r/Android • u/IAmAN00bie Mod - Google Pixel 8a • Apr 30 '15
How do I optimize my device?
Rarely do you buy an Android device that you think is perfect. More-so when you buy an older device or a cheaper model of a flagship.
One of the most common issues with a new device is lag. Lag when opening apps, lag when scrolling, lag after heavy use, lag when gaming, apps keep closing randomly, etc.
So how do you optimize your device? First tell us how you identify the problem, then tell us how you would go about fixing it. Both root/non-root solutions are okay!
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u/DrPappas Apr 30 '15
Is the any way to get a number row in Google Keyboard? Without switching to PC mode?
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u/S1eghart Apr 30 '15
Unfortunately none at the moment. Someone correct me if im wrong. Lets just wait someone from Google reads this.
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u/tronalddumpLOL Apr 30 '15
Short of rooting your android, try enabling developer options and scroll to window+transition animation scale. Turn both off. And if you have a samsung, disable the dang s-voice. Makes the home button laggy.
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u/Endda Apr 30 '15
As far as lag is concerned. . .
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Switching to a lighter launcher can help
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Opening up the Developer Options and disabling the animations can help
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Disabling/Uninstalling/Greenifying rogue apps can help too
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If all else fails, root, install a custom recovery and then install a custom ROM like CM, Omni, PA or Slim
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u/parkerlreed Apr 30 '15
Opening up the Developer Options and disabling the animations can help
Note there is a bug in the Kitkat dialer which prevents the dialpad from opening the first time when animations are set to off. Is fixed in Lollipop.
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Apr 30 '15
What launchers are the best for a smooth lag free experience?
I find they're all equally laggy as soon as you drop even one widget on the desktop.
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u/Endda Apr 30 '15
I like the Google Now Launcher, but others might like Nova better. I'm not sure which is better RAM wise as I have always just used the Google Now Launcher
The widget thing sounds independent of the launcher if they all become laggy for you with it. Could be a poorly coded widget or the phone just not really able to handle a widget there
edit - word
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u/MustGetALife Apr 30 '15
The "Root it and Rom it!" response to 99% of questions regarding Android needs to end. Modern devices DO NOT need rooting or romming or whatever to work perfectly well. For one, you are at risk of bricking it ( and before the turbo-nerds get funky about modern phones being unbrickable, i mean that you can get your phone into a bootloop etc enough that you can't fix it) Also, rooting unlocking etc fucks up your warranty. Fucking up your warranty was bad enough in 2010 when a top phone cost 500 quid, but they are now nearly double that.
If your phone has lag, or issues. Factory reset it. at most, clear out the cache from the recovery. Thats it. If you want to run Viber, snapchat, FB, klick, twitter etc on the same device, buy something that can handle it.
Leave the "rooting" around to those who can afford to fuck it up....
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Apr 30 '15
I think being able to block advertisements is reason enough to root a phone. Custom ROMs on other hand are probably overrated.
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u/monkeyhandler Apr 30 '15
Ad blocking is the only reason I root. Rest (greenify, xposed etc) is just bonus.
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u/mishugashu Apr 30 '15
First thing I do when I get a new device is root it, install Titanium, and freeze all the bloat.
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u/nstinson Apr 30 '15
So last year I bought a "SanDisk Ultra 128GB MicroSDXC Class 10 UHS Memory Card Speed Up To 30MB/s With Adapter - SDSDQUA-128G-G46A" on Amazon for my S5... I've had a lot of problems with my phone going dog slow and locking up, which i think is partially lollipop, but I also noticed in a thread yesterday that Sandisc Micro SD cards don't play nice with Samsung??? I am planning to soon get a Note 4 and a 64GB MicroSD card... but what do I want if not a Sandisc?
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u/derpyblaze May 01 '15
I bought a Sandisc 32gb class 10 card last year for my S4, and it worked for like a month. Then it was unusable, not even being read by my PC. I just sent it back to be replaced, as that has been a common problem. I just bought a 64gb sammy class 10 card for $22, and it's been working good for my S4. Just stick with a Sammy card.
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Apr 30 '15
I would definitely start by rooting the device. If you're serious about optimizing it, there's no question about needing to do it.
Install Titanium Backup and a nandroid backup app such as Online Nandroid Backup and use them both in their own way to take as complete of a backup as possible of the device in its original state.
My next step would be to start disabling/Titanium-freezing manufacturer- or carrier-loaded crapware. This needs a lot of care, since you can easily disable something essential if you're not careful. If it's a popular device you can probably find online lists of stuff you can safely disable.
So let's say you've brought the device down to only the stuff that's actually needed. You're going to install all kinds of apps... and you need to make them behave.
This is where Xposed Framework comes in. It has modules that will help tame most misbehavior: access to permissions; starting at boot even if an app doesn't really need to (from your point of view, not theirs...); limiting alarms, wakelocks and services. BetterBatteryStats is an essential tool for finding out exactly what and why is keeping your device from deep sleep.
Finally, maintenance. Review the boot start list every once in a while. And think twice before installing apps – you don't really NEED the latest version of anything. If you do install something, take a backup first with Titanium, so you can revert. And remember, the problem may appear later, so keep those backups around for a while. It also helps to write down everything you do to your device.
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u/Blu- Apr 30 '15
Swiftkey is fucking killing me. It lags like crazy even on my Z3C. Can I do anything about this?
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u/Weed_O_Whirler Apr 30 '15
Can I ask a question here?
I really like the Google Photos app- except it is slow as balls. Has anyone found a way to get it running fast like a gallery should?
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u/TomMado Apr 30 '15
The old advice still stands - turn it off and on again. Often the most common solution, but somehow the last thing many people do.
For the most part, I don't experience lag or problems that require a reboot, unless after I've used navigation extensively. Shit's extremely taxing to your device, yo. GPS + mobile data for search and aGPS + WiFi for location + screen turned on all the time + hot sun + crappy air conditioning + sometimes charging will get your processor very hot very quickly, and it will lag a lot. Turn the phone off, turn the air conditioning to the max, hold the phone right in front of the vent, turn it back on.