Does your iPad routinely crash as you surf the Web? Does your iPhone fight to pull up videos and Web pages? The odds are your device is getting old. And that often means slow performance. There is hope, however. Lifehacker writer Gordon Whitson in a recent feature suggested several tips for owners seeking to inject new life into their sluggish iPhone or iPad.

Resist the Updates

We know that you want to keep your iPad or iPhone up-to-date. But Gordon in his Lifehacker story states that the owners of older devices should avoid the lure of Apple updates. The reason? Those new versions of iOS or those latest upgrades can prove too powerful for older devices. And they can make those older devices run even slower.

Use Apple’s Own Apps

Third-party apps can prove problematic for old iPhones and iPads, too, Whitson writes. Apple’s own apps are the ones 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.

Freeing up Storage

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