Tech Tips for Android
This page provides basic tips on using your Android phone or tablet effectively, or links to reputable pages to provide the necessary advice.
This may help improve a slow or unreliable internet connection, or at least help identify where an issue may be occurring.
About Android
Android is the name of the operating system created by Google. It’s found on devices sold by Samsung, Motorola, LG, or Pixel, among others.
The Android support pages can be very helpful for general, common tasks or issues.
However, we strongly recommend going to your manufacturer’s website for advice and support specific to your device.
What device and Android version do I have?
Check & update your Android version
Update Android
Wherever possible, we recommend keeping your Android version up-to-date. Very old versions can cause devices not to work or connect properly.
However, if your device is itself quite old, it may not be able to upgrade to the most recent Android, and that may itself be causing slowness or problems.
Check & update your Android version
Close apps
“Apps” are applications. Every time you open something on your phone or tablet, it stays open until you consciously close it.
Too many open apps can slow down your device and use up data, which could in turn slow down your internet service.
Find, open & close apps on Android
Shut down and restart
“Turn it off and on again” works on any computer device.
The following page has a range of suggestions for troubleshooting issues on Android devices.
Find problem apps by rebooting to safe mode on Android
Uninstall and (if need be) re-install apps
Sometimes apps can get stuck, or you have too many apps installed. This is the equivalent of turning them off and on again.
If you don’t use the app regularly, don’t reinstall it. You can generally download the app again.
However, if you’re considering uninstalling an app you use regularly, check that you’ll be able to reinstall it afterwards. Apps sometimes stop being made or supported, which means they’re removed from Google Play.
We recommend backing up your device before making any major changes. You should be able to restore apps from the backup.
If you’ve bought your app, you should be able to re-install it without having to pay for it again through Google Play.
Delete or disable apps on Android
Reset network settings
This can be a way to check where an issue might be occurring.
Fix internet connection problems on Android devices
Backup and reset to factory defaults
This can be quite a drastic step. It removes all your apps and data, “resetting” your device the most basic set of apps.
We strongly recommend backing up your settings, either to a computer or to a suggested online location, FIRST.
Once you’ve set your phone back to factory settings, only install the apps necessary to run the troubleshooting you need.
If an app isn’t the issue, you can always do a full restore of your device to its previous setup, from the backup you’ve made.
Back up or restore data on your Android device
Reset your Android device to factory settings