Huawei phone slows down and lags: what to do with slowdowns on Android

Has your Huawei P30, Mate 20 or another model become unbearably slow? Applications take a long time to open, animations jerk, and sometimes the screen even “freezes” for a few seconds? The problem is familiar to most smartphone owners Android Has become unbearably slow? Applications take a long time to open, animations jerk, and sometimes the screen even “freezes” for a few seconds? The problem is familiar to most smartphone owners Huawei after 1-2 years of use - even flagship devices begin to “slow down” due to the firmware features EMUI and accumulated digital garbage.

In this article - 10 proven methods return the previous speed, from simple ones (cleaning cache) to radical (reset to factory settings). We will analyze both software and hardware causes of slowdowns - from battery wear to processor overheating. All instructions are adapted specifically for devices Huawei/Honor with a shell EMUI 9-13.

⚠️ Important: If the phone starts to slow down suddenly (without first slowing down), first check it for viruses and physical damage - this may be a symptom of a serious malfunction, and not just “fatigue” systems.

1. Diagnostics: why your Huawei is slow

Before you start optimizing, you need to understand the root of the problem. Devices Huawei have specific bottlenecks that most often cause slowdowns:

• 🔋 Battery wear (with a capacity below 70% the processor automatically limits performance)
• 🗑️ Full memory (EMUI is aggressive caches data, but does not always clear it correctly)
• 🤖 Background processes (many system applications Huawei cannot be disabled using standard means)
• 🔄 EMUI updates (new shell versions often older models are “heavier”)
• 🔥 Overheating (processors Kirin prone to throttling under load)

To accurately determine the cause, follow these steps:

1. Open Settings → Battery → Battery status. If the capacity is lower 80% the problem is in the battery.
2. Go to Settings → Memory. If there is less free space 10% of the total volume you need to clean the storage.
3. Run Settings → Phone Manager → Optimization. If the system finds more than 20 “problems,” the software is to blame.
4. Install the application AIDA64 and check the processor temperature under load. Exceeding 60°C is a sign of overheating.

💡 Tip: If brakes appear immediately after updating EMUI, try rolling back to the previous firmware version via HiSuite. Instructions are in the official documentation Huawei.

2. Cleaning the system: removing digital junk

The first thing you need to do is to free up space and delete unnecessary data. Devices Huawei are especially sensitive to full memory due to the features of the file system EROFSwhich the company uses instead of the standard one ext4.

2.1. Clearing cache and temporary files

The fastest way to free up a few gigabytes:

1. Go to Settings → Memory → Clear memory.
2. Click "Deep cleaning" and select all categories (cache, residual files, unnecessary APKs).
3. To clear the cache of individual applications: Settings → Applications → [Select an application] → Storage → Clear cache.

⚠️ Attention: Do not clear the cache of system applications (for example, Huawei Mobile Services) - this may lead to service failures.

2.2. Removing duplicates and unnecessary files

Use the built-in application Files (Files):

• 📁 Open the tab "Cleaning" → "Duplicates".
• 🎵 In the "Media" section, delete unused photos and videos (especially in the DCIM/.thumbnails).
• 📄 Check the folder Download —outdated APKs and documents often accumulate here.

2.3. Transfer data to a memory card or cloud

If the internal memory is critically low:

• 📱 Transfer photos and videos to Huawei Cloud (15 GB free) or Google Photos.
• 💾 Use card microSD (but remember: on EMUI 10+, applications cannot be transferred to SD - only media files).
• 🎮 For gamers: games take up a lot of space. Delete the game cache via Settings → Applications → [Game] → Memory → Clear data.

Critical information: On Huawei devices with EMUI 11+, you cannot format the memory card as internal storage (the function is disabled by the manufacturer). Use SD only for storing media files.

3. EMUI optimization: disabling unnecessary functions

The shell EMUI is known for its “heavy” interface and many background processes. Here's what you can safely disable:

3.1. Disabling animations and visual effects

Reducing animations will speed up the interface by 15-20%:

1. Activate Developer mode: Settings → About phone → Build number (tap 7 times).
2. Go back to Settings → System → Developer options.
3. Install:
   • Window animation scale: Off or 0.5x
   • Transition animation scale: Off or 0.5x
   • Animation duration: Off

3.2. Stopping background processes

Many system applications Huawei run in the background, even if you do not use them. Disable unnecessary:

• 📵 Huawei Mobile Services (if you do not use the Huawei ecosystem)
• 🎵 Huawei Music / Video (if you use other players)
• 📡 HiSearch (search by phone, consumes a lot of resources)
• 📊 Huawei Analytics (statistics collection - can be disabled without consequences)

🔧 How disable: Settings → Applications → [Select an application] → Force stop → Disable

3.3. Setting up performance mode

EMUI has a hidden mode that limits background activity:

1. Open Settings → Battery → Performance mode.
2. Select "Performance" (instead of "Balanced" or "Energy Saving").
3. Enable the option "System optimization".

⚠️ Attention: In the "Performance" mode, the phone will discharge faster, but it will not artificially limit the processor speed.

4. Working with applications: what to remove and how to manage

Even if you have not installed many apps, Huawei by default it comes with dozens of pre-installed applications that slow down the system. Let's take a look at how to deal with this.

4.1. Removing firmware (without root)

Some system applications can be removed without superuser rights:

• 📦 AppGallery (if you use Google Play)
• 📰 Huawei Browser (replace with Chrome or Firefox)
• 🎮 Game Center (if you do not play)
• 📺 Huawei Video / Music

🔧 Instructions: Settings → Applications → [Select an application] → Delete

If there is no "Delete" button, click "Disable".

4.2. Limiting application activity

To prevent applications from consuming resources in the background:

1. Go to Settings → Battery → Launch applications.
2. For each application, select "Manual start" (this will prohibit background activity).
3. Exception: messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram) leave in the mode "Autostart".

4.3. Alternative launchers

The standard launcher EMUI often slows down. Try replacing it with:

• 🚀 Nova Launcher (most optimized)
• ⚡ Lawnchair (lightweight, with gesture support)
• 🎨 Microsoft Launcher (integrates well with Windows)

🔍 How to install:

Download the launcher from Google Play or AppGallery, then in the settings select it as the default launcher.

5. Hardware checks: when the hardware is to blame

If software methods do not help, the problem may be in hardware. Here's what to check first:

5.1. Battery condition

A worn-out battery is one of the main causes of brakes on Huawei. How to check:

1. Open Settings → Battery → Battery status.
2. If the capacity is lower 80% the battery requires replacement.
3. Check the discharge graph: if the phone discharges in “steps” (sharp jumps) - this is a sign of cell degradation.

💰 Replacement cost: In official service centers Huawei battery replacement costs 2 500–6 000 ₽ (depending on the model).

5.2. CPU overheating

Processors Kirin (especially Kirin 970/980/990) are prone to overheating, which causes throttling (automatic performance degradation). How to diagnose: Throttling up to

• 🌡️ Install AIDA64 and check the temperature under load (game, benchmark).
• 🔥 Norm: up to 50°C in idle time, until 70°C under load.
• ❄️ If the temperature exceeds 75°C you need to clean the dust or replace the thermal paste.

🛠️ What to do:

1. Do not use the phone while charging (especially for games).
2. Remove the cover - it may block the heat sink.
3. If overheating is constant, contact the service to clean the cooling system.

5.3. Checking internal memory (eMMC/UFS)

Over time, flash memory degrades, which leads to freezes when reading/writing. You can check the health of the drive through AIDA64 (section "Storage"). Pay attention to:

• 📉 Read/write speed (if below 100 MB/s the memory is worn out).
• 🔄 Number of rewrites (indicator TBW —if exceeded, the memory requires replacement).

⚠️ Attention: If the memory really fails, the only solution is to replace the motherboard. In services Huawei this costs 5 000–15 000 ₽.

6. Radical measures: reset and firmware

If all else fails, it’s time to consider extreme measures. They will return the phone to its "factory" state, but will require a data backup.

6.1. Reset to factory settings

This will delete all data, but clear the system of garbage:

1. Make a backup: Settings → System → Backup.
2. Go to Settings → System → Reset → Reset all settings.
3. Select "Delete all data" and confirm.

⏳ Procedure time: 10–20 minutes. After the reset, the phone will be like new, but all applications and data will have to be restored again.

6.2. Flashing via HiSuite

If resetting does not help, try reinstalling the firmware:

1. Download HiSuite from the official website Huawei.
2. Connect the phone to the PC and select "Recovery" system".
3. Follow the wizard's instructions (the process will take ~30 minutes).

⚠️ Attention: Flashing will delete all data and return the phone to the stock version of EMUI. If after this the brakes remain, the problem is definitely in the hardware.

6.3. Installing custom firmware (for advanced)

If you are willing to take a risk, you can install custom firmware (for example, LineageOS or GSI). This will give:

• ✅ Pure Android without imposed services Huawei.
• ✅ Regular security updates.
• ⚠️ The risk of the phone being “bricked” (if something goes wrong so).

🔧 Instructions:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the official website Huawei (account and unlock code required).
2. Install TWRP (custom recovery).
3. Flash the selected firmware via fastboot.

What happens if you interrupt the firmware?

Interrupting the firmware process can lead to complete inoperability of the phone ("brick"). In this case, specialized recovery equipment will be required (for example, JTAG or correction via testpoints).

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7. Alternative solutions: if all else fails

If all methods have been tried and the phone is still slow, consider these options:

Problem	Solution	Cost	Efficiency
Battery wear (<80%)	Battery replacement	2 500–6 000 ₽	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
CPU overheating	Cleaning + replacing thermal paste	1 500–3 000 ₽	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Degraded memory (eMMC/UFS)	Replacing the motherboard	5 000–15 000 ₽	⭐⭐⭐
Outdated hardware	Buying a new phone	from 15,000 ₽	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

💡 Tip: Before selling the old one Huawei perform a full reset and delete the linked account Huawei ID, otherwise the new owner will not be able to use the phone (protection FRP).

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about brakes on Huawei

My Huawei started to slow down after updating EMUI. How to roll back?

A rollback is possible only within HiSuite for 10 days after the update. If more time has passed, you will have to wait for the next patch or install custom firmware. In some cases, resetting helps. to factory settings.

The phone slows down only in games. What's wrong?

Most likely it works throttling due to overheating or power restrictions Check:

1. CPU temperature (AIDA64).
2. Performance mode in the battery settings.
3. Battery condition (if capacity <80%, games do not have enough power).

Also try lowering the graphic settings in the game.

Is it possible to speed up Huawei using root?

Yes, but it is risky. With root you can:

• Delete all system applications.
• Change the processor frequency (via Kernel Adiutor).
• Disable unnecessary services Huawei.

Cons: Loss of warranty, risk of “bricking”, problems with updates. On new models (Mate 40, P50), unlocking the bootloader is officially prohibited.

Why Huawei slows down more than others Android phones?

This is due to the features of EMUI and processors Kirin:

• Aggressive battery optimization —the system artificially limits performance.
• Closed ecosystem —it is impossible to completely disable services Huawei without root.
• Problems with drivers —especially on older models after updates.
• EROFS file system —faster ext4, but copes worse with fragmentation.

On new models (with EMUI 12+) the situation has improved, but the problem has not been completely solved.

Is it worth buying a new Huawei if the old one has started to slow down?

Depends on the model:

• Budget series (Y6, Y7) - brakes will appear in 1.5–2 years.
• Middle segment (Nova, Mate Lite) - 2-3 years of stable operation.
• Flagships (Mate 40, P50) - 3-4 years, but EMUI updates may degrade performance.

If long service life without brakes is important to you, consider alternatives with pure Android (for example, Google Pixel or Motorola).