Closing apps on your Android phone might seem straightforward, but the best method depends on your Android version and what you're trying to achieve. This guide will cover various techniques, helping you understand how to close apps effectively and optimize your phone's performance.
What Does "Closing an App" Actually Mean?
Before we delve into the methods, it's crucial to understand that there are different interpretations of "closing an app." Simply minimizing an app doesn't always equate to fully closing it. Minimized apps still run in the background, consuming resources like RAM and battery power. Completely closing an app frees up these resources.
Method 1: The Recent Apps Button (Most Android Versions)
This is the most common and user-friendly method.
- Locate the Recent Apps Button: This is usually a square icon (or three vertical lines depending on your Android version and phone manufacturer) located at the bottom of your screen.
- Access Recent Apps: Tap the button to view a list of your recently used applications.
- Close an App: Find the app you want to close and swipe it away from the screen. You might need to swipe up or to the side, depending on your Android version. The app will disappear from the list, indicating it's closed.
This method effectively closes the app and frees up resources. However, it doesn't guarantee the app won't restart in the background, especially if it's a system app or has background processes enabled.
Method 2: Using the App Info Screen (Force Stop)
This method is more drastic and should be used sparingly. It forcefully closes the app, but it also might disrupt any ongoing processes, such as downloads or background updates.
- Open Settings: Find the "Settings" app on your home screen.
- Navigate to Apps: Look for "Apps," "Applications," or a similar option within the Settings menu.
- Select the App: Find the app you want to close in the list.
- Force Stop: Tap "Force Stop." A confirmation prompt may appear; confirm to close the app completely.
When to Use Force Stop: Force stopping an app is useful if an app is frozen, unresponsive, or consuming excessive resources, leading to performance issues on your phone.
Method 3: Task Killer Apps (Use with Caution)
Many third-party apps claim to manage and close background processes. While these "task killer" apps might seem helpful, they can often negatively impact battery life and phone performance. Android's built-in memory management is generally more efficient. Over-killing apps can lead to unexpected behavior and even instability. Therefore, they should be used with caution and only as a last resort.
How Many Apps Should I Close?
Generally, you don't need to constantly close apps. Android manages background processes efficiently. Closing apps frequently might actually reduce battery life because your phone will need to reload them when you open them again. Focus on closing only those apps that are causing problems, like freezing or excessive battery drain.
What if an App Keeps Reopening?
If an app keeps restarting after you close it, it likely has background processes enabled. Check the app's settings to see if you can disable these. If the problem persists, the app itself might have a bug, and you should contact the developer or consider uninstalling and reinstalling the app.
Does Closing Apps Save Battery Life?
Closing some apps might marginally improve battery life, but it's not a significant factor for most users. Android's battery optimization features are usually more effective in conserving power. Focus on factors like screen brightness, location services, and background data usage for more impactful battery improvements.
Will Closing Apps Speed Up My Phone?
Closing apps will free up some RAM, which can potentially improve performance, especially if your phone has limited RAM. However, constantly closing apps isn't necessary and may even hinder performance in the long run. If your phone is consistently slow, consider other factors like insufficient storage space or a need for a system update.
