Why is My Internet So Slow on My Android Phone?

Chris Holmes Staff Writer

Updated 08 December 2023

In this article:

Download performance-boosting apps
Check your Android network settings
Disable or uninstall unused apps
Update your apps
Install an ad blocker
Clear your phone's cache

Article Summary

To speed up the Internet speed on your Android phone, these are the steps to take:

Step 1: Install performance-enhancing apps to remove any clutter on your phone
Step 2: Check your network settings and make sure you're on the best connection possible
Step 3: Remove or disable unnecessary widgets and apps and update the apps you do use
Step 4: Install an ad blocker
Step 5: Restart your Android phone
Step 6: Clear the cache on your cell phone

Phones don’t always run at peak efficiency. Sometimes you have to step in and lend a helping hand.

If you’re wondering why your phone is so slow, your'e not alone. It's a common problem, but there are a few ways you can do to speed things up. None of these will turn your 4G LTE phone into a 5G supersonic powerhouse, but they could at the very least cut down your browser’s load time or even fix a lag issue.

Before you start, make sure you’re not connected to a WiFi network and that mobile data is turned on. To turn on mobile data, access your quick settings and make sure it is highlighted. You can also go to the regular settings menu and turn it on from there.

Download Performance-Boosting Apps

Apps that remove clutter or duplicate files can help keep phones in optimal working condition. There are many performance enhancers out there. Here are three:

Clean Master: includes both phone booster and antivirus. It cleans junk files, notifications, viruses while performing other tasks such as batter and phone boost.
Systweak Smartphone Cleaner: cleans and organizes your phone and can also reduce battery consumption.
DU Speed Booster: cleans up your phone RAM and frees it up from any background app activity. It can also scan your phone for any junk that you can delete with a single click.

If you have the time and patience, you can perform nearly all the tasks the above apps do. This involves clearing your phone's cache, making sure apps aren't unnecessarily running in the background, and deleting files you do not need. This may help you feel more in control, and save from deleting something you would rather keep.

Check Android Network Settings

If you're having consistent trouble with web speeds, your settings may need checking. Go into Settings and find Mobile Network Settings. The precise name of the menu will vary from device to device, so have a look around. You need to make sure that your phone is connected to the correct kind of network and that it hasn’t been restricted to 3G only.

Most areas in the world run on GSM/WCDMA/LTE networks, so give these a try first. If they don’t work try looking up what your region uses. Some phones have the option to find networks automatically, which is always a bonus.

Disable or Uninstall Unused Apps & Widgets

Most apps and widgets are relatively benign, but some use up a ton of data while they run in the background. A great is example is Facebook.

The first step is to remove any widgets from your home screens that you don’t use. These are usually the biggest offenders and are easy to ditch. Just tap and hold on the widget and drag it up to the Remove icon at the top of the screen. This will not delete the app from your phone but merely remove the widget from the home screen and make it inactive.

To totally delete an app you need to enter the Applications Menu. From here the procedure can vary from device to device. Sometimes you can just tap and hold, but usually you have to find the menu button and hit either Edit or Delete Apps.

Some apps cannot be deleted. These apps are placed on your phone by the manufacturer, by Google or by your carrier.

Update Your Apps

Make sure that all the apps that you do commonly use and decide to keep are up-to-date. Software apps are not only important for security purposes, they often improve overall performance. If your mobile data is feeling slow, it could just be that your running old versions of apps that are out-of-date and sluggish.

Install an Ad Blocker

Ads can use up a lot of resources--not just processing power, but mobile data as well. Finding a good ad blocking solution on Android is tough, but there is an ad blocking web browser that will keep your web pages ad-free. You can find the AdBlock Browser in the Google Play store.

If you've completed all of the above steps and are still have issues with your Internet speed on your Android phone, it might be time to shop around and find a carrier with better coverage in your area.

Clear your Android's cache

Your mobile cache is a repository of temporary files downloaded to your phone from websites and apps. These files allow your phone to access information faster the next time you open the app or website, rather than having to retrieve them all over again.

Once this cache fills up, your Android may start to lag in performance. Clearing your cache can help improve a sluggish mobile browser. Just note that the sites and apps you're used to loading quickly may seem slower at first, as those files must be re-downloaded now that your cache is clear.

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Chris Holmes

Staff Writer

Chris Holmes is a Contributing Writer for WhistleOut, where he covers the cell phone and internet industries. His work has been cited in publications like The Verge, The New York Times, and WIRED.

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