Owners of devices running operating systems Android 7.0 Nougat or 7.1are often faced with the problem of performance degradation over time. The tablet, which previously pleased with its performance, begins to freeze when launching applications, takes a long time to respond to touches, and switches slowly between windows. This is a natural process of software degradation and the accumulation of digital garbage, but the situation can be corrected.
There are many methods to return your gadget to its former agility, ranging from banal cache cleaning to deep system settings. In this article, we will analyze each stage of optimization in detail so that you can choose the most suitable tools for your case. It is important to understand that hardware limitations old models will not go away, but proper software configuration will allow you to use available resources with maximum efficiency.
Before taking radical measures, such as a hard reset, try performing a series of software adjustments. Often the problem lies not in hardware wear, but in background processes that consume precious RAM and processor resources. Let's go through all the available options for speeding up your tablet one by one.
Clearing internal memory and application cache
The first and most obvious step is to free up the internal storage. When free disk space becomes critically low, the system Android begins to work much slower due to data fragmentation and lack of space for temporary files. You need to remove unnecessary applications, old photos and downloads that take up gigabytes of space.
Particular attention should be paid to the application cache. Social networks, browsers and instant messengers accumulate huge amounts of temporary data, which can slow down the system. Go to Settings → Storage and estimate how much space is occupied by application data. Often clearing the browser cache alone or YouTube frees up hundreds of megabytes.
For deep cleaning, use built-in tools or third-party utilities, but be careful with aggressive “cleaners” that can delete important data. Your best bet is to manually check your download folders and remove duplicate files. It is also worth transferring media files to a memory card microSDif your tablet supports this function.
- 🗑️ Delete unused games and heavy applications that you have not used for more than a month.
- 📸 Transfer photos and videos to cloud storage or a computer to free up local memory.
- ⚙️ Clear the cache of system applications through the Recovery menu if standard clearing does not help.
⚠️ Attention: When clearing application data (not just the cache), you will lose logins, passwords and settings within these apps. Make sure you remember your login information or made a backup copy before deleting the data.
☑️ Checklist for freeing up memory
After freeing up space, reboot the device. This will allow the system to redistribute the file structure and release locked resources. Often this simple step already gives a noticeable increase in the responsiveness of the interface.
Managing startup and background processes
Many applications have a habit of starting automatically when you turn on the tablet and remaining running in the background, even if you are not using them. This creates a constant load on Central processor and eats up RAM. In Android 7 the management of background processes has become more flexible, but requires manual configuration.
Check the list of applications that have permission to run in the background. Go to Settings → Applications, select suspicious apps and limit their background activity. For some system applications, this may not be available without superuser rights, but for most user apps this option is open.
Disable automatic updating of applications in the store Google Playby setting it up only over Wi-Fi or even manually. Constantly checking for updates and downloading data packages in the background significantly slows down older devices. It is also worth disabling synchronization of accounts that you rarely use.
Use the "Inactive applications" function in the battery settings so that the system automatically limits the operation of apps that you have not used for a long time. This will help conserve battery power and increase the overall responsiveness of the system when running the tasks you need.
Optimizing animation and developer settings
One of the most effective ways to visually speed up your tablet is to reduce the scale of interface animation. By default, animation ratios are set to 1x, which creates smooth but long transitions between screens. Changing these values to 0.5x or disabling them completely will create the illusion of instant operation of the device. Android Animation ratios are set to 1x, which creates smooth but long transitions between screens. Changing these values by 0.5x or disabling them completely will create the illusion that the device is working instantly.
To access these settings, you must activate developer mode. Go to Settings → About phone (or About tablet) and quickly click 7 times on the "Build number" item. After a message appears that you have become a developer, a new section will appear in the main settings menu.
In the menu For developers find three items responsible for animation: “Window Animation”, “Transition Animation” and “Animation Duration”. Set the value 0.5x for each of them. If the tablet is very old, you can try setting the value Disabled, but the interface may become too sharp.
| Animation parameter | Default value | Recommended value | Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Window animation | 1x | 0.5x | Acceleration of opening/closing applications |
| Animation of transitions | 1x | 0.5x | Quick switching between screens |
| Animation duration | 1x | 0.5x | Reducing the waiting time for actions |
⚠️ Attention: Changing settings in developer mode may affect the stability of some applications. If you notice strange system behavior, return the animation values to the original 1x settings.
Also try enabling the "Accelerate GPU" option in the developer settings. This will shift some of the tasks of rendering the interface to the GPU, relieving the central processor.
Disabling and removing system applications (Bloatware)
Tablet manufacturers often install many pre-installed applications that cannot be removed using standard means. These apps, known as bloatware, take up memory space and can run in the background, consuming resources. In Android 7 it has become possible to disable some system applications, which is almost equivalent to deleting them.
Go to the list of all applications and find apps from the manufacturer or telecom operator that you do not use (for example, your own browsers, galleries, weather services). Click on the application and select the "Disable" button. After that, it will disappear from the menu and will no longer be loaded into memory.
For more advanced users, it is possible to remove system applications via a computer using the utility ADB (Android Debug Bridge). This requires enabling USB debugging and running commands in a terminal. For example, the command pm uninstall -k --user 0 package name allows you to uninstall an application for the current user without losing system files.
List of packages safe to remove
com.google.vr.servicess|com.android.printspooler|com.facebook.katana|com.facebook.system|com.samsung.android.app.spage
Be extremely careful when disabling system components. Don't touch apps related to your phone's functionality, messages, settings, or security. Removing critical components may cause the tablet to stop booting or lose some functionality.
Resetting settings to factory settings
If no software methods have helped, the most radical but effective method remains - a complete reset (Factory Reset). This procedure will return the tablet to the state it was in when purchased, removing all user data, applications and accumulated system errors.
Before performing a reset, be sure to create a backup copy of all important data: contacts, photos, documents. You can use your account Google to synchronize your contacts and calendar, and copy the files to your computer or memory card. Remember that after a reset, it will be impossible to restore data without a copy.
To perform a reset, go to Settings → Backup and reset → Reset settings. Confirm the action and wait for the process to complete. The tablet will reboot and the initial setup will take some time. After this, the device should work as quickly as its hardware allows.
⚠️ Attention: Make sure that the battery charge is at least 50-60% before starting the reset. Interrupting the process by turning off the device can lead to damage to the software and the need for flashing.
A full reset is a “spring cleaning” for your tablet, which removes all digital garbage and settings conflicts that have accumulated over years of use.
Using lightweight versions of applications
Modern versions of popular applications are becoming more and more demanding of resources. For tablets with limited RAM, using full versions of Android 7 with limited RAM, use full versions Facebook, Instagram or YouTube can be detrimental to performance.
Replace heavy applications with their lightweight labeled counterparts. Lite or Go. For example, Facebook Lite, Google Go, YouTube Go they consume significantly less memory and CPU time, while maintaining the main functionality. These versions are specially designed for devices with weak hardware and slow Internet.
Also consider using progressive web applications (PWA) through the browser. Instead of installing a separate social media or news app, you can add a site shortcut to your home screen. This will allow you to use the service without installing heavy software code on your device.
- 📉 Install Google Go instead of the full Search and Assistant application.
- 📱 Replace the standard browser with Opera Mini or UC Browser with traffic saving mode.
- 🚫 Avoid installing heavy games that are not optimized for older versions of Android.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Will installing an antivirus help speed up your tablet?
No, in most cases, antiviruses only slow down the device by constantly scanning the system in the background. The Android 7 built-in security mechanisms are quite effective. An antivirus is only needed if you download applications from dubious sources, but it is useless for speeding up.
Is it possible to install a new version of Android on an old tablet?
Officially, most likely not, since manufacturers rarely update old models. Unofficially, you can try to find custom firmware (for example LineageOS) for your model on forums like 4PDA or XDA, but this requires skills and carries the risk of turning the tablet into a "brick".
Why does the tablet heat up and slow down at the same time?
Overheating leads to throttling - automatic reduction processor frequency to protect against damage. This causes severe brakes. Check if any application is running in the background with a high load, or if the device is not in direct sunlight.
Is it worth buying a memory card to speed up work?
A memory card will not directly speed up the system, but it will free up internal memory by transferring photos and videos to it. However, do not install the applications themselves on a slow memory card, as this may even slow down their launch compared to the internal memory.
How often should you restart the tablet to maintain speed?
It is recommended to restart the device at least once a week. This allows you to clear RAM from frozen processes and reset temporary system errors that accumulate during long-term operation without shutting down.