Android phone frozen? How to unfreeze it and stop it happening

2 min read · 8 steps · Updated 2 October 2026

A frozen phone shows a picture that no longer reacts to anything. The restart in the first step almost always brings it back. The remaining steps deal with the cause, so work through them if the phone freezes more than once.

Menu names below are from Google Pixel phones on a recent Android version. Samsung, Xiaomi and other brands rename some of them. The pictures are simplified diagrams of the screen, not screenshots.

Step by step

1. Force a restart

   If the screen is on but frozen, hold down the power button for about 30 seconds, until the phone restarts. On some phones you hold the power button and the volume down button together.

   Done

2. Check for an Android update

   Open Settings, tap System, then Software update, and install what is offered. On some phones the entry is under About phone.

   Done

3. Check the storage

   Open Settings and tap Storage. If less than 10% is free, clear space. A full phone is one of the most common reasons for freezing. See how to free up storage on an Android phone.

   Done

4. Update your apps

   Open the Play Store, tap your profile picture, then Manage apps & devices, and update everything under Updates available.

   Done

5. Force stop apps you do not need

   Open Settings, tap Apps, then See all apps. Tap an app, tap Force stop and confirm with OK.

   Done

6. Test in safe mode

   If the freezes continue, start the phone in safe mode, which disables the apps you downloaded. The steps are in how to start an Android phone in safe mode.

   Done

7. Uninstall recent apps one by one

   If the phone runs smoothly in safe mode, restart normally and remove the apps you installed last, one at a time, restarting after each.

   Done

8. Last resort: factory reset

   A reset removes all data. Back up first with how to back up an Android phone to your Google Account, then follow how to factory reset an Android phone.

   Done

Good to know

If only one app freezes while the rest of the phone works, see Android apps keep crashing: 7 fixes that work.

If the phone is slow rather than frozen: Android phone running slow: 8 ways to speed it up.

If the screen shows a picture but ignores touches in one area only, the glass may be the problem: Android touchscreen not working: 8 fixes to try.

In short: Hold power for 30 seconds, update Android, free up storage, update apps, force stop, safe mode, uninstall recent apps, factory reset.