Sony Support

Article ID : 00232432 / Last Modified : 28/04/2020Print

My Xperia smartphone is running slow - troubleshooting

    If you experience that the device runs very slow (e.g. when entering menus or opening applications) read on to get suggestions on how to solve the problem. 
    Verify after each suggestion whether the problem was solved, before trying the next one.

    Index 

    1. Did you recently update your phone
    2. Almost out of memory?
    3. Clear your apps
    4. Restart your device
    5. Restart in Safe Mode
    6. Factory data reset
    7. Software repair
    8. Format any SD card

    1. Did you recently update your phone? 

    When you have performed an Android system update, it may take up to two days for the smartphone software to stabilise. Some processes initiated by the update will continue running in the background for some time, e.g.:

    • The indexing of files.
    • The updating of pre-installed apps. The apps are updated when the device is turned on and connected to the Internet for the first time after the update.

    Running these background processes keep the processor busy, causing the device to be temporarily perceived as slow for a day or two. This behaviour is normal during indexing and app updates and will resolve itself. 

    However, if you haven't updated your phone in a while, please consult the software tab in the preinstalled Xperia Support App. Updating your phone to the latest software can also improve performance. 
     

    2. Almost out of memory? 

    Check how much storage space your phone has left. If the memory is full, it might be slowing down your phone. 
    Go to Settings → Storage, where you can use the Free Up Space function. This menu also allows you to see which apps or directories are using the most memory. 
    Freeing up space can improve your phone's performance. 

    3. Clear all apps running in the background

    Having many apps running in the background might slow down your phone. Clear all apps and see if this improves speed.
     

    4. Restart your device 

    Restarting your phone once in a while (once a week) is beneficial in many ways: it helps with retaining memory, it prevents crashes and prolongs battery life. Restart the device to see if performance improves. 
     

    5. Restart in Safe Mode

    What is safe mode?
    Safe mode is a way to launch your phone without the interference of any third-party apps that run as soon as the operating system loads.
    If your phone performance is normal in safe mode, a third-party app might be slowing down your phone. You can uninstall apps in safe mode. 

    How to restart in safe mode

    • Press and hold the on/off key until as if you would ordinarily shut down your phone.
    • When you see the Power Off option appear, tap and hold it until you see the Restart in Safe mode prompt.
    • If you have successfully booted into safe mode, you will see the text "Safe mode in the bottom left corner. You can also boot into safe mode by turning off the phone and wait a few seconds.
       

    6. Perform a factory data reset

    Things to remember before you start:

    • Before you start, back up any important data saved on the internal memory of your smartphone because a factory data reset will erase all data on the internal memory. Content on an SD card will not be deleted.

    • You should backup personal content, such as contacts and media files from your device to an SD card or a cloud backup service (online account).

    • Alternatively, you can make a backup to a computer using the Xperia Companion computer application. If your phone came pre-installed with Android-P , this does not apply.

    • To avoid permanent damage to your device, do not interrupt a factory data reset procedure.

    • You can find detailed instructions on how to reset your device below. Click the expandable box with your android version.
      Tip: To check the Android version of your device, find and tap Settings → System → About phone → Android version or
      Settings → About phone/tablet → Android version.

    Android 8.0 & up

    How to factory reset
    • 1. Back up any important data that is saved on the internal memory of your device to, for example, an SD card or to a cloud backup service (online account). If you have any encrypted files stored on an SD card, you should also remove the encryption to ensure you can still access them after the reset.
    • 2. Find and tap Settings → System → Reset.
    • 3. Tap Factory data reset → RESET PHONE.
    • 4. If required, draw your screen unlock pattern or enter your screen unlock password or PIN to continue.
    • 5. To confirm, tap ERASE EVERYTHING.

    Android 5.0, 5.1, 6.0, 7.0, 7.1 or 7.1.1

    How to factory reset
    • 1. Back up any important data that is saved on the internal memory of your device to, for example, an SD card or to a cloud backup service (online account). If you have any encrypted files stored on an SD card, you should also remove the encryption to ensure you can still access them after the reset.
    • 2. Make sure you know your Google account username and password.
    • 3. From your Home screen, tap the Application screen icon.
    • 4. Find and tap Settings → Backup & reset → Factory data reset.
    • 5. Android 5.0/5.1: If you also want to erase data such as pictures and music, which is saved to your device's internal storage, mark the Erase internal storage checkbox (does not affect the SD card).
    • 6. Tap Reset phone/tablet or Erase everything.
    • 7. If required, draw your screen unlock pattern or enter your screen unlock password or PIN to continue.
    • 8. To confirm, tap Erase everything.

    Android 4.2, 4.3 or 4.4

    How to factory reset
    • 1. Make a backup of any personal content that you want to keep stored on the internal memory of your device to, for example, an SD card or to a computer using the Xperia Companion computer application.
    • 2. From your Home screen, tap the Application screen icon.
    • 3. Find and tap Settings → Backup & reset → Factory data reset.
    • 4. If you also want to erase data such as pictures and music, which is saved to your device's internal storage, mark the Erase internal storage checkbox (does not affect the SD card).
    • 5. Tap Reset phone/tablet.
    • 6. To confirm, tap Erase everything.


    7. Perform a software repair

    If you haven't done so very recently, back up any important data saved on the internal memory of your device, and then perform a software repair:

    1. Make sure you know your Google account username and password. Depending on your Xperia device's security settings, you may need to enter them to start up your Xperia device after a software repair. 
      Tip: If you don't remember your Google account username or password, you can try to recover them using the Google Account Recovery page. 
       
    2. Computer: If not already installed, download and install the Xperia Companion application.
       
    3. Open the Xperia Companion application.
       
    4. Under Manage your Xperia, click Software repair.
       
    5. Follow the on-screen instructions.
       

    8. Format your SD card/memory card

    Finally, try formatting your memory card. Formatting the card removes all files and folders including any leftover data and corrupted files.