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Smartphone Running Slow?
Post Date Oct 4, 2022

Smartphone Running Slow?

You love your mobile phone. You don’t go anywhere or do anything without it. So, if you’ve got the best cell phone coverage from the wireless company with the best unlimited plans (something we’ll address shortly!), it’s no surprise that if your phone suddenly starts running slow, you need to figure out how to fix it.

That’s where this post comes in. We can help and the tips that follow are easy to do.

First up, battery check

Most of the time when a smartphone stops zipping along through routine tasks like opening Instagram or Amazon, your favorite news service or podcast, it’s because the battery is being drained by certain apps, features that are open but don’t need to be, even things like wallpaper. Let’s walk through a few scenarios here and so you can see their impact and make adjustments that will help you get more from your battery.

Live wallpaper

If you have animated or live wallpaper on your phone, delete it. We know – it’s fun and cool, but it puts an enormous drain on your phone’s battery.

Check your apps

Certain apps, like Uber and Grubhub, track your location. It makes sense that they do this; after all, if an Uber is coming to pick you up or your Grubhub delivery is on its way, the driver needs to know where you are. But if those apps are tracking your location all the time, it will absolutely drain your battery.

Fixes:

On an iPhone, open an app like Google Maps or Uber or Grubhub, etc., and make sure that the “Location” setting is switched to “While Using.”

On an Android phone, go to Settings, click on “Location” then “Mode,” and on the next screen tap “Battery Saving Option” to turn it on. Set this way, your phone will only know its location when it’s connected to a network.

Dim your screen

If your screen is very bright it will drain your battery. To dim it, under Settings click on “Display & Brightness,” then use the slider to adjust the brightness down a notch.

Fixes:

The above directions apply to iPhones and Androids alike.

Turn Bluetooth off

Using Bluetooth to transmit data requires an enormous amount of battery power. Enable it when necessary, and shut it off when you don’t need it. Of all these tips, this one can make the greatest impact on saving your battery and speeding up your phone.

Fixes:

On an iPhone, go to Settings and click on “Bluetooth.” Move the slider to the left to turn it off.

On an Android phone, go to Settings and click on “Bluetooth.”  Move the slider to the off position.

Adjust email retrieval      

If you get your email on your iPhone or Android, it’s important to note that the more frequently your device looks for new data, the more it drains your battery. The thing to do is to adjust the frequency.

Fixes:

On an iPhone, go to Settings, then click on “Mail” and then “Accounts.” On the “Accounts” screen, click “Fetch New Data” and then select how often your phone should check for email. The longer you go between checks, the better for the life of your battery.

On an Android phone, open Settings and click on “Accounts.” On the “Accounts” screen, tap on the three dots icon in the right hand corner. This will bring up “Auto Sync Data.” Click on “Ok” to disable auto syncing.

With both iPhones and Androids, even though you adjust the frequency with which your device checks for email, you can still check your email manually by opening up Gmail, etc.

All this information about saving your phone’s battery might make you wonder…at what point do I need a new phone?

Most people upgrade every one to two years, but you really can go three years or more. If you’re considering getting a new phone here are a few reasons to take the plunge:

  • To get the latest updates. If your current phone has reached the point where it simply can’t support them, it’s time for an upgrade.
  • If despite all your best efforts and trying all the suggestions provided above for saving your phone’s battery your phone holds a charge for only a half day or less, it’s time for a new phone.
  • And if you’re having trouble reading what’s on the screen (after all, you did just dim it), it’s time for a bigger screen. One that’s attached to a new phone.

Now that you know some tips to preserve the battery in your smartphone (and the signs you might need a new one), make another smart move: Join H2O Wireless and save.

Say “Yes!” to No Contracts and No Hassles

With H2O Wireless’ Unlimited Plans, you’ve got the freedom to say “Yes” to unlimited talk, text, and 2GB of data for just $20 a month. That’s right. For as little as $20 month – or $18 a month if you enroll in auto pay – you can enjoy America’s most reliable 5G network – the same 5G network as those overpriced wireless companies – at significant savings. Today’s 5G network provides the best cell coverage at far greater speed and is far more flexible, reliable, and secure than any network before it. 

What does the 5G network and its incredible speed mean to you? It means not having to worry about whether or not you’ll miss the next episode of your favorite show (you won’t), or connect with your best friend before he or she leaves for a semester in Tibet (you will).

Plus, with H2O Wireless, you can bring your phone and keep your phone number or choose from a great selection of the latest iPhones and Androids. And, if you’d like to get a 5G phone, H2O Wireless has you covered there, too. The iPhone SE 3rd Gen, iPhone 12 mini, to name just a few, and many new Android devices, like the Samsung Galaxy A32 5G, all support 5G and are available right here.

5G coverage. 5G phones. Unlimited plans, multi-line plans, pay as you go plans, tablet plans, and our brand new 12 month plan (for as little as $8.33 a month!) , PLUS the chance to earn free cell service with Refer a Friend!

Get started now!

Refer a Friend (RAF)

When you join H2O Wireless, you can take advantage of our Refer a Friend (RAF) referral program. It enables you to share the H2O love and lower your bill! Share the H2O love with enough friends, and you might not even have a bill.

Here’s how it works:

Step 1: Spread the Word

Get your unique referral link, then send it to friends and family.

Step 2: Sign Them Up

Help your friend select an H2O Wireless Plan.

Step 3: Get Rewarded

Once your friend activates their H2O service, you each get rewarded. From now until October 1, each activated referral earns you and your friend $30 in Refer a Friend (RAF) rewards points. Starting October 2, each activated referral earns you and your friend $20 in RAF rewards points.

RAF FAQs

What is the Refer a Friend Program?

Refer a Friend is the H2O® Wireless referral program in which you and a friend get $30 of H2O points for each activated referral. Starting October 2, each activated referral earns you and your friend $20 in RAF rewards points.

When are H2O points applied to my account?

When the person referred activates their H2O Wireless service your rewards points will be applied. Please note: For Port-Ins, points will be received within 1-5 business days.

Do I get referral points if I just tell a friend about H2O?

No. They need to use your referral link.

How many people can I refer?

You can refer up to 10 people per month, which is a total of 120 referrals per year, for thousands of dollars’ worth of reward points. So many rewards points they might pay for your H2O service!

More tips for getting the most from your smartphone from H2O Wireless

Clean up your home screen

So you’ve downloaded so many apps that just looking at your home screen gives you stress. Don’t worry, you can keep the apps. We’re just going to help you tuck them in the app library so your screen is more, shall we say, serene.

On an iPhone: Touch and hold an empty area on your Home Screen. For iPhone iOS 14 or later, tap the dots near the bottom of the screen. Tap the circle under the page that you want to hide. Then tap the remove button (minus sign). For older iPhones, a circle will appear at the top left corner of the app icon. The remove button will be inside the circle. Tap it to hide the app. Again, hidden apps are not deleted. They’re stored in the app library. 

On an Android phone: If you have room in your “Favorites Tray,” start by putting the apps you use most frequently in it. If you’re out of room, you can make some by pressing on an app icon and moving it up until you see the remove and uninstall options. Select one and move the more frequently used app into the tray.

How to install updates on your phone

On an iPhone: Open Settings, then click on “General” and then “Software Update” and turn “Automatic Updates” to the “on” position. On the next screen, turn on “Download iOS Updates” and “Install iOS Updates.” Now software updates will be made automatically after they have been downloaded. iPhone sends you a notification before updates are installed. All you need to do is make sure your iPhone is charging and connected to Wi-Fi to complete the update.

On an Android phone: Open Settings, then click on “About Phone/Tablet.” On the next screen turn on “Automatic Update.”

How to increase the font size

Let’s face it. No matter how old or young you are, it can be tough to see the text messages on your screen. And, if you’re out in the sunshine and glare, it can really be difficult. If you’d like to make things easier on your eyes, do the following:

On an iPhone: Under Settings, choose “Accessibility.” Look for and click on the words “Display & Text Size.” On the next screen, you have the option to turn on “Bold Text” and “Larger Text,” among others. Click on “Larger Text” and you can turn on what are called “Larger Accessibility Sizes.” The larger text won’t work on every app, but it will function on many, and that will make reading on your phone easier.

If you’d like to darken the text, which is called bold, turn on “Bold Text.” Again, the text won’t be bolded on every app, but it will be on many of them.

On an Android phone: Under Settings, choose “Accessibility.” At the next screen, tap “Font Size.” Here, you’ll see a slider. Drag it as far to the right as you like. The farther it goes to the right, the larger your font size will be. Then, click “Done” to save your changes.