Background apps are programs that keep working even when you're not looking at them
Your Samsung phone runs dozens of apps and services in the background at any moment — some you installed, some that came with the phone, and some that other apps started on their own. These background processes handle notifications, location services, syncing your email, playing music, and keeping your phone find. Most of them are necessary and harmless. Some drain your battery or use data without adding anything you want. The Settings app on your Samsung lets you see what's running and control which apps can stay active.
Background activity happens in layers. The most visible layer is background apps — programs like Gmail or Spotify that continue working after you close them. Below that are system services — parts of Android itself that manage connectivity, security, and device functions. At the bottom are processes — individual tasks that apps and services spawn. You don't need to understand all three layers; you mainly need to know which apps are consuming battery or data, and how to stop them.
Key Takeaways
- You can see which apps are running in the background through Settings > Apps > Running apps, or through the Device Care tool on newer Samsung phones.
- System apps like Google Play Services, Android System, and Samsung apps are normal and should not be uninstalled, though you can restrict their background permissions.
- Apps you installed can be forced to close or have their background permissions removed through Settings > Apps > Permissions, without uninstalling them.
- Battery drain from background apps is usually visible in Settings > Device Care > Battery, which shows which apps used the most power in the last 24 hours.
- Disabling background activity for an app may prevent it from sending notifications or updating, so only restrict apps you don't use regularly.
How to see what's running right now on your Samsung
The fastest way to see active background processes is through the Device Care tool, which is built into most Samsung phones. Open Settings, tap Device Care, then tap Memory or Battery. You'll see a list of apps currently using resources, ranked by how much memory or power each one is consuming. This view is useful for spotting a single app that's draining your battery or slowing your phone down.
For a more complete list, go to Settings > Apps > Running apps (on older Samsung phones, this may be under Settings > Applications > Running Services). This shows every process currently active, including system services you've never heard of. Most of these are normal. Google Play Services, Android System, and Samsung's own services like Samsung Experience Service are expected to be there.
If you don't see a Running apps option, your phone may use a newer version of Android. In that case, open Settings > Device Care > Memory, which shows the same information in a different layout. Tap the number at the top to see the full list of running apps.
Which background apps are safe to stop
Apps you installed yourself — social media, games, messaging apps, news readers — are safe to stop. You can force them closed by opening Settings > Apps, finding the app by name, and tapping Force Stop. The app will close when ready and won't run in the background until you open it again. Closing an app this way doesn't uninstall it or delete any of your data.
System apps that came with your phone — Google Play Services, Android System, Samsung Internet, Samsung Health — should not be force-stopped. These are part of how your phone works. Stopping them can break notifications, location services, or security features. If one of these apps is using too much battery, the better approach is to restrict its background permissions rather than close it entirely.
Apps from Google (Maps, Gmail, YouTube) and Samsung's own apps (Samsung Health, Samsung Internet, Samsung Notes) are also safe to leave running. They're designed to work in the background and won't cause problems. If you don't use one of them, you can disable it instead of force-stopping it — go to Settings > Apps, find the app, and tap Disable (if that option appears). Disabling removes it from your app drawer and stops it from running, but you can re-enable it later.
How to stop an app from running in the background without uninstalling it
The cleanest way to prevent an app from running in the background is to remove its background permissions. Open Settings > Apps > Permissions, then select the permission you want to restrict — Battery, Location, or Background Activity. You'll see a list of apps that have that permission. Tap the app name and choose "Don't allow" or "Allow only while using the app."
For example, if a social media app is draining your battery, go to Settings > Apps > Permissions > Battery, find the app, and tap it. Select "Don't allow in the background" or "Optimize battery usage." The app will still work when you open it, but it won't run tasks in the background or send notifications unless you're actively using it.
Another approach is to restrict background data. Go to Settings > Apps > Permissions > Other Permissions > Nearby Device Streaming or Settings > Apps > Special Access > Unrestricted Data Usage. Find the app and toggle it off. This prevents the app from using mobile data or Wi-Fi while running in the background, which saves both battery and data.
Understanding system processes you'll see running
When you look at running apps, you'll see names like "Android System," "Google Play Services," "System UI," and "Samsung Experience Service." These are not apps you installed — they're core parts of how your phone operates. Android System handles the operating system itself. Google Play Services manages app updates, location, and Google account sync. System UI is the interface you see on screen. Samsung Experience Service handles Samsung-specific features.
These processes use memory and battery power, and that's normal. They're not a sign something is wrong. If one of them is using an unusually high percentage of your battery — more than 20 percent over a full day — it may indicate a problem, but the solution is usually to restart your phone rather than to stop the process.
You may also see processes with names like "com.android.systemui" or "com.samsung.android.app.spage." These are the internal names of system components. You can't stop them, and you shouldn't try to. They'll restart automatically if you do.
Why some apps restart after you close them
If you force-stop an app and it starts running again a few minutes later, another app probably started it. This is common with messaging apps, email clients, and social media — they're designed to restart themselves so they can deliver notifications. This is not a malfunction; it's how the app is supposed to work.
If you don't want an app to restart, disable it entirely rather than force-stopping it. Go to Settings > Apps, find the app, and tap Disable. This prevents it from starting automatically. You can still use the app if you need to — it will ask you to enable it first — but it won't run in the background.
Some apps, like Google Play Services and Samsung's system apps, will restart no matter what you do. This is intentional. They're essential to how your phone works, and Android is designed to keep them running. If one of these apps is restarting and draining your battery, the issue is usually a bug in that version of the app, and the solution is to wait for an update or restart your phone.
How to check which apps used the most battery
Open Settings > Device Care > Battery. You'll see a graph showing your battery usage over the last 24 hours, and below it a list of apps ranked by how much power each one used. The app at the top used the most battery. If you see an app you don't use regularly at the top of the list, that's a sign it's running in the background more than it should be.
Tap any app in the list to see more details — how long it was running, whether it was on screen or in the background, and what permissions it has. If an app used a lot of battery while running in the background (not on screen), you can restrict its background permissions or disable it entirely.
Keep in mind that some apps naturally use a lot of battery. Maps uses battery when you're navigating. Spotify uses battery when you're playing music. YouTube uses battery when you're watching video. These are not problems. The apps to watch for are ones that used a lot of battery when you weren't actively using them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to disable Google Play Services?
No. Google Play Services manages app updates, location services, and Google account sync. Disabling it will break many apps and features on your phone. If it's using too much battery, restart your phone first. If the problem continues, go to Settings > Apps > Google Play Services > Permissions and restrict its background permissions instead.
What does "Android System" do and why is it always running?
Android System is the operating system itself — it manages memory, power, security, and communication between apps. It has to run all the time for your phone to work. If it's using an unusually high percentage of your battery, restart your phone. If the problem continues after a restart, a factory reset may be needed, but this is rare.
Can I delete apps from the running apps list?
No, you can only force-stop them temporarily. To permanently remove an app from running, go to Settings > Apps, find the app, and tap Uninstall. If the app is a system app, you'll see a Disable option instead. Disabling removes it from your app drawer and stops it from running automatically.
Why does my phone feel slow even though nothing is open?
Background apps and system processes use memory even when you're not looking at them. If your phone feels slow, open Settings > Device Care > Memory and tap the Optimize button. This closes unnecessary background apps and frees up memory. If the phone is still slow after optimizing, restart it.
Will turning off background app refresh save battery?
Yes, but it will also prevent apps from sending notifications and updating their data. Go to Settings > Apps > Permissions > Other Permissions > Background Activity and toggle it off for apps you don't need to stay current. For apps you use regularly, leave it on.