Android Settings: Hidden Tricks to Speed Up, Save Battery & Optimize Your Phone

If you think the Android UI is all you get, think again. Your phone hides dozens of settings that can make it feel brand new, last longer on a charge, and work smarter on any network. Below you’ll find the most practical tweaks you can apply right now.

Boost Speed with Little‑Known Settings

First, kill the lag. Open Settings > About phone and tap Build number seven times to unlock Developer Options. Inside, turn Window animation scale, Transition animation scale, and Animator duration scale down to 0.5x or off. The UI will snap faster.

Next, limit background apps. In Developer Options find Limit background processes and set it to 4 processes or fewer. This stops apps from eating RAM when you’re not using them.

Finally, disable unused services. Head to Settings > Apps > See all apps, tap the three dots, choose Show system, and switch off apps like Carrier Services or Google Play Services for AR if you never use them. Each off toggle shaves off milliseconds of boot time.

Extend Battery Life and Control Connectivity

Battery drain often stems from features you don’t notice. Turn on Battery saver under Settings > Battery and set it to kick in at 20%. Enable Adaptive Battery and Background restriction for high‑usage apps like games or streaming services.

Network settings are another hidden drain. Go to Settings > Network & internet > Mobile network and switch 5G to Auto or LTE only when you’re in a low‑signal area. This prevents your phone from constantly searching for 5G and burning power.

Wi‑Fi and Bluetooth also waste juice when left scanning. In Settings > Wi‑Fi, turn off Scanning always available. Do the same in Settings > Connected devices > Bluetooth. You’ll still get connections when needed, but the phone won’t ping the air constantly.

For the ultra‑curious, dial secret codes to see real‑time stats. Open the dialer and type *#*#4636#*#* to open the Testing menu. Here you can check battery health, Wi‑Fi info, and even force a system update by selecting Update now.

If you love customizing your home screen, try a secret launcher. Download a lightweight launcher like Nova or Microsoft Launcher, then go to Settings > Apps > Default apps and set it as your default. You’ll get more gestures, hidden menus, and faster app opening.

When updates stall, force them manually. In Settings > System > Advanced > System update, tap the three dots and choose Check for update. If nothing shows, reboot into Recovery mode (hold Power + Volume Down) and select Apply update from ADB to push the latest firmware.

All these tweaks are safe, reversible, and require no extra apps. Try a few today, notice the speed bump, longer battery life, and smoother connectivity. Your Android will thank you for the extra love.