How to prevent Android from closing background applications - a complete guide

Have you noticed that Android spontaneously closes applications in the background, interrupting downloads, notifications or music? This is not an accident, but the work of the built-in optimization mechanism RAM and the battery. The system believes that freeing up memory improves performance, but it often interferes with users: for example, when Telegram stops syncing messages or Spotify cuts off playback after 10 minutes of inactivity.

The problem is aggravated on devices with small volume RAM (2–4 GB) and on firmware from manufacturers like Xiaomi, Huawei or Samsung, which aggressively optimize background processes. In this article we will look at preventing Android from killing applications - from basic settings to advanced methods with 5 proven methods prevent Android from killing apps - from basic settings to advanced methods with ADB. All instructions are relevant for Android 10–14, but some points may differ depending on the shell (MIUI, One UI, ColorOS etc.).

Why does Android close background applications?

The reason lies in the architecture Android: the system uses memory management mechanism (Low Memory Killer, or LMK), which forcibly terminates processes when there is a shortage RAM. The less free memory, the more aggressively Android cleans the background. Manufacturers are aggravating the situation with their “tricks”:

• 🔋 Battery optimization: MIUI (Xiaomi/Redmi/Poco), EMUI (Huawei) and One UI (Samsung) block background activity to save battery.
• 🧹 Auto-clean memory: on devices with 4 GB of RAM or less, the system can kill applications every 5-15 minutes of inactivity.
• 📱 Manufacturers are "improving" Android: for example, Oppo/Realme in ColorOS add a feature "Deep optimization", which forcibly freezes applications.

Another culprit is Doze Mode (sleep mode), which is activated when the device lies motionless. In this mode, Android limites network activity and background tasks, which leads to losing notifications from instant messengers and stopping downloads..

⚠️ Attention: Disabling memory optimization can increase battery consumption by 10-25% and cause lags on weak devices. Before making changes, check the free memory in Settings → Memory.

Method 1: Disable battery optimization for a specific application

The safest method is exclude the application from battery optimization mode. This does not cancel the restrictions LMK, but allows the app to work longer in the background. Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications.
2. Select the desired application (for example, VK Music or Google Maps).
3. Go to Battery → Battery optimization (on some devices the path may differ: Settings → Device maintenance → Battery → Background activity).
4. Select "All applications" → find yours → install "Do not optimize".

On Xiaomi i Redmi Additionally you need:

• 🔄 Go to Settings → Applications → Permissions → Autorun and enable autorun for the application.
• 📱 V Settings → Battery and performance → Application battery management select "No restrictions".

Enable application autostart

Disable battery optimization

Add to "Protected Applications" (if any)

Reboot the device-->

On Samsung (One UI) the path is different:

1. Settings → Device Maintenance → Battery.
2. Tap on the three dots (⋮) → "Battery settings".
3. Select "Applications running in the background mode" → add your application to the list.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware (for example, EMUI 12+ from Huawei), these settings may be reset after updating the system. Check them every 1-2 months.

Method 2: Use "Application Lock" in multitasking

Many shells (MIUI, Flyme, ColorOS) allow pin the application in memoryso that it does not close when minimized. How it works:

1. Open recent applications (swipe up with a delay or the "□" button).
2. Find the desired application (for example, YouTube Music) and swipe down (on Xiaomi) or tap on the icon 🔒 (on Samsung).
3. The application will be marked as "Blocked" and will not close when cleared RAM.

Method limitations:

• ❌ Works only while the application hangs in recent. After a reboot, the lock is reset.
• ❌ Not all shells support this function (for example, on stock Android it is not).
• ✅ Suitable for a temporary solution (for example, to Google Maps not close during navigation).

Method 3: Developer settings - limit background processes

For advanced users there is a way reduce aggressiveness LMK via Developer settingsThis will not disable closing applications completely, but will increase their operating time. background.

First enable developer mode:

1. Settings → About phone → Build number (tap 7 times).
2. Go back to Settings → System → For Developers.

Now change the following parameters:

After changes reboot the device. The effect will not be noticeable immediately: the system may still close applications, but less often. On weak devices (for example, Redmi 9A with 2 GB of RAM), this may lead to slowdowns.

⚠️ Attention: On Android 12+ Some options (for example Background process limit) may be hidden or not work due to Google restrictions. In this case, use ADB (method 4).

MIUI (Xiaomi/Redmi/Poco)

One UI (Samsung)

ColorOS (Oppo/Realme)

EMUI (Huawei)

Stock Android (Pixel/Motorola/Nokia)

Other-->

Method 4: ADB commands to completely disable optimization

If the previous methods did not help, the only thing left is advanced method - disable optimization via ADB (This requires connecting to a computer. but gives maximum control.

What you will need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 📱 On mode USB debugging (in Settings → For developers).
• 🛠️ Utility ADB (download from official website).

Step-by-step guide:

1. Connect your phone to the PC and allow debugging (a request will appear on the phone screen).
2. Open Command Line (Windows) or Terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with ADB.
3. Enter the command to check the connection:

   adb devices

   The serial number of your device should appear.

4. Disable optimization for a specific application (replace com.example.app on your application package, for example com.whatsapp):

   adb shell dumpsys deviceidle whitelist +com.example.app

5. Disable Doze Mode for the application:

   adb shell dumpsys battery unplug
   adb shell dumpsys deviceidle force-idle

   (These commands simulate connecting to a charger, which disables sleep mode.)

To find the application package, use the command:

adb shell pm list packages | grep "application_name"

for example, for Telegram:

adb shell pm list packages | grep "telegram"

Effect of ADB-commands:

• ✅ The application will not be killed Doze Mode.
• ✅ Notifications will arrive without delay.
• ❌ After rebooting the phone or updating the system, the settings may be reset.

⚠️ Attention: Some manufacturers (for example, Huawei) block commands for managing the battery. In this case, only root will help. ( ADB-commands for battery management. In this case, only root will help (root).

Method 5: Use third-party utilities (without root)

If you don’t want to bother with ADB, you can use specialized applications. They do not provide a 100% guarantee, but they simplify setup. The best options:

Setting example Greenify:

1. Install the application from Google Play.
2. Enable USB debugging and connect to the PC.
3. Run Greenify and select "Set up Greenify with ADB".
4. Follow the instructions in the application to activate the advanced mode.
5. Add the desired applications to the list and select "Hibernate" (sleep mode).

Important: third-party utilities do not guarantee 100% results, especially on new versions Android. Their effectiveness depends on the firmware and model. devices.

What to do if nothing helps?

If all methods have been tried, and Android stubbornly closes applications, there are several radical solutions left:

• 🔄 Reset settings to factory settings: sometimes it helps if the problem is caused by a conflict settings. Attention: will delete all data!
• 📱 Install custom firmware (for example, LineageOS or Pixel Experience). manufacturer optimizations, but require unlocking the bootloader.
• 🔋 Buy a phone with more RAM: on devices with 6+ GB RAM the problem is less common.
• 🛠️ Get root access and manually edit files /system/build.prop (only for experienced users!).

If you decide on custom firmware, keep in mind:

• ✅ Pros: full control over system, there is no unnecessary optimization.
• ❌ Disadvantages: loss of warranty, risk of “bricking” the device, possible bugs with the camera or sensors.

⚠️ Attention: On some models (for example, Samsung s Knox) receiving root or installing custom firmware will trigger the flag Knox and loss of the ability to use Samsung Pay, Secure Folder and other functions.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions

adb shell settings put global hidden_api_policy 1