Does it take your iPad ages to play your favorite videos? Does your iPhone’s Web browser crawl on the web? The chances are that your iPad or iPhone are old. When these products get outdated, they get sluggish. The good news? You don’t need to spend the big bucks on a new iPhone or iPad. Alternatively, you can take some simple steps to boost the speed of your slow devices. Lifehacker writer Whitson Gordon recently offered some tips.

No More Upgrades

It’s commendable that you’d like to stay updated on the latest offerings from Apple. But downloading that newest version of iOS might make your iPad or iPhone even slower. Simply put, the newest operating systems and upgrades are often too cumbersome for older devices. Resist the updates until you get a newer iPhone or iPad.

Use Apple’s Own Apps

Third-party apps can be problematic for old iPhones and iPads, too, Whitson writes. Apple’s own apps are designed to work best with these devices. You might prefer Chrome to Safari, but stay with Apple’s Web browser if you’re using an old phone or iPad.

Prune the Fat

Lastly, if your iPhone or iPad is too slow, it’s time to take a critical look at the music, videos and apps you have saved on your device. Whitson suggests erasing any apps, programs or music files that you seldom access. A bit of pruning from you could inject new life into your sluggish device.