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How to Prevent Apps from Running in the Background on Android
Edited 2 weeks ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team
AndroidBackground AppsPerformanceSettingsSmartphonesTipsMobile DevicesOptimizationUser InterfaceData Management
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In today’s world, smartphones have become an indispensable part of our lives. With a plethora of apps available, we have become increasingly dependent on them for various tasks. However, a common problem that many Android users face is that these apps keep running in the background, consuming valuable resources such as battery life and mobile data. This guide aims to help you minimize or stop apps running in the background on your Android device. This comprehensive article will introduce you to various methods and techniques to achieve this goal. So, let’s understand it step by step.
Why do apps run in the background?
Before we stop apps from running in the background, it is important to understand why they do so. Apps often run in the background to perform tasks that can improve the user experience. For example, messaging apps have to check for new messages, email apps have to check for new emails, and social media apps have to update frequently to show the latest content. All of these tasks are known as background processes.
Some of these activities are beneficial, but not all apps running in the background are necessary. Moreover, when too many apps run in the background, they can start using a lot of battery and data, degrading the overall performance of your device. Therefore, it is important to manage which apps are allowed to run in the background.
How to stop apps from running in the background
Using the built-in Android settings
The easiest way to stop apps from running in the background is to use the built-in settings on your Android device. Here is a detailed guide on how you can do it:
Step 1: Accessing the settings
Start by unlocking your device and tapping the "Settings" icon. You can usually find this app in the app drawer or on your home screen.
Step 2: Navigating to apps management
Once you're in the Settings menu, scroll down until you see an option like "Apps," "Applications," or "App Management." The exact naming may vary depending on your Android version and device manufacturer.
Step 3: View running apps
In the Apps section, you'll see a list of all the apps installed on your device. Depending on your specific Android version, there may be a tab called "Running", "Background", or a "Show running services" button. Tap this option to view the apps running in the background.
Step 4: Adjusting app permissions
After selecting an app, you'll see details about its storage, data usage, and permissions. Look for a button labeled "Force Stop" or "Stop." Although this will temporarily stop the app, some apps may restart after a while.
Step 5: Disabling background data
If your main concern is data usage rather than battery life, you can restrict background data usage. In each app's settings, there's usually an option to "Restrict background data." Enabling this option will prevent the app from using mobile data while running in the background.
Using battery optimization features
Another way to stop apps from running in the background is to take advantage of the battery optimization features available on most Android devices.
Step 1: Open the battery settings
Head back to the main "Settings" menu. From there, find "Battery" or "Battery Usage" and tap on it.
Step 2: Accessing the battery optimization options
Inside the battery settings, look for an option called “Battery Optimization” or “Optimize Battery Usage.” Tap on it to proceed.
Step 3: Selecting apps for optimization
After accessing the optimization settings, you may see a list of apps and services. By default, many essential services and frequently used apps are not optimized, which means they are allowed to run in the background. Select the app you want to manage from this list and choose to optimize it.
Step 4: Applying the changes
Once you've selected the apps to optimize, make sure you apply and save the changes. Your device will now stop these apps from running unnecessarily in the background, saving battery life.
Using developer options for advanced management
Android offers a set of developer options that are usually hidden by default but offer more advanced features, including the ability to limit background processes. Here's how you can use these options:
Step 1: Activating developer options
First, to access Developer options, you'll need to enable them. Go to "Settings" > "About phone", and then tap "Build number" seven times. You'll see a prompt informing you that you're now a developer.
Step 2: Accessing developer options
Go back to the "Settings" menu. You will now see a new option called "Developer options". Tap to enter.
Step 3: Adjusting the background process limit
In Developer Options, look for a setting called "Background Process Limit." This setting allows you to decide how many apps can run in the background at once. You can choose an option like "No background processes" or limit them to a certain number of processes.
Using third-party apps for app management
In addition to the built-in features, there are many third-party apps available on the Google Play Store that are designed to help manage background app activity. These can provide a more intuitive interface and additional functionality. Some well-known apps include Greenify, Task Manager, and Advanced Task Manager.
Example of use of Greenify
- Download and install the Greenify app from the Google Play Store.
- Open the Greenify app and follow its setup process to grant the necessary permissions.
- Once set up, you can choose which apps you want to hibernate. Once you choose, Greenify will ensure that these apps don’t consume resources unnecessarily when not in use.
Routine maintenance and monitoring
Apart from using dedicated settings and tools to manage background apps, regular maintenance of your phone is also important. Here are some tips:
- Periodically check app permissions and data usage to make sure only trusted apps have the necessary access.
- Keep your apps updated as new versions often come with improved efficiency and performance optimizations.
- Uninstall any unnecessary or rarely used applications. This will also reduce the chances of apps running in the background.
Conclusion
By properly managing apps on your Android device and using the tips provided, you can substantially improve battery life and reduce unnecessary data consumption. Striking a balance between functionality and resource efficiency is important to ensure the smooth operation of your device. Whether through built-in settings, third-party apps, or developer options, there are several strategies available to prevent apps from running in the background.
Adapt and combine these methods according to your needs to get the best results. If at any point you feel uncertain, it is always a good idea to do your research, and it is wise to seek advice from reliable sources.
Continue to learn and explore the capabilities of your device, and you will notice substantial improvements in its overall performance.
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