Android phone feeling slow? How I changed one setting to instantly double the speed

As a full-time smartphone reviewer, I spend most of my year testing Android phones.

By habit, I've picked up several shortcuts, tips, and tricks for setting up handsets, tweaking them so that they perform as best as possible when the verdicts are due.

Also: How to clear your Android phone cache (and why it's the easiest way to speed it up)

One tip I always give to family members, friends, and passersby when asked, "How can I make my phone faster?" is straightforward yet typically hidden: Adjusting the animation speed.

The method of doing so is quick, simple, and absolutely free. As a bonus, you'll feel like the "guy behind the computer" in action movies. Here are the steps.

How to change your animation speed

What you'll need: An Android device and your lock screen password/pin/pattern to enable Developer Options.