Why Does My Tablet Lag When Multiple Apps Are Open And How To Speed It Up

Tablets have become essential tools for work, entertainment, and communication. But nothing disrupts the experience faster than sudden lag—especially when you're running several apps at once. You tap an icon, and the screen freezes. You switch between tabs, and everything slows to a crawl. This kind of performance drop isn’t just frustrating; it can undermine productivity and enjoyment.

The root causes of tablet lag under multitasking conditions often stem from hardware limitations, inefficient software management, or background processes consuming resources. The good news is that most slowdowns can be mitigated—or even eliminated—with targeted optimizations. Understanding what’s happening behind the scenes empowers you to make informed decisions about usage, settings, and maintenance.

Understanding How Tablets Handle Multiple Apps

Modern tablets use a system called \"multitasking,\" allowing users to keep multiple applications open simultaneously. When you switch from one app to another, the operating system doesn't always close the first—it suspends it in the background so it can resume quickly. While this improves convenience, it also consumes memory (RAM) and processing power.

Each active or suspended app occupies a portion of your tablet’s RAM. If too many apps accumulate, available memory dwindles, forcing the processor to constantly shuffle data between storage and memory—a process known as swapping. This leads to noticeable delays, stutters, and unresponsiveness.

Additionally, some apps continue running background services even when minimized. Email sync, location tracking, push notifications, and cloud backups all contribute to CPU load. Over time, especially on older or budget devices, these cumulative demands exceed the device’s capacity, resulting in sluggish performance.

“Multitasking efficiency depends not just on raw specs but on how well the OS manages resource allocation.” — Dr. Lena Torres, Mobile Systems Researcher at TechInsight Labs

Common Causes of Tablet Lag Under Multitasking

Lag isn’t random—it’s usually the result of identifiable bottlenecks. Recognizing these factors helps pinpoint solutions.

• Limited RAM: Tablets with 2GB or less of RAM struggle significantly when more than three resource-heavy apps are open.
• Outdated Operating System: Older OS versions may lack memory optimization features found in newer releases.
• Background App Refresh: Many apps automatically refresh content in the background, consuming bandwidth and CPU cycles.
• Fragmented Storage: When internal storage is nearly full (above 85%), file access slows down due to fragmentation and reduced cache space.
• Low-Quality Apps: Poorly coded third-party apps may leak memory or run unnecessary processes, dragging down overall performance.
• Overheating: Prolonged use or poor ventilation can cause thermal throttling, where the processor reduces speed to cool down.

Tip: Close unused apps manually if you notice slowdowns after switching tasks—don’t assume they’re inactive just because they’re minimized.

Step-by-Step Guide to Speed Up Your Tablet

Improving performance doesn’t require technical expertise. Follow this structured approach to restore responsiveness and prevent future lag.

1. Restart Your Tablet Weekly
   A simple reboot clears temporary files, resets memory allocation, and stops rogue background processes. Make it a habit, like charging your device overnight.
2. Clear Recently Used Apps
   Swipe away unused apps from the recent apps menu. On Android, press the square or recent apps button; on iPadOS, swipe up and hold, then swipe apps away. This frees up RAM immediately.
3. Disable Background App Refresh
   Go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh (iOS) or Settings > Apps & Notifications > Special App Access > Background Restrictions (Android). Disable this feature for non-essential apps like games or social media.
4. Update Your Operating System and Apps
   Manufacturers release updates that improve memory management and fix bugs. Go to Settings > Software Update (or equivalent) and install any pending updates.
5. Free Up Internal Storage
   Delete unused apps, offload old photos/videos to cloud storage, and clear browser caches. Aim to keep at least 15–20% of storage free for optimal performance.
6. Reduce Visual Effects
   Animations and live wallpapers consume GPU resources. On Android, enable Developer Options and set “Window Animation Scale,” “Transition Animation Scale,” and “Animator Duration Scale” to 0.5x or off. On iOS, go to Settings > Accessibility > Motion > Reduce Motion.
7. Use Lite Versions of Apps
   Opt for lightweight alternatives such as Facebook Lite, YouTube Vanced (if available), or Microsoft Edge Lite. These versions use fewer resources while offering core functionality.
8. Limit Widgets and Live Icons
   Home screen widgets update in real-time, increasing CPU wake-ups. Remove unnecessary ones or place them in folders not on the main screen.

Do’s and Don’ts for Maintaining Tablet Performance

Do’s	Don’ts
✅ Reboot your tablet weekly	❌ Leave dozens of apps open indefinitely
✅ Keep 15–20% of storage free	❌ Install unknown or pirated apps
✅ Use built-in battery and performance optimization tools	❌ Run benchmarking or “cleaner” apps from third parties—they often do more harm than good
✅ Enable automatic OS updates	❌ Ignore software update notifications for months
✅ Monitor battery usage by app to identify resource hogs	❌ Keep location services enabled for every app

Real-World Example: How Sarah Fixed Her Lagging Tablet

Sarah, a freelance graphic designer, relied on her mid-range Android tablet for client meetings and sketching. She frequently used email, Slack, Chrome, Adobe Fresco, and Spotify simultaneously. After a few months, her tablet began freezing during presentations—sometimes taking over ten seconds to respond to touch inputs.

She initially assumed she needed a new device. Instead, she decided to troubleshoot. First, she checked her storage: 93% full. She moved old project files to Google Drive and deleted duplicate screenshots. That freed up 8GB. Next, she disabled background refresh for Slack and Instagram. Then, she cleared cached data in Chrome and uninstalled two rarely used design apps.

Finally, she enabled battery optimization for all non-critical apps and turned off live wallpapers. The difference was immediate. App switching became smooth, and Adobe Fresco loaded 40% faster. Her tablet wasn’t powerful, but it was now working efficiently within its limits.

This case illustrates that performance issues are often not about hardware obsolescence—but mismanagement of existing resources.

Expert Tips to Prevent Future Lag

Maintaining peak performance requires ongoing attention. Here are proven strategies used by tech professionals:

Tip: Schedule a monthly “digital cleanup” session—review installed apps, delete unused ones, and clear browsing data.

• Monitor Battery Usage by App: High battery consumption often correlates with high CPU usage. In Settings, check which apps are draining power and restrict their background activity.
• Use a Single Browser: Running multiple browsers increases cache fragmentation. Stick to one and clear its history and cookies regularly.
• Turn Off Auto-Sync Temporarily: When doing intensive tasks, disable auto-sync for accounts (Google, iCloud, etc.) to reduce interruptions.
• Avoid Cheap Memory Cleaners: Most “RAM booster” apps are ineffective. They close background apps aggressively, causing more reloads and actually slowing things down.
• Factory Reset as Last Resort: If performance remains poor despite optimization, back up your data and perform a factory reset. A clean OS installation removes accumulated clutter and resets system configurations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does closing apps manually improve performance?

Yes, but only when those apps are actively consuming resources. Modern operating systems manage background apps intelligently, so constant swiping away isn’t necessary. However, if you notice lag after using heavy apps like video editors or games, manually closing them can free up RAM and improve responsiveness.

Can I upgrade my tablet’s RAM?

No. Unlike desktop computers, tablets have soldered RAM that cannot be upgraded. Performance improvements must come from software optimization, better usage habits, or eventually upgrading to a newer model with more memory.

Is it better to have fewer, high-quality apps or many lightweight ones?

Quality trumps quantity. A single poorly optimized app can slow down your entire system more than ten well-coded lightweight ones. Prioritize apps from reputable developers, read user reviews about performance, and remove any that consistently cause crashes or high battery drain.

Conclusion: Take Control of Your Tablet’s Performance

Lag under multitasking is a common issue, but it’s rarely inevitable. By understanding the interplay between memory, storage, and software behavior, you can take meaningful steps to restore speed and reliability. The key lies not in chasing the latest hardware, but in optimizing what you already own.

Start with small changes—clear background apps, free up storage, disable unnecessary refreshes. Over time, build consistent habits that align with your usage patterns. A well-maintained tablet can deliver years of smooth performance, even as demands increase.

💬 Have a tip that dramatically improved your tablet’s speed? Share your experience in the comments—your insight could help someone avoid buying a new device unnecessarily.