How to Prevent Apps from Running on Android

This article will show you how to stop apps from running on your Android phone or tablet.

Use Developer Options

images 1 of How to Prevent Apps from Running on Android
Images 1 of How to Prevent Apps from Running on Android

Open Settings. It's an icon commonly found in the app drawer.

images 2 of How to Prevent Apps from Running on Android
Images 2 of How to Prevent Apps from Running on Android

Scroll down and tap About . This item is near the bottom of the menu.

This option is also known as About this device or About this phone .

images 3 of How to Prevent Apps from Running on Android
Images 3 of How to Prevent Apps from Running on Android

Locate the 'Build number' option. This item will be visible on the current screen, but it can also be hidden in another menu. On some Androids, this may be in Software information or More .

images 4 of How to Prevent Apps from Running on Android
Images 4 of How to Prevent Apps from Running on Android

Click 7 times on the Build number line . You can stop clicking until the system says "You are a developer for the device" ('You are a developer now.') Then the Developer Options section will be displayed.

If you're returned to Settings, scroll down and tap Developer options under 'System'.

images 5 of How to Prevent Apps from Running on Android
Images 5 of How to Prevent Apps from Running on Android

Click Running services . _ A list of applications will appear.

images 6 of How to Prevent Apps from Running on Android
Images 6 of How to Prevent Apps from Running on Android

Click on the app for which you need to disable automatic running in the background.

images 7 of How to Prevent Apps from Running on Android
Images 7 of How to Prevent Apps from Running on Android

Click Stop . _ _ The selected application will stop and will usually not relaunch itself.

If this method doesn't work, try another method.

Use Battery Optimization

images 8 of How to Prevent Apps from Running on Android
Images 8 of How to Prevent Apps from Running on Android

Open Android Settings. It's an icon commonly found in the app drawer.

If you're using Marshmallow or higher, you may have apps that run on their own because the battery isn't optimized. This method helps optimize applications to disable background processes

images 9 of How to Prevent Apps from Running on Android
Images 9 of How to Prevent Apps from Running on Android

Scroll down and tap Battery . It will be under 'Device'.

images 10 of How to Prevent Apps from Running on Android
Images 10 of How to Prevent Apps from Running on Android

Tap . A menu will be displayed.

images 11 of How to Prevent Apps from Running on Android
Images 11 of How to Prevent Apps from Running on Android

Click Battery Optimization . _ If any apps appear on this list, they may be running in the background and wasting your battery.

If you don't see the app you're looking for, try another method.

images 12 of How to Prevent Apps from Running on Android
Images 12 of How to Prevent Apps from Running on Android

Tap the app running in the background that you want to stop. A pop-up menu will display.

images 13 of How to Prevent Apps from Running on Android
Images 13 of How to Prevent Apps from Running on Android

Select ' Optimize' and press Done . This application will no longer run in the background.

Use Startup Manager (for rooted devices - gain control of the system)

images 14 of How to Prevent Apps from Running on Android
Images 14 of How to Prevent Apps from Running on Android

Search startup manager freein Play Store. This is the English version. This app is free and allows you to optimize startup applications when you boot your rooted Android device.

images 15 of How to Prevent Apps from Running on Android
Images 15 of How to Prevent Apps from Running on Android

Click Startup Manager (Free) . This is a black icon with a blue clock inside.

images 16 of How to Prevent Apps from Running on Android
Images 16 of How to Prevent Apps from Running on Android

Click Install . The app will install on your phone or tablet.

images 17 of How to Prevent Apps from Running on Android
Images 17 of How to Prevent Apps from Running on Android

Open Startup Manager and click Allow . This will provide admin-level access. You will now see a list of all the apps running in the background.

images 18 of How to Prevent Apps from Running on Android
Images 18 of How to Prevent Apps from Running on Android

Tap the blue button next to the app you want to disable. This button will turn gray, meaning the app will no longer run in the background.

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