Phones Huawei based on Android with a proprietary shell EMUI are known for their stability, but even they begin to slow down over time. The reasons can be different: from overloaded memory to outdated system settings. In this article we will analyze specific optimization methodswhich will help restore the performance of your smartphone - without the risk of damaging the firmware or losing data.

It is important to understand that Huawei uses its own ecosystem HarmonyOS on new models (for example Mate 50 or P60), but most devices until 2023 work on Android with EMUI may be right for you. The methods from this article are relevant for all smartphones of the brand based on Android 10–14, including the popular series Nova, Y, Mate and P. If your device was released later than 2023, check the OS version in Settings → About phone —the guide for HarmonyOS.

We will not recommend “magic cleaning apps” or risky manipulations with root access. Instead, let's focus on system settingssafe actions and proven tricks that really work. Let's start with the simplest - and gradually move on to deeper optimizations.

📊 What Huawei model do you have?
Mate 30/40/50
P30/P40/P50
Nova 7/8/9/10
Y6/Y7/Y9
Another model
I don’t know

1. Clearing memory and cache: removing digital junk

The first step to speeding up is freeing up space in memory. Huawei actively uses the cache to speed up applications, but over time it turns into ballast. Let's start with manual cleaning:

  • 📱 Go to Settings → Memory → Memory clearing and start scanning. The system will show how much space is occupied by unnecessary files (temporary data, remnants of deleted applications, duplicates).
  • 🗑️ Pay special attention to the section Deep cleaning - residual files from long-deleted apps are stored here (for example, cache Facebook or TikTok can weigh gigabytes).
  • 🔍 Check the folder Download (Downloads) through any file manager. Often outdated APK files, memes and documents that have not been needed for a long time accumulate here.

To automate the process, enable auto-clean:

  1. Open Settings → Storage → Settings cleaning.
  2. Activate the option Automatic cleaning and set a schedule (for example, once a week).
  3. In the section Exceptions add critical applications (messengers, banking apps), the data of which no need to clear.

App Cache Warning: Do not clear the cache manually for all apps in a row! For example, the cache Google Maps or YouTube contains downloaded maps and videos for offline viewing. Removing it will cause data to be downloaded again and increase traffic.

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If after clearing the memory quickly fills up again, check the applications in Settings → Applications → Storage. Sort by size - often the culprits are social networks or games with aggressive advertising.

2. Optimizing background activity of applications

One of the main reasons for slowdowns is background processeswhich consume resources even when you are not using them. EMUI allows you to flexibly manage this:

  • ⚡ Go in Settings → Applications → Applications, select the app (for example, Instagram) and open Battery → Manual launch. This will prevent auto-start when you turn on the phone.
  • 🔄 In the same menu, find Data management and disable Background data transfer for unnecessary applications (for example, games or news aggregators).
  • 🛡️ For critical apps (messengers, mail), set the mode Optimized instead No restrictions —this will reduce resource consumption without loss of functionality.

Pay special attention startup. Many applications (especially Chinese ones) are added to autostart without your knowledge. To disable:

  1. Hold the button Recent applications (square) and swipe up on the screen to open Manager tasks.
  2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Autostart.
  3. Disable autostart for all applications except system and instant messengers.

An important nuance for models with EMUI 12+: In new versions of the shell Huawei hid some of the autorun settings. To access them, enter a query in the settings search autorun —the system will show a hidden menu.

Disable autorun for unnecessary applications|Disable background data transfer for games/social networks|Set “Optimized” mode for instant messengers|Check startup once a month-->

3. Firmware and kernel update: why is it critical

Many users ignore updates, considering them useless. This is a bug: Huawei regularly releases patches that:

  • 🐞 Correct errors in the code that cause lags and overheating.
  • ⚡ Optimize energy consumption (especially relevant for models with Kirin 990/9000).
  • 🔒 Closes security vulnerabilities (important for banking applications).

To update the firmware:

  1. Go to Settings → System and updates → Software update.
  2. Click Checking for updates. If a new version is available, download it (preferably via Wi-Fi).
  3. Before installation, close all applications and connect the charger (the battery must be charged at least 50%).

For advanced users: if official updates do not arrive (for example, due to regional restrictions), you can use HiSuite - official software from Huawei for PC. It allows you to manually flash the latest version EMUI without data loss. Important: download the firmware only from the site Huawei or trusted forums (for example, XDA Developers).

⚠️ Attention: If your phone was purchased in China (models with the suffix -CN), updates via HiSuite may contain localized services without Google Play. Before updating the firmware, check compatibility models with global software versions.
Huawei model Latest version of EMUI (2026) Update features
P40 Pro EMUI 13.1 Support Google Mobile Services is missing, but alternatives are available through AppGallery.
Mate 30 Pro EMUI 12.0.1 Updates are suspended, but security patches are available through HiSuite.
Nova 9 EMUI 14 (beta) Support HarmonyOS possible after the official release.
Y7a EMUI 11 Updates are released less frequently due to the budget segment.

4. Setting up animation and visual effects

EMUI is known for its “heavy” animation, which looks beautiful, but is slow on weak devices:

  • 🎨 Go to Settings → System → Developer options (if the section is hidden, activate it by clicking 7 times on Build number to About phone).
  • 🔍 Find the parameters:
    • Window animation scale → set 0.5x or Disable.
    • Animation scale transition → 0.5x.
    • Animator duration → Disable.
  • 🖼️ Disable live wallpapers and weather widgets - they constantly consume processor resources.

For models with OLED screens (for example, Mate 40 Pro or P50 Pro) additionally set dark theme:

  1. Activate Dark mode in Settings → Screen.
  2. Enable Adaptive brightness and set the limit to 70% - this will reduce the load on the GPU.
  3. Disable Automatic change of color temperature (if not using), since the sensor illumination consumes charge.

What to do if, after turning off animation, the interface begins to “twitch”

This is normal behavior when animations are completely turned off. Return value 0.5x for smoothness, but with faster response. If the twitching persists, check the CPU load in Settings → Battery → Usage - the background application may be to blame.

5. Optimizing battery and performance

The battery and processor are closely linked: if the battery is worn out, the phone is forced to reduce performance. Let's start with diagnostics:

  • 🔋 Check the battery condition in Settings → Battery → Battery status. If the capacity drops below 80%, consider replacing (especially important for models older than 2 years).
  • ⚡ Turn on Performance mode v Settings → Battery → Operating modes. This will disable background optimization for games and heavy applications.
  • 🌡️ Monitor overheating: if the phone heats up above 45°C, EMUI automatically throttles (reduces) the processor frequency. Clean the ventilation holes (if any) and avoid direct sunlight.

To extend battery life and stable operation:

  1. Turn off Constant network search v Settings → Mobile network (relevant for regions with unstable coverage).
  2. Set background restrictions for applications via Settings → Applications → Battery. For example, for WhatsApp select Intelligent instead of No restrictions.
  3. Use Ultra power saving mode (in Settings → Battery) in critical situations - it turns off background activity, leaving only calls and SMS.
⚠️ Attention: On models with a processor Kirin 980/990 (for example, P30 Pro, Mate 20 Pro), if the battery is very worn, it may trigger hardware performance limitation. This is protection against sudden shutdown, and can only be removed by replacing the battery.
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Performance mode increases operating speed, but reduces battery life by 15-20%. Use it only when necessary (games, video editing).

6. Transferring data to a memory card and the cloud

Lack of internal memory is one of the main reasons for lags. The following will help solve the problem:

  • 📁 Transferring applications to an SD card (does not work on all models):
    1. Insert a memory card (recommended microSD UHS-I class A1/A2).
    2. Go in Settings → Applications, select the app and click Move to SD card.
    3. Please note: not all applications support transfer (especially system ones and games with anti-cheat).
  • ☁️ Automatic upload to the cloud:
    • Activate Huawei Cloud in Settings → Accounts → Cloud.
    • Enable automatic synchronization for photos, videos and contacts.
    • To save traffic, use only Wi-Fi.

      • For models without a memory card slot (for example, P40 Pro+), the only way out is to use cloud services. An alternative is regular cleaning and use of cloud services. Alternative - OTG drive, but it is only suitable for storing media files, not applications.

      Important point: If you use Google Photos for backup copying, please note that on devices Huawei without Google Mobile Services (for example, Mate 40) this application may be unstable. In this case, it is better to use Huawei Cloud or Petal Docs.

      7. Reset to factory settings: when necessary

      If all the previous methods did not help, it remains hard reset. This is a radical but effective way to return your phone to factory speed. Before resetting:

      Create a backup copy in Huawei Cloud|Copy photos/videos to PC|Record account logins/passwords|Make sure the battery is 100% charged-->

      Reset instructions:

      1. Go to Settings → System → Reset.
      2. Select Reset all settings (saves media files) or Reset to factory settings (full clear). data-i="275">Reset all settings
      3. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot (takes 5-10 minutes).

      After the reset:

      • ⚠️ Do not restore data from backup immediately! First, check the phone's "clean" system.
      • 🔄 Install applications gradually, monitoring performance.
      • 🔒 Disable automatic application updates in AppGallery or Google Play.
      ⚠️ Attention: On some models (Mate 20, P30) after resetting, you may need to re-activate Google Mobile Services via HiSuite. Without this, other Google services will not work. YouTube, Gmail and other Google services.

      8. Alternative methods: for advanced users

      If you are ready to go beyond the standard settings, consider these options:

      • 🔧 Disable unnecessary system applications:

        Using ADB (Android Debug Bridge) you can deactivate pre-installed apps that cannot be removed in the usual way. For example:

        adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.huawei.android.hsf

        This command will disable Huawei AppMarket (if you do not use it). Be careful: deleting system applications may lead to unstable operation!

      • 🔄 Using alternative launchers:

        Install Nova Launcher or Lawnchair from AppGallery. They are lighter than the standard launcher EMUI and allow you to disable animations completely.

      • 📡 DNS settings:

        Change DNS servers to 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare) or 8.8.8.8 (Google) in Settings → Mobile network → Access point (APN) → DNS. This will speed up the loading of web pages and reduce lag in the browser.

      How to return a deleted system application?

      If something went wrong after disconnecting via ADB, restore the app can be done with the command:

      adb shell cmd package install-existing com.package name

      For example, to return Huawei AppMarket use com.huawei.android.hsf.

      For owners Huawei with processors Kirin (for example, Mate 20, P30) there is an unofficial overclocking method through the engineering menu. However, we Not recommended use it - this leads to overheating and shortens the life of the chip. If you need maximum performance, better consider buying a new device.

      FAQ: Frequently asked questions about Huawei optimization

      My Huawei gets very hot and slows down during games. What to do?

      The reasons may be different:

      1. CPU overheating: Clean the ventilation holes (if any) and lower the graphic settings in the game.
      2. Background processes: Close all applications via Task Manager before starting the game.
      3. Throttling: On older models (Kirin 970 and below) enable Performance mode in the settings batteries.
      4. Battery: If the battery is worn out (capacity < 70%), replace it - the system forcibly reduces power.

      For games type Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile it is also recommended to use game mode (Settings → Game assistant, which optimizes resources.

      Can I install Google Play on Huawei without GMS?

      Yes, but this is a semi-official method with risks:

      1. Download Googlefier or LZPlay (for models on EMUI 10/11).
      2. Follow the installation instructions (you will need to disable signature verification in the security settings).
      3. After installation, update Google Play Services via APKMirror.

      Important: On EMUI 12+ and HarmonyOS these methods may not work. Also note that after updating the firmware Google Play may disappear.

      Why did the phone become slow after updating EMUI?

      This is a typical problem associated with:

      • Unoptimized cache: After the update, clear the cache in Settings → Memory → Memory clearing.
      • Background processes: New versions EMUI may add additional services. Check autostart.
      • Application incompatibility: Update all apps. through AppGallery.

      If the lags remain, try reset settings (without deleting data) in Settings → System → Reset.

      How to check which application is loading the processor?

      There are two ways:

      1. Through settings:
        1. Open Settings → Battery → Usage.
        2. Look at which application consumes the most battery - most likely it is loading the CPU.
      2. Via ADB (for advanced): 
        adb shell top -m 10 -t

        This command will show the top 10 processes by processor load. Look for lines with a high value in the column. %CPU.

      Is it worth installing custom firmware on Huawei?

      Custom firmware (for example, LineageOS) can give a second life to old models (Mate 9, P10), but there are serious risks:

      • 🚫 Loss of warranty (if it still works).
      • 📱 Non-functional modules (camera, NFC, sensors) due to lack of drivers.
      • 🔋 Problems with the battery (incorrect charge calibration).
      • 🔒 Security vulnerabilities (custom firmware is often not received patches).

      If you still decide, use only firmware from the forum XDA Developersthat has been tested for your model. Before installation, make a full backup via TWRP.