How to disable autoloading on Android: a complete guide for all OS versions

Starting applications is one of the main reasons for slow operation Android smartphones. Even after rebooting the device, many apps automatically run in the background, consuming RAM and battery power. This problem is especially relevant for budget models with limited resources, where every megabyte of RAM counts.

Many users mistakenly believe that it is enough to close the application by swiping in the multitasking menu - but this does not stop it from autorunning the next time you turn on the phone. Moreover, some system services (for example Google Play Services or proprietary shells from Samsung, Xiaomi, Huawei) can automatically restart closed apps if you do not disable this function at the system level.

In this article you will find current ways to disable autoloading for Android 12, 13 and 14, including methods without root access and using ADB. We will also look at which applications can be safely disabled, and which are better left in startup to avoid crashes.

Why does startup slow down Android?

Each application running in the background takes up part of the RAM (RAM) and processor resources. On modern flagships with 8–12 GB of RAM, this may not be noticeable, but on devices with 2–4 GB of memory, autoloading 10–15 apps leads to:

• 🐢 Slower animations and freezing of the interface
• 🔋 Accelerated battery drain (up to 15–20% per night in mode waiting)
• 🔄 Spontaneous reboots due to lack of memory
• 📱 Overheating of the case during active use

Social networks (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok), instant messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram), and branded services of manufacturers. For example, on Xiaomi i Redmi background activity miui.analytics can eat up to 300 MB of RAM, and on Samsung the service Knox constantly scans the system for threats.

Important: some system processes (for example android.process.media or com.android.phone) are critical for the stable operation of the phone. Disabling them may lead to loss of connection, inability to make calls, or damage to the gadget.

Method 1: Disabling auto-download through Android settings

On most smartphones with clean Android (for example, Pixel, Nokia, Motorola) or with minimal shells (OnePlus, Asus) you can disable autostart of applications without additional tools. To do this:

1. Open Settings → Applications.
2. Tap on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Special access (or Additional on some firmware).
3. Find the item Autostart (can be called Automatic launch or Run in the background).
4. In the list, disable switches for unnecessary applications.

On smartphones Samsung the path will be different:

1. Settings → Device care → Memory.
2. Tap on Additional (or … in the upper corner).
3. Select Autostart and disable unnecessary apps.

Make a backup copy of important data|

Check the battery charge (at least 30%)|

Remember or write down disabled applications|

Reboot your phone after changes-->

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware (for example, MIUI from Xiaomi) after disabling autoloading, the application may stop receiving notifications. For instant messengers, this is critical - messages will only arrive after manually opening the app.

Method 2: Using ADB for deep shutdown

If there is no item in the settings of your smartphone to control autoloading (for example, on Huawei or Meizu), you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB)This method works on all versions of Android, but requires a connection to a computer.

You will need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows, macOS or Linux
• 📱 USB cable (preferably original)
• 🔧 Installed ADB drivers (you can download from the website Google)
• 📱 Enabled USB debugging on the phone

Step-by-step guide:

1. Activate Developer mode: go to Settings → About phone and tap on Build number.
2. Go back to Settings → System → For developers and enable USB debugging.
3. Connect your phone to the PC and confirm trust in the computer on the smartphone screen.
4. Open the command line (or Terminal on macOS/Linux) and enter:

   adb shell pm list packages | grep 'package_name'

   To find the application package, or use:

   adb shell dumpsys package | grep "Package \[.*\]"

   to display the complete list.

5. Disable autoloading with the command:

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

   Replace com.example.app with a real package (for example, com.facebook.katana for Facebook).

⚠️ Attention: Some manufacturers (for example, Huawei) block ADB commands for system applications. In this case, you will need to unlock the bootloader (unlock bootloader), which will void the warranty.

Method 3: Using Third Party Applications

If manual methods seem complicated, you can use specialized utilities. The best of them:

For example, in Greenify just add application to the list and select the option Hibernation + autorun. The app will automatically “freeze” it after closing. Brevent requires preliminary setup via ADB (instructions are in the application description).

Please note: many utilities from Google Play promise to “speed up Android in one click”, but in reality they simply clear the cache. To actually disable autoloading, choose proven open source tools (for example, from F-Droid).

Method 4: Manual removal of system applications (for experienced ones)

On some firmware (especially from Xiaomi, Samsung and Huawei) even after autoload is disabled, system applications continue to launch. In this case, you can deactivate or delete them (you need to root).

List of system applications safe to disable (on example MIUI):

• 📊 com.miui.analytics — Xiaomi statistics collection
• 🎵 com.miui.player — standard music player
• 📰 com.miui.yellowpage — yellow pages
• 🛒 com.xiaomi.shop —Xiaomi brand store
• 📡 com.miui.hybrid —hybrid services (can be disabled if you do not use Dual Apps)

To deactivate without root:

1. Go to Settings → Applications.
2. Tap on the three dots and select Show system processes.
3. Find the application you need, open its page and click Disable (or Delete updates).

For complete removal with root access, use Root Explorer or Titanium Backup. Removing system APKs without a backup can lead to the device "bricking" - when the phone stops booting.

Method 5: Setting up power saving to limit the background

If you can't disable startup, you can limit background activity through power saving modes. This is a less radical method, but it helps reduce resource consumption.

On Android 12+:

1. Go to Settings → Battery → Energy saving modes.
2. Select Limited mode or Adaptive charge.
3. Add problematic applications to the list limited.

On firmware MIUI (Xiaomi):

1. Settings → Battery and performance → Application power management.
2. Select Limit background activity for unnecessary apps.

On Samsung One UI:

1. Settings → Device care → Battery.
2. Tap on Background limit and add applications to the list.

⚠️ Attention: Limiting the background for messengers (WhatsApp, Viber) will lead to a delay in notifications. For critical applications (banking, mail), it is better to use other optimization methods.

What to do if autostart is turned on again?

Many applications (especially system ones) have self-healing mechanisms. If after a reboot, autostart is activated again, try the following steps:

• 🔄 Update the firmware — in new versions of Android, bugs with background processes are often fixed.
• 🛠️ Reset the application settings: Settings → Applications → [select application] → Storage → Reset.
• 📵 Turn off the Internet for the application (if it is not critical): this will prevent it from receiving autorun commands from servers.
• 🔧 Use Tasker or MacroDroid to automatically turn off background processes on a schedule.

If the problem persists, check your phone for data-i="220">(malware). Some viruses disguise themselves as system processes and forcibly launch advertising applications. To scan, use malware (malware). Some viruses disguise themselves as system processes and forcibly launch advertising applications. To scan, use Malwarebytes or Dr.Web Light.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about autoboot on Android

adb shell dumpsys activity broadcasts | grep "action=android.intent.action.BOOT_COMPLETED"