Has your Realme begun to open applications slowly, freezes when scrolling through menus, or suddenly overheats? This is a common problem even on relatively new models - from budget Realme C55 to flagships Realme GT Neo 5. The reasons for the brakes can lie in both software failures and hardware limitations. In this article, we'll look at how to restore your smartphone's performance - from basic actions to deep optimization. 10 proven methods It's important to understand: if the phone starts to slow down after being dropped, exposed to moisture or severely overheated, the problem may be hardware (damaged motherboard, detached memory chip). In such cases, it is better to immediately contact the service center. But in 80% of cases the software is to blame - and here you can handle it yourself. Let's start with the simplest methods and gradually move on to radical measures. 10 proven methods restore performance to your smartphone - from basic actions to deep optimization.
It is important to understand: if the phone starts to slow down after being dropped, exposed to moisture or severely overheated, the problem may be hardware (damaged motherboard, detached memory chip). In such cases, it is better to immediately contact the service center. But in 80% of cases the software is to blame - and here you can handle it yourself. Let's start with the simplest methods and gradually move on to radical measures.
1. Reboot and force close applications
The first thing to do is restart the phone. This clears RAM and resets temporary system processes that may have hung. On Realme to do this:
- ๐ Press the power button for 3-5 seconds.
- ๐ฑ In the menu that appears, select โRebootโ (Restart).
- โณ Wait 1-2 minutes - the phone should boot from scratch.
If the reboot does not help, check background processes. Many applications (especially instant messengers, games and social networks) continue to run in the background, consuming resources. To close them:
- Open
Recent applications(swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen with a delay). - Swipe left/right on application cards to close them.
- For complete cleaning, click on the โClose allโ icon (usually at the bottom of the screen).
On some models Realme (for example, Realme 9 Pro+) there is a function Deep cleaning in the multitasking menu. It not only closes applications, but also clears the cache. activate:
1. Open recent applications (swipe up).2. Tap on the โโฎโ or โClear allโ icon.
3. Select โDeep cleaningโ (if option). available).
2. Clearing the cache and garbage
Over time, temporary files accumulate on the phone, which should speed up the operation of apps, but often only take up space and slow down the system. On application cache - temporary files that are supposed to speed up apps, but often only take up space and slow down the system. On Realme the cache can be cleared in two ways:
Method 1: Manual clearing for individual applications
- ๐ฑ Go to
Settings โ Applications. - ๐ Select the application that is slowing down (for example, Facebook or Instagram).
- ๐งน Click โStorageโ โ โClear cacheโ.
- โ ๏ธ Do not clear data (
Clear Data) - this will delete all settings and accounts in the application!
Method 2: Automatic clearing via Realme Lab
Proprietary utility Realme Lab (available on models with Realme UI 2.0/3.0) allows you to optimize the system in one click:
Settings โ Additional settings โ Realme Lab โ Memory cleaning
Clear the cache of frequently used applications (messengers, social networks)
Delete unused APK files from the Download folder
Check the "Downloads" folder for unnecessary files
Empty the trash in the gallery and file manager
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For deep cleaning, you can use third-party utilities like CCleaner or Files by Google, but be careful - some "optimizers" themselves cause slowdowns due to background activity.
If after clearing the cache the application begins to work slower, this is normal. The cache is created anew the next time you start it, and after 1-2 uses the speed will be restored.
3. Freeing up internal memory
Lack of free space on the internal storage is one of the main reasons for the brakes. Realme (like other Android smartphones) begins to "freeze" if there is less free space 10-15% of memory. Check the current status:
Settings โ Storage
If less than 5-8 GB is free, it's time to clean it. Start with the most obvious:
- ๐ธ Photos and videos: transfer them to the cloud (Google Photos, Realme Cloud) or computer. The folder
DCIMoften takes up tens of gigabytes. - ๐ต Music and podcasts: delete downloaded tracks from Spotify, Yandex Music or VK Music.
- ๐ฎ Games: games like Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile weigh 5โ10 GB. Delete those that you do not play.
- ๐ Downloads: the folder
Downloadis often filled with outdated APKs, PDFs and archives.
If memory is critically low, and there is nothing to delete, consider:
| Method | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Transfer to SD card | Cheap solution, up to +256 GB of memory | Not all applications support transfer, slow reading speed |
| Cloud storage | Access from any device, automatic backup | Requires Internet, paid tariffs for large volumes |
| USB-OTG drive | High speed, connects on request | Inconvenient to carry, not all applications work with OTG |
On models Realme s Realme UI 4.0 (based on Android 13) a function Memory expansion (RAM Expansion) has appeared, which allows you to use part of the internal memory as RAM. This may help if you have little RAM (for example, 4 GB on Realme 8). It is activated like this:
Settings โ About phone โ RAM โ Memory expansion
4. Software updates
Manufacturers regularly release updates that fix bugs and optimize performance. If your Realme slows down, the first thing to do is check that the firmware is up to date:
Settings โ Software update โ Check for updates
Updates are of two types:
- ๐ Incremental (small patches, weighing 100โ500 MB) - fix bugs and improve stability.
- ๐ Large (major) (1โ3 GB) - update the version Realme UI or Android, add new functions.
If an update is available, install it following the instructions on the screen. On Realme models with MediaTek processors (Helio G95, Dimensity 700, etc.), updates often include optimizations for the gaming mode, which significantly improves performance in games.
What to do if the update does not install?
If the update download gets stuck at 0% or gives an error, try:
1. Connect to another Wi-Fi network (or use mobile data).
2. Clear the cache of the "Software Update" application (Settings โ Applications โ Software Update โ Storage โ Clear cache).
3. Download the firmware manually from the official Realme website and install via Recovery.
After the update, the phone may work slower in the first hours - this is normal, as the system indexes files and optimizes applications. Give it 12โ24 hours to โsettle down.โ
5. Disabling animations and visual effects
Realme UI is known for its flashy animations and transition effects, but they consume CPU and RAM resources. Disabling unnecessary "beauty" can significantly speed up the interface.
How to disable animations:
Settings โ Accessibility โ Remove animations
If this option is not there, activate developer mode and change the settings manually:
- Go to
Settings โ About phone. - tap the item 7 times
Build number(a notification โYou have become a developerโ will appear). - Go back to
Settings โ Advanced settings โ Developer options. - Find items:
Window animation scaleโ Disable,Transition animation scaleโ Disable,Animation durationโ Disable.
You can also simplify the wallpapers and themes:
- ๐จ Use static wallpapers instead of live ones (Live Wallpapers).
- ๐ Disable the dark theme if it is unstable (sometimes it causes stuttering when switching).
- ๐ Install a minimalistic launcher, for example Nova Launcher or Lawnchair.
Disabling animations gives the greatest speed increase on budget Realme models (for example, Realme C30 or Narzo 50A) with Unisoc processors or weak MediaTek chips.
6. Reset to factory settings
If none of the above helped, the last chance to restore the phone's performance is full reset (hard reset). This will delete all data, applications and settings, returning the phone to its out-of-the-box state. reset
โ ๏ธ Attention: Reset will delete all data, including photos, contacts and messages. If you do not have backup enabled in Google Account or Realme Cloud, copy important files to your computer or external drive.
How to reset on Realme:
Settings โ Additional settings โ Reset โ Delete all data (factory reset settings)
After the reset:
- ๐ง Do not restore all applications at once - install them gradually, observing performance.
- ๐ฅ Do not transfer data from an old backup if it was made on an already โslowโ phone - problems may return.
- ๐ The first day after the reset, let the phone โget used toโ - do not load it with games or heavy tasks.
If the phone slows down even after resetting, the problem may be hardware (worn out flash memory, damaged processor). In this case, only repair or replacement of the device will help.
7. Checking for viruses and malware
Malware is a common cause of sudden slowdowns, especially if you install applications from unverified sources (APK files from torrents or third-party sites). Viruses can:
- ๐ต๏ธโโ๏ธ Steal data in the background, loading the processor.
- ๐ Show hidden advertisements, consuming resources.
- ๐ Quickly drain the battery.
How to check your phone for viruses:
- Install an antivirus: Malwarebytes, Bitdefender or Kaspersky Mobile (free versions are quite effective).
- Run a full scan (may take 10-30 minutes).
- Delete or quarantine all detected threats.
If the antivirus did not find anything, but suspicions remain, check:
- ๐ Unusual consumption traffic: go to
Settings โ SIM cards and mobile networks โ Mobile traffic consumptionand see which applications are consuming a lot of data. - ๐ Strange battery behavior: if the phone is discharged after several hours without active use, check
Settings โ Battery โ Battery usage. - ๐ฑ Unknown applications: in
Settings โ Applicationslook through the list for suspicious apps (for example, with names likecom.system.updateorandroid.service.secure).
If you find malware, but cannot remove it, do a factory reset (see section 6).
8. Optimization for games (Game Space)
If yours Realme slows down in games (for example, PUBG Mobile, Free Fire or Genshin Impact), use the proprietary utility Game Space. It optimizes performance, blocks notifications and reduces heat.
How to set up Game Space:
1. Open the game - an invitation to Game Space will automatically appear.2. Or launch it manually: swipe down for the notification panel โ โGame Spaceโ icon.
3. In the Game Space settings, activate:
- Performance mode (for maximum FPS).
- Disable automatic brightness.
- Block background processes.
For models with processors Snapdragon (for example, Realme GT 2 Pro) additional options are available:
- ๐ฎ 4D vibration โ disable it if it causes lags.
- ๐ Sound effects โ some games slow down due to 3D audio processing.
- ๐ก Network priority โenable for online games to reduce ping.
If the game still slows down, try:
- ๐ง Lower the graphic settings in the game itself (resolution, shadows, effects).
- ๐ Close all background applications before launching.
- ๐ Connect charging - some phones limit performance on low charge.
On Realme phones with technology HyperBoost (for example, Realme GT Neo 3) games optimized at the firmware level. Update the software to get improvements for new games.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about slowdowns on Realme
๐น Why does Realme slow down after an update?
This is normal in the first 12-24 hours - the system optimizes applications for the new software version. If the brakes do not go away for more than a day, try:
- Clear the system application cache (
Settings โ Storage โ Cache data). - Roll back to the previous firmware version (if rollback is available).
- Reset to factory settings (if the brakes are critical).
๐น Is it possible speed up Realme with 3 GB of RAM?
Yes, but with limitations. On phones with a small amount of RAM (for example, Realme C11 or Narzo 30A) it will help:
- Disable background processes (
Settings โ Battery โ Optimizing application launch). - Use of lightweight versions of applications (Facebook Lite, Messenger Lite).
- Activation of the function
Memory expansion(if available).
However, radical acceleration is only possible by upgrading to a model with 6โ8 GB RAM.
๐น Why does Realme get hot and slow?
Overheating is a common cause of decreased performance. Realme automatically limits processor power at temperatures above 40โ45ยฐC Reasons:
- ๐ฎ Long gaming sessions (especially at maximum graphics settings).
- ๐ Fast charging (the phone gets warm when using 30W+ charging).
- ๐ Direct sunlight or hot weather.
- ๐ ๏ธ Faulty battery (swelling, wear).
Solutions: use cases with cooling, play in a ventilated area, disable fast charging during games.
๐น How to check which application is slowing down Realme?
Use the built-in activity monitor:
Settings โ Battery โ Battery usage โ "โฎ" icon (three dots) โ CPU usage
Applications that load the processor are displayed here. If one of them is constantly in the first place (except for the launcher and system processes), remove or limit its activity.
๐น Is it worth installing custom firmware on Realme?
Custom firmware (for example, LineageOS or Pixel Experience) can speed up older models Realme, but:
- โ ๏ธ You will lose the warranty.
- โ ๏ธ Possible bugs with the camera, sensors or mobile network.
- โ ๏ธ Skills in working with
ADBiFastboot.
For beginners, it is better to limit yourself to official updates and optimization via Realme Lab.