Your smartphone often loses its pep over time. It takes longer to start up, it takes time to browse through websites, the apps no longer work as they used to, or the system freezes while you're using your phone. 

There could be other issues as to why the performance of your phone deteriorates, according to Fox News.

It can be because of the Wi-Fi connection, too many pictures and videos on the storage, or you've downloaded a lot of apps that you are not using and are slowing things down. 

Before you ditch the old one and buy a new smartphone, you can do things to improve your device's overall performance. 

Clean the Outside

Keeping your smartphone clean is easy as long as you have the right supplies. You also need a bit of elbow grease. Just set down the paper towels and remember to clean the screen, the ports and the case itself.  

To clean the screen, just remove the case and accessories so you can reach every nook and cranny. You can use a microfiber cloth to wipe away smudges and grease. 

Also Read: Top 6 Amazon Cleaning Items for Phone or Laptop 

There are also screen cleaning wipes that are made for smartphones. Do not use paper towels as they are rough. 

Next, clean the phone's ports to get rid of the grime, dirt, and dust accumulated over time. Do not use cotton swabs because it leaves behind fuzz that could damage your phone. 

Then, scrub your phone case to remove all of the grime that it is collected inside it. For plastic, silicone, and rubber cases, just grab an old toothbrush and warm soapy water so you can reach the corners and crevices of the case. Make sure to rinse it thoroughly. 

For leather cases, lightly dampen a microfiber cloth with water and soap and rub the case in circular motions. Once it is clean, let the case dry thoroughly before putting it back on your phone. 

Delete All Apps You No Longer Use

Now that you've cleaned the outside, it is time to clean the inside of your smartphone. It is important that you delete all apps you do not regularly use to make room for those you do use. 

If you are using an iPhone and want to delete unused apps, go to Settings, click General, then go to iPhone Settings. Scroll, choose the apps you wish to delete, and tap Delete App. 

If you use an Android phone, go to Settings and tap Apps. A list of apps should pop up on your phone.

Choose the app that you want to delete and tap Uninstall. Remember that the steps differ depending on the phone's manufacturer, according to Gadgets360. 

Clear the Cache on Your Phone

The browser stores a lot of tiny files that help websites load faster and collect more data. You can also wipe that out to give your phone more space, according to Business Insider. 

If you are using Safari on your iPhone, you can delete the cache by going to Settings, then Safari, and under the Privacy and Security section, tap Clear History and Website Data. This will remove the browsing history, cookies, and other data on the site. 

For Android, go to Settings, General, then choose iPhone storage, then delete the cache from there.

Related Article: How to Clean Smartphone Cases to Fight Against Coronavirus and Overall Hygiene 

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Written by Sophie Webster