How to Stop Your Phone from Freezing

Edited 4 days ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

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Mobile phones have become an important part of our lives. They help us communicate, stay organized, and entertain ourselves. However, one frustrating problem many people face is their phone freezing. This can disrupt your day and render your phone nearly useless until you find a solution.

In this detailed guide, we will learn about various methods to stop your phone from freezing. These methods are intended to address both immediate solutions and long-term solutions to keep your phone running smoothly.

Understand why phones freeze

Before knowing the solutions, let's understand why the phone freezes. There can be several reasons for this:

• Too many apps: Running too many apps at once can cause your phone's CPU and RAM to be overused.
• Outdated software: Running older versions of the operating system or apps can cause compatibility issues.
• Insufficient storage: Low storage can slow down your phone and cause it to freeze.
• Malware: Harmful applications or scripts can affect your phone's performance.
• Hardware issues: Problems with components such as the battery or processor may cause the device to crash.

Instant solutions to unfreeze your phone

When your phone freezes, your first goal is to regain control. Here are some immediate solutions:

1. Force restart your phone

A force restart can help clear any temporary software glitch that's causing the freeze. The method for performing a force restart varies depending on the phone model:

• iPhone: For iPhone 8 and later models, press and release the Volume Up button, then press and release the Volume Down button. Finally, press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears.
• Android: Press and hold the Power button for about 10-20 seconds or until the device restarts.

2. Close unresponsive apps

If a specific app is causing the problem, try closing it:

• iPhone: Double-click the Home button or swipe up from the bottom to see all open apps. Swipe up on an app that isn't working to close it.
• Android: Open the Recent Apps screen by tapping the square button or swiping up. Swipe left or right to close the problematic app.

3. Remove the battery

If your phone has a removable battery, removing and reinserting it may help:

• Turn off your phone.
• Remove the back cover and remove the battery.
• Wait a few minutes before reinserting the battery and turning on the phone.

Long term solutions for cold

Once you've resolved the immediate problem, you should implement long-term solutions to avoid future ice build-up incidents:

1. Keep the software updated

Keeping your phone's operating system and apps updated can fix bugs and improve performance. Here's how to update:

• iPhone: Go to Settings > General > Software Update to check for the latest iOS version.
• Android: Go to Settings > System > System updates to check for updates.

To update individual apps:

• iPhone: Open the App Store, tap your profile icon, and scroll down to view pending updates. Tap Update All.
• Android: Open the Google Play Store, tap Menu > My apps & games, and tap Update all.

2. Free up storage space

Having enough storage space can greatly improve your phone's performance. Here are the steps to free up space:

• Delete unnecessary files: Delete old photos, videos, and apps that you no longer use.
• Clear the cache: Cached data can accumulate and slow down your phone. To clear the cache:

For Android: Go to Settings > Storage > Cached data and select Clear cache. For individual apps, go to Settings > Apps, select the app, and tap Clear cache.

For iPhone: iOS doesn't provide a direct way to clear cache across all apps. However, you can delete and reinstall specific apps to clear their cache.

3. Monitor and limit background processes

Background processes can consume a lot of resources. By limiting them, you can prevent your phone from freezing:

Example: Android Developer Options

Android devices provide developer options to manage background processes:

1. Go to Settings > About phone.
2. Tap Build number seven times to enable Developer Options.
3. Go back to Settings > System > Developer options.
4. Select Background process threshold and choose the threshold you want.

Example: iPhone Background App Refresh

On iPhone, you can manage Background App Refresh:

1. Go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh.
2. Choose Wi-Fi or Wi-Fi and mobile data, or disable it completely.

4. Perform a factory reset

A factory reset may resolve persistent issues, but it will erase all data on your phone. Make sure you have backed up important data before proceeding:

For iPhone:

1. Go to Settings > General > Reset.
2. Select Erase All Content and Settings.
3. Enter your passcode and confirm the reset.

For Android:

1. Go to Settings > System > Reset.
2. Select Factory data reset.
3. Confirm the reset process.

5. Use reliable security software

Malware can cause your phone to freeze. Malicious files can be detected and removed using security software:

• Android: Install a reputable antivirus app from the Google Play Store and perform regular scans.
• iPhone: Although iOS is less prone to malware, keeping your phone updated and avoiding suspicious apps can help maintain security.

Additional tips to maintain phone performance

Here are some additional tips to keep your phone running smoothly:

1. Restart your phone regularly

Regular restarts can clear temporary files and free up system resources. Aim to restart your phone at least once a week.

2. Close apps when not in use

Always close apps when you're not using them. This will prevent them from consuming resources in the background.

3. Disable animations and visual effects

Disabling animations can reduce the load on your phone's processor:

• For Android: Enable Developer Options (as described earlier). Under Developer Options, set Window animation scale, Transition animation scale, and Animator duration scale to Off.

• For iPhone: Go to Settings > Accessibility > Motion and enable Reduce Motion.

4. Avoid excessive heat

Overheating can cause your phone to freeze. Avoid using your phone in hot environments and ensure proper ventilation.

5. Limit widgets and live wallpapers

Widgets and live wallpapers can consume a lot of resources. Limit their use to only the essentials.

Conclusion

Having your phone freeze can be a frustrating experience, but with the right steps you can fix this problem and prevent it from happening in the future. Whether it's updating software, managing background processes, or freeing up storage space, maintaining your phone's health can greatly improve its performance. Remember to restart your phone regularly, close unnecessary apps, and use reliable security software to keep your device running smoothly.

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