Understanding and Resolving Background App Stopping Issues in Android Phones

Have you ever encountered a situation where an Android app stops unexpectedly when you try to launch another one? This can be frustrating, especially if you are trying to multitask or simply switch between apps seamlessly. In this article, we will explore why background apps are often stopped and provide you with solutions to resolve this issue.

Why Background Apps are Stopped

Some Android devices, depending on the manufacturer's settings, have a feature that automatically stops apps running in the background to free up memory. Additionally, third-party apps like Greenify can also automatically close apps in the background. This behavior can help with two main goals: saving battery life and increasing available memory.

Advantages: Saving battery life: Reducing the number of running apps can significantly help with battery consumption. Increasing available memory: Freeing up valuable RAM space can improve overall device performance.

However, this feature can also result in some disadvantages, such as missed notifications.

Resolving the Issue

If you find that background apps are stopping frequently, you can configure your device settings to manage this behavior. By specifying which apps should not be closed in the background, you can avoid losing important notifications and maintain a smoother user experience. Here's how you can do it:

Go to your device's Settings. Navigate to the Apps or Application Manager section. Locate the list of installed apps and select the ones you want to keep running in the background. Adjust the settings to ensure these apps are not forcibly closed by the OS. You can also go to Developer Options (if not enabled, you may need to enable it from About Phone). In Developer Options, you can further limit the number of background apps and kill an app the moment you switch to something else.

Alternatively, if your device is killing apps as soon as you switch to a new one, you can adjust the settings to change this behavior. Navigate to Apps or UnSelection, and find the option to prevent apps from being killed automatically.

How Multitasking is Limited by Device Resources

Android devices can support multitasking, but this capability is limited by the available resources, such as CPU and RAM. When a new app is launched, it requires memory from the RAM. If there is enough memory available to accommodate the new app and the background apps, then no background apps will be stopped. However, if there is a lack of available memory, the operating system (OS) will terminate some background apps to make space for the new one. The apps that are started first are the ones that are most likely to be terminated.

FIFO (First In, First Out) Principle

The principle of first in, first out (FIFO) is used to determine which background apps are to be terminated. The apps that were started first are the ones that are terminated first to ensure that the new app can run smoothly. This approach helps in maintaining a balance between memory usage and app functionality.

It's important to note that Android prioritizes the app in the foreground for resources. Therefore, if you are using an app in the foreground, the OS will allocate more resources to that app, and background apps may be terminated if necessary.

Conclusion

In conclusion, background app stopping issues in Android devices are generally an adaptive measure taken by the device to manage limited resources more efficiently. By understanding and configuring your device settings appropriately, you can minimize these issues and enhance your multitasking experience. Remember, the key is to find a balance between memory management and the functionality of your apps.