Honor phone slows down on Android: reasons and 10 ways to speed it up

Has your Honor started opening applications slowly, freezing when scrolling, or suddenly rebooting? This is a common problem faced by owners of smartphones on Android - especially after 1-2 years of use. The reasons for the brakes can be different: from overloaded memory to errors in the firmware. In this article we will analyze all possible reasons and give step-by-step guidehow to restore your phone's performance without contacting a service center.

It is important to understand that Honor (like other brands under Huawei) uses its own shell Magic UIwhich sometimes conflicts with background processes. We'll look at both software and hardware solutions, from clearing the cache to replacing the battery. If you're not confident in your technical skills, skip the phone disassembly sections and focus on safe techniques.

1. Diagnostics: why Honor started to slow down

Before you begin to fix it, you need to identify the root of the problem. Brakes can manifest themselves in different ways:

• 🐢 Slow opening of applications (more than 3-5 seconds)
• 🔄 Freezes when switching between tasks
• 📉 Sudden reboots or shutdowns
• 🎮 Lags in games (low FPS, stuttering)
• 🔋 Rapid battery drain + case heating

Main reasons:

Type of problem	Signs	Probability (%). data-i="59">Outdated firmware
Overloaded memory	Less than 1 GB of free space, low memory notifications	60%
Too many background processes	The phone gets hot and the battery runs out in 3-4 hours	50%
Outdated firmware	System errors, incompatibility with new applications	40%
Worn out battery	Sudden shutdowns at 20-30% charge, swelling of the case	30%
Viruses or malicious Software	Advertising in unexpected places, unknown applications	20%

For accurate diagnostics, use the built-in tools Android:

1. Open Settings → Device care → Diagnostics.
2. Check section Performance —the system will show which processes are loading the CPU.
3. Run Memory check in the section Memory.

⚠️ Attention: If the phone suddenly began to slow down after falling or getting wet, the problem may be hardware (damage to the motherboard). In this case, software methods will not help - diagnostics are required at a service center.

2. Clearing memory: making room for speed

The most common cause of brakes is lack of free space in the internal memory. Android needs a minimum of 1-1.5 GB free space for normal operation. If there is less memory, the system begins to “freeze” when performing basic tasks.

How to clear the memory on Honor:

• 🗑️ Delete unnecessary files: go to Files → Categories → Large files and delete old videos, photos, APK.
• 🎵 Transfer media files to a memory card or to the cloud (Google Photos, Huawei Cloud).
• 📱 Clear application cache: Settings → Applications → [Select an application] → Memory → Clear cache.
• 🧹 Use built-in optimization: Settings → Device care → Optimization (one click will clear unnecessary data).

For deep cleaning, use third-party utilities:

Application	Functions	Link (Google Play)
Files by Google	Search for duplicates, clear cache, memory analysis	free
CCleaner	Delete temporary files, manage startup	free/premium
SD Maid	Deep cleaning of system files (requires root)	paid

Delete old photos and videos|Clear the cache manually for the 5 heaviest applications|Transfer files to a memory card or the cloud|Run built-in optimization in Settings|Delete unused applications (especially games)-->

⚠️ Attention: Do not use "cleaners" with aggressive algorithms (for example, Clean Master). They can delete important system files, which will lead to even greater slowdowns.

3. Optimizing background processes

Android allows applications to run in the background, which is convenient, but heavily loads the processor and RAM. On Honor with the shell Magic UI this is especially noticeable - the system itself limits background activity, but sometimes it does it too harshly.

How to reduce the load:

1. Limit background activity: Settings → Applications → [Select an application] → Battery → Background activity → Limit.
2. Disable autorun unnecessary apps: Settings → Applications → [Ellipsis] → Autostart.
3. Use performance mode: Settings → Battery → Performance mode → High performance (will increase speed, but reduce battery life).
4. Close unused applications through the recent menu tasks (swipe up and hold).

For advanced users:

adb shell settings put global hidden_api_policy 1

This command (entered via ADB) unlocks hidden settings Android, where you can manually set restrictions for each application. Caution: incorrect changes can lead to unstable operation of the system.

Magic UI 7.x|Magic UI 6.x|EMUI|Pure Android|I don’t know-->

4. Firmware update and reset settings

Outdated firmware is one of the main reasons for slowdowns. Honor regularly releases updates that correct errors and optimize operation. Check that your version is up to date:

1. Go to Settings → System and updates → Software update.
2. If an update is available, download and install it (preferably via Wi-Fi).
3. After updating, run reboot.

If updates do not help or are not available, try reset to factory settings. This is a radical method, but it removes all accumulated errors:

1. Make a backup copy of your data (Settings → System and updates → Backup).
2. Go in Settings → System and updates → Reset → Reset all settings.
3. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot (takes 5-10 minutes).

⚠️ Attention: Reset will delete all data, including photos, contacts and installed applications. If the phone is linked to Google account, after resetting you will need to enter your login and password.

What to do if the reset did not help?

If the brakes remain after the reset, the problem may be in the hardware:

1. Worn battery (see section 6).

2. Damaged flash memory (chip replacement required).

3. dried thermal paste (relevant for older models).

In these cases, only repair at a service center will help.

5. Problems with the battery: how the battery affects performance

Few people know, but worn out battery can cause brakes When the battery. degrades, it is not able to provide stable power to the processor, which leads to sudden drops in performance. This is especially noticeable in games or when recording videos.

Signs of a “tired” battery:

• 🔋 The phone turns off at 20-30% charge.
• 🌡️ The case gets very hot even with a light load.
• ⚡ Charging is jerky (sometimes fast, sometimes slowly).
• 📉 Battery life has decreased by 2-3 times.

How to check battery status:

1. Enter the code ##4636## in the dialer.
2. Go to Information about battery and look at the parameter Wear level (if available).
3. Use applications like AccuBattery (shows actual capacity and wear in %).

Solutions:

• 🔄 Battery calibration: discharge the phone to 0%, then charge up to 100% without interruptions (repeat 2-3 times).
• 🔧 Replacing the battery: if wear exceeds 50%, it is better to replace the battery at a service center (cost - from 1,500 to 4,000 rubles depending on the model).

6. Viruses and malware: how to check and remove

Malware not only steals data, but also heavily load the systemcauses slowdowns. Users who install applications from unverified sources are especially at risk (they heavily load the system. Signs of infection: Ads appear in unexpected places (even in settings). Google Play).

Signs of infection:

• 📢 Ads appear in unexpected places (even in settings).
• 📱 Unknown applications in the installed list.
• 🔋 The battery drains faster than usual.
• 📊 Unexplained mobile data traffic.

How to remove viruses:

1. Install an antivirus (Dr.Web, Kaspersky, Malwarebytes) and run a full scan.
2. Check the list of applications (Settings → Applications) for suspicious apps.
3. Disable installation from unknown sources: Settings → Security → Unknown sources.
4. If a virus blocks access to settings, boot the phone into safe mode (hold the power button → "Safe Mode").

⚠️ Attention: Some viruses disguise themselves as system applications (for example com.android.system). Removing them manually is dangerous - it is better to use specialized utilities like Malwarebytes.

7. Optimization for games: how to remove lags in PUBG, Genshin Impact and other games

If Honor it slows down only in games, the problem lies in wrong graphics settings or overheating. Modern games (for example Genshin Impact or Call of Duty: Mobile) require a lot of resources, and even flagship models can slow down.

How to speed up games:

• 🎮 Lower graphic settings in the game itself (resolution, texture quality, shadows).
• ⚙️ Turn on game mode: Settings → Device care → Game mode (optimizes performance).
• 🔇 Disable background processes before launching the game (via the task manager).
• 🧊 Cool the phone: remove the case, play in a cool room or use a cooler.

For models Honor s chipsets Kirin (for example, Honor 20 Pro, Honor View 30) it is useful to enable GPU Turbo:

1. Go to Settings → System → Developer (if there is no item, activate developer modeby clicking 7 times on Build number in About phone).
2. Find option GPU Turbo and turn it on.
3. Reboot your phone.

8. Hardware problems: when to take it to the service

If none of the software methods helped, the problem is most likely hardware. Here are the signs when you should contact a service center:

• 🔥 Phone overheats even under light load (more than 50°C).
• 💥 The screen turns off spontaneously or blinks.
• 🛠️ The case swelled or is deformed.
• 📱 Phone does not turn on or only loads up to the logo.
• 🔊 Speakers or microphone distort the sound (may indicate damage motherboard).

Typical hardware faults and their solutions:

Problem	Cause	Solution	Cost (₽)
Overheating	Dried thermal paste, ventilation clogged with dust	Cleaning + replacing thermal paste	1 500–3 000
Slow operation	Worn out flash memory (eMMC/UFS)	Replacing the memory chip	3 000–8 000
Sudden shutdowns	Faulty battery or power controller	Replacing the battery/chip	1 500–5 000
Lags when recording video	The camera module or cable is damaged	Replacing the camera/cable	2 000–6 000

⚠️ Attention: The details in the table are for reference only. Check the exact cost of repairs at the service center - prices depend on the phone model and region.

If your Honor is under warranty, do not try to repair it yourself - this will void the warranty. Contact official service center (the list can be found on the website Honor).

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about brakes Honor

❓ Why Honor 8X began to slow down after the update up to Magic UI 4.0?

Updating to a new version of the shell can cause slowdowns on older models due to lack of RAM (on Honor 8X only 4 GB of RAM). Solutions:

1. Reset to factory settings.
2. Roll back to the previous firmware version (if you have a backup).
3. Disable animation in the developer settings.

❓ Is it possible to speed up Honor using root access?

Yes, but this risky. Root gives access to deep optimization (removing system applications, overclocking the processor), but:

• Voids the warranty.
• May lead to a “brick” (complete inoperability) of the phone.
• Increases vulnerability to viruses.

If you still decide, use Magisk to get root without a trigger SafetyNet.

❓ Why Honor 50 slows down games, although it has a flagship processor?

Even on flagships (Kirin 990, Snapdragon 778G), brakes in games can occur due to:

• Throttling (automatic decrease in performance when overheated).
• Background processes (for example, Huawei Mobile Services load the CPU).
• Unoptimized graphics settings in the game.

Solution: enable Game mode in the settings, lower the graphics and monitor the temperature (use CPU Monitor).

❓ How to check if does it slow down Honor due to the memory card?

Slow microSD (class Class 4/6) can slow down the phone when:

• Recording video in 4K.
• Installing applications on card.
• Transferring files.

Check:

1. Remove the memory card and test the phone without it.
2. If the brakes are gone, replace the card with a faster one (UHS-I/UHS-II).

❓ What what to do if Honor brakes after a fall?

After physical damage, the brakes can be caused by:

• Damage flash memory (data read with errors).
• Disconnection cables (for example, display or battery).
• Microcracks on motherboard.

There is only one solution - diagnostics in the service. Self-repair can aggravate the problem.