How to reduce RAM usage in Android, and why you probably shouldn't

Those trying to reduce RAM usage in Android probably have difficulty figuring out how to do it. There’s no real tutorial on doing this, and there are reasons for that. The truth is Google doesn’t want you clearing out RAM all the time.

In this post, we aim to show you the best ways to keep the clutter out, as well as inform you on why most of you probably shouldn’t even bother with this, to begin with. Let’s get started.

Editor’s note: We used a Google Pixel 7 running Android 13 to develop the steps on this post. Remember, menus and settings may differ depending on your hardware and software.

Should you reduce RAM usage in Android?

The long-argued debate continues to be one of the most important topics in the Android community. This is because we are used to the PC mentality, in which having fewer apps running in the background will usually mean improved performance and better-utilized resources. To understand how Android works, you need to step back and see the mobile operating system from a different perspective.

What is RAM?

Otherwise known as Random Access Memory, RAM is where files go to be temporarily stored for immediate use. Operating systems will access it to easily and quickly reach temporary files from apps that are currently being used, whether you are using them directly or they are running in the background.

Why it may hurt to reduce RAM usage

The benefit of RAM is that it allows the interface to operate more efficiently. Say you open the Facebook app. It will take a while to start up the first time it is launched, as it has to load all the content to show you. You can then leave the app and return to it. Launching will take much less time the second time you access it, as it will grab all the files from the RAM and utilize what is still relevant.

Now, imagine what happens if you get rid of all data stored in the RAM. As expected, opening any application again will make the experience slower than it would if all that information was readily available to the operating system.

Why it may not even make a difference

To most of us, RAM operates in mysterious ways. We can’t break it down to you in a single post, but we can tell you that trying to control RAM may sometimes result in wasted time. Android will ultimately do whatever the heck it wants.

The Android OS is pretty clever. It knows which data it needs, when it needs it, and for how long it needs it. If an app is idle too long, the operating system will know to clear its data. Similarly, Android will clear out older files in the RAM when new ones need the space.

Furthermore, clearing out the RAM may become an endless war between you and the operating system. If Android keeps pulling data into the RAM, it is because it likely needs it for some reason or another. Kill it, and the operating system will be left wondering: “Hey, where did that file go? Let’s put it back in there.” You will then kill the task again, and the dance will go on endlessly. You’ll also waste a lot of battery power in the process.

How to reduce RAM usage in Android

Do you still want to clear that RAM space? There are some reasons to do so, though they apply to very few cases and individuals. Apps can go rogue, or the system may be acting abnormally, which would cause lag, errors, and other failures. This is why clearing out the RAM may be good now and then.

Then you have those apps that are simply worthless, otherwise known as bloatware. Carrier and manufacturer pre-installed apps are usually unnecessary. Sadly, you often can’t uninstall them because Google puts them in the system. These include silly games, sports apps, navigators, and other “tools.”

If you still want to clear out that RAM or squash some bugs, here are the best ways to reduce RAM usage in Android.

Use the application manager

There’s an Application Manager on all Android devices (also known as “Apps”). You can find it by going to Settings > Apps > See all apps. Find the app you want to deal with and tap on it. You can Uninstall the app from this menu. If it’s impossible to uninstall it, you can probably Disable it. Additionally, you can Force stop the app.

Close an app using the app manager on Android:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Go into Apps.
3. Select See all apps.
4. Tap on the app you want to deal with.
5. Hit Force stop.
6. Confirm by selecting OK.

Disabling an Android system app:

1. Launch the Settings app.
2. Go into Apps.
3. Hit See all apps.
4. Find and tap on the app you want to deal with.
5. Select Disable.
6. Confirm by tapping on Disable app.

How to uninstall an Android app:

1. Launch the Settings app.
2. Go into Apps.
3. Hit See all apps.
4. Find and tap on the app you want to deal with.
5. Select Uninstall.
6. Confirm by tapping on OK.

Reduce RAM usage using the Overview menu

For a less technical and more accessible solution, use the Overview page (also known as the App Switcher). You can access it by dragging your finger up from the bottom of the screen and holding for a second or two. Older devices have a dedicated button for it, but most handsets have migrated to gesture navigation actions by now.

Go in there and swipe unwanted apps away to close them. Some Android manufacturer skins add the ability to close all apps with a single button.

Close apps using the Overview menu:

1. On the Home Screen, slide your finger from the bottom of the screen up, and hold.
2. The Overview page will show up, showing all the recently used apps.
3. Slide apps up to close them.

Try to avoid task killers

We would advise that you avoid task killers, as they mostly do more harm than good for the reasons mentioned above. If an app is bugging you and you need to use one, we have a post of our favorite task managers.

FAQs

At some point, you should stop worrying about handling RAM and get a phone with more of it. Look at our lists of the best phones with 8GB, 12GB, and 16GB of RAM for our recommendations.