Explain to me how to clear RAM please

[rbell2915]

I've noticed that my RAM is currently 85-95% full and sometimes my phone is pretty laggy. Is there anyway to clear the RAM and make it faster? Thanks!

 

[B. Diddy]

Android is designed to keep RAM relatively full, so 85% isn't that unusual. 95% is pushing it a bit, but I wouldn't recommend using "RAM cleaner" apps, since they tend to be from shady developers who sneak in a lot of other unwanted features. In addition, these kinds of apps can contribute to poor performance by automatically closing apps on a regular basis, which prompts the system to open apps again, leading to a vicious cycle (that bogs down performance and drains battery).

Instead, let's try to figure out if there's an app you're using that's hogging too many resources. Check your Settings>Memory>Memory Used By App menu, and see if anything has been using an inordinate amount of RAM. Show us a screenshot of that menu as well.

 

[rbell2915]

Thanks for your reply and recommendation against using a RAM clearer app. Here are some screenshots. Yesterday it was at 95% so I'm pleased to see it's gone down slightly. Not sure what action I did to cause that though.

 

[njdan30]

I use the maintenance widget every so often to speed my phone up when laggy, just tap optimize

Edit sorry thought this was an s8 plus forum why it showed up for nexus on my feed is beyond me. Sorry I don't own one of those

 

[VAVA Mk2]

Android is designed to keep RAM relatively full, so 85% isn't that unusual. 95% is pushing it a bit, but I wouldn't recommend using "RAM cleaner" apps, since they tend to be from shady developers who sneak in a lot of other unwanted features. In addition, these kinds of apps can contribute to poor performance by automatically closing apps on a regular basis, which prompts the system to open apps again, leading to a vicious cycle (that bogs down performance and drains battery).

Instead, let's try to figure out if there's an app you're using that's hogging too many resources. Check your Settings>Memory>Memory Used By App menu, and see if anything has been using an inordinate amount of RAM. Show us a screenshot of that menu as well.

Why is Android designed to use most of its RAM? What is the benefit?

 

[danysuza]

google's products does this I think, like chrome eats a lot of RAM too.. But its for better functionality and output of course

 

[B. Diddy]

Why is Android designed to use most of its RAM? What is the benefit?

The idea is to have apps ready to go when you switch to them. The system will keep recently opened apps in RAM, or open commonly used apps into RAM. This allows for a smoother and quicker transitions between apps. If you were to clear an app out of RAM every time you left it, and kept RAM as empty as possible, then switching from one app to another would take longer, as each app you opened had to do a "cold start," as it were (which also takes more battery).

This article from Jerry Hildenbrand is old, but still quite relevant: https://www.androidcentral.com/ram-what-it-how-its-used-and-why-you-shouldnt-care

 

[Tim1954]

It's analogous to you cooking a magnificent feast for dinner, but having your ingredients prepared and utensils out ready to go beforehand. Saves time when you want to start cooking.

 

[N4Newbie]

It's analogous to you cooking a magnificent feast for dinner, but having your ingredients prepared and utensils out ready to go beforehand. Saves time when you want to start cooking.

Good analogy, but now you have gone and made me hungry...

 

[Aquila]

You want it full. The padawns are correct.

 

[rbell2915]

Interesting thank you for the help

 

[Tomster88]

I use the maintenance widget every so often to speed my phone up when laggy, just tap optimize//uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170813/aaa5808fbfc6547df286d5c9f2e4c2e9.jpg
Edit sorry thought this was an s8 plus forum why it showed up for nexus on my feed is beyond me. Sorry I don't own one of those

I love your setup. That looks sweet

 

[Tim1954]

Doesn't matter really, ram is the same in all android devices... It's great to have your input mate!