How do you keep a Samsung phone running fast?
Clearing out unused apps, reviewing permissions and emptying the cache keeps a Samsung phone smooth for years.
Short answer
Open the Play Store, tap your profile icon, go to Manage apps & device > Manage and use the "Least used" filter to uninstall dead apps. Then free up junk files under Settings > Device care > App cache, and check permissions once a month in Settings > Security and privacy.
What you need
Step by step
Find the apps you never open
Open the Play Store, tap your profile icon in the top right and choose Manage apps & device. Switch to the Manage tab, tap the filter icon and select Least used. Apps you haven't touched in months move to the top, so you don't have to scan the whole phone by hand.
Uninstall the dead apps
Tick the checkboxes next to apps you no longer need, tap the trash icon in the top right and confirm Uninstall. Unused apps don't just take up storage; they run in the background, push notifications and drag the phone down.
Turn on auto-archive
For apps you rarely open but don't want to lose, enable auto-archive in the Play Store. The setting removes the large files of unused apps to free up storage while the icon stays in your app drawer, and tapping it restores the app.
Review permissions monthly
Go to Settings > Security and privacy > Permissions used in last 24 hours. This shows which apps reached for your location, contacts, call logs, messages or microphone. Apps can quietly request new permissions through updates, so repeat this check once a month.
Revoke anything suspicious
Tap a permission to see which apps used it and when. If a basic flashlight app is reading your call logs, remove the permission or delete the app outright. This protects your data and cuts pointless background activity, which helps battery life.
Clear the app cache
Open Settings, go to Device care > App cache, select the apps you want to clean, tap Clear cache and then Clear. Temporary files pile up over time and can make apps stutter, throw errors or close unexpectedly.
Tips
Watch out
Before deleting banking, government or authentication apps, check where your two-factor codes are stored. Removing an authenticator app without a backup can lock you out of your accounts for good.
Frequently asked questions
+Does clearing the cache delete my data?
No. The cache holds temporary files only, so your chats, photos and logins stay intact. The app may just load a little slower the first time you open it.
+Is an archived app removed from the phone completely?
No. The icon stays in your app drawer, tapping it restores the app over the internet, and in most cases your previous data comes back too.
+Do I need a cleaner app?
Usually not. One UI's Device care section does the same job without ads, and third-party cleaners often run in the background and drain battery themselves.
+How often should I do this maintenance?
Once a month is enough. Running the permission check, unused-app sweep and cache cleanup on the same day is the most practical approach.
+What if the phone is still slow?
Install pending software updates, cut down the number of home screen widgets and free up more storage. If it persists, back up your data and consider a factory reset.
Sources and verification
Last verified: 12 Eylül 2026. tell us. Menu names follow the English One UI labels; wording may differ slightly by One UI version.
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