Over time, it's common for Android phones to start running less smoothly. Apps take longer to open, navigating through menus becomes frustrating, and the feeling of slowness can make you want to put your phone away. Many attribute these problems to aging hardware or an accumulation of files and apps, but the truth is that there are small tricks that can make a considerable difference in your daily experience. One of the most effective is Disable or modify Android system animations through the well-known Developer Options.
While these options may seem intimidating at first, the reality is that they're within reach of any user and will allow your device to react to your actions more quickly. Throughout this article, we'll delve into how these animations work, explain how to disable them step by step, what effects they have, the considerations to keep in mind according to the manufacturer, and give you all the details on how to get the most out of this feature, as well as other advanced options to maximize the speed of your Android.
Why does Android become slower over time?
There can be many reasons behind the loss of performance on your phone. Hardware ages and updates to both the operating system and applications tend to require more and more resources. In addition, the accumulation of Temporary files, cache, and background apps This makes the phone not perform as well as it did on the first day. However, there is another factor that is rarely mentioned: operating system animations.
These animations are designed to provide a more engaging visual experience when you open an app, switch windows, or navigate between different menus. However, on devices with limited resources, or simply after a few years, these transitions can slow down the entire system. By reducing or disabling animations you will gain immediacy (although at the cost of losing a bit of its attractiveness).
What exactly are system animations?
The Android animations These are small visual effects that accompany every important action: opening an application, changing menus, going back, displaying a window, etc. Their role is to smooth the transition between different visual states and provide a sense of fluidity and continuity. Some recognizable examples are:
- Application opening animation: The icon expands and the app appears to “unfold” on the screen.
- Transitions between menus and settings: Switching from one menu to another is done by sliding, fading, or scaling.
- Effects of switching apps (multitasking): : Movements and scaling make the viewing experience more enjoyable.
These animations improve aesthetics and the perception of fluidity, but require time and resources, and on older or low-power mobile phones they can become an obstacle to speed.
Is it really useful to disable these animations?
The answer is absolutely yes, especially on older or low-end terminals. Disable or speed up animations It doesn't actually increase the hardware's power, but it does eliminate minor delays introduced for purely visual reasons. This means you'll switch between screens in less time, notice greater "immediate responsiveness," and the overall feeling will be more agile. Many users even report that it feels like they have a new phone after applying this tweakment.
On recent or high-end models, the impact may be less noticeable, as the hardware is able to run animations without slowing down. However, even in these cases, the most demanding users may prefer a seamless experience for the greatest possible immediacy.
How to access Developer Options on Android
The animation adjustment is not readily apparent, as Google prefers that most users not touch certain advanced settings. However, The Developer Options menu is available on all Android devices and it's easy to unlock. Here are the standard steps (they may vary slightly depending on the Android version or customization layer):
- Open the Settings app of your mobile.
- Scroll to About of the phone (on some models it may be under Software information o System information).
- Search the field Build Number and press it repeatedly seven timesThe system will display a message indicating the remaining keystrokes.
- Enter your security code or PIN if requested.
- You will see a notice of the type "Now you are a developer".
- Return to the main Settings menu and look for the new section Developer Options; is usually found in the section System o Advanced settings.
CouncilIf you can't find the exact location on your device, use the Settings search engine and type "developer" to quickly locate it.
How to disable or speed up system animations step by step
Once inside Developer Options, you'll have access to a multitude of advanced settings. We recommend changing only those related to animations If you're not an advanced user, since touching other options may affect your phone's performance. These are the settings we're interested in:
- Window animation scale
- Transition-animation scale
- Animation duration scale
Each of these parameters has values such as 1x (default), 0,5x (faster animations), or Animation off. Choose according to your preference:
- If you want maximum immediacy, select Animation off in all three options.
- If you prefer to keep it a little soft, choose 0,5x so that the animations are faster but don't disappear completely.
This simple change will make navigating between apps and menus practically instantaneous. The effect is even more noticeable the older or more limited the hardware.
What happens after disabling animations?
When applying this setting, you will notice that everything responds instantly. However, the system will stop displaying the transition visual effects, which may feel "strange" if you've been used to seeing them for years. For some, it may seem abrupt, but the improvement in speed is evidentIf you are not satisfied after a few days, you can go back and restore the original value (1x) or try intermediate adjustments.
Disabling animations will not harm your phone under any circumstances. The entire process is reversible and does not imply loss of information or affect the security of the device.
What do the specific tweaks do on Xiaomi, Redmi, and POCO models running HyperOS?
Some manufacturers like Xiaomi offer extra alternatives. If you have a Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO model with HyperOS, you can modify the animation speed directly from the settings menu (without activating Developer Options):
- Sign in Settings and then Starting screen.
- Locate the option Animation speed and select Quick.
This feature adapts the speed of transitions, providing an immediate feel in everyday use. If your model allows it, try both modes to see which suits you best.
Extra tips to optimize your mobile speed
In addition to modifying animations, there are other recommendations that can make your Android fly:
- Remove or disable unnecessary apps: Review which apps you don't use and delete or disable them to free up RAM and storage.
- Clear the cache: Some apps accumulate temporary data that slows down the system.
- Check the apps that start automatically: : Limits which ones can boot automatically when the device is turned on.
- Update the operating system and apps: Make sure you have the latest versions available to benefit from performance improvements.
- Activate maximum performance mode if your device allows it (in the battery or performance settings), although this may consume more battery or generate heat.
- Avoid using thick covers that hinder heat dissipation, especially in summer.
By applying a set of these tips along with disabling animations, you'll see a noticeable improvement in your daily experience.
What else can you do from Developer Options?
Android's hidden menu contains other interesting tricks for those looking to take things a step further. A few are worth mentioning (always proceeding with caution):
- Hardware accelerated rendering (4x MSAA): Improves graphics performance in games, although it may increase battery consumption and heating.
- USB debugging: Allows you to connect your phone to your computer and perform advanced tasks using ADB (Android Debug Bridge), such as installing ROMs, making advanced backups, or controlling the device from your PC.
- Freezing apps: Disables pre-installed apps that the system doesn't allow to be deleted, freeing up resources and helping the phone run faster.
If you don't have any previous experience, stick to animation-related features and seek reliable references before modifying other options.
How to revert changes made
Experimenting with animations is completely safe, and if you ever want to return to the original settings, just follow these steps:
- Go back to Settings > Developer Options.
- Resets the animation values to 1x or choose the speed you prefer.
- If you want to completely disable the developer menu, use the corresponding toggle at the top of the menu. This will make Developer Options disappear until you re-enable them following the same steps as above.
This way, you can easily experiment with different settings until you find the one that best suits your usage style.
Points to consider before modifying animations
Before you jump into changing these settings, it's important to know that:
- The viewing experience may become more "dry" or abrupt, since the lack of animations removes some of the visual appeal, but performance is greatly improved.
- On very powerful devices, the difference may not be as noticeable, but for users who prioritize immediacy, it's still useful.
- Everything is reversible: You can turn them back on at any time if you miss the smooth transitions.
- If your Android version or customization layer has changed the location of these settings, you can use the Settings search engine to easily find them.
Disabling or speeding up Android system animations through the Developer Options It's one of the simplest and most effective ways to increase the speed of your phone, especially if it's starting to show signs of slowness. Combining this trick with a quick cleanup of apps, memory, and other recommended settings will get your phone running like new, even if it's a few years old.
You don't have to be an advanced user to notice the benefits, and with a few simple steps you can experience immediate improvement, with the peace of mind that you can go back whenever you want. If you're looking for a faster Android to respond and don't want to complicate things, try adjusting the animations: You will notice the change in your daily life. Share the guide and help other users improve their Android experience..