How to speed up a Android smartphone 9: a complete optimization guide

Smartphones on Android 9 Pie are still actively used, especially in the budget segment and on devices with limited resources. However, over time, even the most productive gadgets begin to slow down: applications take a long time to open, the interface freezes, and the battery runs out within a few hours. The reasons for this behavior lie not only in hardware limitations, but also in the operating system, which requires more and more resources with each application update.

In this article we will look at unique optimization methods specifically for Android 9, which do not require root access and are suitable for most models - from Samsung Galaxy S9 to Xiaomi Redmi Note 7. You will learn how to properly clear the cache, what system settings affect speed, and why standard “tips” like disabling widgets are often useless. All recommendations have been tested on real devices and provide a noticeable performance increase.

1. Diagnosis of the problem: why is the smartphone slow?

Before you start optimizing, it is important to understand what exactly slows down the device. Android 9 has built-in diagnostic tools that will help identify bottlenecks.

Open Settings → System → About phone → Software version and click on the "Build number" item several times to activate Developer mode. Then return to the main settings and find the new section For developers. Here we are interested in three parameters:

• 📊 Process statistics - shows which applications consume the most CPU and RAM. If instant messengers or social networks are in the top, they should be optimized first.
• 🔄 Screen operating time - helps to identify applications that “wake up” the processor in the background (for example, Facebook or TikTok).
• 📉 Memory usage —if the free RAM is less than 20%, the system begins to actively use the swapfile, which dramatically slows down the work.

Also check Settings → Applications → All applications and sort them by the amount of memory occupied. Often it is not the apps themselves that cause the brakes. and their cache, which can weigh several gigabytes. For example, Google Play Services or YouTube often accumulate up to 1-2 GB of unnecessary data.

2. Clearing cache and unnecessary files

One. One of the most effective ways to speed up your smartphone is delete accumulated cache. Unlike newer versions of Android, Android 9 there is no automatic cleaning, so you have to do it manually.

Start with the system cache:

1. Go in Settings → Storage.
2. Click “Clear cache” (usually this button is located at the bottom of the screen).
3. Confirm the action. This will delete temporary files of all applications, but will not affect personal data.

To clear the cache of individual applications. applications:

1. Open Settings → Applications → All applications.
2. Select an application (for example, Chrome or Instagram).
3. Tap “Storage” → “Clear” cache."

Pay special attention to the folder Download —it is often clogged with unnecessary files (APK, images, documents). Also check the folder. data-i="92">—thumbnails of photos and videos are stored here, which can be safely deleted. DCIM/.thumbnails — thumbnails of photos and videos are stored here, which can be safely deleted.

⚠️ Attention: Do not confuse “Clear cache” and “Clear data”. The second option will delete all application settings, including logins and passwords, and you will have to configure it again.

3. interface

B Android 9 by default, animations of transitions between screens are enabled, which create visual comfort, but slow down work on weak devices. They can be disabled or accelerated through developer settings.

Follow the instructions:

1. Activate developer mode (as described in the first section).
2. Go to Settings → System → For developers.
3. Find items:
   • Window animation scale - install 0.5x or Off
   • Transition animation scale — set 0.5x or Off
   • Animation duration scale — set 0.5x or Off.

These changes will be applied immediately - the interface will become less “smooth”, but noticeable faster. This is especially true for devices with 2–3 GB of RAM, where every millisecond of saving resources matters.

You can also limit background processes in the developer settings:

• Find the item Background processes limit.
• Set the value Maximum 2 processes (if you have 2 GB of RAM) or Maximum 3 processes (for 3–4 GB of RAM).

4. Disabling unnecessary applications and services

Many manufacturers install on smartphones pre-installed applications (bloatware)that cannot be removed using standard means, but can be disabled. These apps not only take up space, but also consume resources in the background.

To disable unnecessary applications:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → All applications.
2. Sort the list by size or alphabetically.
3. Select an unnecessary application (for example, Samsung Knox, Mi Video, Google Play Music).
4. Click “Disable” (if the button is inactive, then the application is critical for the system).

Pay special attention to the following categories:

• 🎵 Music services (if you do not use them: Spotify, Google Play Music).
• 📺 Video services (Netflix, Prime Video —if you don’t look at it on your phone).
• 📡 Applications of telecom operators (for example, My Beeline, MTS Personal Account).
• 🎮 Game launchers (Game Launcher from Samsung, Game Turbo from Xiaomi).

Also check the section Settings → Accounts and delete unnecessary accounts (for example, old mailboxes or social networks) that are synchronized in the background.

⚠️ Attention: Do not disable system services with names com.android. or com.google.android. - this may lead to unstable operation of the device.

5. Setting up startup and background activity

Many applications launch automatically when you turn on the smartphone and continue to run in the background, consuming CPU and RAM. Android 9 there is no built-in startup manager, but there are workarounds.

First, limit the background. activity:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → All applications.
2. Select an application (for example, Facebook).
3. Click “Battery” → “Battery optimization.”
4. Set “Optimize” (if the application is not on the white list).

For deeper settings, use third-party utilities, for example Greenify (does not require root access on Android 9). This application allows you to “freeze” background processes without completely deleting them. Algorithm of actions:

1. Install Greenify from Google Play.
2. Launch the application and provide access to accessibility features (in Android settings).
3. Add to the list applications that should not run in the background (for example, instant messengers, if you are not expecting important notifications).
4. Activate the "Aggressive Hibernation" function.

Also check the section Settings → Applications → Special access → Battery optimization and add to the list of optimized applications those that should not run in the background (for example, games or rarely used utilities).

Application	Recommended action	Reason
Facebook, Instagram	Limit background activity	Constantly synchronize data and show advertising
Google Play Services	Do not touch	Critical for system operation and updates
Messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram)	Allow background work	Otherwise notifications will not arrive
Games (PUBG, Clash of Clans)	Disable startup	Take up a lot of RAM and are not needed in the background

6. Firmware and kernel update

If your smartphone officially supports updates, check for the latest firmware versions. Even within Android 9 manufacturers release security and optimization patches that can improve performance.

To check for updates:

1. Go to Settings → System → System update.
2. Click “Check for updates.”
3. If a new version is available, download and install it (preferably via Wi-Fi).

If there are no official updates, you can consider the option with custom firmware (for example, LineageOS or Pixel Experience). However, this requires unlocking the bootloader and installation via TWRPwhich may void the warranty. Advantages of custom firmware:

• 🚀 Higher performance due to an optimized kernel.
• 🗑 Less pre-installed software.
• 🔄 Regular security updates (as opposed to abandoned official firmware).

⚠️ Attention: Installing custom firmware can lead to data loss, unstable operation of the camera or NFC module. Before the procedure, make a full backup via TWRP or Titanium Backup.

If you are not ready for the risks, an alternative could be kernel update through applications like Kernel Adiutor (requires root access). This allows you to fine-tune processor, graphics, and power consumption settings.

What to do if the update is stuck?

If the update process is stuck at the installation stage (for example, at the manufacturer's logo), do not panic. Wait 10–15 minutes. If nothing has changed:

1. Force restart your smartphone (press and hold the power button for 10–15 seconds).

2. If the device does not turn on, try going to Recovery Mode (usually holding Power + Volume Up).

3. Select item Wipe cache partition (not factory reset!).

4. Reboot smartphone.

If the problem persists, contact the service center.—>

7. Optimizing storage: transferring data and using an SD card

Lack of free space on the internal storage is one of the main reasons for slowdowns. When there is less than 10% of memory left, the system begins to work unstable.

• 📁 Transfer photos and videos to the cloud (Google Photos, Yandex Drive) or to your computer.
• 💾 Use an SD card (if your smartphone supports B Android 9 you can configure it as internal storage:
  1. Insert an SD card.
  2. Go to Settings → Storage → SD card.
  3. Click “Configure” → “Internal memory.”
  4. Follow the instructions (the card will be formatted!).

🗃 Archive rarely used files in the format .zip or .rar.

If you use an SD card as internal memory, please note:

• The speed of applications may decrease (especially if the card is class Class 4 or Class 6).
• Not all applications support transfer to SD (for example, WhatsApp or Banking applications).
• When extracting Application cards on it will stop working.

To clean the storage, you can also use the built-in utility Files by Google (former Files Go). It automatically finds unnecessary files, duplicates and large media files.

8. applications

Standard shells from manufacturers (for example, One UI from Samsung or MIUI from Xiaomi) are often overloaded with animations and unnecessary functions. Replacing the launcher can significantly speed up the interface.

The best lightweight launchers. for Android 9:

• 🏆 Nova Launcher — flexible configuration, minimalistic design, gesture support.
• ⚡ Lawnchair — open source, based on Pixel Launcher, without unnecessary water.
• 📱 Smart Launcher 5 — automatic sorting of applications, low RAM consumption.
• 💡 Rootless Launcher — imitates Pixel interface without root access.

Installing an alternative launcher:

1. Download the selected launcher from Google Play.
2. After installation, click “Home” and select the new launcher as the main one.
3. Customize the interface: disable animations, reduce the number of desktops, remove widgets.

Also replace “heavy” applications with lightweight versions:

Standard application	Lite alternative	Saving memory
Facebook	Facebook Lite or Hermit	up to 90%
Instagram	Version via PWA (progressive web application)	up to 80%
Chrome	Chrome Lite or Bromite	up to 50%
YouTube	NewPipe or SkyTube	up to 70%

Lite versions often lack some functions (for example, stories in Facebook Lite), but they work many times faster and do not load the system.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about optimizing Android 9

Is it possible to speed up a smartphone without root access?

Yes, all the methods in this article do not require root access. Root is only needed for deep optimization of the kernel or deleting system applications, which is risky for beginners.

Why do applications slow down again after clearing the cache?

The cache accumulates again when using applications. To avoid this, limit background activity (section 5) or use Greenify to “freeze” unnecessary ones. processes.

Is it worth disabling Google Play Services?

No, this is a critical system component. Disabling it will lead to errors in the operation of Google PlayInstead, limit its background activity through the battery settings.

How to check which application. is it loading the processor?

Use the built-in statistics in Settings → For developers → Process statistics or third-party utilities like CPU Monitor or OS Monitor.

Will resetting to factory settings help?

Yes, but this is an extreme measure. Resetting will delete all data, so make a backup first. After resetting, the smartphone will work faster, but over time the brakes will return if you do not monitor the optimization.