Smartphones should be restarted roughly once a week to clear system glitches, software specialist Andrei Rybnikov told Russian news outlet Lenta.ru.
Although modern devices are built for prolonged continuous operation and do not require daily shutdowns, completely avoiding reboots can lead to performance issues over time.
Rybnikov, a senior lecturer in the Department of Instrumental and Applied Software at RTU MIREA, explained that temporary system data gradually accumulates while a device is in use. He noted that individual applications can terminate with errors and some background processes continue running longer than necessary.
Operating systems generally handle routine background tasks without user intervention. Over time, however, a handset may switch between applications more slowly, take longer to open menus, consume battery power faster, or periodically lose connection to mobile networks, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth.
Why software updates require rebooting
These performance issues frequently occur when specific software components function incorrectly after updates or extended operation. Rybnikov said a simple reboot terminates troubling processes and restarts core system services in standard operating mode.
He highlighted that restarting is particularly beneficial after installing major operating system updates, as certain system components only begin working fully after a complete reboot. Postponing a restart can lead to elevated battery drain, unstable function behavior, and app interaction errors.
Battery lifespan myths and recommendations
Addressing common assumptions about mobile hardware, Rybnikov emphasized that restarting a device does not prolong its overall service life or preserve battery health. Lithium-ion batteries wear out primarily through charge cycles, exposure to high temperatures, and natural chemical aging rather than continuous runtime without shutting down.
Most smartphone users only need to restart their handsets about once a week, Rybnikov advised. He added that users should also reboot whenever a phone unexpectedly slows down, discharges rapidly, or frequently drops wireless connections.
System data and storage accumulation
RTU MIREA, formally known as Russian Technological University, is a public university in Moscow that specializes in information technology, software development, and electronics. Lenta.ru is a major online news publication based in Moscow.
Mobile devices rely on system caching and background memory management to handle routine tasks, but unmanaged files can accumulate over extended periods. Russian consumers were previously cautioned that system data and application files can gradually occupy a substantial portion of a smartphone's available storage space.
