How to view all open applications on Android: from standard methods to hidden functions

Applications running in the background not only consume battery power, but can also slow down the smartphone. This is especially noticeable on devices with 2–4 GB of RAM, where each extra app takes resources away from active tasks. However, not all users know how to completely see the list of open applications - many limit themselves to the standard task manager, which does not show everything.

In this article we will look at all possible ways to view running applications on Androidincluding hidden system tools, developer commands and third-party utilities. You will learn how to distinguish active processes from cached ones, why some apps do not appear in the multitasking menu, and how to forcefully close them without harming the system. The instructions are relevant for all versions of Android - from Android 8 Oreo to Android 15 (including shells MIUI, One UI, ColorOS and others).

1. Standard task manager (gesture or button)

The most obvious way is to use the built-in multitasking menu. On most modern smartphones it opens swipe up with a delay (if you have navigation buttons, click the square icon). However, there are nuances here:

• 📱 Pure Android (Pixel, Motorola, Nokia): swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen with a pause in the middle.
• 🤖 Samsung One UI: swipe up from the right or left side of the bottom panel (depending on gesture settings).
• 🔴 Xiaomi MIUI: swipe up + hold or double-click on the Home button (if buttons are enabled).
• 📲 Huawei EMUI: swipe up on both sides at the same time (for new models).

This menu displays only recently used applications, but not all background processes. For example, system services (com.android.systemui) or applications with notifications (Messenger, WhatsApp) may not appear here. To see them, go to the following methods.

⚠️ Attention: On some devices (for example, Samsung Galaxy S22+ s One UI 6.1) in the multitasking menu, by default, only the 5 most recent applications are shown. To see the full list, scroll the screen to the left or click on the three dots in the upper right corner.

2. The "Recent applications" section in the settings

If gestures or buttons do not work (for example, due to a launcher failure), you can use an alternative path through the settings:

1. Open Settings → Applications.
2. Select item Recent applications (or All applications → Filter → Running on some firmware).
3. Here you will see a list indicating the time of last use and consumption batteries.

This method shows more processesthan the multitasking menu, but still does not display system services. But here you can immediately go to information about each application (permissions, cache, data) or force stop it.

Check the filter in the top menu (may be hidden)

Update the firmware (on older versions of Android this section was called “Running”)

Use search by settings (enter "running")

Reboot the device (sometimes helps with interface failures)-->

3. ADB commands for advanced users

If you need to see all processes, including system ones, you will need to connect to Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This method is suitable for developers or advanced users, as it requires command line skills.

Instructions:

1. Enable USB debugging in Settings → About phone → Build number (press 7 times, then return in Settings → System → For developers).
2. Connect the phone to the PC and run the command:

   adb shell dumpsys activity activities | grep "mResumedActivity"

   It will show the currently active application.

3. For a complete list of processes, use:

   adb shell ps -A | grep -E 'u0_a[0-9]+'

   (filter by user applications).

In the output you will see PID (process ID), package name (com.example.app) and status. To forcefully close a process, use:

adb shell am force-stop com.example.app

⚠️ Attention: Forcibly stopping system processes (for example, com.android.phone) can lead to loss of mobile connection or rebooting the device. Do not close processes whose names begin with android., com.qualcomm. or com.media..

4. Third-party monitoring applications

If standard methods do not suit you, you can install specialized utilities. not only show running applications, but also analyze battery consumption, RAM and network activity.

When choosing a utility, pay attention to compatibility reviews some applications. (for example, Greenify) may not work correctly on Android 12+ due to background activity restrictions.

5. Hidden system menus (for experienced ones). users)

Some firmwares (for example, MIUI or Flyme) have hidden menus that allow you to see more information about running processes. To open them, use the following codes:

• 🔢 ##4636## — displays usage status (tab Running services).
• 🔢 *#9900# — SysDump (on Samsung, shows logs of system processes).
• 🔢 #0# — test menu (on some devices contains information about the background).

B menu ##4636## go to the tab Running services. Here you will see:

• 📊 Foreground apps — applications in the foreground.
• 🔄 Background services — background services.
• 🗑️ Cached processes — cached processes (can be closed without consequences).

⚠️ Attention: Not all codes work on modern devices. Manufacturers often block access to these menus in new firmware. If nothing happens after entering the code, then the function is disabled.

6. Analysis through "For Developers"

The developer menu contains hidden tools. help track active processes without ADB. To enable it:

1. Go to Settings → About phone → Build number.
2. Click on Build number 7 times until the notification appears You have become a developer!.
3. Go back to Settings → System → For developers.

Next use the following options:

• 🛠️ Do not save actions — limits background activity (useful for saving battery).
• 📈 Process statistics —shows CPU usage and memory in real time.
• 🔍 GPU debugging - identifies applications that overload the graphics processor.

In the section Process statistics you will see full list of running applicationssorted by resource consumption. Here you can forcefully stop any process, but be careful - closing system services can lead to unstable operation of the device.

7. Features on different versions of Android

Methods of viewing running applications may differ depending on the OS version. Here are the key changes:

Starting from Android 12, Google has tightened its background activity policy. Now many applications are automatically “frozen” after closing, and their processes are not displayed in the standard task manager. To see them, you have to use ADB or the developer menu.

⚠️ Attention: On Android 15 (beta version) a function has appeared Partial App Freezethat pauses unused applications, but stores them in memory. This can be misleading - such apps will not be visible in the active list, although technically they are running.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions

adb shell am kill-all

adb shell cmd appops set com.example.app RUN_ANY_IN_BACKGROUND ignore