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10 ways to Stop your Android Phone from Hanging 2024

February 19, 2024

In this fast-paced digital era, smartphones have become an integral part of our daily lives, and stopping your Android phone from hanging is a crucial tip to know. Whether it’s for work, entertainment, or communication, we rely heavily on these devices.

However, this issue of Android users’ dreaded “phone hang-up” is a situation where the phone freezes, becomes unresponsive, or slows down to the point of frustration. Fortunately, there are effective ways to tackle this issue and keep your Android running smoothly. 

In this post, we’ll be looking at 10 proven methods to stop your Android device from hanging up in 2024.

Ten Ways to Stop your Android Phones from Hanging.

There are different ways to stop your Android phone from hanging, and below are some of them :

Regular Software Updates:

Software updates are crucial for the smooth functioning of your Android device. They often include bug fixes, security patches, and performance enhancements that can help prevent hang-ups. Software updates can be broadly categorized into two types:

  • System updates
  • App Updates

System updates on your Android device:

These updates are released by your device’s manufacturer (such as Samsung, Google, or OnePlus) and are aimed at improving the overall performance and stability of your device’s operating system, often referred to as the Android OS. They can also include security patches that protect your device from potential vulnerabilities. To check for system updates, follow these steps:

  • Go to “Settings” on your device.
  •  Scroll down and select “System.”
  •  Tap on “System updates.”
  •  If an update is available, follow the on-screen instructions to download and install it.

App Updates on your Android phone:

These updates are released by the developers of individual apps and are designed to fix bugs, introduce new features, and improve performance. To update apps on your Android device, follow these steps:

  • Open the Google Play Store app.
  • Tap the three horizontal lines (☰) in the top-left corner to open the menu.
  • Select “My apps & games.”
  • Here, you will see a list of apps with available updates. Tap “Update” next to each app to install the latest version.

It’s essential to regularly check for and install both system and app updates to ensure that your device is running the latest software with the most recent improvements. By doing so, you can prevent potential issues and keep your Android device operating smoothly in 2024 and beyond.

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Optimize your Android Phone Storage:

This is another way to stop your Android phone from hanging. An overstuffed phone can slow down and potentially lead to hang-ups. Regularly managing your phone’s storage can help maintain its performance. Here are some steps you can take to optimize your storage:

  • Delete Unnecessary Files and Apps:

Go through your files and delete any old or unnecessary documents, photos, videos, and other media. You can use built-in file managers or third-party apps like Google Files to identify and delete large files that may be taking up valuable space. Uninstall apps that you no longer use or need.

Apps can accumulate cache and other temporary files that can consume space over time. Go to “Settings” > “Apps” to view a list of installed apps and uninstall those you don’t need.

  • Use Smart Storage Tools:

Many Android devices come with built-in tools to help you manage your storage more efficiently. For example, “Smart Storage” on some devices can automatically delete backed-up photos and videos from your device when storage is running low. To access these tools, go to “Settings” > “Storage” on your device.

  • Move Data to an External Storage Device:

If your device supports expandable storage (e.g., via a microSD card), consider moving some of your data to an external storage device. This can free up internal storage space and improve your device’s performance.

  • Use Cloud Storage Services:

Cloud storage services like Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive allow you to store your files in the cloud, freeing up space on your device. You can upload photos, videos, documents, and other files to the cloud and access them from any device with an internet connection.

  • Clear Cached Data:

Cached data includes temporary files stored by apps to speed up processes. However, an overloaded cache can slow down your device. You can clear cached data for individual apps or all apps at once. To do this, go to “Settings” > “Storage” > “Cached data” and select “Clear cache.”

By following these steps, you can optimize your device’s storage and stop your Android phone from hanging. Regularly managing your storage will also help maintain your device’s performance and ensure a smooth user experience.

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Clear Cache to Stop Android phone from hanging:

Cache files are temporary data that apps store to speed up processes, such as loading images or web pages. While cache files are useful for enhancing performance, an excessive accumulation of cached data can slow down your Android device and lead to hang-ups. Clearing the cache regularly can help prevent this issue. Here’s how you can clear the cache on your Android device:

  • Clear Cache for Individual Apps:

Go to “Settings” on your device. Scroll down and select “Apps” or “Applications.” Select the app for which you want to clear the cache. You can also tap “See all apps” or “All apps” to view a list of all installed apps. Tap “Storage.” Under “Cache,” tap “Clear cache.”

  • Clear Cache for All Apps:

Go to “Settings” on your device. Scroll down and select “Storage” or “Storage & Memory.” Tap “Cached data.” Confirm that you want to clear cached data for all apps by tapping “OK” or “Clear.”

  • Use a Third-Party Cache Cleaner:

If you prefer, you can use a third-party cache cleaner app from the Google Play Store. These apps can automatically detect and clear cache files from multiple apps, saving you time and effort.

  • Automate Cache Clearing:

Some Android devices come with built-in tools that can automatically clear cache files. For example, the “Smart Storage” feature on some devices can automatically clear cached data when storage is running low.

Clearing the cache can help free up storage space and improve the overall performance of your Android device. Consider making it a regular part of your device maintenance routine to prevent hang-ups and ensure a smooth user experience.

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Limit Background Processes:

Background processes are the tasks that apps run in the background even when you’re not actively using them. These processes can consume system resources and slow down your Android device, potentially leading to hang-ups. Limiting the number of background processes can help prevent this issue. Here are some ways to manage background processes on your Android device:

  • Close Apps Manually:

When you’re finished using an app, make sure to close it completely. On most devices, you can do this by tapping the “Recent apps” button (usually a square or rectangle icon) and swiping the app off the screen.

  • Use Battery Optimization:

Many Android devices come with a battery optimization feature that can help manage background processes and extend battery life. To access this feature, go to “Settings” > “Battery” and look for an option called “Battery optimization” or “Battery saver.” You can then choose which apps to optimize for better performance and reduced background activity.

  • Use a Task Manager:

You can use a task manager app from the Google Play Store to view and manage running processes on your device. These apps allow you to manually close unnecessary background processes, freeing up system resources.

  • Limit Background Data Usage:

You can restrict certain apps from using background data, which can help prevent them from running unnecessary processes in the background. To do this, go to “Settings” > “Apps” > select the app > “Data usage” > “Background data” and toggle the switch off.

  • Use Developer Options:

Developer options provide advanced settings that can help optimize your device’s performance. To enable them, go to “Settings” > “About phone” and tap the “Build number” seven times.

Once enabled, you can access developer options by going to “Settings” > “System” > “Developer options.” Here, you can adjust various settings related to background processes, such as “Background process limit” and “Force GPU rendering.”

By managing background processes effectively, you can help prevent hang-ups and ensure a smoother user experience on your Android device.

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Monitor Battery Usage:

Monitoring battery usage is another way to stop your Android phone from hanging. Battery usage plays a crucial role in your Android device’s overall performance and can significantly impact its susceptibility to hang-ups.

By regularly monitoring battery usage and identifying apps that consume a disproportionate amount of power, you can take proactive steps to optimize your device’s performance and prevent potential issues.

To monitor battery usage, access the “Settings” app on your device, then scroll down and tap on “Battery.” Here, you’ll see a list of apps and services that have used the most battery power since your last charge. Pay close attention to apps that appear at the top of the list, as they may be responsible for a significant portion of power consumption.

If you notice an app consuming a considerable amount of battery power, it’s essential to investigate further. Consider updating the app to the latest version, as developers frequently release updates to fix bugs and improve performance. Also, check for app-specific settings that may contribute to high power consumption, such as location tracking or push notifications. If necessary, consider uninstalling the app or finding an alternative with lower power consumption.

Many Android devices come equipped with built-in battery optimization features designed to manage power consumption more efficiently. To access these features, go to “Settings” > “Battery” and look for options like “Battery saver” or “Battery optimization.” You can then select which apps to optimize for better performance and reduced power consumption.

The screen is one of the most power-hungry components of your device. To conserve battery power, consider reducing screen brightness and adjusting sleep settings. You can adjust these settings by navigating to “Settings” > “Display” > “Brightness level” and “Sleep.”

Many Android devices offer low-power or battery saver modes that can help extend battery life. These modes reduce background activity, restrict certain features, and optimize system performance to conserve power. To enable a low power mode, go to “Settings” > “Battery” > “Battery saver” or a similar option.

By actively monitoring battery usage and implementing power-saving measures, you can significantly improve your Android device’s performance and reduce the likelihood of hang-ups.

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Enable Your Android Developer Options on your Android phone:

Developer options are a set of advanced settings that allow you to customize and optimize your Android device’s performance. By enabling developer options, you gain access to additional features and settings that are not available in the standard settings menu. 

To enable developer options, go to the “Settings” app on your device, scroll down, and select “About phone” or “System” (depending on your device). Locate the “Build number” or “Software information” option and tap it repeatedly (usually seven times) until you see a message indicating that developer options have been enabled.

Once developer options are enabled, go back to the main settings menu and scroll down to find the new “Developer options” menu. Tap on “Developer options” to access a wide range of advanced settings and features.

One useful feature in developer options is the ability to adjust animation scales. Adjusting animation scales to either “Off” or a lower setting (e.g., 0.5x) can speed up animations and improve overall performance.

Another useful feature is the ability to adjust background process limits. To do this, go to “Developer options,” tap on “Apps,” and select a lower limit (e.g., “At most 2 processes”) to prevent excessive background activity. You can also enable “Force GPU rendering” to improve the performance of certain apps and reduce CPU usage. To enable “Force GPU rendering,” go to “Developer options,” scroll down to the “Hardware accelerated rendering” section, and enable “Force GPU rendering.”

If you’re an advanced user and want to use your device with third-party development tools, you can enable “USB debugging” in developer options. To enable “USB debugging,” go to “Developer options,” scroll down to the “Debugging” section, and enable “USB debugging.”

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Update your Android device Apps:

Updating your apps regularly is crucial for improving performance and preventing hang-ups on your Android device. Developers frequently release updates to fix bugs, enhance features, and optimize performance. To update your apps, follow these steps:

  • Open the Google Play Store app on your device.
  • Tap on the three horizontal lines (☰) in the top-left corner to open the menu.
  • Select “My apps & games.”Here, you’ll see a list of apps with available updates. 
  • Tap “Update” next to each app to install the latest version.

By keeping your apps up-to-date, you are able to stop your Android phones from hanging.

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Restart your Android phone Regularly:

Restarting your Android device regularly can help clear temporary data and refresh the system, potentially preventing hang-ups. It’s a good idea to restart your device at least once a week, especially if you notice it starting to slow down or become unresponsive.

To restart your device, press and hold the power button until the power menu appears, then select “Restart” or “Reboot.” Once your device has restarted, you should notice an improvement in performance.

Use a Lightweight Launcher to stop your Android phone from hanging:

A launcher is the interface through which you interact with your device, including the home screen and app drawer. Some launchers are more lightweight than others, meaning they use fewer system resources and are less likely to cause hang-ups.

Consider using a lightweight launcher like Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher. These launchers offer a range of customization options and can help improve the overall performance of your device.

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Factory Reset as a Last Resort to Stop your Android Phone from hanging:

If you’ve tried all the methods above and your Android device is still experiencing frequent hang-ups, you may need to consider performing a factory reset. A factory reset will erase all data and return your device to its original state, potentially resolving any underlying software issues.

Before performing a factory reset, make sure to back up your important data, such as photos, videos, and contacts. Once you’ve backed up your data, you can perform a factory reset by following these steps:

  • Go to “Settings” on your device.
  • Scroll down and select “System” or “System & updates.”
  • Select “Reset options” or “Reset.”
  • Choose “Erase all data (factory reset)” and follow the on-screen instructions.

Keep in mind that a factory reset should be considered a last resort, as it will erase all data on your device. Make sure to back up your data before proceeding, and remember to reinstall essential apps and data afterward.

FAQs

Why does my Android phone hang up?

Android phones can hang up due to various reasons, including insufficient memory, outdated software, or background processes consuming too many resources.

How can I prevent my Android phone from hanging up?

To prevent hang-ups, you can try methods such as regular software updates, optimizing storage, clearing cache, and limiting background processes. Using lightweight launchers, monitoring battery usage, and enabling developer options are also helpful.

How often should I restart my Android phone?

It’s recommended to restart your Android phone at least once a week to clear temporary data and refresh the system.

Is it safe to enable developer options on my Android phone?

Enabling developer options is generally safe, but some advanced settings can affect system stability. Use these options cautiously and at your own risk.

Can using a lightweight launcher really prevent hang-ups on my Android phone?

Yes, using a lightweight launcher like Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher can help reduce resource consumption and prevent hang-ups. These launchers use fewer system resources and are less likely to cause performance issues.

How can I update my apps on an Android phone?

To update your apps, open the Google Play Store app on your device, tap on the three horizontal lines (☰) in the top-left corner, select “My apps & games,” and tap “Update” next to each app with available updates.

Should I perform a factory reset on my Android phone if it continues to hang up?

Performing a factory reset should be considered a last resort, as it will erase all data on your device. Make sure to back up your data before proceeding and remember to reinstall essential apps and data afterward.

Can a virus cause my mobile phone to hang?

Yes, viruses or malware can cause your mobile phone to hang. It’s crucial to install a trusted antivirus app on your device and steer clear of downloading apps or files from unknown sources. This will help safeguard your device from viruses and malware. If you have a suspicion that your phone has been infected, promptly run a virus scan and take the necessary steps to eliminate the threat.

Conclusion

Android phones are invaluable tools in our modern lives, but they can suffer from hang-ups and performance issues. By implementing the ten methods outlined in this article, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of your Android device freezing, becoming unresponsive, or slowing down. 

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Blessing Ukibe
Blessing Ukibe

Medical Student at Nnamdi Azikiwe University|Tech content expert at Silicon Africa Technology|Lover of fun books and fun fun ☺️

Articles: 160

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