How to Reboot an Android Smartphone or Tablet GA S REGULAR Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search Close GO Mobile Phones > Android
How to Reboot an Android Smartphone or Tablet
Restart phones and tablets with ease
By Daniel Nations Daniel Nations Writer University of Texas at Arlington Daniel Nations has been a tech journalist since 1994. His work has appeared in Computer Currents, The Examiner, and other publications. He is a developer who has published apps in the Apple App Store, Google Play marketplace and Amazon Appstore; he also has worked as a data analyst and DB administrator. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on August 20, 2022 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email In This Article
Expand Jump to a Section Use the Power Button Do a Hard Reboot Remove the Battery Try Closing Apps Frequently Asked Questions Sometimes you need to reboot (or restart) a wonky Android device to solve problems such as freezing/crashing apps and slow performance. The specifics might differ, but these reboot instructions generally apply regardless of the phone manufacturer or Android version. How to Fix It When an Android Tablet Is Running Slow or Freezing Press the Power Button
Press the power button and hold it down for several seconds. The power button is usually on the right side of the device. After a few seconds, a menu should appear with the Power Off option. The latest Android version might offer other options, including Restart, which is a better option. Do a Hard Reboot
Even when the Android operating system can't display the power down menu, you can perform a hard reboot, also known as a hard restart; this is different from a reset or manufacturer's reset. Not every Android device is programmed to do a hard reboot the same way. Many devices reboot when you hold down the power button. However, it may take 10 to 20 seconds before the system reboots. If the operating system doesn't respond, try holding down both the power and volume up buttons for up to 20 seconds. After that, the screen will go black, signaling that the device has powered down. Remove the Battery
If you have a battery in your Android, try removing it to reboot. This method works only if you have a removable battery, but it can be a great backup if you've exhausted all other options. Don't touch the battery or any components on the device with your fingers. Instead, use a piece of plastic, such as a guitar pick, to pop the battery out. Some devices include a battery lock or switch that you must press to pop it out. Try Closing Apps Instead
You don't always need to reboot to solve problems. If your device is running slowly, closing a few apps might speed it up. That's because, when you leave an app, Android keeps it available so that you can quickly switch back to it. In the meantime, the app continues to consume memory. Swipe up to show recently used apps, and then swipe up on each app to close it. Close Recently Used Apps
Some Android devices have a Recently Used Apps button in the lower-left corner of the device. To close apps in this view, tap the X on each app or tap Close All. Task Manager
If these options don't work, try long-pressing (or double-tapping) the Home button to bring up a menu with several options, including one for the Task Manager. In the Task Manager, you can choose to close or exit apps. On some phones, the Task Manager is a Pie Chart icon. FAQ Why does my phone randomly restart? If your Android phone randomly restarts, you may have a poor quality app, your device may be overheating, there may be a loose battery, or system apps were disabled. Try uninstalling any recently installed apps, reduce screen brightness to stop overheating, check your battery, and enable system apps. What happens when I restart my phone? When you restart a phone, everything in your RAM is cleared out, purging fragments of previously running apps and closing any open apps. With a fresh start, apps will load and perform more quickly, and you'll see an overall performance improvement. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Get Rid of a Virus on an Android Tablet How to Reboot Your iPad (Even If It's Frozen) How to Close Apps on an Apple Watch How to Fix Black Screen on Android Phones How to Close Apps on Android How to Fix the Oculus Quest Black Screen of Death How to Turn Safe Mode On and Off on Android How to Force-Quit or Close an iPad App How to Force-Quit a Program (Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista, XP) How to Reset the iPod Touch Without Losing Your Music Android 13: News, Release Date, and Features How to Fix It When Chromecast Isn't Working What Is a Power Button and What Are the On/Off Symbols? What Is a Hard Drive Activity Light? (HDD LED) How to Properly Reboot (Restart) a Windows Computer How to Close Apps on an Amazon Fire Tablet Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies