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Not all the apps on your Android phone need to keep running in the background. If you’re dealing with slow performance or your battery is draining too quickly, it’s time to take charge of your device’s resources. Learn how to stop apps from running in the background on your Android to address issues like lag and excessive battery usage.
Is your Android phone losing battery power faster than you’d like? One culprit might be apps that persistently run in the background, even when you’ve moved on to something else. These apps not only drain your battery but also hog your device’s memory. This guide will show you a few methods to stop Android apps from running in the background, helping you reclaim precious memory and extend your phone’s battery life.
Navigating Running Apps on Android
Discovering the full capabilities of your Android device requires exploring the Developer Options menu, which provides valuable insights and features. Specifically, the ‘Running services’ section in this menu reveals a list of background apps along with their corresponding RAM usage. Here’s a detailed, step-by-step guide:
Navigate to “Settings” on your phone, and then access “System.”
Choose “Developer Options.” If not visible, follow steps #4 to #7 to enable Developer mode on your Android device.
Opt for “Running services.” If you can’t find it through regular navigation, utilize the “Search” function at the top to locate it.
Review the displayed list of apps, highlighting those utilizing a significant portion of your RAM resources.
To identify battery-draining apps, return to “Settings” and select “Battery.”
Tap on “Battery usage.”
Explore the new screen to identify apps exerting the most pressure on your battery, with the highest consumers listed at the top.
How to Close Android Apps Properly
Android apps have a peculiar way of “closing,” unlike the straightforward process on Windows or Mac, where clicking the “X” icon typically shuts down a program along with its process.
On Android, the concept of “closing” an app operates differently. There’s no specific button for closing an open app. While pressing the “Home” or “Back” buttons might make the app vanish from your screen, it essentially goes into standby in the background. To truly stop it from running in the background, you’ll need to “kill” it instead.
1. Touch the square icon on your screen or use “Recent Apps” on Samsung devices.
2. Swipe upward on each app you wish to close.
Optimising Background App Activity
If you want to prevent Android apps from running in the background, you can take a more forceful approach by force-stopping them. However, keep in mind that this is a somewhat “aggressive” method of closing an app, and there’s a chance that your data or recent game progress may not be saved.
Imagine it as turning off your PC abruptly without properly shutting it down – there’s a risk of losing some data, but it won’t cause any lasting harm to the app, nor will it erase the app itself.
1. Go to the “Running Services” menu in “Developer Settings.”
2. Pick an app that’s hogging your RAM from the provided list.
3. Click “Stop” on the following page to halt its operation on your device.
4. Alternatively, force-stop apps by navigating to “Battery usage.”
5. Choose the apps you want to halt, then click “Force stop.”
6. Ignore the warning stating, “If you force stop an app, it may misbehave.” Click “OK.”
7. For a more general approach, head to “Settings -> Apps” (or “Apps & notifications” on some phones).
8. Tap “See all X apps” to see a list of all installed apps.
9. To stop an app, tap on it and choose “Force stop.” This stops the app for the current session, and it will relaunch when you reboot your phone.
10. Alternatively, if you realize you don’t need the app, opt for “Uninstall” instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it important to prevent background app running on my Android device?
Preventing background app running helps conserve battery life and optimize device performance. It ensures that resources are not unnecessarily used when apps are not actively in use.
How can I check which apps are running in the background on my Android phone?
Access the “Running services” or “Developer Options” in your device settings. This will display a list of background apps along with their RAM usage.
What should I do if an app is consuming too much RAM in the background?
You can force-stop the app through the “Running services” menu or “Battery usage” settings. This helps free up resources and can improve overall device performance.
Will force-stopping an app delete my data or progress?
Force-stopping an app is a bit like closing it abruptly. While it may not cause long-term damage to the app, there is a risk of losing unsaved data or recent progress. Ensure you’re okay with potential data loss before force-stopping an app.
Can I stop apps from running in the background through the device settings?
Yes, you can go to “Settings -> Apps” or “Apps & notifications” on some phones to view a list of installed apps. From there, you can force-stop or uninstall unnecessary apps.
Is it safe to force-stop apps, and will it affect my device negatively?
Force-stopping an app is generally safe, but it may lead to misbehavior in some cases. Ignore warnings and tap “OK” when prompted. Keep in mind that force-stopped apps will relaunch when you reboot your phone.
What’s the difference between force-stopping an app and uninstalling it?
Force-stopping halts the app temporarily for the current session, while uninstalling removes the app entirely from your device. Uninstalling is recommended for apps you no longer need.
How often should I check and prevent background app running on my Android device?
Regularly monitoring and preventing background app running is beneficial for maintaining optimal device performance and prolonging battery life. Consider doing it periodically, especially if you notice any issues with your phone’s speed or battery consumption.
Conclusion
Actively managing background app operations on your Android device is a key practice for optimizing performance and preserving battery life. By navigating through settings such as “Running services,” “Developer Options,” and “Battery usage,” you can gain insights into resource-intensive apps and take necessary actions like force-stopping or uninstalling. While force-stopping may come with a warning about potential misbehavior, it remains a useful tool for freeing up resources.
