In today's technological age, smartphone performance is a crucial aspect of daily life. With constant use, these devices accumulate unnecessary files and data, resulting in full storage, incomplete updates, and, in simpler models, daily slowdowns. To combat this problem, there are a good number of optimization apps—but not everything advertised as an "accelerator" remains available or delivers on its promises.
This article compiles eight apps that were individually reviewed on the Brazilian Google Play Store. For each one, you'll find information on its practical functionality, its publisher, and details about advertising and in-app purchases on the app store. All are Android titles, officially distributed through the Google Play Store.
8 apps to speed up Android
1. Google Files
Google Files (com.google.android.apps.nbu.filesThis app combines a file manager and a cleaning assistant. It suggests deleting cache, temporary files, duplicate images, large videos, and apps that haven't been running for months, always showing how much space each action frees up. It also transfers files between phones without using your data allowance.
It's the only one on the list whose Play Store listing doesn't say either "Contains ads" or "In-app purchases": free, ad-free, and no in-app purchases. Published by Google and available only for Android.
2. CCleaner
CCleaner – Cell Phone Cleaner (com.piriform.ccleaner, (from Piriform) is known for cleaning temporary files and organizing internal storage. On mobile phones, it also lists installed apps by size and inactivity time, making it easier to decide what to remove to reclaim space.
The page displays the warnings "Contains ads" and "In-app purchases," with items ranging from R$ 2.70 to R$ 199.99. Manual cleaning is free but includes advertising; scheduled cleaning is part of the paid plan. It is available on Android and also in the Brazilian App Store, through the same company, Piriform.
3. Avast Cleanup
Developed by Avast Software, Avast Cleanup (com.avast.android.cleanerIt is particularly effective at identifying duplicate, blurry, or low-quality photos, as well as pointing out apps that are rarely opened and suggesting their uninstallation.
On the Play Store, it appears with "Contains ads" and "In-app purchases," ranging from R$ 1.29 to R$ 269.99. The free version covers basic cleaning; automatic app hibernation and ad removal depend on the subscription.
4. AVG Cleaner
AVG Cleaner (com.avg.cleaner, AVG Mobile's Avast Cleanup is the sibling of Avast Cleanup and covers the same ground: storage analysis, hidden cache cleaning, gallery organization, and a panel showing which apps consume the most battery. Choose one of the two; keeping both installed only takes up space.
The entry lists "Contains ads" and "In-app purchases," ranging from R$ 1.29 to R$ 214.99. Android only.
5. SD Maid 2/SE
SD Maid 2/SE (eu.darken.sdmse, (from developer darken) is for those who want detailed control over files and applications. It cleans up orphaned files left by uninstalled programs, finds duplicates, compacts system databases, and displays everything in reviewable lists before deleting anything.
There are no advertising labels; the listing shows "In-app purchases," ranging from R$ 5.99 to R$ 11.99, to unlock advanced features. The older version, SD Maid 1, is still listed, but it no longer receives updates—go directly to version 2/SE.
6. Norton Cleaner
Norton Cleaner (com.symantec.cleansweep, (from NortonMobile) performs a more streamlined and stress-free cleanup: residual files, application cache, similar photos, and a list of rarely used programs. The interface is simple and doesn't bombard the user with alerts.
It doesn't have the "Contains ads" label; the listing states "In-app purchases," ranging from R$ 5.99 to R$ 119.00. It's a cleaner—don't confuse it with Norton 360, which is the brand's antivirus and charges an annual subscription.
7. Greenify
Greenify (com.oasisfeng.greenifyThis approach follows a different logic: instead of deleting files, it hibernates applications that keep waking up on their own in the background. The idea is to reduce battery consumption and free up memory on older devices.
The listing doesn't say "Contains ads" or "In-app purchases"—it's free and ad-free. An honest warning is in order: recent versions of Android automatically manage background apps, so Greenify's gains are much lower on newer phones than they were a few years ago, and it's also the least updated app on this list.
8. Nova Launcher
Although it is not a cleaning app, Nova Launcher (com.teslacoilsw.launcher, (Published today by Instabridge Sweden AB) replaces the device's home screen with a lighter, more configurable version. On phones with heavy factory interfaces, this reduces unnecessary animations and widgets, making navigation more straightforward.
Attention: the current listing on the Play Store shows both "Contains ads" and "In-app purchases," with items ranging from R$ 4.99 to R$ 529.99. Basic customization is free, and advanced features are available in the paid version.
Beware of accelerators that have left the store.
Names that dominated the category for years, such as Clean Master, DU Speed Booster, Battery Doctor, and Advanced Mobile Care, are no longer on Google Play. The pages for these apps return an error, and their removal is associated with a violation of Google's policies.
Those searching for them today often end up on websites that distribute the APK file externally. This route bypasses the store's security checks and delivers a package that may have been altered by third parties—exactly the risk that removal was intended to prevent. If any of them are still on your device, uninstall them and replace them with one of the options above.
Conclusion
Keeping a smartphone running optimally is fundamental for a good user experience, but it's advisable to adjust expectations: cleaning apps recover space and organize files, but they don't multiply processor performance. For most people, Google Files is sufficient, free of charge and without ads. Those who want detail can find it in SD Maid 2/SE; those who prefer complete dashboards have CCleaner, Avast Cleanup, AVG Cleaner, and Norton Cleaner — remembering that many of them display advertising and sell features within the app.
Greenify and Nova Launcher address another aspect of the problem: background resource consumption and interface weight, and make a bigger difference on older devices. Always install from the Google Play Store and check the list before deleting anything. If you notice any outdated information here, please let us know at [email protected].
Before deciding, check these points.
- Last updated and supported. An application without a recent update tends to break with the next system version.
- Billing model. Check if it's free with ads, pay-per-view, or subscription-based — and the price range for in-app purchases.
- Permissions requested. An app should only request what it needs to function. Requests for access to contacts, messages, or accessibility without reason are a red flag.
- What the app actually does. Compare the description on the store page with recent reviews. The difference between the two often reveals what the advertisement omits.
What these apps don't do
Every category has a limit, and knowing this one's limit saves time and money by avoiding those who promise more than what's available.
- They can't do what the device's hardware doesn't allow. A feature without a corresponding sensor doesn't exist in software.
- The free version often limits exports, applies a watermark, or restricts the number of uses per day.
- A high rating in the store doesn't guarantee quality: it's worth reading recent, negative reviews.
- An app that promises impossible results usually exists only to display advertising.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the app free?
Generally, the download is limited or may include advertising. Check the price range for in-app purchases on the store page.
Does it take up a lot of space?
The size appears in the store, but it increases with use due to caching. Clearing the cache frees up space without losing settings.
Is there a native alternative?
It's worth checking out. Android and iOS come with several ready-made functions that eliminate the need to install another app.
Does it consume a lot of battery?
Check the usage per app in the settings and restrict background activity for any that are high.
Does it work without internet?
It depends: those that process on the device work offline; those that depend on a server require an internet connection.
