Apps Maximize Android Performance
No matter what version of Google's mobile OS you're running — whether it's Android Oreo, Android 9 Pie or even if you're among the select few with Android 10 — Android remains a tinkerer's dream.
Because Android is open in a way that other mobile OSes aren't (looking at you, iOS) you can tweak and optimize the system's performance from A to Z. Whether we're talking cache cleaners, junk file hunters, CPU overclocking tools, app disablers or task automation tools, plenty of Android apps help you get more out of your phone.
1. Clean Master (Free)
Cheetah Mobile's Clean Master comes with a Junk Files tool for cleaning your phone's app and system cache as well as temp files. It also sports a memory-saving Phone Boost tool, an app manager and antivirus feature.
While you can probably skip the task-killer-like features of Phone Boost, the Junk File tool is great at cleaning out widowed and temporary files, as well as cleaning out your system cache to free up phone storage. The app manager allows users to backup APKs, move apps to the SD card and uninstall apps. There are also a lot of extras like an app lock, game mode, and a private photo locker.
2. All-in-One Toolbox (Free)
All-in-One Toolbox is just that: a versatile all-in-one Android booster app. AIO Toolbox follows the model of many apps with a quick one-tap booster that cleans up cache, background apps, and memory; it also includes extras like an app manager, file manager, and CPU cooler (which kills background apps to reduce load).
A handy "Easy Swipe" brings up a radial menu to quickly access utilities from your home screen or other apps. Where the app does suffer a mite bit is in organization, with tools split across a vertical feed and multiple tabs.
st of apps to ignore during cache cleaning.
3. Norton Security and Antivirus (Freemium)
As mobile computing becomes a bigger part of everyday life, leisure and productivity, mobile device security becomes more and more important. Norton is a trusted old name in the PC antivirus field, and it's also branched out with a freemium Android antivirus app. Norton Security and Antivirus provides reliable antivirus and anti-malware protection, and combines the package with a variety of anti-theft and 'find my phone' tools.
A premium subscription unlocks extra security tools such as an App Advisor and Privacy Report that assesses the risks your apps may pose; there's also SafeWeb filtering. It's a great addition to your Android utilities, even with its system impact. Check out our in-depth look for more details.
4. Norton Clean (Free)
Of course, if you’re not looking for a comprehensive mobile security suite but instead something more along the lines of a simple system cleaner, Norton also offers that with their Norton Clean utility.
Norton Clean has a junk file cleaner that works through your cache, obsolete APK files, and other residual detritus, freeing up storage space and memory by clearing out junk. Norton Clean also includes an app manager for removing bloatware or unwanted apps.
5. BitDefender Mobile Security & Antivirus ($14.99 per year)
If you're willing to go straight to premium solutions for protecting your mobile device from malware and other security threats, check out BitDefender Mobile Security & Antivirus, our pick for the best Android antivirus app.
BitDefender Mobile provides top-notch antimalware protection, with its scanning engine reliably scoring high in yearly tests, while app & web protection automatically scans new apps and visited websites for possible security threats.
BitDefender also throws in some useful extras like a VPN, anti-theft features, a PIN or fingerprint-protected App Locker, and an Account Privacy tool for finding potential threats involving your email address.
6. Cleaner for Android (Free)
Systweak’s Cleaner for Android brings a familiar raft of tools for squeezing just a bit more performance and cleaning out junk from your Android phone. The app is armed with a junk cleaner and RAM booster for clearing out memory as well as cached and junk files.
An app manager and file manager allow you to manually delete or backup apps and APKs, as well as manage your file system manually. Cleaner for Android also comes with a Battery Saver tool for quickly tweaking common energy-hogging system settings, as well as a game booster intended to clear background processes to give gamers more memory.
7. Droid Optimizer (Free)
Ashampoo's an old standby when it comes to PC utilities, and the German software company has since branched out to develop mobile utility apps as well. Droid Optimizer is an all-in-one system optimization app that can be set for quick use, or for more detailed cleanup.
A 1-Touch Speed Up mode can be set to clean the memory cache and stop background apps (with an optional whitelist), while a more selective Clean Up mode lets you go point by point.
An App Manager lets you bulk uninstall apps or view permissions, while a Privacy Advisor flags apps with that have been granted permissions that might be abused for your review. There's even a handy automatic scheduling mode to automate cleanup or disable Wi-Fi at night.
8. GO Speed (Free)
GO Speed by the GOMO team offers a familiar suite of memory and storage cleaning tools, with a Memory Boost tool to try to reduce RAM load by killing tasks in the background, a Junk File cleaner for clearing out app caches and other possible space hogs, an App Manager and App Lock. A sidebar conceals additional tools such as a Battery Saver, Game Booster, CPU Cooler, Duplicate Photo finder, and a notification cleaner.
9. Cleaner (Free)
Cleaner, by VPN Master Labs, provides a good field of basic system cleaning functions, with a basic junk file cleaner and task killer for freeing up memory and space, as well as a CPU cooler and Antivirus scanner in its quick access menu.
You can also take a quick look at storage use stats, check out an app manager, find duplicate photos and big files, set notifications for times of high memory use to remind you to clean your phone, and create a white list of apps to ignore during cache cleaning.