Have you ever minimized an app on your phone—perhaps to copy a one-time password (OTP) from your inbox—and realized upon returning that the entire app restarted? It’s not only inconvenient; it can derail logins, banking tasks, or important work.
In this blog, we’ll address why your apps restart when minimized and, more importantly, how to stop apps from restarting when you switch between them. We’ll detail brand-specific fixes for Samsung, Motorola, Google Pixel, LG, Xiaomi, and the iPhone. By following these steps, you can keep your critical apps alive in the background and enjoy smoother multitasking.
This is exactly why this issue happens and how you can fix it.
Why Do My Apps Restart All Over Again If I Minimize Them?
Typically, Android (and iOS) tries to optimize memory and battery usage by killing background tasks it deems unnecessary. On some devices—especially those with aggressive battery or performance management—this occurs more frequently.
Key triggers include:
- Aggressive Battery Optimization: The OS attempts to preserve battery at the expense of app continuity.
- Developer Options Settings: “Don’t Keep Activities” forces the system to close apps the moment you switch away.
- Manufacturer Skins: Certain brands like Xiaomi or Samsung have proprietary software that can aggressively kill background apps.
- Heavy Resource Demands: If you open too many demanding apps, the system will close lower-priority tasks.
8 Universal Fixes: Stop Android Apps from Restarting When Minimized
Below are eight proven fixes to keep apps from restarting when you minimize or switch between them. Many of these solutions apply to a wide range of Android devices, but we’ll also call out any OS or manufacturer-specific steps.
Fix 1. Adjust Battery Optimization Settings for Specific Apps
One of the first things I tried was adjusting the battery optimization settings for specific apps. I found that battery optimization can be too aggressive, limiting the functionality of apps when they’re not in focus. By disabling optimization for my crucial apps, I was able to ensure they weren’t automatically closed to save power.
Why it helps: Lets you keep critical apps (banking, password managers) continuously active.
Steps:
- Select Don’t Optimize or Allow background activity.
- Go to Settings > Battery > Battery Optimization.
- Locate the important apps.
I remember reading a post from Reddit user u/jack72, who shared that disabling battery optimization for frequently killed apps stopped the background shutdowns, particularly for VPNs and messaging apps. This insight gave me the confidence to try this solution, and it worked like a charm.
Fix 2. Disable “Adaptive Battery” and Power Saving Modes
Another step I took was disabling “Adaptive Battery” and power-saving modes. I learned that these features can force-stop apps that aren’t used frequently, which was causing problems for my essential apps.
Why it helps: Adaptive Battery and Power Saving modes can forcibly stop apps not used frequently.Steps:
- Settings > Battery > Adaptive Battery; turn it Off.
- Disable any “Power Saving” modes.
I came across a post from Chrono102 on the OnePlus forum, who mentioned that disabling Adaptive Battery allowed their password manager to keep running, avoiding the constant app restarts when switching between apps. This insight reinforced my decision to disable these battery optimization features for my crucial apps.
Fix 3. Turn Off “Don’t Keep Activities” in Developer Options
One of the most effective solutions I discovered was turning off the “Don’t Keep Activities” setting in Developer Options. This setting closes activities as soon as the app loses focus, which was causing my VPN to disconnect whenever I switched to another app.
To access Developer Options, I went to Settings > About Phone > Tapped Build Number seven times to unlock Developer Options. Then, I navigated to Developer Options, found “Don’t keep activities,” and disabled it.
I stumbled upon a comment from Reddit and Quora user u/TechFixer89, who highlighted that turning off “Don’t Keep Activities” allowed apps like VPNs to maintain their connection even when minimized. This insight was a game-changer for me, as it solved the issue of my VPN constantly disconnecting.
Fix 4. Lock Apps in the Recent Apps Overview
Another method I found effective was locking apps in the Recent Apps menu. This prevents them from being killed by Android’s memory management system, ensuring they stay in memory and continue running even when I’m not actively using them.
To lock an app, I open the Recent Apps screen, find the app I want to keep running, and tap on the app icon or menu. Then, I select “Lock” or “Pin” to keep the app in memory.
I recall seeing a post from Reddit user u/LockedInPro, who shared their success with this method. They mentioned that pinning essential apps like VPNs and password managers prevented them from closing while multitasking. This insight gave me the idea to try app pinning, and it has worked wonders for keeping my crucial apps running in the background.
Fix 5. Disable Background Data Restrictions
I discovered that restricting background data can cause apps to be forcefully closed or lose their active state. This was particularly problematic for my VPN, which needs to maintain a constant connection.
To disable background data restrictions for a specific app, I go to Settings > Apps > Select the app > Mobile Data & Wi-Fi > Disable Background Data Restrictions.
I remember reading a post from GeofferyK on the OnePlus forum, who mentioned that lifting background data restrictions stopped their VPN from disconnecting every time the screen turned off. This insight helped me realize the importance of allowing background data usage for apps that need to stay connected.
Fix 6. Use a Third-Party App to Keep Apps Alive
When the built-in Android settings weren’t enough, I turned to third-party apps like “Greenify” to help control which apps are put to sleep and which are kept running. These apps provide better control over Android’s memory management, allowing me to whitelist important apps and ensure they stay active in the background.
To use a third-party app, I installed Greenify from the Play Store and configured it to allow my important apps to stay active.
I stumbled upon a comment from Reddit user u/AppKeeperPro, who found success with Greenify in whitelisting apps that shouldn’t be put to sleep, allowing VPN and banking apps to run seamlessly in the background. This insight gave me the confidence to try Greenify, and it has been a reliable solution for keeping my essential apps running.
Fix 7. Minimize the Use of Resource-Intensive Apps Simultaneously
I realized that running too many demanding apps simultaneously (like browsers with many tabs) can max out system memory, prompting Android to kill background apps. To mitigate this issue, I started managing my running apps more carefully and closing unused or resource-intensive tasks.
Whenever I notice my essential apps getting killed in the background, I make sure to close unused apps, tabs, or services that are heavy on memory. I also regularly check system usage to identify and close memory hogs.
I came across a post from user T M 2278 on a Google Support forum, who explained that the issue intensified when running Linux VMs and other memory-heavy applications. They suggested that careful management of running tasks significantly reduced app shutdowns. This insight helped me understand the importance of managing my device’s resources to keep essential apps running.
Fix 8. Reboot Your Device Regularly
Lastly, I’ve found that regular reboots help clear temporary files and refresh the system’s memory, preventing apps from being killed due to accumulated background processes. Whenever I experience issues with apps being force-closed, I make sure to restart my device, especially after heavy use or when apps start misbehaving.
In conclusion, by applying these proven methods, I’ve significantly improved app performance, prevented auto-closures, and enhanced my overall user experience on Android devices. Whether it’s adjusting battery optimization settings, disabling background restrictions, or using third-party apps to manage background processes, these solutions have helped me ensure that my important apps stay active even when multitasking.
Brand-Specific Fixes for the Mobile Brands
Below are targeted instructions for major US smartphone manufacturers—Samsung, Motorola, Google Pixel, LG—along with Xiaomi (popular among global users) and the iPhone.
Samsung
- Optimize Battery Settings
- Go to Settings > Device Care > Battery > App Power Management.
- Disable “Put unused apps to sleep” for crucial apps.
- Under “Sleeping apps,” remove or exclude apps that need to stay active.
- Lock Apps in Recents
- Open Recents > tap the app icon > select Lock this app.
- Disable Adaptive Power Saving (on newer Galaxy devices)
- Settings > Device Care > Battery > Power Mode > toggle off Adaptive Power Saving.
Why it Helps: Samsung’s One UI aggressively optimizes battery usage; preventing these automated “sleep” rules is crucial for continuous background tasks.
Motorola
- Moto Battery Optimization
- Settings > Battery > Battery Optimization.
- Switch the problematic apps to Not Optimized.
- Adaptive Battery
- Settings > Battery > Adaptive Battery (if available); turn it off for crucial apps.
- Locking Apps (If Supported)
- On some Moto devices, open Recents and long-press the app window; look for an option to Lock or Pin.
Note: Many Motorola devices come close to stock Android, so standard Android fixes (like turning off “Don’t Keep Activities”) often apply seamlessly.
Google Pixel: Stopping Apps from Restarting on Stock Android
- Battery Optimization
- Settings > Apps & Notifications > Advanced > Special app access > Battery Optimization.
- Choose the app, then Don’t Optimize.
- Adaptive Battery
- Settings > Battery > Adaptive Battery; toggle off if the app continuously gets killed.
- System Intelligence
- Pixel’s AI tries to learn your usage patterns. If an app is rarely used, it might be auto-optimized. Use it regularly or mark it as a “priority” if possible in some versions.
Comment: Pixel devices are typically the earliest to get new Android features, so you might see new “App Hibernation” or “Background Restrictions”—disable them for critical apps.
LG
- Battery Saver Settings
- Settings > Battery > Battery Saver.
- Turn off “Restrict apps in background” for important ones.
- Smart Cleaning
- LG sometimes includes “Smart Cleaning,” which can close background apps. Periodically check Settings > Smart Cleaning to ensure essential apps aren’t flagged.
- Lock or Pin Apps
- In Recents, tap the app icon > look for a Lock or Pin option to keep that app in memory.
LG Note: Because LG phased out new smartphone releases, software updates may be limited. The standard Android solutions often remain your best bet.
Xiaomi
- Autostart Permissions
- Settings > Apps > Permissions > Autostart; enable for your must-have apps.
- Lock Apps in Recents
- Open Recents, pull down or hold the app window, tap the lock icon.
- Disable Battery Saver for Specific Apps
- Security App > Battery > Battery Saver; set crucial apps to No Restrictions.
Why: MIUI is notoriously strict about background processes. Locking or whitelisting your apps is often essential.
iPhone: How to Stop Apps from Restarting When Multitasking
- Background App Refresh
- Settings > General > Background App Refresh; enable for apps you need.
- Avoid Low Power Mode
- Settings > Battery > toggle Low Power Mode Off if the app keeps restarting.
- Manage Storage & RAM
- If your iPhone is nearly full, iOS may force-close background apps. Free up some storage, and close large games before switching apps you want to stay active.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Why does my app restart when I minimize it?
From my experience, it often boils down to OS-level memory management and strict battery optimization policies. On many Android devices, the system aggressively halts background processes to free up resources, especially if “Don’t Keep Activities” is active under Developer Options. This is essentially your phone’s way of preserving power and memory, but it’s frustrating if you need certain apps alive in the background.
2. How do I prevent Android apps from resetting whenever I switch apps?
I typically suggest turning off battery optimization for the specific apps you want to keep running, especially if they hold essential data like one-time passwords or secure messaging. Disabling “Don’t Keep Activities” in Developer Options is crucial as well—it tells Android to stop immediately destroying an app’s activity once it loses focus. Finally, lock or pin your vital apps in the Recents overview so they remain in the foreground of Android’s memory hierarchy.
3. How to stop apps from restarting when minimized on Android?
In addition to the steps above, I’ve personally used Greenify or similar third-party apps. They help fine-tune which processes are hibernated and which remain active. If you regularly manage background tasks (closing memory hogs or clearing large caches), you’ll create a more stable environment that prevents auto-closures of essential apps.
4. Why do my apps restart when multitasking on Android?
A lot of this stems from limited RAM and strict power-saving triggers. If your phone doesn’t have enough RAM, Android’s low-memory killer forcibly shuts down apps to keep the primary task snappy. I generally recommend granting your critical apps “Unrestricted” or “No Restrictions” for battery/data usage, plus ensuring you have enough free RAM by closing resource-heavy apps or unnecessary background services.
5. App restarts when minimized on iPhone—any quick fixes?
iOS has its own memory optimization heuristics. I’ve found that enabling Background App Refresh for crucial apps and making sure Low Power Mode is off helps sustain them in the background. Also, watch out for storage constraints—when iOS runs low on available resources, it’s more likely to terminate idle apps.
6. Samsung app restarts when minimized?
On Samsung devices, the path typically goes: Settings > Device Care > Battery > App Power Management. From there, I disable or remove “sleeping apps” or “deep sleeping apps” for anything mission-critical—VPNs, banking apps, password managers, etc. Once that’s done, I also lock them in Recents to reinforce their priority.
7. How about Motorola, Google Pixel, or LG?
Each brand’s Android skin may differ slightly. Motorola’s battery manager might be labeled “Battery Saver” or “Power Manager,” while Pixel devices mostly stick to the stock Android naming. In essence, turn off Battery Optimization or Battery Saver for your must-stay-alive apps and see if there’s an integrated “app pinning” or “lock in Recents” option. Many devices have these features tucked away in a sub-menu.
8. Why do Xiaomi apps restart when minimized?
Xiaomi’s MIUI is notoriously aggressive with battery and memory control. I always head to Settings > Battery & Performance (or “Battery Saver”) and switch crucial apps to No Restrictions or Allow Autostart. Then, in the Recents screen, I lock them so the system doesn’t forcibly close them to conserve battery.
12 Reasons Why My Android Apps Keep Closing: A Personal Experience
- Aggressive Battery Optimization – Android’s built-in power management forcibly closes background apps to save battery.
- Low RAM Availability – When RAM is full, the system automatically shuts down apps to allocate memory for active tasks.
- Don’t Keep Activities Enabled – This Developer Option forces apps to close as soon as they lose focus.
- Adaptive Battery Restricting Background Processes – AI-driven power saving deprioritizes apps that aren’t frequently used.
- Corrupt App Cache or Data – A bloated or corrupted cache leads to instability, causing apps to crash or restart.
- Background Data Restrictions – If disabled, apps relying on constant internet connections (like VPNs or messaging apps) may close unexpectedly.
- Outdated or Incompatible Apps – Older apps that aren’t optimized for the latest Android version tend to force close.
- System-Level Bugs or OS Conflicts – Android updates sometimes introduce bugs that interfere with app stability.
- Too Many Resource-Intensive Apps Running – Running heavy apps simultaneously can overload the processor and RAM, triggering app shutdowns.
- Third-Party Battery Saver or Performance Booster Apps – Over-aggressive third-party optimizers kill apps running in the background.
- Overheating Issues – When a phone overheats, Android may automatically close apps to reduce processing load.
- Storage Running Low – When available storage dips below a critical threshold, apps crash due to insufficient space for temporary files.
Conclusion
Whether you’re on a Samsung Galaxy, a Motorola, a Google Pixel, an LG, a Xiaomi, or even an iPhone, you can avoid frustrating app restarts by fine-tuning battery and background settings. From disabling adaptive features and locking apps to whitelisting crucial tasks, these fixes help ensure your essential apps remain alive—even when you switch away to handle something else.
This is all for today. Today, I tried showing you all the ways to fix apps that keep stopping while switching to another app or during multitasking. Moreover, I included all the screenshots, making it easier for you to follow along.
I hope you found the information helpful. If you did, please let me know in the comments section. If you’re still facing any related issues, feel free to contact us from here.
