Speed Up RAM on Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge: Full Guide
To speed up RAM on a Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge, you need to close background apps, clear cached data, and reduce the load on the device’s 4GB of memory. This guide explains the practical steps you can take right now, plus the deeper settings and habits that keep the phone running smoothly.
Why the S7 Edge Feels Slow
The Galaxy S7 Edge shipped with 4GB of LPDDR4 RAM and a Snapdragon 820 or Exynos 8890 processor, depending on your region. While 4GB was generous in 2016, modern apps and the latest Android versions (if you’ve updated) use more memory than they did at launch. When RAM fills up, the system has to constantly close and reload apps, which causes lag, stuttering, and longer app opening times.
Also, the S7 Edge’s software (TouchWiz, later One UI) runs many background services. Combined with apps that keep refreshing in the background, the free RAM can drop to near zero, forcing the phone to use slower storage as virtual memory.
Quick Ways to Free Up RAM Now
These steps give you immediate relief without changing any settings permanently.
- Close recent apps: Tap the Recents button (the square icon) and swipe away each app card. This kills the app’s process and releases its RAM.
- Use the built-in RAM cleaner: On the Recents screen, tap “Close all� (the down arrow or X icon). On some versions, you can also tap “Clear all� to wipe the list.
- Restart the phone: A fresh boot clears all cached RAM and resets misbehaving processes. Do this once a week if you use many apps.
- Turn on Device Maintenance: Go to Settings → Device Maintenance → Memory and tap “Clean now.� This kills background apps and clears temporary files.
These actions free up RAM instantly, but they don’t stop apps from reloading later. For a longer-term fix, continue with the next sections.
Adjust Settings to Reduce RAM Usage
Changing a few system settings can significantly lower the amount of RAM the phone uses on its own.
- Limit background processes: Go to Settings → Developer Options → Background process limit and choose “At most 2 processes� or “At most 3 processes.� This stops apps from running in the background, but it may delay notifications from apps like WhatsApp or email. (To enable Developer Options, go to Settings → About phone → Software information and tap “Build number� seven times.)
- Turn off animations: In Developer Options, set Window animation scale, Transition animation scale, and Animator duration scale to 0.5x or off. This makes the phone feel faster and reduces the CPU/GPU load, which indirectly helps RAM management.
- Disable unused apps: Go to Settings → Apps, select an app you rarely use (like Facebook, Bixby, or Samsung Health), and tap “Disable.â€� Disabled apps don’t run in the background and don’t consume RAM.
- Use “Sleeping apps� in Device Maintenance: In Settings → Device Maintenance → Battery → App power management, add apps to “Sleeping apps� so they never run in the background unless you open them.
These settings trade background functionality for speed. If you rely on instant messaging or email notifications, you may want to keep background limits moderate.
Clear Cached Data and Bloatware
Cached data is temporary files that apps store to load faster. Over time, this cache can grow to several gigabytes and slow down the system, especially when the phone is low on storage. Clearing it frees up RAM and storage space.
- Clear system cache: Turn off the phone, then press and hold Volume Up + Home + Power until the recovery menu appears. Use volume keys to navigate to “Wipe cache partition� and press Power to select. This clears the system cache without deleting personal data.
- Clear individual app caches: Go to Settings → Apps → [App Name] → Storage → Clear cache. Do this for heavy apps like Chrome, Instagram, and YouTube.
- Remove bloatware: Many carrier-branded apps run in the background. You can disable them via Settings → Apps, or if you’re comfortable, use ADB commands to uninstall them completely (requires a PC and USB debugging).
Be careful not to clear app data (as opposed to cache), because that will delete your login information and settings.
Use the Right Apps and Habits
Your app choices and usage patterns have a big impact on RAM.
- Use lightweight alternatives: For example, use “Facebook Lite� or the mobile website instead of the full Facebook app, which is known to be memory-hungry. Similarly, use “Twitter Lite� or a browser for Twitter.
- Don’t use “RAM boosterâ€� apps: These apps claim to free RAM but actually run in the background themselves, using more memory. The built-in Device Maintenance is sufficient.
- Close apps you’re done with: Instead of leaving many apps in the recents list, swipe them away when you finish using them. The phone will keep them in RAM for fast switching, but if you rarely return to them, closing them frees memory.
- Keep the software updated: Samsung and Google have released performance improvements over the years. Check for updates in Settings → Software update.
These habits reduce the average RAM usage, leaving more headroom for the apps you actually use.
When to Consider a Factory Reset
If the phone is still slow after trying all the above, a factory reset can restore it to a near-new state. This wipes all data, so back up your photos, contacts, and files first.
- Go to Settings → General Management → Reset → Factory data reset.
- Tap “Reset� and then “Delete all.�
- After the reset, set up the phone and restore only the apps you really need.
A factory reset clears all accumulated junk, including app caches, residual files, and any software glitches that may be causing memory leaks. It’s the most thorough software fix available for a slow S7 Edge.
Hardware Limitations and Upgrades
No software trick can increase the physical RAM on the S7 Edge. The 4GB is soldered to the motherboard, so you cannot add more. If the phone is extremely slow even after a reset, it may be due to aging hardware—the battery may be degraded, or the internal storage may be failing. In that case, consider replacing the battery or, if the phone is over 4 years old, upgrading to a newer device.
Also, note that the S7 Edge will not receive Android 8.0 (Oreo) or later updates officially. The last official update was Android 8.0 for some regions, but many are stuck on Android 7.0. Newer apps may not be optimized for these older versions, which can cause higher RAM usage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does clearing RAM actually speed up the phone?
Yes, but only temporarily. When you clear RAM, apps that were running in the background are closed, freeing memory for the foreground app. This can reduce lag immediately, but as you continue using the phone, apps will reload and fill the RAM again. It’s a quick fix, not a permanent solution.
Will a factory reset make my S7 Edge faster?
In most cases, yes. A factory reset removes all accumulated junk, cached data, and any software issues that may be causing memory leaks. After a reset, the phone runs like it did when new. However, if the hardware is degraded, the improvement may be temporary.
Is it safe to disable system apps?
Disabling system apps is safe if you only disable apps you don’t use, like Bixby or Samsung Health. However, disabling critical system components (like “System UIâ€� or “Settingsâ€�) can cause problems. Stick to disabling apps that are clearly bloatware, and avoid anything you’re unsure about.
Can I increase the RAM on my S7 Edge?
No, the RAM is soldered to the motherboard and cannot be upgraded. The only way to get more memory is to buy a different phone. Some apps can create a “swap fileâ€� on the storage, but this is slower than real RAM and can wear out the storage faster, so it’s not recommended.
Why does my S7 Edge have only 1.5GB of free RAM?
Android uses a large portion of RAM for system processes and caching. Having 1.5GB free out of 4GB is normal. The system tries to keep apps in memory so they can be reopened quickly. Low free RAM isn’t necessarily a problem; what matters is whether the phone feels responsive.
Will updating to a custom ROM help?
Custom ROMs (like LineageOS) are based on newer Android versions and are often lighter than Samsung’s stock firmware. They can reduce RAM usage and improve performance. However, installing a custom ROM requires unlocking the bootloader, which voids the warranty and carries a risk of bricking the phone. Only do this if you’re comfortable with the process.
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