Android operating system has come a long way since its inception and has become the preferred choice of millions of smartphone users around the world. One of the key features of Android is its capability to run multiple apps simultaneously, also known as multitasking. However, this can also lead to slower performance and battery drain, especially if there are too many background apps running. To ensure an optimized and efficient experience, it is important to know how to manage background apps in Android. In this article, we will explore different ways to manage background apps on your Android device.
Why do background apps matter?
Before diving into how to manage background apps, it is essential to understand their significance. In simple terms, background apps are the ones that continue to run in the background even when you are not actively using them. These apps may perform various tasks like receiving notifications, checking for updates, or syncing data, all of which require processing power and consume battery. If there are too many background apps, it can significantly impact the performance and battery life of your device.
Ways to manage background apps
1. Use the built-in Android tools
Android offers several built-in tools to help you manage background apps. These tools can be accessed through your device’s settings. Here’s how to do it:
a) Go to “Settings” and then tap on “Apps & notifications.”
b) Look for the “Running services” option.
c) Here, you will see a list of all the apps currently running in the background. You can tap on each app to see their respective details and choose to stop or force stop them.
Alternatively, you can also use the “Battery optimization” feature under “Battery” settings to restrict background app activities and improve battery life. Keep in mind that these features may vary depending on your device’s make and version of Android.
2. Use a task killer app
There are many third-party task killer apps available on the Google Play Store that claim to improve your device’s performance by killing background apps. While these apps may seem appealing, they can actually do more harm than good. Android is designed to manage background apps efficiently, and constantly killing them can disrupt its functioning and even drain more battery. Therefore, it is not recommended to use task killer apps to manage background apps.
3. Uninstall unused apps
Some apps may run in the background even if you haven’t opened them in a while. This can happen if the app is set to automatically update or if it has notifications enabled. If you have such apps that you don’t use frequently, it is better to uninstall them altogether. This will not only free up space on your device but also reduce the number of background apps running.
4. Optimize app settings
Some apps have settings that allow you to control their background activities. For example, you can set some social media apps to only update when you open them or turn off notifications for certain apps. This will reduce their background activities and improve device performance.
5. Use “Doze Mode”
Starting from Android 6.0 (Marshmallow), Google introduced a feature called “Doze Mode” to improve battery life by restricting background activities. It puts apps into low-power consumption mode when your device is idle, thus reducing battery usage. However, this feature is automatically enabled, and you don’t need to manually activate it.
6. Use “Data Saver” mode
Another way to manage background apps is to use the “Data Saver” mode. This feature restricts background app activities when your device is connected to a mobile network, thus reducing data usage and improving battery life. You can enable this mode under “Network & internet” settings.
In conclusion, managing background apps in Android is crucial for a smooth and efficient user experience. By following the above methods, you can reduce battery drain, improve device performance, and free up space on your device. It is essential to regularly monitor and manage background apps to ensure optimal performance of your Android device. So the next time you feel that your device is slowing down, don’t forget to check and manage your background apps.