How to stop apps from running in the background

Your phone handles multiple processes at once, so apps can keep running even when you’re not using them. This hidden activity drains your battery and quietly consumes mobile data.

The good news is that you can prevent apps from refreshing content when they aren’t open on your screen with a few quick settings changes. Do be careful: Some apps rely on background access to function and restricting them too much can lead to missed notifications.

Here are the fastest ways to limit background activity on both Android and iPhone. We’ll also explain which apps you should leave untouched and why.

How to stop background apps on iPhone

Apple’s iOS manages background processes differently from Android. The main tools for controlling background activity on an iPhone involve background app refresh and automatic updates.

Method 1: Configure the Background App Refresh settings

Disabling this feature prevents apps from repeatedly pre-loading new content when you aren’t actively using them. It’ll help you conserve battery life and can also save you a few hundred megabytes.

If you tap Background App Refresh, you’ll also get to choose how the setting behaves over different connections. For example, you can choose to enable it only over Wi-Fi.

Method 2: Enable Low Data Mode

This setting protects your cellular data allowance. It pauses heavy background tasks, such as photo backups and updates.

Keep this setting enabled to reduce data usage. It’s essential if you’re on a limited data plan.

Method 3: Limit location tracking

Many apps request access to your location even when they aren’t actively in use. Here’s how to adjust location tracking.

Limiting location access prevents apps from checking GPS in the background, helping improve battery life.

How to turn off background apps on Android

Android phones offer several ways to control your background activity. The exact settings may vary slightly depending on your phone manufacturer, but the core options are available on most Android devices.

Method 1: Restrict background usage per app

This is the most effective way to stop apps from running behind the scenes without uninstalling them. It can significantly boost performance.

This method works well if you’ve noticed specific apps that consume a lot of battery by reserving large amounts of processing power.

On Samsung

Follow these steps to restrict apps from running in the background.

On Pixel

1. Go to Settings > Apps > See all apps.
2. Tap the app you want to restrict.
3. Select App battery usage.
4. Choose Restricted.

On Xiaomi

1. Go to Settings > Apps > Manage apps.
2. Tap the app you’d like to restrict.
3. Select Battery saver.
4. Choose Restrict background apps.

Method 2: Disable background data for a specific app

Social media and cloud services typically consume large amounts of data because they refresh content in the background. You can stop this by disabling background data access for individual apps.

This setting allows the app to use data only when you open it manually. It works well if you’re looking to conserve data or limit apps that don’t need constant connectivity, such as streaming apps or productivity tools.

Check your data consumption before making adjustments.

On Samsung

You can disable certain apps from running in the background in a few easy steps.

On Pixel

1. Go to Settings > Apps > See all apps.
2. Tap the app you want to disable.
3. Select Mobile data usage.
4. Toggle off Background data.

On Xiaomi

1. Go to Settings > Apps > Manage apps.
2. Tap the app you want to disable.
3. Select Data usage.
4. Toggle off Background data.

Method 3: Force stop an app

This option is helpful if an app seems unresponsive or drains your battery quickly. Note that force-stopping is a one-time action with no persistent effect. Many apps restart background services when the system needs them again (e.g., the next time you open the app).

If you no longer use an app and want to stop it from accessing data and consuming power, consider uninstalling it.

On Samsung

Force-stopping an app immediately shuts down all its running processes. Here’s how to do it.

On Pixel

1. Go to Settings > Apps > See all apps.
2. Tap the app you want to stop.
3. Select Force stop.

On Xiaomi

1. Go to Settings > Apps > Manage apps.
2. Tap the app you want to stop.
3. Select Force stop.

Method 4: Configure deep sleep settings (Samsung)

Samsung offers an extra layer of control for stopping background apps. Here’s how to configure the settings.

Apps added to the deep sleep section never run in the background until you reopen them.

Why should you turn off background apps?

Stopping unnecessary background activity can improve several aspects of your phone’s performance.

Improve device performance

Each background process requires memory and resources. When too many apps run simultaneously, your phone becomes sluggish, with slower load times and reduced responsiveness.

Extend battery life

Many apps regularly sync data or monitor notifications. Each task uses a small amount of power, but when dozens run simultaneously, the cumulative drain becomes significant. Limiting background activity extends your phone’s battery life. This is essential during trips when you rely on navigation tools and you have limited chances for charging opportunities.

Reduce mobile data consumption

Background apps also consume mobile data. Services may automatically download updates or back up files without you realizing it. If you have a limited data plan, restricting these processes can help prevent overages.

This is particularly important while traveling since roaming fees are high and international plans often come with strict limits. Background syncing (especially photo backups) will eat up your available data.

Restricting vs. closing the app

You may think that swiping apps away from the multitasking view solves the problem. In reality, that action usually closes the visible interface while the app’s background services continue running. Messaging apps, social media platforms, cloud storage tools, and navigation apps often keep refreshing data even after you think you’ve closed them.

It might seem logical to close every app, but your phone manages memory automatically. Constantly closing apps can actually slow things down because the system has to use more resources to reopen them later. It’s better to control background usage through your phone’s settings.

What apps shouldn’t you restrict?

Some apps rely on background processes to function correctly. If you restrict them too much, you may stop receiving important alerts.

• Messaging apps. Limiting their background activity too much can stop notifications or delay incoming messages.
• Navigation apps. If you disable location tracking completely, directions or traffic updates may stop working as intended, which could cause issues on the road.
• Financial and security apps. Restricting banking apps or two-factor authentication tools may stop them from sending alerts and verification prompts.

Don’t eliminate all background processes. The goal is to prioritize apps that truly need it to work.

Prioritize essential apps and restrict others

Learning how to stop apps from running in the background is one of the most effective ways to improve your phone’s performance. By adjusting background data permissions or battery usage restrictions, you can reduce data usage spikes and extend your phone’s battery life.

The key is knowing which apps to restrict. Limiting background activity only for the tools that don’t need it will keep your phone efficient without missing out on important updates.