How to clean your devices to boost speed and save space

We clean our homes. We wash our clothes. Not only that, but we even Marie Kondo our inboxes. But, what about our devices? Just like our homes, our teach might be due a clean-up. When was the last time you gave your devices a proper refresh?

From dust on your keyboard to cluttered files slowing down your phone, your devices need a little TLC: inside and out. If your laptop wheezes every time you open Chrome or your phone’s getting slower, it can prompt thoughts of needing a new one. Over time, our gadgets get bogged down with files and apps that are no longer needed.

A quick digital tidy-up can make a big difference. Think fewer crashes, faster speeds, and enough freed-up space to make your storage warnings a distant memory.

According to research by O2, nearly half of British mobile phone users are paying for additional mobile storage. Millennials spend over six times more than boomers: £33.36 a year compared to £4.18. That’s a lot to pay just to keep digital clutter!

So, before you think about upgrading, try giving your tech a digital clean instead. Whether you want to make your laptop faster, clear your browsing history, or get rid of a virus on your phone, here’s how to cleanse and protect all your devices, no marigolds required!

Is your device running low on space? No matter how much storage space a device has, over time it starts to run out. Apps, app data, downloads, screenshots, saved memes and other content can take up valuable room, so cleaning up old junk will free up space for fun and new stuff. Otherwise, you might find that you can’t take photos or install apps.

Easy ways to save space on your devices

1. Say no to automatic saving: Apps like WhatsApp can add images to your photo album without you even realising. Check your settings and stop auto-saving where you can.

2. Clean out the voice notes, videos and photos from your chat history: These can unexpectedly take up a lot of space on your device, so remember to occasionally have a clear-out and delete any content you don’t need to avoid unnecessary build-up.

3. Once you’ve listened to it, delete it: Podcast downloads can easily pile up when you subscribe to them weekly, so try to delete episodes once you’ve listened. File sizes can be between 25MB and 50MB per episode, so these can very quickly dominate your device storage.

4. Avoid filming in 4K: This will require significantly more storage space than lower resolutions like 1080p, especially if you like to take numerous videos, because it has four times the number of pixels, meaning more data to store per frame.

5. Remove unused apps: Regularly take stock of how much storage your apps are using. If you’ve not used an app in several weeks, consider whether you really need it.

6. Delete videos you’ll never rewatch: Gig-goers especially are renowned for taking photos at gigs, and while it’s great to capture those memories, do you really need 20 video clips of one song?

If your computer or phone feels slower than usual, it could be because there are too many processes in the background or even hiding a virus.  Hidden malware can use up resources and make everything run sluggishly. A digital clean-up can help your device start faster, run smoother, and reduce security risks.

All this background noise on your device can also contribute to slower WiFi when you try to connect, so the benefits to your device’s performance are numerous.

Quick tips to boost performance

1. Empty the cache: Regularly clear your app and browser cache to free up memory and keep things running smoothly.

2. Update your software: Running the latest versions of your apps or software ensures your device benefits from performance fixes and speed optimisations.

3. Limit background processes: Disable unnecessary background app refresh or startup items, especially on older devices.

Will cleaning my device improve my internet speed?

Cleaning your device will help apps load faster and improve overall performance, but it doesn’t directly make your internet faster. If your WiFi feels slow, the cause is more likely your broadband connection, router placement, or too many devices using the same network.

If your connection still feels sluggish, it might time for an upgrade to get faster speeds.

Wouldn’t it be nice if your battery lasted longer? Well, cleaning your device can significantly extend your battery life. A cluttered device drains power faster. Remove unwanted apps and background activity that consume your device’s battery, and you won’t need to recharge as often.

Quick battery-saving tips

1. Delete battery-draining apps: Some apps or applications constantly run in the background and hog battery power on your laptop, phone or tablet. Ditch the ones you rarely use, especially social media or location-based apps.

2. Lower screen brightness: Your display can be one of the biggest battery consumers. Turn down the brightness or enable auto-brightness to save power.

3. Turn off unused features: Disable Bluetooth, WiFi, GPS or mobile data, if you’re not using them. They quietly drain your battery, even in standby mode.

Many apps keep running in the background and can access your data, including your location, contacts, browsing history and photos. Deleting unused apps will remove unwanted data collection and free up some space too.

Privacy protection checklist

1. Uninstall unused apps with excessive permissions: Old or rarely used apps may still have access to your location, contacts or camera. If you don’t need them, delete them.

2. Review app permissions: Head into your settings and check what data your apps can access. Remove and revoke anything unnecessary.

3. Clear browsing history and cache: As well as speeding up your device, regularly clearing your browser history and cookies can prevent websites from tracking your activity.

4. Remove old accounts and stored logins: Go through your saved passwords or auto-logins and delete accounts you no longer use. Old accounts can be entry points for hackers, especially if you’ve used the same passwords on multiple accounts.

A clean device not only works better, but also lasts longer. Clearing out old apps, files and photos can stop your tech from slowing down or overheating. Regular maintenance keeps your software running smoothly and your device feeling brand new for longer.

That means fewer pricey upgrades and less e-waste. Holding onto your phone for three years instead of two is better for your wallet, the planet and your peace of mind, especially if you’ve got a family full of gadgets.

Viruses and malware can slow things down too. That’s why running a security check is crucial when cleaning your device. But cleaning your device from potential malware is only reacting to existing threats. Protect your newly cleaned devices against any future threats with antivirus software.

Install antivirus software to block malware and harmful websites before they reach you. Now, that’s a win-win!

All Virgin Media broadband customers get Essential Security built at no extra cost. It automatically blocks scam websites and warns you about dangerous links, so your family can browse safely. The best bit? It’s built into your home’s WiFi network, and it’s automatically activated when you join us, so you don’t need to lift a finger. Manage your Essential Security, including parental controls, from My Virgin Media.

Kick things up a notch with our award-winning Virgin Media Advanced Security add-on for £3 a month. It’s packed with premium features that’ll keep you safe on as many devices as you need – even when you’re not connected to your home WiFi.

Sign up here for Virgin Media Advanced Security and start your no-commitment three month-trial. No bank or card details needed. Then download the app on all your devices and stay protected wherever you go.