Do you notice your Android phone running slower and slower? Do you feel like it's becoming less responsive and taking longer to open as the months go by? This situation is very common, especially if you have a device that's been with you for a while or isn't exactly high-end. Fortunately, there's a little trick that not many people know about that can make all the difference: Disable system animations to make Android run smoother.
In this article, we'll explain in detail why these animations can affect your Android's performance, how you can disable them step by step, what they mean, and what alternatives exist depending on the brand and system version. You'll also find practical information to help you get the most out of your phone, from how to access the hidden developer menu to what's really happening. once the animations are disabledEverything explained clearly, completely, and in relatable language.
Why does your Android phone become slower over time?
It is completely normal for Android phones to experience a loss of speed over the years.The hardware is becoming somewhat older compared to the new system demands, updates require more resources, and applications take up more space and processor. In addition, intensive use and the accumulation of files, cache, and data only contribute to the device's slowdown.
Operating system animations, while providing visual fluidity and a more pleasant user experience, also consume resources., as these are graphical transitions that require work from both the CPU and GPU. On phones with limited hardware or those that are a few years old, this extra work can result in a more clumsy and less responsive experience.
What exactly are system animations on Android?
Animations on Android are small visual effects that appear when you open apps, switch screens, close windows, or swipe through menus.Typical examples include smooth transitions between apps, the scrolling effect when entering Settings, or opening and closing dialog boxes.
Its main objective is to make the use more attractive and friendly.. Additionally, these animations help provide greater consistency and visual feedback (i.e., a sense of responsiveness) every time you interact with your phone. However, while they improve the aesthetic appeal and user experience, their actual usefulness may no longer be worth it when the phone starts to show signs of fatigue.
Why does disabling animations help make your phone run faster?
Animations, no matter how beautiful, require the phone to process and draw each transition.This puts additional strain on the processor and graphics card, especially noticeable on smaller devices. By eliminating animations, each action is executed immediately, without any delays or embellishments. This can produce a sense of immediacy and increase the apparent speed of the system..
Disabling or speeding up animations too much does not solve hardware problems or work miracles., but it does reduce the graphical load and significantly improves the mobile's response when switching between applications, menus and windows.
Where is the option to disable animations? The hidden menu
This feature is not visible by default.. Google includes it in calls developer options, a special menu designed for those who create or test applications, but that anyone can activate in just a few steps.
On most Android phones, the process is as follows:
- Open the app Settings.
- Look for the section Phone Information (usually found at the end of the general settings or under 'System').
- Press repeatedly (usually seven times) on the option Build Number. After several taps, you will see a message indicating that the developer options have been activated (you may be asked for the PIN or unlock pattern).
Once this is done, you will see a new section in Settings called 'Developer Options'If it doesn't appear, you may need to search for it within 'System' or use the Settings search box.
Step by Step: How to Disable Animations on Android
Now that you have enabled developer options, it's time to change the animation settings.The specific steps may vary (slightly) depending on the make and model of your phone, but in most cases they work like this:
- Go to 'Settings' and enter 'System' (If you don't see it, go directly to 'Developer Options').
- Accede to 'Developer options'.
- Scroll down to the section called 'Drawing' or perhaps 'Rendering'. according to the manufacturer.
- You will find three important options:
- Window animation scale.
- Transition Animation Scale.
- Animation duration scale.
- Click on each one and choose the 'Animation disabled' option.This way, you'll avoid any unnecessary visual effects when opening, closing, or switching between screens.
You can also adjust the speed, if you don't want to do without animations altogether.If you select '0.5x', they will still be there but will be much faster, giving a greater sense of fluidity without completely eliminating the visual effects.
What are the differences between the different animation options?
- Window animation scale: affects pop-up windows (e.g. dialogs when a permission is requested).
- Transition animation scale: controls the effects between different menus or activities (such as switching between menus in settings).
- Animation duration scale: regulates all general system animations, such as switching between open applications.
If you want maximum immediacy, the ideal is to deactivate the threeBut you can experiment with different values to find the balance between speed and aesthetics that suits you best.
Is it really worth disabling animations?
There is no risk or significant negative consequence to disabling animations on Android.In fact, many users with older phones consider it almost essential to adapt the system to their actual performance. The change may seem abrupt at first, as the actions will be immediate and the interface may seem "dry" or abrupt, but the improvement in speed is usually greater. Also, if you ever want to have animations back, just follow the same steps and reactivate them.
On new, powerful, or high-end phones, the effect is less noticeable, but you still gain a small boost in agility, especially for users who prioritize speed over aesthetics.
Are there any alternatives to speed up the phone without affecting the animations?
Disabling animations is just one of the many ways to improve the speed of your Android phone.Some additional tips that appear in several of the articles that rank well are:
- Clear your app cache to free up internal memory and prevent unnecessary data buildup.
- Uninstall apps you don't use or that start automatically (check which ones start automatically in the background in the 'Applications' settings).
- Delete duplicate or unneeded photos or videos and do a general storage cleanup.
- In extreme cases, restore the phone to its factory settings, although this is the most drastic measure and should only be done if all else fails.
Brand-specific solutions: Xiaomi and other custom layers
Some brands offer, within their custom menus, additional ways to speed up animations without going through the developer optionsFor example, on Xiaomi, Redmi, or POCO phones running HyperOS, you can adjust the animation speed from the settings menu:
- Sign in Settings > Home screen.
- Look for the option 'Animation speed' and select 'Fast' to make everything run more quickly.
This specific setting may vary from one version of MIUI, HyperOS or any other layer to another., so use the settings search to find options related to 'animation'
Considerations and warnings when modifying developer options
The developer menu in Android includes numerous advanced featuresWhile changing the speed or disabling animations is safe, it's recommended not to touch other options unless you know exactly what you're doing, as some may affect the operation of the system or certain applications.
Once you're done, you can disable developer mode from the menu itself, if you wish, to prevent accidental changes in the future.
What happens after disabling animations?
After applying these changes, you will notice that the movements through the system are more abrupt and immediate.You'll no longer see visual effects when switching between apps, opening settings, or receiving notifications. The phone may look "rougher" or less attractive, but Actions will be performed quickly and you will increase efficiency in daily use.
The interface will ultimately be simpler and more straightforward, especially benefiting devices with limited resources. If you're not satisfied, you can revert at any time by following the same steps.
Frequently Asked Questions About Disabling Animations on Android
- Are any system functions lost when disabling animations? No, only the visual effects between transitions are removed.
- Is it dangerous for your phone to touch the developer options? No, as long as you only change the animation-related settings. Avoid changing other settings if you don't know what they do.
- Can you go back easily? Yes, you can adjust the scaling or re-enable animations at any time from the developer options.
- Is it worth it on new phones? The speed improvement is usually smaller, but it can still be beneficial for those who prioritize performance over aesthetics.
Extra tips to keep your Android agile
In addition to all of the above, keeping the system and applications updated, avoiding saturating the internal memory and performing periodic cleaning can make a difference.. Take advantage of system optimization tools, whether built-in or third-party, and regularly check which programs are running in the background.
Remember that if, after applying these recommendations, your device is still very slow, it may be time to consider upgrading or restoring it to factory settings to resolve potential conflicts or accumulated overloads. Share this guide and help other users learn this trick..