How to Stop Apps Running in Background on Android (2026)
Is your phone warm in your pocket and down to 40% by lunch? Then some apps are probably running in the background, and it’s time to stop them. Some apps keep working after you leave them. They sync data, track your location or check for messages, and a few of them do it far more than they need to.
The good news is that Android gives you real control. You can see which apps are running, close them on the spot and also stop the worst ones from starting again. This guide covers every method, including the Samsung, Xiaomi and OnePlus settings most guides skip. It also explains background app refresh on iPhone.
Quick answer: To stop apps running in background on Android, open Settings → Apps → [app] → App battery usage and turn off Allow background usage. On some phones, you choose Restricted instead. To stop an app right now, swipe down twice, tap Active apps in Quick Settings and then tap Stop. On Samsung, go to Settings → Battery → Background usage limits and add the app to Deep sleeping apps.
What are background apps?
A background app is any app that keeps working after you switch away from it. It isn’t on your screen, but it can still use the processor, mobile data, location and battery.
Most of this activity is normal and useful. For example, WhatsApp needs to check for new messages, and Spotify keeps playing when you lock your phone. Similarly, Google Maps keeps giving directions while you read a text. The real problem is apps that run without a good reason, such as a shopping app that checks your location every few minutes.
Android sorts background activity into four types:
- Foreground services: visible work with a notification, such as music, navigation or a file upload. These show up under Active apps.
- Background jobs: short tasks the system schedules, such as checking email or backing up photos.
- Cached apps: apps you used recently that sit in memory, paused, so they open instantly. They use almost no battery.
- Background data: any app that uses mobile data or Wi-Fi while you aren’t looking at it.
What is background app refresh?
Background app refresh is an iPhone and iPad feature. It lets apps fetch new content while they’re closed, so your feed or inbox is ready when you open it. Android doesn’t use that name. Instead, the closest Android settings are Allow background usage and Background data. So when people search for “background app refresh Android”, these two switches are what they need. Once you know the difference, it’s much easier to decide which apps running in the background you should stop.
Should you stop apps running in the background?
You should stop apps running in the background only when they cause a problem. Closing every app all the time doesn’t help, and it can even make your battery worse.
Here’s why. When you swipe an app away, Android has to load it from scratch the next time you open it. That cold start uses more power than waking a paused app. Besides, Android already clears cached apps on its own when it needs memory.
| What people believe | What really happens |
|---|---|
| Closing all apps saves battery | Usually not. Cached apps are paused, so reopening them costs more power. |
| Free RAM makes the phone faster | Android is built to keep RAM full. Unused RAM is wasted RAM. |
| A task killer keeps the phone clean | Most task killers close apps that restart a minute later, which drains more battery. |
| Force stop is permanent | It only lasts until you open the app or a notification wakes it. |
| Every background app is bad | Messaging, alarms, health and navigation apps need it to work. |
It makes sense to stop apps running in background mode when:
- An app sits near the top of Settings → Battery → Battery usage, but you barely use it.
- It uses mobile data in the background and you have a small data plan.
- The app is frozen, glitchy or stuck.
- It tracks your location for no clear reason.
- Your phone feels hot while it sits idle.
However, leave some apps alone. WhatsApp, Telegram, email, your alarm clock, smartwatch and fitness apps, and banking apps with security alerts all need background access.
How to check apps running in the background before you stop them
First, find out what is actually running. There are three ways to check, from quickest to most detailed.
Use the Active apps button
On Android 13 and later, follow these steps:
- Swipe down twice from the top of the screen to open Quick Settings.
- Next, look at the bottom for a small button such as 1 active app or 2 active apps.
- Then tap it to see the list, with a Stop button next to each app.
This list only shows apps that run a foreground service, which usually means they have a notification. When you tap Stop, Android removes the whole app from memory and ends any music or upload it was running, according to Android Developers. Still, scheduled jobs and alarms will fire later.
Check battery usage
Go to Settings → Battery → Battery usage. On Samsung, the path is Settings → Battery → View details. This screen shows which apps used the most battery since your last full charge. So if an app has lots of background time but little screen time, that’s the one to restrict. In fact, this is the fastest way to spot which apps running in the background are worth the effort to stop.
Use Running services in Developer options
For the full picture, including RAM use, turn on Developer options:
- Go to Settings → About phone and tap Build number seven times. After that, enter your PIN.
- Then open Settings → System → Developer options. On Samsung, you’ll find it at the bottom of the main Settings list.
- Finally, tap Running services.
You’ll now see every app in memory and how much RAM it uses. You can stop an app from here too, but don’t stop anything you don’t recognise. Some entries are system services your phone needs.
How to stop apps running in background on Android: 7 ways
Start with method 3, because it’s the only way to stop apps running in background permanently. Methods 1 and 2 are quick fixes, while methods 4 to 7 give you extra control.
| Method | How long it lasts | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Close from recent apps | Until you reopen it | A frozen app |
| 2. Force stop | Until something wakes it | An app that won’t close |
| 3. Turn off background usage | Permanent | Apps that drain battery |
| 4. Restrict background data | Permanent | Saving mobile data |
| 5. Samsung sleeping apps | Permanent | Galaxy phones |
| 6. Turn off auto-start | Permanent | Xiaomi, Oppo, Vivo and realme |
| 7. Background process limit | Until restart | Testing only |
1. Close apps from the recent apps screen
This is the everyday way to close apps on Android.
- Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and hold for a second. On phones with buttons, tap the square Recents button instead.
- Then swipe the app up to close it. On some phones, you swipe sideways.
- To close all apps at once, scroll to the left and tap Clear all. Samsung shows Close all at the bottom.
Keep in mind that this only clears the app from the list. So it won’t stop apps running in the background for long, because an app with a reason to run will start again.
2. Force stop apps running in the background
Force stop shuts the app down completely, along with any services it was running.
- Open Settings → Apps and tap See all apps if needed.
- Next, tap the app you want.
- Then tap Force stop and confirm with OK.
For a shortcut, long-press the app icon on your home screen, tap App info and then Force stop. The app stays closed until you open it again or another app wakes it.
3. Stop apps running in background permanently with battery settings
This setting is the real fix on Android 12 and later, because it keeps working after you restart the phone.
On Google Pixel and stock Android:
- Go to Settings → Apps → See all apps and pick the app.
- Next, tap App battery usage.
- Then turn off Allow background usage. If you see three options instead of a switch, choose Restricted.
Here is what the three options mean:
- Unrestricted: the app can run in the background whenever it wants.
- Optimized: this is the default, so Android limits the app based on how often you use it.
- Restricted: the app has no background activity and only works while it’s open.
Also, turn on Pause app activity if unused on the same screen. As a result, Android removes permissions and stops notifications for apps you haven’t opened in a few months.
4. Restrict background data
If data matters more to you than battery, try this method:
- Go to Settings → Apps → [app] → Mobile data & Wi-Fi. On Samsung, tap Mobile data.
- Then turn off Background data. Samsung calls it Allow background data usage.
To limit every app at once, turn on Data Saver in Settings → Network & internet. After that, you can give your most important apps Unrestricted data.
5. Stop background apps running on Samsung Galaxy
Samsung has its own system, and it’s stronger than stock Android. Go to Settings → Battery → Background usage limits. On older models, the path is Settings → Battery and device care → Battery → Background usage limits, according to Samsung.
- Put unused apps to sleep: turn this on, and Samsung handles apps you haven’t used for a while.
- Sleeping apps: these can still run in the background now and then.
- Deep sleeping apps: these never run in the background, so they only work when you open them. Use this list for battery drainers.
- Never sleeping apps: Samsung never limits these. Put WhatsApp, your watch app and your alarm here.
To add an app, tap +, pick the apps and then tap Add.
6. Turn off auto-start on Xiaomi, Oppo, Vivo and OnePlus
Some Android skins let apps launch themselves when the phone starts. When you turn this off, many apps won’t start in the background at all.
| Brand | Where to find it |
|---|---|
| Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO (HyperOS) | Settings → Apps → Permissions → Autostart |
| Oppo and realme (ColorOS, realme UI) | Settings → Apps → App management → [app] → Allow auto launch |
| OnePlus (OxygenOS) | Settings → Apps → [app] → Battery usage → Allow background activity |
| Vivo (Funtouch OS, OriginOS) | i Manager → App manager → Autostart manager |
| Huawei and Honor | Settings → Battery → App launch → turn off Manage automatically |
Menu names change between versions. So if a path doesn’t match, type “auto” or “background” into the Settings search bar.
7. Use the background process limit
- First, turn on Developer options by tapping Build number seven times in About phone.
- Then open Developer options and scroll down to Apps.
- Finally, tap Background process limit and choose No background processes or a small number.
Be careful with this one. It affects every app, including messaging and alarms, so you may miss notifications. It also resets when you restart the phone. That’s why it’s good for testing but not for daily use.
Why do apps keep running in the background after I stop them?
An app comes back when something gives it a reason to run. Because force stop only lasts until the next trigger, you need to remove that trigger. Here are the usual causes:
- Notifications: a push message wakes the app. So turn off its notifications or use method 3.
- Other apps: Facebook can wake Messenger, and Google apps often wake each other. In that case, restrict both.
- Location access: an app set to “Allow all the time” can wake itself. Go to Settings → Apps → [app] → Permissions → Location and pick Allow only while using the app.
- Auto-start: the app launches when the phone boots, so turn off auto-start with method 6.
- System apps: you can’t remove these, but you can often tap Disable in App info.
- Apps you don’t need: the cleanest fix is to uninstall them. Long-press the icon and tap Uninstall.
Popular apps and what to do with them
- Facebook, Instagram and TikTok: these use a lot of background power, so set them to Restricted or Deep sleeping. You’ll still see new messages when you open them.
- Outlook and other email apps: restricting them delays new mail. Instead, set sync to manual inside the app if delays are fine.
- Spotify, Pandora and other music apps: they run as a foreground service while they play. To end them, tap Stop in Active apps or close the playback notification.
- Google Play Store and Play services: they update your apps and keep your phone secure, so don’t restrict them.
- AICore: this Google service runs on-device AI features such as Gemini Nano. It’s normal to see it, so leave it alone unless it tops your battery list for days.
- Carrier apps such as T-Mobile Play: your carrier installs these. You can disable them in App info or restrict their background usage.
How to stop apps running in background on iPhone
On iPhone, the setting you need is Background App Refresh. When you turn it off for an app, that app can’t fetch new content while it’s closed.
How to turn off background app refresh
- Open Settings → General → Background App Refresh.
- To turn it off for one app, switch that app off.
- To turn it off for all apps, tap Background App Refresh at the top and choose Off. Alternatively, choose Wi-Fi to save mobile data only.
To turn background app refresh on again, go back to the same screen and choose Wi-Fi & Mobile Data. In the US, it’s called Wi-Fi & Cellular Data.
What happens if you turn off background app refresh?
The app works as normal when you open it, but it takes a second to load new content. Push notifications still arrive, because Apple sends them separately. However, you might see delays in email previews, news widgets or fitness data from your watch.
Should background app refresh be on or off?
Keep it on for apps that need fresh data, such as messaging, email, maps, weather, banking and health apps. On the other hand, turn it off for games, shopping, social media and apps you open once a week. This saves a little battery and some mobile data. Still, it won’t make a big difference if your battery is healthy.
Why is background app refresh greyed out?
There are two common reasons:
- Low Power Mode is on. This mode turns off background app refresh while it’s active. So switch it off in Settings → Battery.
- Screen Time limits apply. Check Settings → Screen Time → Content & Privacy Restrictions, especially if a parent or employer manages the phone.
How to close apps on iPhone
Swipe up from the bottom and pause in the middle of the screen. On older iPhones, double-press the Home button instead. Then swipe an app up to close it. Apple only recommends this when an app freezes, because closed iPhone apps are paused rather than active. So to stop apps running in the background on iPhone, use Background App Refresh instead.
Do you need an app to stop apps running in the background?
No, you don’t. Android’s own settings now do everything task killers used to do, and they do it without the side effects.
Apps sold as “close all apps” tools usually force-stop apps in a loop. The apps restart, the tool closes them again, and your battery pays for both. Many of these tools also ask for accessibility access and show ads, which is a privacy risk.
If you still want one, Greenify is the long-standing choice, because it puts apps to sleep instead of killing them. Even so, Samsung’s deep sleeping apps or Android’s Restricted setting does the same job on most modern phones.
FAQs
How do I stop apps running in background permanently on Android?
Go to Settings → Apps → [app] → App battery usage and turn off Allow background usage, or choose Restricted. On Samsung, add the app to Deep sleeping apps. Unlike force stop, this keeps working after a restart.
Can I stop apps running in the background without root?
Yes. Every method in this guide works on a normal phone, so you don’t need root access or special tools.
Is it safe to force stop apps running in the background?
Yes, it’s safe. Force stop closes the app and its services right away, but it doesn’t delete your data. The app simply starts again the next time you open it.
How do I close all apps on Android at once?
Swipe up and hold to open the recent apps screen. Then tap Clear all, or Close all on Samsung. This closes recent apps, but it won’t stop apps that restart on their own.
What does 1 active app mean on Android?
It means one app is running a foreground service, such as music, navigation or a download. To see which app it is, tap the button at the bottom of Quick Settings. Then tap Stop if you don’t need it.
Does having apps in the background drain battery?
Paused apps in memory use almost no battery. Instead, the drain comes from apps that sync, use location or run services. So check Settings → Battery → Battery usage to find them.
What does allow background data usage mean?
It lets an app use mobile data while you aren’t using it, so it can sync, update or load ads. When you turn it off, you save data, and the app still works when it’s open.
How do I check background apps on Samsung?
Go to Settings → Battery → View details to see which apps use the most battery. Also, tap the Active apps button in Quick Settings to see what’s running right now.
Is it okay to turn off background app refresh on iPhone?
Yes. Nothing breaks, and push notifications still arrive. Apps just take a moment to update when you open them.
Where is background app refresh on iPhone?
You’ll find it in Settings → General → Background App Refresh.
How do I keep an app running in the background?
Do the opposite of the steps above. On Android, set the app’s battery usage to Unrestricted. On Samsung, add it to Never sleeping apps. Meanwhile, on iPhone, keep Background App Refresh on for that app.
Conclusion
You don’t need to close every app on your phone. Instead, find the two or three apps running in the background that drain the most battery, and stop them with the Restricted or Deep sleeping setting. Then let Android manage the rest. Finally, leave messaging, alarm and health apps alone, so you never miss anything important.
