Users of smartphones based on Android often encounter messages that the system is “optimizing the application”, accompanied by a counter “1 out of 1”, “2 out of 5” and so on. This process is often confusing, especially if it is repeated after every operating system update or factory reset.
Essentially, this is the normal work of the runtime Android Runtime (ART)that translates application source code into machine instructions that are understandable by the specific processor of your device. Without this step, apps will either not start or will work extremely slowly, wasting battery power.
In this article we will look in detail at why “1 of 1” optimization occurs, how it affects the operation of the gadget, and what steps to take if the process is stuck or repeats too often. Understanding these mechanisms will help you maintain smartphone in ideal technical condition.
ART mechanism and application compilation
Unlike older versions Androidthat used Dalvik technology with JIT compilation (Just-In-Time), modern versions use ART with AOT compilation (Ahead-Of-Time). This means that the translation of bytecode into native code does not occur at the time the application is launched, but in advance, during installation or the first launch.
When you see the inscription "application optimization 1 of 1", this indicates that system compiler processes a specific software package. The counter indicates the processing order: the first application out of one that requires attention. This process is necessary to ensure maximum performance interface.
The optimization procedure creates files oat (Optimized Android Runtime) that are stored in a hidden system partition. It is thanks to them that games and heavy utilities open in a split second. However, if the file system is damaged or there is not enough space, this stage may take longer.
⚠️ Attention: Forcibly rebooting the smartphone during active optimization can lead to damage to system files and a cyclic reboot of the device (bootloop).
It is important to understand that optimization affects not only user apps, but also system ones services Google Play Services, frameworks and shells from manufacturers like One UI or MIUI. Therefore, even on a new phone, when setting up for the first time, this process can last from 5 to 20 minutes.
Technical details of compilation
The ART compiler uses code profiling. If the application is launched rarely, it can remain in interpreted mode to save space, and if used frequently, it can be completely compiled into native code for speed.
Why optimization is run repeatedly
The ideal situation is when optimization occurs once after a major update. Android. However, many users complain that the "1 of 1" message appears every morning or after every reboot. This is a clear sign of problems with the file system or cache.
The main reason for endless optimization is often a failure. Dalvik Cache. This is a special memory section where optimized files are stored. If its integrity is violated, the system detects a checksum mismatch at each start and starts the process again.
The problem may also lie in specific applications that were installed with errors or have version conflicts. For example, if you updated WhatsApp or a banking application, and the old cache was not correctly deleted, the system will try to re-optimize this package endlessly.
- 🔄 Failure after updating the firmware is a temporary phenomenon, usually goes away after 2-3 reboots.
- 📦 Damage to the system data partition - requires intervention through recovery mode.
- 📉 Lack of free memory - the compiler simply has nowhere to write new optimization files.
If optimization is repeated constantly, it is not only annoying, but also significantly reduces battery life, since the processor and drive work under high load in the background.
Diagnostics of problems with memory and storage
A common reason for freezing at the “1 of 1” stage is a critical lack of free space in the internal storage. For the ART compiler to work correctly, the system requires reserve space equal to approximately 10-15% of the volume of all installed applications.
You can check the memory status through the standard settings menu. Go to Settings → Memory (or Storage). If the scale is more than 90% full, you urgently need to free up space by deleting the cache of heavy applications or unnecessary media files.
| Symptom | Probable cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Optimization lasts more than 1 hour | Slow drive recording or process failure | Forced reboot (if that doesn’t help, reset) |
| Repeated every day | Corrupted Dalvik Cache | Clearing cache via Recovery Mode |
| Phone gets very hot | High CPU load during compilation | Close background applications, let cool |
| Errors when launching games | Incorrect optimization of a specific APK | Reinstalling the problematic application |
Particular attention should be paid to the memory card microSD. If application data is stored on it (Adoptable Storage) and the card has a low speed or damage class, this may block the entire system optimization process.
⚠️ Attention: Menu interfaces may differ depending on the Android version and the manufacturer's shell (Samsung, Xiaomi, Pixel). The names of the items may vary.
Methods for speeding up and correcting errors
If the optimization process takes a long time or becomes cyclical, the most effective solution is to clear the partition cache Dalvik / ART Cache. This procedure is safe for your personal data (photos, contacts), but will delete temporary system files, forcing the system to create them again correctly.
To perform this operation, you must enter recovery mode (Recovery Mode). This is usually done by holding down the combination of buttons Volume Up + Power with the device turned off. In the recovery menu, select Wipe Cache Partition.
adb shell pm clear com.android.packageinstallerThis command via USB debugging allows you to reset the package installer data, which sometimes helps if the problem is caused by freezing of the update installation process. However, the main method is to work through Recovery.
☑️ Cache clearing algorithm
After the reboot, the first start of the system will take longer than usual, since the “1 of 1” optimization will take place again, but in clean conditions. In subsequent times, the problem should disappear.
If you have a Samsung smartphone with an Exynos processor, before entering Recovery, try connecting the device with a cable to the PC - on some models this is a prerequisite for entering recovery mode.
Optimization through developer mode
For advanced users, it is possible to fine-tune the behavior of the compiler through menu for developers. This may help if standard methods do not work, but requires caution.
Activate developer mode by clicking 7 times on the build number in the menu About the phone. Then go to For developers and find the section related to background processes or optimization.
Here you can find settings that affect the speed of the interface. For example, changing the animation scale does not affect the compilation itself, but makes the system work visually faster while background optimization is in progress.
- 🛠 Enable the "Don't save actions" option for debugging (for tests only).
- ⚡ Limit background processes to 2 to free up resources for the compiler.
- 🚫 Disable HW rendering acceleration if you experience graphical artifacts.
Be careful: incorrect settings in this section may lead to unstable operation. Android. Make a note of the initial settings before changing them.
Critical, disabling battery optimization for system processes can prevent the ART compiler from stopping prematurely in the background.Prevention and performance support
To avoid repeating the situation with endless optimization, it is recommended to adhere to several rules for using a smartphone. Regular digital hygiene extends the life of the drive and maintains system performance.
Try not to fill the internal memory to capacity. Always leave at least 2-3 GB of free space. The system needs this not only for optimization, but also for the operation of swap files and temporary buffers.
Regularly update applications through the official store Google Play. Developers often release patches that optimize the code for new versions Android Runtimewhich reduces the load on the compilation process when updating the firmware.
Stable operation of Android depends on the balance between free memory space and the integrity of the system cache. Regularly rebooting your device once a week helps the system clean up temporary files on its own.
If you use third-party launchers or tweakers, make sure they are compatible with your OS version. Conflicting software may block access to system files necessary to complete the optimization.
Is it safe to interrupt optimization by turning off the phone?
No, this is highly not recommended. Interrupting the recording of system files may cause the phone to stop booting (bootloop) or delete some user data. It is better to wait for the process to complete, even if it takes a long time.
Why does optimization take a long time on new powerful smartphones?
The number of applications and the complexity of their code are growing faster than the speed of drives is increasing. In addition, modern versions of Android use more complex optimization methods (profiling), which require time to analyze the behavior of apps.
Is it possible to disable application optimization forever?
It is impossible to completely disable ART, since without it applications will not work. However, you can slow down background optimization through the battery settings, allowing applications to run in the background without restrictions, so that the system does not try to optimize them when idle.
Does the power saving mode affect the optimization speed?
Yes, in hard power saving mode the system limits the processor clock speed and the operation of background services. This can significantly increase the time required to complete the "application optimization 1 of 1" stage.