What is PLS by operating system
PLS by operating system lens compares Perceived Load Speed (PLS) across different OS platforms, such as Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Linux. This helps you understand whether the user’s operating system plays a role in how fast your pages feel.
Operating systems influence perceived load speed through a mix of browser compatibility, rendering engines, memory management, and system-level resource allocation. For example, older Android versions may struggle with rendering-heavy content, while newer iOS or macOS versions might load more efficiently thanks to OS-level optimizations.
Because PLS captures how quickly the page feels loaded from a real user’s perspective, it’s a powerful indicator of how well your site adapts across platforms.
Healthy PLS by operating system sample
Should you worry
A healthy PLS by operating system lens shows all platforms in the green, with no significant gaps between them. Minor differences are natural — but large disparities (e.g. Android consistently slower than iOS) suggest your site may not be delivering a universally smooth experience.
Keep in mind: lower-performing OS groups are often tied to specific user segments, like budget devices or legacy software users — so performance issues here can hurt accessibility and conversion rates.
Unhealthy PLS by operating system sample
When PLS by operating system is unhealthy, you’ll see certain platforms (like Android or Linux) dragging down perceived load performance. These issues are often caused by poor rendering efficiency, heavy JS execution, or under-tested compatibility on less popular systems.
If the operating systems with slower PLS also account for a large share of your traffic, this can directly impact engagement and exit rates.
Resolving unhealthy PLS by operating system
Go-to action plan to resolve an unhealthy PLS by operating system:
Ask Uxi to analyze your PLS by operating system and suggest improvements.
Use Filters to isolate affected operating systems and investigate related dimensions like browser, device brand, or connection type.
Simulate LCP of the suspected lens to see if fixing it will resolve the PLS by operating system. If yes, this is where the resolution focus should be.
Use an automated optimization tool like Navigation AI to improve your PLS by operating system.
Once you’ve improved PLS, set an alert to be the first to know if it starts worsening again.
Try it yourself
Discover how your website performs with real user data.