If you’re trying to diagnose a problem with your Android device, it would likely be worth your while to download a tool that’s designed to help. Android has no shortage of them. System monitoring apps can tell you what’s using up your processing power, RAM, and storage space. They can keep track of battery drain over time and your device’s network usage. In case you need help picking one out, here are five of the best system monitoring apps available for Android.
1. System Monitor
If you want a single tool that can tell you just about everything about your phone while integrating nicely with the general UI, the aptly named System Monitor app is all you need. It can gauge how hard your CPU is working, how much memory is being used, the strain you’re putting on your network, predict how long your phone’s battery will last, measure your device’s temperature, and much more. It comes in two forms, a lite and paid version, with the latter unlocking a widget, a DashClock extension, and other perks.
2. Ccleaner
CCleaner is a popular Windows application that helps PCs continue to run optimally. It doesn’t have as much of a purpose on Android, since the mobile operating system does a better job of keeping things operating smoothly, but there are still some useful features to be found here. It’s a compelling one-stop-shop for observing your device’s performance, managing installed apps, and cleaning up some of the cruft that accumulates at the edges over time. You can find it in the Play Store for free.
3. OS Monitor
If System Monitor doesn’t quite suit your tastes, there’s OS Monitor. It has a darker UI that, while not quite in line with Android’s current aestetic, fits in well with those of the Ice Cream Sandwich and Jelly Bean era. It places emphasis on system processes and network connections, but that’s not all there is to see here. To make things better, the app’s available entirely for free, but you can donate a dollar to show your support.
4. CPU-Z
Like the other apps I’ve mentioned here, CPU-Z can give you information about your CPU, memory, and battery life. But it takes things a step further. You can fire up this piece of software to get all the details on your device’s specs. Need to know the codename for your phone model? What kernel version are you running? CPU-Z can answer these questions, and it will do so for free.
5. Tinycore
Tinycore is a special option on this list. All of the previous options consist of dedicated apps that you visit when you’re ready to give your device a quick checkup. In contrast, Tinycore serves as an ever present monitor. It places a single bar that’s only a couple pixels thick along the top of your screen that shows how much CPU, RAM, or battery your device is using. You may even want to pair Tinycore with any of the other apps on this list, considering this one as an early warning system that helps you gauge when it’s time to take a look at things more in-depth. It’s free to use, though there’s some features that require payment.
Conclusion
Some of these apps are comprehensive enough to work well on their own. Others serve more as supplements than as a hub for everything. Regardless, these are five of the best system monitoring apps you can find in the Play Store for your Android device. Still, that doesn’t mean there aren’t others out there. If you have a recommendation, share it with us in the comments below.
Bertel is a tech blogger and independent novelist who puts perhaps a tad too much trust in Google. He’s loved Android since the moment he got his eager hands on his first device – if not sooner – and has understood the Chromebook Pixel from day one.You can follow his work at bertelking.com.
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