Activate them and choose language/size.
Useful for silent videos/voice messages.
Simple automations (no root required)
Routines by time or location
Settings → Routines/Rules (or your brand’s automation app).
Create a rule: when I get home → Wi-Fi ON, mobile data OFF, ringer volume low.
Another: 11:00 PM–7:00 AM → Do Not Disturb ON, AOD OFF.
NFC tag for “work mode”
Buy a cheap NFC tag.
With an automation app, record actions: Bluetooth OFF, brightness 40%, open To-Do.
Stick the label on the desk and tap it with your phone to activate.
Scheduled backups and cleanup
In your photo cloud, enable overnight backups only when connected to Wi-Fi and plugged in.
Monthly reminder: clean up Downloads and caches.
Check storage: make sure at least 15% remains free.
Keyboard and dictation: type twice as fast
Swipe to type + prediction
In Gboard → Settings → Glide typing: turn it on.
Practice in chats: fewer taps, fewer mistakes.
If a word is misspelled, tap it and choose the correct suggestion.
Voice dictation with punctuation
On the keyboard, tap the microphone.
Speak clearly and say “comma,” “period,” or “new line” to insert punctuation marks.
Check and correct using the clipboard.
General maintenance
Up-to-date updates
Settings → System → Update.
Install security patches as they become available.
If you have limited space, clear the cache before updating.
USB Port and Charger Care
Turn off your phone.
With a rubber air bulb (non-metallic), blow to remove lint from the port.
Use certified chargers and avoid extreme heat.
How to speed up an old Android phone without formatting?
Apply 0.5x animations. 2) Suspend rarely used apps. 3) Clear network/streaming caches. 4) Leave at least 15% free storage. 5) Restart weekly. If it’s still slow, uninstall bloatware and switch to a lightweight launcher.
How can I save battery without missing notifications?
Manual brightness and 60 Hz outside of games. 2) Active adaptive power saving. 3) Location “while in use”. 4) Check battery usage and restrict battery-hogging apps. 5) Do Not Disturb with exceptions for important calls.
How to free up space quickly?
Storage → Cleanup: large/duplicate files. 2) WhatsApp/Telegram: delete sent messages and disable automatic downloads. 3) Upload photos to the cloud and free up space from the app. 4) Delete old .apk files. 5) Empty Downloads.
With these Android tips and concrete steps, you’ll have more speed, battery life, and organization starting today. If you’d like, tell me your brand, model, and Android version, and I’ll prepare a personalized list of 12 actions optimized for your device (with suggested screenshots and everything ready to copy and paste).