RCA Tablet Apollo Review: Proven Performance Fixes

 

RCA Tablet Apollo review: Proven fixes for slow performance? Yes, these easy steps can boost your tablet’s speed and responsiveness, making it feel like new again without needing a replacement.

Is your RCA Tablet Apollo feeling sluggish? Do apps take ages to open, or does the whole system freeze up sometimes? You’re not alone! Many tablet users, especially with budget-friendly options like the Apollo, experience a dip in performance over time. It can be frustrating when your device doesn’t keep up with your needs. But don’t worry, there are some simple yet effective ways to bring back its pep. We’ve gathered proven methods that can help your RCA Tablet Apollo run smoother and faster, giving you a much better user experience.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through easy-to-follow steps, from clearing out clutter to understanding software updates. Let’s get your RCA Tablet Apollo performing at its best!

RCA Tablet Apollo Review: What to Expect

Before we dive into the fixes, let’s quickly set the stage with a brief RCA Tablet Apollo review. The RCA Apollo is typically positioned as an affordable entry-level tablet, often targeted at users who need a device for basic tasks like browsing the web, checking emails, using social media, and casual gaming. It’s a great option for students, families, or anyone looking for a secondary tablet without breaking the bank.

While the Apollo offers good value, its specifications are generally modest. This means that over time, or with heavy usage, it can start to show signs of slowing down. Understanding these limitations is key to managing expectations and applying the right fixes. Our goal is to help you maximize the performance of the device you have, so you can enjoy it for longer.

Common Reasons for Slow Performance on RCA Tablet Apollo

Several factors can contribute to a tablet becoming slow. For budget-friendly devices like the Apollo, these issues can become more pronounced. Here are some of the most common culprits:

• Too many apps running in the background: Apps that continue to operate even when you’re not actively using them consume precious RAM and processor power.
• Low storage space: When your tablet’s internal storage is nearly full, it struggles to create temporary files and operate efficiently.
• Outdated software: Both the operating system and individual apps can have performance improvements and bug fixes released through updates.
• Accumulated cache data: Over time, apps store temporary files (cache) that can become bloated and hinder performance.
• Too many widgets or live wallpapers: These can constantly consume resources to update their information or animations.
• Malware or intrusive apps: Although less common on Android tablets compared to PCs, malicious software can significantly slow down your device.
• Hardware limitations: While we’re focusing on software fixes, it’s important to acknowledge that older or lower-spec hardware has its limits.

Proven Performance Fixes for Your RCA Tablet Apollo

Now, let’s get to the good stuff – how to actually make your RCA Tablet Apollo faster! We’ve organized these fixes from simplest to more involved, so you can try them one by one.

1. Restart Your Tablet Regularly

This is the simplest and often most effective fix. A simple reboot can clear temporary memory glitches, close rogue processes, and refresh your system, giving it a clean slate to work from. Think of it as giving your tablet a mini-vacation!

How to do it:

1. Press and hold the power button on your RCA Tablet Apollo.
2. A menu will appear on the screen. Tap on “Restart” or “Reboot.”
3. Wait for the tablet to power off and then back on completely.

Try to do this at least once a week, or whenever you notice a significant slowdown.

2. Close Unused Apps and Manage Background Processes

As mentioned, apps running in the background are a major performance drain. You need to actively close them when you’re done.

How to do it:

1. Tap the “Recents” or “Overview” button. This is usually a square icon at the bottom of your screen or accessible by a swipe gesture, depending on your Android version.
2. You’ll see a carousel of apps currently open or recently used.
3. Swipe each app card away (usually left or right) to close it.

For more advanced management (and if you’re comfortable doing so), you can also check battery or app settings for active processes.

3. Free Up Storage Space

A tablet needs breathing room! When your storage is full, it affects not only the ability to install new apps but also the tablet’s ability to function smoothly. Aim to keep at least 10-15% of your storage free.

What to delete or move:

• Unused Apps: Go through your app list and uninstall anything you haven’t used in months.
• Photos & Videos: Transfer photos and videos to a computer, cloud storage (like Google Photos, Dropbox, or OneDrive), or an SD card if your tablet supports it.
• Downloaded Files: Check your “Downloads” folder for old PDFs, music files, or app installers you no longer need.
• App Cache (coming up next!): Clearing cache can free up significant space.

How to check storage:

1. Go to your tablet’s Settings.
2. Tap on Storage (or Device Care > Storage).
3. This will show you a breakdown of what’s taking up space.

4. Clear App Cache and Data

Apps store temporary files called cache to help them load faster. However, sometimes this cache can become corrupted or overly large, causing the app—and thus the tablet—to slow down.

How to clear cache for individual apps:

1. Go to Settings > Apps (or Applications).
2. Find the app causing issues or a frequently used app. Tap on it.
3. Tap on Storage.
4. Tap Clear Cache.

Important Note: Be cautious when tapping “Clear Data” or “Clear Storage” for an app, as this will reset the app to its default state, deleting all your login information, settings, and saved files within that app. Only do this if you know you want to completely reset an app.

5. Update Your Software and Apps

Manufacturers and app developers frequently release updates that include performance enhancements, bug fixes, and security patches. Keeping your RCA Tablet Apollo up-to-date is crucial for optimal performance.

How to update your Android OS:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Scroll down and tap on System (or About tablet).
3. Tap on System update (or Software update).
4. If an update is available, follow the on-screen instructions to download and install it. Ensure your tablet is connected to Wi-Fi and has enough battery or is plugged in.

How to update your apps:

1. Open the Google Play Store app.
2. Tap your profile icon in the top right corner.
3. Tap Manage apps & device.
4. Under “Updates available,” tap Update all, or select individual apps to update.

6. Uninstall Unused Apps and Widgets, Disable Live Wallpapers

Apps you don’t use are taking up storage and potentially running background processes. Widgets, especially those that update frequently (like weather or news widgets), consume resources. Live wallpapers are animated backgrounds that can be particularly demanding on your tablet’s processor and battery.

How to uninstall an app:

1. Go to Settings > Apps.
2. Tap the app you want to remove.
3. Tap Uninstall.

Alternatively, you can often press and hold an app icon on your home screen until an “Uninstall” option appears.

How to remove widgets:

1. On your home screen, press and hold the widget you want to remove.
2. Drag it to the “Remove” or “Uninstall” option that appears at the top or bottom of the screen.

How to disable live wallpapers:

1. Go to your tablet’s Settings.
2. Look for Display or Wallpaper.
3. Choose a static wallpaper instead of animated ones.

7. Use a Lite Version of Apps (If Available)

For many popular apps (like Facebook Lite, Messenger Lite, Twitter Lite, etc.), developers offer “Lite” versions. These are specifically designed to use less storage, less RAM, and consume less data, making them perfect for budget tablets like the RCA Apollo.

How to find Lite apps:

1. Open the Google Play Store.
2. Search for the app you use (e.g., “Facebook”).
3. Look for “Lite” versions in the search results or app description.
4. Install the Lite version if it meets your needs.

8. Manage Browser Tabs and Data

Your web browser can be a significant resource hog. Having too many tabs open simultaneously, especially on websites with lots of dynamic content, can slow down your tablet considerably.

Best practices for better browsing:

• Close unused tabs: Regularly close any browser tabs you are no longer actively using.
• Clear browser cache and cookies: This is different from app cache. You can usually find this in the browser’s settings menu under “Privacy” or “Site Settings.” Clearing this can help if websites are loading slowly or behaving unexpectedly.
• Limit extensions (if applicable): While less common on tablets, if your browser supports extensions, disable any that aren’t essential.
• Consider a data-saving browser: Some browsers offer data-saving modes which can also help with performance.

9. Adjust Animation Settings (Developer Options)

This is a slightly more advanced trick, but it can make a noticeable difference in how “snappy” your tablet feels. You can speed up or disable window, transition, and animator duration scales, which control how smoothly animations play when you open apps, switch screens, etc.

How to enable Developer Options:

1. Go to Settings > About tablet.
2. Scroll down to Build number.
3. Tap on Build number seven (7) times repeatedly. You’ll see a message saying “You are now a developer!”

How to adjust animations:

1. Go back to the main Settings menu.
2. You should now see a new option called Developer Options (it might be under System). Tap on it.
3. Scroll down to the “Drawing” section.
4. Find Window animation scale, Transition animation scale, and Animator duration scale.
5. Tap on each one and set it to .5x or Animation off. Setting them to 0.5x speeds up the animations, while turning them off removes them entirely.

Caution: Be careful when exploring Developer Options, as changing other settings here without understanding them could potentially cause issues. Stick to the animation scales for now.

10. Factory Reset (Last Resort)

If none of the above steps significantly improve your tablet’s performance, a factory reset might be the solution. This will erase all data from your tablet and restore it to its original, out-of-the-box state. It’s like starting fresh.

Before you proceed, it is absolutely crucial to back up ALL your important data. This includes photos, videos, contacts, documents, and anything else you don’t want to lose.

How to perform a factory reset:

1. Go to Settings > System.
2. Tap on Reset options (or Backup & reset > Factory data reset).
3. Tap on Erase all data (factory reset).
4. You may need to enter your PIN or password.
5. Confirm that you want to erase everything.

After the reset, your tablet will restart. You’ll need to go through the initial setup process again, logging into your Google account and reinstalling your apps. While this is a more drastic step, it often resolves deep-seated software issues that cause persistent slowdowns.

RCA Tablet Apollo Performance Table: Pre- and Post-Fix Comparison

To illustrate the potential impact of these fixes, let’s look at a hypothetical performance comparison. These are qualitative improvements you might expect to feel and observe after applying the recommended tips.

Performance Metric	Typical “Slow” Performance	Expected “Fixed” Performance
App Launch Time	5-10+ seconds	2-5 seconds
Web Page Loading	Slow, choppy scrolling	Faster loading, smoother scrolling
Multitasking (switching apps)	Laggy, takes time to load new app	Quicker and more seamless transitions
Gaming Responsiveness	Stuttering, input lag	Smoother frame rates, reduced lag
Overall System Responsiveness	Unpredictable freezes, delayed touches	More consistent, immediate response

Tips for Maintaining Performance Long-Term

Once you’ve applied these fixes and your RCA Tablet Apollo is running smoother, it’s important to maintain its performance. Here are some ongoing habits:

• Be mindful of app installations: Only install apps you genuinely need.
• Regularly review storage: Make it a habit to check your storage and clear out unnecessary files every month.
• Keep software updated: Don’t ignore update notifications for your OS and apps.
• Restart weekly: Continue the practice of restarting your tablet at least once a week.
• Use caution with free apps: Some free apps may contain intrusive ads or background processes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About RCA Tablet Performance

Q1: My RCA Tablet Apollo is still slow even after trying these steps. What else could be wrong?

A1: If you’ve tried all the software fixes and the tablet is still significantly slow, it’s possible that the hardware itself is struggling or aging. For budget tablets, there can be inherent limitations to their processing power and RAM. In such cases, a factory reset is often the last software step. If that doesn’t help, it might be time to consider if the tablet meets your current needs and explore upgrading if necessary.

Q2: How often should I clear my app cache on the RCA Tablet Apollo?

A2: There’s no strict rule, but clearing the cache for apps you use frequently, or if you notice a specific app becoming slow or buggy, is a good idea. Doing it monthly for major apps can help prevent bloat from building up.

Q3: Can I install an SD card to improve performance?

A3: An SD card can definitely help by offloading storage for photos, videos, and sometimes app data if the app supports it. However, it generally does not directly speed up the tablet’s processing power or RAM. Think of it as increasing storage capacity, which is crucial for performance, but not a direct speed booster for the core functions.

Q4: Is it safe to enable Developer Options?

A4: Yes, enabling Developer Options is safe, as it simply unlocks a hidden menu of advanced settings. The risks come from changing settings within that menu without understanding what they do. For the purpose of adjusting animation speeds, it’s generally considered safe and beneficial.

Q5: I’m worried about losing my data when I factory reset. What’