Stop Apps From Running in the Background on Android

Enable “Don’t Keep Activities” in Developer Options

One of the ways to stop apps from running in the background on your Android device is by enabling the “Don’t Keep Activities” option in the Developer Options. This option helps to optimize the memory usage of your device by immediately destroying activities when they are no longer in the foreground.

To enable this feature, follow these steps:

Open the Settings app on your Android device.
Scroll down and tap on “About phone” or “About device”.
Look for the “Build number” or “Build version” entry and tap on it repeatedly until you see a message indicating that you are now a developer.
Go back to the main Settings screen and tap on “Developer options”. If you don’t see this option, you may need to enable it first by tapping on “About phone” or “About device” and then tapping on the “Build number” repeatedly.
Scroll down in the Developer Options menu and find the “Don’t keep activities” or “Destroy activities” option.
Toggle the switch next to it to enable this feature.

Once you have enabled “Don’t Keep Activities”, your Android device will destroy activities as soon as you navigate away from them. This helps prevent apps from running in the background and consuming system resources unnecessarily. However, do keep in mind that this may affect the performance of certain apps that rely on background activities, such as music streaming or navigation apps.

By enabling “Don’t Keep Activities” in the Developer Options, you can have more control over the background activities of your apps and potentially improve the overall performance and battery life of your Android device.

Use the “Force Stop” Option in App Settings

If you want to stop specific apps from running in the background on your Android device, you can make use of the “Force Stop” option available in the app settings. This option allows you to manually halt the background processes and services associated with a particular app.

Here’s how you can use the “Force Stop” option:

Open the Settings app on your Android device.
Scroll down and tap on “Apps” or “Applications”.
Find and tap on the app you want to stop from running in the background.
On the app’s info page, you will see various options. Look for the “Force Stop” button and tap on it.
A confirmation prompt will appear, informing you that force stopping the app may cause it to misbehave. Tap on “OK” to proceed.

Once you have force stopped an app, it will no longer run in the background or receive any updates or notifications until you manually launch it again.

It’s worth noting that force stopping an app is a temporary solution, as the app may start running in the background again when triggered by certain events. Additionally, some system apps or services may automatically restart certain apps even after they have been force stopped. Therefore, this method might not be effective for preventing all apps from running in the background.

Nevertheless, using the “Force Stop” option can be useful for stopping specific apps that you want to temporarily suspend from consuming resources or sending notifications. Just remember that force stopping some essential system apps may cause your device to behave unexpectedly, so exercise caution when using this option.

Disable Background Data Usage

If you want to prevent apps from running in the background and using up your mobile data, you can disable background data usage on your Android device. By doing so, apps will only be able to use data when you have them open and active.

To disable background data usage, follow these steps:

Open the Settings app on your Android device.
Tap on “Network & internet” or “Data usage”, depending on your device.
Tap on “App data usage” or “Mobile data usage”.
You will see a list of all the apps on your device and their respective data usage. Scroll through the list and select the app for which you want to disable background data usage.
On the app’s data usage page, you should see an option to “Restrict app background data” or a similar option. Toggle the switch to disable background data usage for that particular app.

By disabling background data usage, you can minimize unnecessary data consumption and potentially save on your monthly mobile data plan. However, keep in mind that this may affect certain app functionalities, such as receiving timely notifications or syncing data in the background. You can selectively enable background data usage for apps that you want to continue using in the background.

If you want to disable background data usage for all apps, you can also toggle the “Data Saver” option in your device’s settings. This restricts background data usage for all apps unless they are whitelisted by you.

It’s worth noting that this option may vary slightly depending on your device model and Android version. Some manufacturers may include additional features or settings related to background data usage, so explore your device’s settings thoroughly to customize it according to your preferences.

Restrict Background Usage in Battery Settings

To further control and limit the background usage of apps on your Android device, you can utilize the “Restrict Background Usage” feature found in the Battery settings. This feature allows you to prioritize certain apps to use network resources while restricting others from running in the background.

To restrict background usage for apps, follow these steps:

Open the Settings app on your Android device.
Scroll down and tap on “Battery” or “Battery & device care”.
Tap on “Battery usage” or “Battery usage details”.
You’ll see a list of apps and their respective battery usage. Tap on the app you want to restrict background usage for.
On the app’s battery usage page, you should find an option to restrict background usage. Toggle the switch to enable this restriction for the selected app.

Once you enable the “Restrict Background Usage” option for an app, it will minimize the app’s ability to run processes and consume system resources in the background. This restriction can help extend your device’s battery life and reduce unnecessary data usage.

However, it’s important to note that restricting background usage may affect the app’s functionality, as certain features like real-time notifications or data syncing may be disabled. Therefore, it’s recommended to use this feature for apps that you don’t require constant background activity or access to data.

Keep in mind that not all Android devices may have the exact same settings terminology or location of the “Restrict Background Usage” feature. Some manufacturers may include this option under different names or within different menus, such as “Power management” or “App power saving”. So, explore your device settings to find the appropriate section to restrict background usage for apps.

Use the “Background Restriction” Feature

Android devices offer a built-in feature called “Background Restriction” that allows you to effectively manage apps running in the background and limit their activities. This feature gives you granular control over which apps are allowed to run in the background and access system resources.

To use the “Background Restriction” feature, follow these steps:

Open the Settings app on your Android device.
Scroll down and tap on “Apps” or “Applications”.
Find and select the app for which you want to restrict background activity.
On the app’s info page, look for the “Background restriction” or “Background usage” option. The wording may vary depending on your device.
Toggle the switch next to the option to restrict background activity for that specific app.

When you enable the “Background Restriction” feature for an app, it limits the app’s ability to run processes and consume system resources when it is not in the foreground. This can help optimize your device’s performance and reduce battery drain caused by unnecessary background activities.

However, keep in mind that restricting background activity may affect certain app functionalities, such as timely notifications or background syncing. Some apps may require background activity to provide seamless functionality, such as messaging or email apps. Therefore, exercise caution when enabling this feature and consider the specific needs of each app.

Additionally, it’s worth noting that the availability and labeling of the “Background Restriction” feature may vary depending on your Android version and device manufacturer. Some devices may offer more advanced options, like customizable app power-saving profiles or adaptive battery management. Explore your device’s settings thoroughly to find the most suitable features to manage background activity.

Disable Autostart for Apps

One effective way to prevent apps from running in the background on your Android device is by disabling their autostart feature. Autostart allows certain apps to automatically start running in the background when you boot up your device or when specific events occur.

To disable autostart for apps, follow these steps:

Open the Settings app on your Android device.
Scroll down and tap on “Apps” or “Applications”.
Find and select the app for which you want to disable autostart.
On the app’s info page, look for the “Autostart” or “Startup” option. The wording may vary based on your device model and Android version.
Toggle the switch next to the option to disable autostart for that particular app.

By disabling autostart for selected apps, you prevent them from automatically running in the background and consuming system resources without your explicit permission. This can help improve the overall performance and battery life of your Android device.

It’s important to note that disabling autostart may impact the functionality of certain apps, especially those that rely on background services or need to run automatically for critical tasks, such as messaging or alarm clock apps. Therefore, exercise caution when disabling autostart, and consider the specific needs and importance of each app.

Furthermore, it’s worth mentioning that the availability and location of the autostart option may vary depending on your device’s manufacturer and Android version. Some devices may provide a dedicated “Autostart Manager” or “Startup Manager” section, while others may scatter the option within individual app settings. Take the time to explore your device’s settings thoroughly to locate and disable autostart for apps effectively.

Use a Task Manager App

One convenient way to stop apps from running in the background on your Android device is by utilizing a task manager app. These apps allow you to easily view and manage all running processes and services, giving you control over which apps are allowed to run in the background.

Here’s how you can use a task manager app to stop background processes:

Go to the Google Play Store and search for a reputable task manager app.
Download and install the task manager app of your choice.
Open the task manager app and allow it to scan your device for running processes.
The app will present you with a list of all the running processes and services on your device.
Select the app or process that you want to stop from running in the background.
Tap the “Stop” or “End” button to halt the selected app or process.

A task manager app provides a user-friendly interface that makes it easy to view and manage running processes efficiently. These apps often offer additional features like automatic task killing, app hibernation, and system resource monitoring.

It’s important to note that while task manager apps can be useful for managing background processes, they should be used with caution. Some improperly designed or aggressive task manager apps may kill essential system processes, which could lead to device instability or reduced performance. Therefore, choose a reputable app from a trusted developer and avoid unnecessary aggressive task-killing practices.

Another option is to use system monitoring apps or battery optimization apps that include task management features. These apps provide insights into which apps are consuming the most resources and can help you manage background processes effectively.

Remember that task manager apps should be used as a means for managing app activity and not as a permanent solution. It’s always a good idea to assess the apps running in the background and determine if they are necessary or if alternative methods, like disabling notifications or background data usage, can achieve the desired results.

Disable App Notifications

If you want to prevent apps from running in the background and constantly sending you notifications on your Android device, disabling app notifications can be a practical solution. By turning off notifications for specific apps, you can minimize their background activity and reduce interruptions from unwanted alerts.

Here’s how you can disable app notifications:

Open the Settings app on your Android device.
Scroll down and tap on “Apps” or “Applications”.
Select the app for which you want to disable notifications.
On the app’s info page, look for the “Notifications” option and tap on it.
You will see various notification settings for the app. Toggle the switch to disable notifications for that particular app.

By disabling notifications for an app, it won’t run background processes or display any alerts on your device, giving you more control over how and when you engage with the app.

It’s important to note that some apps may have different categories of notifications that you can customize individually. For example, you might be able to turn off sound notifications but keep visual alerts. Explore the notification settings within each app to fine-tune your preferences.

Disabling app notifications not only reduces background activity but also helps you declutter your notification panel, ensuring that you only see the important alerts that actually require your attention.

Additionally, if you want to take a more proactive approach to managing notifications, you can make use of Android’s notification channels or categories feature. This allows you to customize the types of notifications you receive from each app. By disabling or adjusting the priority of specific notification channels, you can further minimize distractions and only receive the notifications that matter most to you.

Remember that disabling notifications might impact the functionality or timely updates of certain apps, such as messaging or news apps. Therefore, consider the importance of each app’s notifications and customize them according to your preferences and needs.

Uninstall Unnecessary Apps

If you want to effectively stop apps from running in the background on your Android device, a straightforward approach is to uninstall unnecessary apps. By removing apps that you no longer use or don’t need, you can free up storage space, reduce background processes, and improve device performance.

Here’s how you can uninstall unnecessary apps from your Android device:

Open the Settings app on your Android device.
Scroll down and tap on “Apps” or “Applications”.
Select the app that you want to uninstall.
On the app’s info page, tap on the “Uninstall” or “Remove” button.
A confirmation prompt will appear. Tap on “OK” to confirm the uninstallation.

By uninstalling unnecessary apps, you declutter your device’s app collection, ensuring that only the essential and frequently used apps are installed. This not only reduces background activity but also helps declutter your app drawer and makes it easier to find the apps you actually need.

It’s worth noting that some pre-installed system apps cannot be uninstalled, as they are essential for the functioning of your Android device. However, you may still be able to disable them if they are not necessary for your specific needs. Disabling these apps can have a similar effect in terms of reducing background activity and freeing up system resources.

To uninstall multiple apps at once, you can use the “Apps” or “Applications” section in your device settings to access the list of installed apps. From there, you can select multiple apps and choose the “Uninstall” option to remove them in bulk.

Regularly reviewing and uninstalling unnecessary apps is a good practice to optimize the performance and storage space of your Android device. It’s a simple yet effective way to minimize background processes, save battery life, and ensure that your device runs smoothly.

Before uninstalling an app, consider the consequences, such as the loss of app data or associated account information, if any. Make sure to back up any important data before proceeding with the uninstallation process.

Disable “Allow Background Activity” in Individual App Settings

If you want to have more control over which apps are allowed to run in the background on your Android device, you can disable the “Allow Background Activity” option in the individual app settings. This feature allows you to specify whether a particular app can continue running processes and services in the background or not.

Here’s how you can disable “Allow Background Activity” for specific apps:

Open the Settings app on your Android device.
Scroll down and tap on “Apps” or “Applications”.
Select the app for which you want to disable background activity.
On the app’s info page, look for the “Battery” or “Power” option and tap on it.
Within the app’s battery settings, you should find the “Allow Background Activity” or a similar option. Toggle the switch to disable background activity for that particular app.

By disabling “Allow Background Activity” for an app, you prevent it from running processes and services in the background, which conserves system resources and helps save battery life.

It’s important to note that disabling background activity may affect certain app functionalities, such as timely notifications or background syncing. Some apps rely on background activity to provide real-time updates, like messaging or social media apps. Therefore, exercise caution and consider the specific needs of each app before disabling background activity.

Additionally, the specific location and labeling of the “Allow Background Activity” option may vary depending on your Android device and the app you are configuring. Some apps may have it listed as “Background Data” or “Background services.” Take the time to explore the app settings thoroughly to locate and disable background activity effectively.

Keep in mind that disabling background activity for some apps might limit their functionality or cause them to behave unexpectedly. It’s recommended to test the app after disabling background activity to ensure it still meets your requirements. If you encounter any issues, you can re-enable background activity for that app or explore alternative methods of managing its background behavior.

By disabling “Allow Background Activity” in individual app settings, you have the power to control which apps can run processes in the background and optimize your Android device’s performance and battery life.