Running processes on Android are like invisible gears that spin in in the background, consuming your smartphone's resources. Is your battery draining faster than usual? Is your device heating up for no apparent reason? Are apps slow or closing suddenly? In 80% of cases, the background processesones are to blame, which the user does not even suspect of their existence. But how can you see them if the system hides this information from the eyes of the average user?

Unlike Windows or Linuxwhere the task manager is available in two clicks, Android does not provide direct access to the list of processes. Manufacturers (like Samsung, Xiaomi or Google) intentionally limit this feature to prevent accidental shutdown of critical services. However, there is at least 5 proven methods get full control - from standard settings to commands ADB for advanced users. In this article, we will analyze each method with step-by-step guide, warnings and optimization tips.

⚠️ Attention: Interrupting system processes (for example, com.android.phone or android.process.media) can lead to malfunctions of the phone, including loss of network or errors when launching applications. If you are not sure of the purpose of the process, do not force close it.

Why is it important to control processes on Android

Many users believe that just closing the application by swiping up in the multitasking menu will stop it working completely. In reality this is not the case. Most apps (especially instant messengers, social networks and games) continue to perform background tasks: data synchronization, geolocation tracking, displaying notifications. For example, Facebook can consume up to 15% battery charge per day even if you haven't opened it for an hour.

This is what happens when processes get out of control:

  • 🔋 Rapid battery drain: Background services constantly access the processor and communication module (for example, Google Play Services can wake up the device every 10 minutes).
  • 🐢 Slowdown: Android allocates a limited amount RAM. If it is occupied by unnecessary processes, new applications take longer to launch.
  • 🌡️ Overheating: Constant load on the processor (especially on devices with MediaTek Helio or old Snapdragon) leads to throttling - an artificial decrease in performance.
  • 📶 Network problems: Some processes (for example, TelephonyProvider) block the radio module, causing communication interruptions.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with Android 12+ and higher, the system automatically Limits background activity for unused applications. However, this does not apply to pre-installed (bloatware) apps from the manufacturer, which often cannot be removed without root access.

📊 How often do you check running processes for phone?
Never
Once a month
Only when it slows down
I constantly monitor

Method 1: Built-in application manager (without root)

The simplest method is to use a standard tool Androidwhich is available on all devices, regardless of OS version. It does not show all processes (for example, system services remain hidden), but will help identify power-hungry user applications.

Instructions:

  1. Open Settings → Applications (on some devices, for example Xiaomi Redmi, the path can be Settings → All applications).
  2. Tap on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Show system (if you want to see pre-installed apps).
  3. Select any application from the list and go to section Memory or Battery usage.
  4. Here you will see how much RAM and CPU it consumes, as well as the ability to forcefully stop the process with the button Stop.

📌 Method limitations:

  • ❌ Does not show hidden system processes (for example, zygote or surfaceflinger).
  • ❌ No information about process priority (foreground/background).
  • ❌ Data is updated with a delay (not in real time).
💡

If in the list of applications you see a process with the name android.process.acore, do not stop it - this is responsible for the operation of contacts and calendar. Forcibly closing it can lead to a system crash.

Method 2: Using ADB (for advanced users)

Tool ADB (Android Debug Bridge) allows you to get a complete list of processes directly from your computer, including hidden system tasks. This method requires connecting the phone to PC and turning on the Debugging by USBmode, but provides the most detailed information.

🔧 What you will need:

  • 🖥️ Computer with Windows, macOS or Linux.
  • 📱 USB cable (preferably original).
  • 🛠️ Installed drivers ADB (you can download from the official website Google for Android SDK Platform-Tools).

Step-by-step guide:

  1. Enable on your phone Developer mode: go to Settings → About phone and tap 7 times on the item Build number.
  2. Return to Settings → System → For developers i activate USB debugging.
  3. Connect the phone to the computer and confirm trust in the device on the smartphone screen.
  4. Open the command line (cmd on Windows or Terminal on macOS/Linux) and go to the folder with ADB.
  5. Enter the command to view all processes: 
    adb shell ps -A

    To filter by specific application (for example, Chrome):

    adb shell ps -A | grep chrome

📊 Deciphering the columns in the command output:

Column Value Example
USER User on whose behalf the process is running u0_a105 (user application)
PID Unique process identifier 1234
PPID Parent process identifier 456
NAME Process name com.android.chrome

⚠️ Attention: Commands adb shell kill [PID] or adb shell am force-stop [package] allow you to forcefully terminate the process, but this may disrupt the system. For example, stopping com.android.systemui will lead to the disappearance of the notification bar and navigation buttons.

Enable developer mode|Install ADB drivers on your PC|Connect the original phone cable|Allow USB debugging on the phone|Check the connection with the command adb devices-->

Method 3: Third-party monitoring applications

If ADB it seems too complicated, and the built-in manager does not provide enough data, specialized utilities will come to the rescue. They visualize processes and show resource consumption in real time. and often offer optimization tools.

📌 Top 3 applications for viewing processes:

Application Features Requires root?
Simple System Monitor Shows CPU, RAM, network activity. There is a widget for the main screen. ❌ No
Process Manager Sorting processes by battery consumption, the ability to force stop. ❌ No (but with root there are more functions)
SystemPanel 2 Advanced monitoring with logs activity, support ADB. ✅ Yes (for full access)

🔍 How to use Simple System Monitor:

  • 📥 Install the application from Google Play and open it.
  • 📊 Go to the tab Processes — all active tasks are displayed here, sorted by consumption CPU or RAM.
  • 🔍 Tap on the process to see details: PID, UID, path to the executable file.
  • ⚠️ Button Kill allows you to terminate the process, but be careful with system services.

⚠️ Attention: Some antiviruses (for example Avast or Kaspersky) may block applications for monitoring processes, considering them "potentially dangerous." This is a false positive - add the utility to the exceptions.

What to do if the application does not show system processes?

If the utility displays only user tasks, this means that it does not have rights to access system processes. Solutions:

1. Grant rights root (if any).

2. Use ADB to issue permissions manually:

adb shell pm grant com.app.package android.permission.GET_TASKS

3. Try alternative applications, for example SystemPanel 2 or OS Monitor.

Method 4: Commands via Termux (without a PC)

If you do not have a computer at hand, but want to get data about processes directly on your phone, the terminal Termuxwill help. This is a Linuxconsole emulator that works without root and allows you to execute commands similar to ADB.

📱 Instructions:

  1. Install Termux from Google Play or F-Droid (the version from F-Droid is updated more often).
  2. Update the packages with the command: 
    pkg update && pkg upgrade
  3. Install the utility procps (contains the command ps): 
    pkg install procps
  4. Display a list of all processes: 
    ps -A

    For filtering by name (for example, WhatsApp):

    ps -A | grep -i whatsapp

💡 Useful commands in Termux:

  • 🔄 top -m 10 —shows the top 10 processes by consumption CPU.
  • 📊 dumpsys meminfo —detailed information about usage RAM.
  • 🔍 dumpsys cpuinfo —processor load statistics.

Termux does not require root access, but without them you will not be able to terminate system processes - only view them. For a forced stop you will need either ADBor superuser rights.

💡

Termux - This is a powerful tool, but its capabilities are limited by Android security. For example, the command kill [PID] will not work for system processes without root.

Method 5: Viewing processes through recovery (for advanced)

If the phone does not turn on or is stuck on the logo, but you need to see which processes are interfering with booting, this will help mode Recovery. This method is only suitable for devices with custom recovery (for example, TWRP) and requires experience with firmware.

⚙️ How it works:

  1. Turn off the phone and hold down the combination of buttons to enter Recovery (usually Power + Volume Up, but on Samsung it Power + Volume up + Bixby).
  2. In the menu TWRP select Advanced → File Manager.
  3. Go to the folder /proc —data about all running processes is stored here.
  4. Open the file /proc/[PID]/status (where [PID] is the process identifier) to see its status.

⚠️ Attention: In standard Recovery (not TWRP) this method will not work - there is no file manager. It is also not recommended to delete or change files in /proc, as this may lead to brick device.

🔧 Alternative: If the phone does not boot, but there is access to PC, connect the device to mode Fastboot and use the command: 

fastboot shell ps -A
📊 Which way of viewing processes do you find most convenient?
Built-in dispatcher
ADB
Third-party applications
Termux
Recovery (TWRP)

How to optimize processes without harming the system

Seeing processes is only half the battle. The main thing is to manage them correctly so as not to harm the stability of the phone. Here are 4 safe ones. method optimizations:

🛠️ Effective methods:

  • 🧹 Clearing the cache: Go to Settings → Storage → Cache data and clear them. This will not close the processes, but will free up space in RAM.
  • ❄️ Freeze applications: Applications like Greenify (requires root or ADB) put background tasks into "sleep" mode.
  • 🚫 Limit background activity: In Settings → Applications → [Select application] → Battery select Limited background mode.
  • 🔄 Reboot: Regular reboot (every 2-3 days) clears RAM of accumulated processes.

❌ What NOT to do:

  • 🚫 Close processes with names android., com.qualcomm. or media. —these are system services.
  • 🚫 Use "boosters" like Clean Master or DU Speed Booster —they often kill useful processes.
  • 🚫 Disable Google Play Services —this will lead to errors in the operation of Googleservices.

📌 Advice for devices with a small amount of RAM (2-3 GB): On smartphones with 2 GB of RAM (for example Redmi 5A or Samsung Galaxy J2) background processes can take up to 70% of RAM. In this case, disabling animation in Settings → For Developers will help (set all values in Animation without transitions).

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about processes on Android

🔹 Why do some processes appear again after closing?

This is normal behavior Android. The system automatically restarts critical services. (for example, com.android.phone for communication or android.process.media for multimedia). Also, many applications (for example, Facebook or VK) have autorun mechanisms that can be disabled in the battery settings.

🔹 Is it possible to see processes? another user on the phone (for example, in “Guest” mode)?

No, each user profile is isolated. The processes of one user are not visible to another, even if you have rights Android isolated. One user's processes are not visible to another, even if you have rights root. The exception is system processes that are displayed in all profiles.

🔹 How to find out which process is using up the battery?

Go to Settings → Battery → Battery Usage. Applications that consume the most battery are displayed here. For a detailed analysis, use the command adb shell dumpsys batterystats or application BetterBatteryStats (requires root).

🔹 Why is the process system_server consuming a lot of CPU?

Process system_server responsible for the main functions of the system (memory management, sensors, network). Its high load may indicate:

  • Problems with the firmware (especially on custom ROMs).
  • Application conflict (for example, two antiviruses scan files at the same time).
  • Virus or malware masquerading as a system process.

Solution: check your phone with an antivirus (Malwarebytes), roll back to stock firmware or reset the settings.

🔹 Is it possible to monitor processes on Android TV or a tablet?

Yes, everything The described methods work both on Android TV (for example, on NVIDIA Shield or Xiaomi Mi Box), and on tablets. It is more convenient to use Android TV more convenient to use ADB or Termuxas the interface TV is not optimized for working with complex settings.