How to Stop Apps From Running in the Background on Android

This article explains how to stop apps from running in the background on Android 9 and higher.

Stop Android Apps From Running in the Background

Here's how to kill background apps on Android:

1. Go to Settings > Apps.

2. Select an app you want to stop, then tap Force stop.

   If you don't use the app, this is a good time to just uninstall it. Tap Uninstall to remove the app from your device.

3. Tap OK on the confirmation prompt.

   This will clear battery or memory issues only until you restart your phone. Any apps that launch on startup will restart and could cause the same problems.

   The app will relaunch when you restart your phone. To turn off all background activity for the app, select App battery usage and then tap the Allow background usage toggle to turn it off.

How Background Apps Affect Your Android Battery

Your Android device can run multiple apps in the background for several reasons. Most of the time, it won't cause battery problems or constrain the phone's memory. One factor causing your Android device's battery to drain too quickly is when there are too many apps running.

You can see the apps running in the background by tapping the square Overview navigation icon at the lower-right corner of your Android display.

Remember, multiple windows may open inside some apps, like multiple tabs inside the Google Chrome mobile browser. Each of these could potentially consume resources that use up the battery.

There are many poorly written apps on Google Play, and when you install those on your phone, they may consume more battery power, CPU, or memory than they're supposed to. Auditing your installed apps (mentioned above) is good phone hygiene.

How to See Which Apps Are Running in the Background

The best way to alleviate the burden on your Android's system resources and extend battery life is to make sure the only apps running in the background are the ones you want running. There are a few ways to see these background apps.

1. Go to Settings > System > Developer options.

   This is something you have to enable to see. We have a straightforward guide on how to turn on Android's developer mode if you need help.

2. Tap Running services. It shows the apps that are currently running on your Android and the amount of RAM each is using. You can tap an item in the list to find the Stop button, which forces it to close.

3. To see apps consuming battery power, go to Settings > Battery > Battery usage.
   

   As you perform these next steps, look for and consider closing any apps that:

   • Consume excessive memory or battery power and are not optimized.
   • You forgot about or didn't expect to see running in the background.

4. To put your phone into battery-saving mode, go to Settings > Battery > Battery Saver and turn on the Use Battery Saver toggle.

   If you're on a Samsung device, go to Battery and device care > Battery, and turn on Power saving.