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Samsung's device maintenance feature: is it useful?

Samsung galaxy s7 edge nougat
© nextpit

This comes directly from the Galaxy S7 user manual: "device maintenance provides an overview of the status for your device's battery, storage, RAM and security system. You can also automatically optimize your device with a tap of your finger." But does this feature, which was added to Android Nougat as part of an update, really work?

From the moment I first installed Android 7.0 Nougat on my Galaxy S7 Edge, and before, on the Galaxy S7, I've been using the "Device Maintenance" feature. For those who don't remember, Samsung tried something similar on the Galaxy S6 with an app called "Smart Manager". In fact, we were quite critical of this feature:

With the launch of the Galaxy S7, the South Korean manufacturer included the feature into the actual system and optimized it in the Experience UX interface on the Galaxy Note 7. Now, with the update to Nougat, the Galaxy S7 also carries a similar feature integrated into TouchWiz. I must confess, despite a few downsides, the overall view is that the "Device Maintenance" is a welcome addition for everyday users. The only problem is the need to use it on a premium device from the moment you buy it.

What can you do with Device Maintenance?

Using the optimization feature, which can be found in the settings, click on the quick optimization option. This will enable you to improve the performance of your Galaxy S7 with the following steps:

  • Clearing some memory
  • Deleting unnecessary files and closing apps running in the background
  • Managing unusual battery use
  • Scanning for malware
S7 Device Maintenance
You don't always need 100%. / © NextPit

Next, we've got specific actions for each tool included in the feature.

Battery

Check the remaining battery power and usage time for the device. When your battery life is low, the system will conserve energy by activating power saving features. This will limit your device's usage though, such as not being able to receive app notifications.

In order to do this, background apps will be monitored so they won't eat up all your battery.

S7 Battery
Device Maintenance: Battery. / © NextPit

You can also use this feature to set your device to charge more quickly and show the battery percentage on the status bar. Both these features should be activated by default, but it wouldn't hurt to make sure by going to "Advanced Settings" (the three dots on the top of the display "Battery").

S7 Advanced Battery Settings
Device Maintenance: Advanced Battery Settings. / © NextPit

Performance Mode

As the name says, this option changes the device's performance according to the user's actions. So, whether you're using your device to play games or listen to music, your device can offer better performance for each action, saving or using energy, accordingly. The aim of this feature is to improve performance for each specific action.

S7 Performance Mode
Device Maintenance: Performance Mode. / © NextPit

Storage

Here, it's possible to check the status of both the used and available memory. As we all know, storage capacity and what's actually available are never the same since stock apps and the system itself take up internal storage space.

S7 Storage
Device Maintenance: Storage. / © NextPit

With the "Storage" option, you can free up space by deleting residual files like your device's cache and ads that pop up on different sites, apps and games. Through this option, you also have access to the storage on your SD card. This feature was developed in conjunction with Clean Master.

RAM

The purpose of this feature is to speed up your device by reducing the amount of RAM you are using. It does this by letting you choose which apps you'd like to stop in order to conserve RAM.

S7 RAM
Device Maintenance: RAM management. / © NextPit

Protection

Check the device's security status. This feature scans your device for malware. It’s carried out together with Intel Security.

S7 Secure
Device Maintenance: Protection. / © NextPit

The pros of using Device Maintenance

Before the arrival of the current service, Samsung did quite a lot of experimenting with this type of device performance optimization tool. After many updates, we've finally arrived at what we have today and, quite frankly, it's much easier to use for everyday users - even for those who don't know what RAM on their smartphone actually means. Nowadays, I believe these make up the majority of Samsung’s clients or any other smartphone manufacturer for that matter.

One day one of my bosses asked me what percentage of memory all the features on my computer currently uses. Honestly, and even still to this day, it's probably a bit more than half. The main consideration here is that I use a Mac, where everything is optimized to the max so I don't need to think about it too much.

So, the best thing about this feature is that it brings together all the essential information about your device's performance and security into one place. Through this feature, for example, if a user didn't first activate Knox in the device settings, they'd be directed to do so through this menu. In fact, if you're not too lazy to read all the details provided about the system, you could learn quite a bit about the true potential of your Galaxy S7.

Finally, as this service comes stock on the system, those users who want to use all of their smartphone's potential can optimize the features in the "Device Maintenance" and there won't be any need to download third party apps to clean their system every now and then. They've got a stock service for that now.

The cons of using Device Maintenance

On the other hand, easy access to the "Device Maintenance" could make some users believe that their performance level should always be at 100%. Which just isn't true since you have to take into consideration that there are apps running in the background which need to use RAM. Simply closing them is shortsighted and it could cause performance problems in the long run.

Many smartphone cleaning apps promise to improve your device's memory and performance. This does happen, but many times it's at the expense of cleaning the device's cache. The cache is basically a storage area where data and frequently used processes are saved for faster access in the future. This saves both time and unnecessary use of your smartphone's hardware.

So, using a cleaning service every time your phone is a bit slow or low on memory may seem like the best option in the short term but this could cause you major problems in the future.

Additionally new Samsung devices, like the Galaxy S7 which was launched almost a year ago, have state-of-the-art hardware that is capable of handling TouchWiz without a problem. Everyday users shouldn't have to worry about performance in the first six months of use.

Final thoughts

You could say that moving from "Smart Manager" to "Device Maintenance" is a good development. Usually, I'm not really that fond of task killers on high-end smartphones. I have to say, though, that the way Samsung has reduced the connection between optimizing the battery through system settings and device security mechanisms, if used wisely, could optimize your smartphone's performance and enhance your own knowledge about it.

If you ask me how many times I've optimized my Galaxy S7 through this system feature since receiving the Nougat update, I'd say at least three times. I did this mainly just to try it out, and I didn't really notice a huge amount of difference. However, if you asked again me in another six months or maybe a year, the answer would surely be different.

My suggestion is to use this system feature in order to have an overview of your device's organic performance more than to optimize it.

Have you used Device Maintenance since you received the latest Nougat update for your Galaxy S7 or S7 Edge? Do you think it helped to improve your device's performance. Let us know in the comments below.

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Camila Rinaldi

Camila Rinaldi
Head of Editorial

With over 10 years of reviewing smartphones and wearables, I recently became addicted to smart home gadgets. Even though I dove into the Apple ecosystem two years back, Android remains as one of my passions. Previously editor-in-chief of AndroidPIT and Canaltech in Brazil, I now write for the US market. I love my records and I believe that the best way to get to know a place is through its food.

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15 comments
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  • 28
    Deactivated Account Jul 27, 2018 Link to comment

    I have heard a lot of negative comments about Samsung latest updates for this app.
    Like:
    Constantly running, draining the battery, heating up the device, deleting wanted files, using 1.5 gigabytes of storage,
    The app sounds like a nightmare!
    I Just purchased this galaxy s7 a month ago. I'm afraid to allow the 5.0 update to install!
    Has anyone else heard anything about this latest update?


  • Kevin Bosma 1
    Kevin Bosma Nov 10, 2017 Link to comment

    It stops podcasts 8-10 minutes into the program. I have to turn the screen back on to continue the podcast for another 8-10 minutes . Horrible experience.


  • 2
    joe dow Aug 21, 2017 Link to comment

    I had my S7 for over a year now. Always had Samsung phones, all the way back to the wonderful S2. I've been using the maintenance tool for a while now and the phone is as good as new. I use to have different apps to tweak and optimize the phone but not any more. I run the tool once a day before going to bed & we both sleep soundly.
    No probs till now.


  • 1
    R Peluso Aug 3, 2017 Link to comment

    I hate it! It keeps turning off my wifi.


    • 1
      vgchat Apr 2, 2018 Link to comment

      Device manager cannot turn off the Wi-Fi


  • 1
    Fabian Pioro Jun 15, 2017 Link to comment

    I like this feature and think it should of been implemented long ago this is my first flagship android (Samsung s8+) always have had I phones before but I am a PC guy over mac. And whole reaso n I jumped into the android pool was because of the freedom of the OS and yes I still think IOS is a prettier platform and MUCH EASIER TO USE for the average consumer. I have played with the entry to mid level androids and to say they are complete sh!× is an understatement. And just like a PC with an android I like complete control with what's running and when. And most cleaning apps out there just "dirty" ur phone up more. Device maintenance seems to work but on other hand every time it's run it seems to burn about 20% of the ram when it's supposedly supposed to free it. Need more research on the reason


  • Don A. 1
    Don A. May 11, 2017 Link to comment

    I used it a couple of times until I figured out it was deleting program folders located on the internal storage for several apps. I couldn't figure out why they kept wigging out. I have sent more crash reports from this phone in a week than my LGG4 in two years. I have used 3C Toolbox Pro on all my other phones and tablets without any issues, and now It has become unusable on the S7. This is the most annoying phone I have used. My old S3 is starting to look pretty good again.


  • DOGE 1
    DOGE Feb 26, 2017 Link to comment

    is it possible to turn it off or at least prevent it from popping like 42 times a day in my face.
    many thanks


  • 31
    Deactivated Account Feb 15, 2017 Link to comment

    if using Sammy's flagship requires constant micromanaging to get a premium ux... what's the point.
    obviously sammy needs to offer more than 4gb of ram and a larger battery to deal with all of the xtra features of its flagship..

    I want/expect a current android to be able to manage itself reasonably without constant data and battery management..
    but ..
    your suggestion "to use this system feature in order to have an overview of your device's organic performance more than to optimize it" is exactly the sensible advice I gave my daughter, currently a big fan of her S7.


  • Shankar Prasad Nandi 18
    Shankar Prasad Nandi Feb 14, 2017 Link to comment

    Samsung is trying to eat some cake out of the share of task killer apps. Doesn't make much sense. Where do you draw the line where a function ceases to be managed by an app and gets included in the manufacturer's interface? Next we'll have Samsung integrating a newsfeed app. Or perhaps Facebook integrated into the settings? Frightens me to think what might be soon coming.


    • Bastian Siewers 66
      Bastian Siewers Feb 14, 2017 Link to comment

      They already have a newsfeed to the left of the homescreen. It can be disabled but it has been there for quite some time now. But yeah, I am not the biggest fan of manufacturers including these kinds of things into the system but it really isn't anything new though.

      Shankar Prasad Nandi


  • 4
    john s Feb 14, 2017 Link to comment

    Letting us uninstall most of the unnecessary (and unused) bundled Samsung crap would be a bonus

    Àlex BDeactivated AccountCamila RinaldiShankar Prasad Nandi


  • 49
    storm Feb 14, 2017 Link to comment

    Smells a little like smoke and mirrors to me. Makes you feel good while notreally doing as much as it seems? At least that's my first impression as much of this is already automated in the OS. So how much effect is it possible to have? Deeper testing would be interesting

    Shankar Prasad Nandi


  • Dean L. 34
    Dean L. Feb 14, 2017 Link to comment

    I use task killers and power managers to accomplish this and admit I've never owned a Samsung phone. So to hear that this is baked in sounds like a great idea. Maybe some other manufacturers will start to do this as well. We can hope can't we.....


    • Bastian Siewers 66
      Bastian Siewers Feb 14, 2017 Link to comment

      Well, a task killer is not really necessary on Android and it should always be something that the user implements himself if he really has to. Power management apps can be useful, it really depends on what they actually do. Look at Huawei/Honor and the implementation in EMUI, it was a mess as apps got killed all the time and users missed a lot of notifications. They luckily finally fixed that with EMUI 5.

      Keith A G.

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