Prevent notifying each of the ArrayAdapter's DataSetObservers on every single add(T object) call to the ArrayAdapter's dataset. Use similar logic for remove() calls.

gistfile1.txt

   
public class BetterArrayAdapter<T> extends ArrayAdapter<T> {

    //...

    @Override
    public void addAll(Collection<? extends T> collection) {
    
        // Firmware is at least API 11, when ArrayAdapter#addAll() was introduced.
        if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= Build.VERSION_CODES.HONEYCOMB) {
            super.addAll(collection);
        } else {
            // Disable DataSetObserver notifications.
            setNotifyOnChange(false);
    
            // Add each datum to the dataset.
            for (T object : collection) {
                add(object);
            }
            
            // Notify each DataSetObserver.
            // Note: Calling this method also internally calls 'setNotifyOnChange(true)'
            notifyDataSetChanged();
        }
    }

    // ...
}