How to Stop Apps From Running in Background on Android (Full Easy Guide 2025)

Modern Android phones are powerful, but background apps can slow your mobile, drain your battery, consume mobile data, and cause overheating. Many users don’t even realize that apps keep running even when you close them from the recent apps menu.

In this guide, you will learn how to stop apps from running in background using multiple methods—easy, safe, and effective.

This article covers step-by-step methods, tips, settings, and expert recommendations for beginners.

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Why Do Apps Run in the Background?

Apps run in background because they:

• Sync data (WhatsApp, Gmail, Facebook)

• Send notifications

• Update location (Google Maps, Delivery apps)

• Backup your data

• Run ads or trackers

Some apps need background running to work properly, but many unwanted apps waste battery and RAM.

If your phone slow, heating, or the battery drains fast, this guide will help you.

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Why You Should Stop Background Apps

Stopping background apps gives you these benefits:

✔ Faster phone performance
✔ Longer battery life
✔ Reduced overheating
✔ More free RAM
✔ Less mobile data usage
✔ Stops unnecessary app activity
✔ Makes gaming smooth

Now let’s start with the methods.

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Method 1: Stop Background Apps Using Settings

This is the easiest and safest method.

✔ Step 1: Open Settings

Go to the ⚙ Settings app on your phone.

✔ Step 2: Tap on “Apps”

You will see a full list of apps installed on your device.

✔ Step 3: Select the App You Want to Stop

Choose apps that you don’t want running in background (e.g., Facebook, TikTok, Snapchat, Shopping apps).

✔ Step 4: Tap on “Battery”

Different phones show different options:

• Battery usage

• Manage battery usage

• Battery optimization

✔ Step 5: Select “Restricted” or “Optimize”

Choose:

• Restricted (best option)

• Optimize background activity

• Don’t allow background activity

This will stop apps from running in the background unless you open them.

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Method 2: Disable Background Data Usage

Some apps keep running because they use mobile data in background.

✔ Step 1: Go to Settings → Network & Internet

✔ Step 2: Tap on “Data Usage”

✔ Step 3: Select the App

✔ Step 4: Turn Off Background Data

This stops apps from using internet when you’re not using them.

Best for: Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Shopping apps, TikTok.

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Method 3: Use “Battery Saver” Mode

Battery Saver automatically stops many apps from running.

✔ Step 1: Open Settings

✔ Step 2: Tap on Battery

✔ Step 3: Turn ON Battery Saver

This restricts background activity of most apps automatically.

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Method 4: Remove Apps From “Auto Start”

Some apps start automatically even after you stop them.

✔ Step 1: Go to Settings → Apps → Special App Access

✔ Step 2: Tap on Auto Start

✔ Step 3: Turn OFF Auto Start for unwanted apps

This will stop apps from starting automatically after reboot.

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Method 5: Force Stop Apps Temporary

If an app is misbehaving, you can stop it immediately.

✔ Step 1: Go to Settings → Apps

✔ Step 2: Select the App

✔ Step 3: Tap on Force Stop

This ends all background processes but only temporarily.
When you open the app again, it may run again.

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Method 6: Use Developer Options (Advanced)

This method is strong but safe.

✔ Step 1: Enable Developer Options

Go to:
Settings → About Phone → Tap “Build Number” 7 times.

✔ Step 2: Open Developer Options

It appears inside Settings.

✔ Step 3: Turn ON Don't Keep Activities

This prevents apps from staying open after you leave them.

✔ Step 4: Limit Background Processes

Options available:

• No background processes

• At most 1 process

• At most 2 processes

Choose At most 2 processes for safety.

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Method 7: Uninstall or Disable Unused Apps

Many system apps run in background even if you never use them.

Examples:

• Facebook Lite

• Google News

• Samsung Push Service

• Pre-installed games

• Shopping apps

✔ Step 1: Go to Settings → Apps

✔ Step 2: Select App

✔ Step 3: Tap Uninstall or Disable

Disabling stops the app permanently.

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Method 8: Use Third-Party Optimization Apps (Optional)

These apps help stop background apps, but use trusted ones only:

• Greenify

• SD Maid

• Nox Cleaner

Do NOT use too many cleaners—they harm performance.

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Important Apps You Should NOT Stop

Some apps must run in background for phone to work properly:

✔ Google Play Services
✔ Phone App
✔ Messaging App
✔ System UI
✔ Keyboard (Gboard, Samsung Keyboard)
✔ Security App
✔ Google Services Framework

Stopping system apps can cause errors.

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Signs Background Apps Are Draining Phone

Here’s how to know if background apps are the problem:

• Battery drains very fast

• Phone heats up

• Apps feel heavy and slow

• Device storage is full

• Mobile data finishes quickly

• Random ads appear

• App crashes happen

Stopping background apps will fix these issues.

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Extra Tips to Reduce Background Activity

✔ Turn OFF location when not needed
✔ Turn OFF  WiFi
✔ Clear cache regularly
✔ Restart your phone once a day
✔ Avoid installing too many apps
✔ Turn OFF Bluetooth
✔ Turn OFF notifications for unnecessary apps

These habits improve speed and battery.

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Conclusion

Background apps are one of the biggest reasons behind battery drain, slow performance, and overheating. By following the methods in this guide, you can easily learn how to stop apps from running in background and make your Android device faster and smoother.

Start with simple steps like restricting battery usage, disabling background data, and turning off auto start. If needed, use advanced methods like Developer Options.

Your phone will feel brand new once unnecessary background apps stop runn