Why Do Some Apps Run Slowly After Updating How To Fix Them Fast

It’s a familiar frustration: you update an app expecting better features or security improvements, only to find it suddenly sluggish, unresponsive, or worse—crashing repeatedly. This isn’t just in your head. Many users experience performance drops after app updates, and while the reasons vary, most are fixable with the right approach. Understanding why this happens—and knowing what to do about it—can save time, data, and digital sanity.

App developers release updates for valid reasons: bug fixes, new functions, compatibility with newer operating systems, or enhanced security. But sometimes, these changes introduce inefficiencies, especially if the app wasn’t thoroughly optimized before launch. The good news? Most post-update slowdowns aren’t permanent. With targeted troubleshooting, you can often restore smooth performance in minutes.

Why Apps Slow Down After Updates

Updates don’t always mean improvements in speed. In fact, they can introduce performance issues due to several technical and design-related factors.

• Bloated Code: New features often come with additional code that increases the app’s memory footprint. If not optimized, this extra weight slows loading times and responsiveness.
• Incompatible Caches: After an update, old cached data may conflict with the new version, causing lags or crashes as the app tries to reconcile outdated files.
• Background Processes: Some updated apps run intensive background tasks (e.g., syncing data, indexing content) immediately after installation, consuming CPU and battery.
• Server-Side Bottlenecks: Occasionally, the issue isn't on your device at all. The app might rely on backend servers that become overloaded during mass rollout of the update.
• OS Compatibility Issues: An app built for an older OS version may not fully align with the current system architecture, leading to inefficient resource use.

“Post-update slowness is often a sign of transitional overhead—not permanent degradation. Clearing cache and restarting usually resolves 70% of cases.” — Dr. Lena Park, Mobile Systems Engineer at OpenTech Labs

Immediate Fixes to Restore App Speed

You don’t need advanced technical skills to address most slowdowns. These practical steps resolve the majority of post-update performance issues quickly.

1. Force Stop and Restart the App

Sometimes, simply closing and reopening the app clears temporary glitches. On Android, go to Settings > Apps > [App Name] > Force Stop, then relaunch. On iOS, swipe up from the app in the app switcher to close it, then reopen.

2. Clear App Cache (Android)

Cached data helps apps load faster, but outdated or corrupted cache files can cause lag. To clear it:

1. Go to Settings > Apps > [App Name]
2. Select “Storage”
3. Tap “Clear Cache”

Note: This won’t delete your account info or saved content, only temporary files.

Tip: If the app still stutters, try “Clear Storage” as a last resort—but back up login details first.

3. Reinstall the App

A fresh install removes corrupted files and resets configurations. Uninstall the app, restart your device, then download the latest version from the official store. This often eliminates lingering bugs from incomplete updates.

4. Check for System Updates

Your device’s operating system must support the updated app. If your phone runs an older version of iOS or Android, certain apps may underperform. Navigate to Settings > System > Software Update (or equivalent) and install any pending OS patches.

5. Disable Battery Optimization for the App

Aggressive battery-saving modes can throttle app performance. On Android, go to Settings > Apps > [App Name] > Battery > Unrestricted. This allows the app full access to resources when needed.

Step-by-Step Recovery Timeline

If the app remains slow, follow this structured 30-minute recovery plan:

Time	Action	Purpose
0–5 min	Force stop the app and restart your device	Reset active processes and free up RAM
5–10 min	Clear app cache (Android) or offload app (iOS)	Remove outdated temporary files
10–15 min	Reinstall the app from official store	Ensure clean, verified installation
15–20 min	Update your OS if available	Improve compatibility and stability
20–25 min	Disable battery saver for the app	Prevent throttling during use
25–30 min	Test app functionality under normal usage	Confirm resolution or identify remaining issues

This sequence addresses both software-level conflicts and system-wide constraints. Most users report noticeable improvement within this window.

Do’s and Don’ts When Dealing with Slow Apps

To avoid making the problem worse, follow these best practices:

Do’s	Don’ts
✅ Wait 24 hours after major updates—some apps optimize over time	❌ Install third-party APKs or IPA files to “downgrade”
✅ Monitor app behavior across different network conditions	❌ Ignore recurring error messages—they signal deeper issues
✅ Use official customer support channels for persistent problems	❌ Factory reset your device as a first solution
✅ Keep automatic updates enabled for security, but review changelogs	❌ Leave unused apps running in the background

Real-World Example: The Instagram Update Lag of 2023

In late 2023, thousands of Android users reported severe lag in the Instagram app following a major redesign. Scrolling became choppy, stories took seconds to load, and video playback stuttered. Initial speculation pointed to bloated UI elements and poorly optimized media rendering.

Instagram’s engineering team later confirmed that the update included new machine-learning models for content recommendations, which were inadvertently running continuously in the background. A patch released within 10 days fixed the issue by limiting model activity to idle periods.

Meanwhile, affected users found relief using the steps outlined above—particularly clearing cache and disabling battery optimization. One user, Maria T., shared: “I reinstalled Instagram three times thinking my phone was dying. Turns out, just clearing the cache made it fly again. I wish I’d known sooner.”

This case illustrates how even well-resourced companies can ship flawed updates—and how user-side fixes remain essential tools.

Long-Term Prevention Strategies

While immediate fixes help, preventing future slowdowns requires smarter habits.

Monitor App Changelogs

Before installing an update, check the release notes. Phrases like “added new AI features,” “redesigned interface,” or “expanded analytics” often indicate heavier resource demands. You might choose to delay such updates until you’re ready for potential trade-offs.

Use App Management Tools

Both Android and iOS offer built-in tools to monitor app performance. On iOS, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Analytics & Improvements > Analytics Data to see crash logs. On Android, use Digital Wellbeing or third-party tools like Greenify to detect misbehaving apps.

Limit Background Activity

Restrict apps from refreshing content in the background unless necessary. On iOS: Settings > General > Background App Refresh. On Android: Settings > Apps > Special Access > Background Restrictions. This reduces strain on CPU and battery.

Tip: Schedule app updates overnight via Wi-Fi to avoid interrupting daily use.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can an app update permanently damage my phone?

No. App updates cannot physically harm your device. However, poorly coded apps can consume excessive resources, leading to overheating or reduced battery lifespan over time. Uninstalling such apps resolves the risk.

Why does only one app run slowly while others are fine?

This typically indicates an issue isolated to that app—either a flawed update, corrupted data, or poor optimization for your device model. It’s rarely a system-wide problem.

Is it safe to revert to an older version of an app?

Generally not recommended. Older versions may lack critical security patches and could be incompatible with current services. If absolutely necessary, obtain the APK or IPA from trusted sources only, though this carries risks.

Expert Checklist: Fix Slow Apps in 6 Steps

Keep this checklist handy whenever an app misbehaves after an update:

1. 🔁 Force stop and restart the app
2. 🧹 Clear app cache (Android) or offload/reinstall (iOS)
3. 📲 Reinstall the app from the official store
4. 📱 Check for and install OS updates
5. 🔋 Disable battery optimization for the app
6. 🌐 Test on different networks (Wi-Fi vs. cellular)

Complete these steps in order. If the app still performs poorly, contact the developer with specific details: device model, OS version, app version, and symptoms observed.

Conclusion: Take Control of Your App Experience

Slow apps after updates are common, but they don’t have to be accepted. Most performance issues stem from temporary mismatches between new code and existing system conditions—problems you can fix yourself. By understanding the root causes and applying systematic solutions, you regain control over your digital experience.

The next time an update leaves your favorite app crawling, skip the frustration. Apply the steps in this guide, start with simple fixes, and work methodically toward resolution. Share your success—or challenges—in the comments below. Together, users can push for better-optimized software and hold developers accountable for performance as much as features.

🚀 Don’t let slow apps ruin your workflow. Try one fix now—and feel the difference in under five minutes.