Background applications on Samsung is one of the main reasons for smartphone slowdown, rapid battery drain and overheating. Many users mistakenly believe that it is enough to press the Home button or swipe an application in the recent tasks menu for it to close completely. In fact, the majority of applications continue to work in hidden mode, consuming RAM, processor resources and Internet traffic.

In this article we will analyze all current ways to force close applications on smartphones Samsung Galaxy (including models on Android 13/14 with a shell One UI 5/6), we will explain why the standard “swipe” does not work, and we will show how to disable autorun of background processes. You will also learn which applications can be closed without risk to the system, and which are better left alone.

Why applications remain in the background and why it is dangerous

Android and shell One UI ot Samsung optimized for multitasking: the system keeps applications in RAM cacheso that when reopened they start instantly. However, some apps (especially instant messengers, social networks and games) do not just “freeze”, but continue to actively work:

  • 📱 Consume battery: even when minimized Facebook, Instagram or Telegram can consume up to 10–15% of the charge per hour.
  • 🐢 Slow down the system: background processes occupy RAM, which is why new applications take longer to open.
  • 🌐 Wasting traffic: some apps (for example, TikTok or YouTube) load content in the background.
  • 🔥 Overheating the processor: constant activity leads to an increase in the temperature of the chip.

According to research, on smartphones Samsung with 6–8 GB RAM up to 20–30 applications can hang in the background at the same time, and on budget models (4 GB) - up to 10–15. At the same time only 2-3 of them are really necessary for stable operation of the system (for example, services Google Play or Samsung Knox).

⚠️ Attention: Not all background processes are harmful! For example, com.samsung.android.knox.analytics or android.process.media responsible for security and multimedia. Forcibly closing them can lead to failures.

Method 1: Standard closing through the recent tasks menu

The simplest, but least effective method. It removes the application from the list of recent ones, but does not guarantee a complete stop of background processes. most users who want to quickly release RAM:

  1. Click on the "Recent applications"** button (three vertical lines or swipe up with a delay of Samsung without physical buttons).
  2. Find the desired application in the list and swipe left/right (on older models - swipe up).
  3. To close all applications at once press Clear all (cross or button below screen).

⚠️ Method limitation: Many applications (for example, WhatsApp, Viber, Gmail) are immediately restarted by the system after 5-10 minutes. To avoid this, you need to disable their autorun (see Method 3).

☑️ What to do if swiping does not help

Done: 0 / 1

Method 2: Task Manager (Device Care) on Samsung

Samsung built into One UI a powerful management tool background processes - Device Care (previously called “Optimization”) It shows which applications are active, how much resources they consume, and allows you to force them to close.

Instructions:

  1. Open Settings → Device Maintenance (Device) Care).
  2. Go to the "Memory"** tab (or RAM).
  3. Click Clear now - this will close all unnecessary background processes.
  4. For manual control, tap Memory → Active applications and select those you want to close.
Action Effect When use
Clean now Closes all unnecessary processes except system ones If the phone slows down or gets hot
Manually closing individual applications Forcibly stops the selected app If one application heavily loads the system
Auto cleanup (in settings) The system itself closes background tasks when blocked screen To save battery power

💡 Tip: Enable the option Auto-clean in settings Device Care —this will allow the system to automatically close background applications when the screen is locked, which will extend battery life by 10–15%.

📊 How often do you clean background applications on Samsung?
Once a day
Only when the phone is slow
Never I clean
I use autoclean

Method 3: Disabling autorun and background activity

Many applications (especially Chinese or social networks) are configured so that launch automatically when you turn on the phone or connect to the Internet. This is one of the main reasons why they return to the background even after closing.

To completely prevent an application from running in the background:

  1. Open Settings → Applications.
  2. Select the desired application (for example, Facebook or AliExpress).
  3. Tap Memory → Memory management.
  4. Enable the option "Limit background activity"** (on some models - Stop or Disable autorun).
  5. Go back and in the section Battery select "Limited background"** (or Optimized).

🔹 Which applications can be disabled:

  • 📦 Social networks (Instagram, TikTok, Facebook)
  • 🛒 Marketplaces (Wildberries, Ozon, AliExpress)
  • 🎮 Games (if you don’t use push notifications)

❌ What applications DO NOT disable:

  • 🔒 Services Google Play (com.google.android.gms)
  • 📱 System processes Samsung (sec_phone, knox)
  • 🔔 Messengers, if notifications are needed (WhatsApp, Telegram)
⚠️ Attention: Disabling autorun for system applications (for example, android.process.acore) can lead to loss of functionality —contacts, calendar or synchronization with your account will be lost Samsung.
What to do if the "Limit background activity" option missing?

On some models Samsung (for example, line Galaxy A 2020–2021) this option is hidden. In this case, use ADB commands to force shutdown: 

adb shell cmd appops set APPLICATION_PACKAGE RUN_ANY_IN_BACKGROUND deny

Where APPLICATION_PACKAGE is the app ID (for example, com.facebook.katana for Facebook).You can find out the package through the app App Inspector or with the command:

adb shell pm list packages grep "application_name"

Method 4: Forced stop through Android settings

If the application stuck or does not close standard methods, it can be forcibly stopped through the settings menu. This is a radical method that completely removes the app from memory, but can reset its settings (for example, logging out of your account).

Step-by-step guide:

  1. Go to Settings → Applications.
  2. Find the problematic application in the list and tap on it.
  3. Click Forced stop (or Stop on English firmware).
  4. Confirm the action in the pop-up window.

⚠️ Consequences:

  • The application will close completely and will stop sending notifications.
  • In some cases it may required reenter your login/password.
  • Background tasks (for example, synchronization Google Drive) will be interrupted.

💡 When to use this method:

  • 🐌 The application freezes and does not respond to swipe.
  • 🔋 It drains the battery more than 20% per hour.
  • 🚫 You want remove it completelybut first you need to stop.
💡

If after a forced stop the application starts again on its own, check it for viruses using Samsung Knox or Dr.Web Light. Some malware disguises itself as legitimate and blocks attempts to close.

Method 5: Using ADB for deep cleaning (for advanced)

If standard methods do not help, and the application stubbornly returns to the background, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB) a debugging tool that allows you to manage system processes at low level.

🔧 What you need:

  • 🖥️ A computer with ADB drivers installed.
  • 📱 Enabled USB debugging on a smartphone (Settings → About phone → Build number (tap 7 times) → Developer settings → USB debugging).
  • 🔌 Cable USB-Type C (original to avoid connection problems).

📌 Commands for closing background processes:

adb shell am force-stop APPLICATION_PACKAGE # Forcefully stops the application

adb shell pm clear APPLICATION_PACKAGE # Clears cache and data (attention: will delete settings!)


adb shell cmd appops set APPLICATION_PACKAGE RUN_IN_BACKGROUND deny # Disables work in the background

📝 Examples for popular applications:

Application Package ID Command to stop
Facebook com.facebook.katana adb shell am force-stop com.facebook.katana
Instagram com.instagram.android adb shell am force-stop com.instagram.android
TikTok com.zhiliaoapp.musically adb shell pm clear com.zhiliaoapp.musically
⚠️ Attention: Incorrect use ADB can lead to data loss or system crash. Do not use commands pm clear for system applications (for example, com.android.phone), otherwise you risk being left without communication!
💡

ADB is the most powerful way to manage background processes, but it requires caution. If you are not sure of your actions, use standard methods (Methods 1–4).

Method 6: Resetting the cache and application data

If the application not only hangs in the background, but also is unstable (crashes, slows down, does not update), resetting its cache and data will help. This is a radical method that will return the app to its “factory” state, but will delete all settings and downloaded files.

How to do:

  1. Open Settings → Applications.
  2. Select the problematic application.
  3. Go to Memory.
  4. Click Clear cache (will delete temporary files, but save settings).
  5. If that doesn’t help, click Clear data (⚠️ all saves and logins will be deleted!).

⚠️ When necessary:

  • The application not updated is not updated Google Play.
  • It is stuck on the loading screen.
  • There appeared errors type "The application has stopped."

🔄 What to do after the reset:

  • Restart the phone.
  • Update the application to the latest version.
  • If the problem persists, uninstall and reinstall it.
How to restore data after a reset?

If the application is synchronized with an account (for example, WhatsApp or Google Photos), log in again - data will be downloaded from the cloud. For games, check whether the profile is linked to Google Play Games or Facebook. If not, restoration is impossible.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about background applications on Samsung

❓ Why does the application appear in the background again after closing?

This happens because autorun. Many apps (especially social networks and instant messengers) are configured to automatically restart after closing. To fix this:

  1. Disable autorun in the application settings (see Method 3).
  2. Check if the application has permissions administrator (Settings → Biometrics and security → Other security settings → Device administrators).
  3. Use Device Care for regular cleaning RAM.
❓ Is it possible to close all background processes right away?

Yes, but not recommended. Complete closure of all processes (including system ones) can lead to:

  • Loss of notifications (SMS, calls, instant messengers).
  • Operation failures One UI (for example, the notification panel will disappear).
  • Slow down the next application launch.

A safe option is to use Clear now in Device Care (see Method 2).

❓ How to find out which application loads the system the most?

There are several ways:

  1. Device Care: Settings → Device Maintenance → Memory —the most “gluttonous” applications are shown here.
  2. Task Manager: in the recent applications menu, hold your finger on the app icon - consumption information will appear RAM.
  3. Third-party utilities: Greenify or Servicely (require root).
❓ Why did background applications start to launch more often after the One UI update?

Samsung regularly changes control algorithms RAM in new versions One UIFor example, in One UI 5.0+ (Android. 13/14) the system has become more aggressive in caching frequently used applications to speed up their launch. If this bothers you:

  • Disable adaptive battery (Settings → Device Maintenance → Battery → Advanced → Adaptive battery).
  • Enable performance mode (Settings → Device maintenance → Performance).
  • Use ADB to manually limit background activity (see Method 5).
❓ Is it possible to close Samsung system applications?

Technically yes, but highly not recommended. System processes like:

  • com.samsung.android.knox.analytics (security),
  • com.sec.android.app.launcher (launcher),
  • android.process.media (multimedia)

are responsible for the stable operation of the phone. Stopping them can lead to:

  • Loss of access to Samsung Pay or Secure Folder.
  • Errors when making calls or connecting to the network.
  • Black screen after reboot.

If the system application is very strong loads the phone, better update the firmware or reset the settings (Settings → General reset).