If your smartphone has suddenly become
slow or laggy, even when you aren’t running any heavy apps, the culprit may be
background apps. These apps run silently behind the scenes, consuming
RAM, CPU, and battery, which can significantly impact your phone’s performance. Understanding why this happens and how to manage it can make your device
faster and more efficient.
Why Background Apps Slow Down Your Phone1.
Continuous Resource Consumption· Background apps use
RAM and processing power even when not actively displayed.· This reduces available memory for other apps, making your phone sluggish.2.
Battery Drain and Overheating· Apps running in the background can keep the
CPU and sensors active, draining battery faster and causing your phone to heat up.3.
Network Usage· Some background apps constantly
sync data, fetch notifications, or upload content, consuming both data and processing resources.4.
System Lag· When too many apps run simultaneously, the operating system struggles to allocate resources efficiently, causing
stutters, freezes, or delayed responses.
How to Properly Close Background Apps1. Use the Recent Apps Menu· On Android: Tap the
Recent Apps/Overview button and
swipe away apps you don’t need.· On iPhone: Swipe up from the bottom (or double-click the home button on older models) and
close apps by swiping them off.
2. Use App Settings to Restrict Background Activity· On Android: Settings → Apps → Select App →
Battery → Background Restriction.· On iPhone: Settings → General → Background App Refresh → Turn off for specific apps.
3. Enable Battery Saver or Performance Modes· Most smartphones have modes that
automatically limit background processes to improve performance and extend battery life.
4. Uninstall Unnecessary Apps· Apps you rarely use can still run background processes. Removing them frees up resources and keeps your phone running smoothly.
5. Restart Your phone Regularly· Restarting clears temporary processes and
resets ram usage, giving your phone a fresh start.
Bonus Tip: Use Task Managers Wisely· Avoid third-party task-killer apps, as modern Android and iOS systems
manage memory efficiently. Manual or forced killing can sometimes slow your phone further.
ConclusionBackground apps are often
hidden performance killers. By understanding their impact and using proper methods to manage them, you can
significantly speed up your smartphone, save battery, and prevent overheating. Regularly monitoring app activity and restricting unnecessary background processes is key to keeping your device efficient.
Disclaimer:The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any agency, organization, employer, or company. All information provided is for general informational purposes only. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, reliability, or suitability of the information contained herein. Readers are advised to verify facts and seek professional advice where necessary. Any reliance placed on such information is strictly at the reader’s own risk.