How to Prevent Apps from Auto Starting on Android

If your Android apps are opening on their own, you can easily put a stop to it

This wikiHow teaches you how to prevent apps from starting automatically on your Android phone or tablet.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Using Developer Options

  1. Image titled Prevent Apps from Auto Starting on Android Step 1
    1
    Open your Android’s Settings. It’s the
    Image titled Android7settings.png
    icon that’s usually in the app drawer.
  2. Image titled Prevent Apps from Auto Starting on Android Step 2
    2
    Scroll down and tap About. It’s near the bottom of the menu.
    • This option may also be called About this device or About this phone.
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  3. Image titled Prevent Apps from Auto Starting on Android Step 3
    3
    Locate the “Build number” option. This may appear on the current screen, but if it doesn’t, it’s hiding in another menu. It may be under Software information or More on some Androids.
  4. Image titled Prevent Apps from Auto Starting on Android Step 4
    4
    Tap Build number 7 times. You can stop tapping once you see the message “You are a developer now.” This brings you to the Developer Options screen.
    • If you are brought back to Settings, scroll down and tap Developer options under the “System” header.
  5. Image titled Prevent Apps from Auto Starting on Android Step 5
    5
    Tap Running services. A list of apps will appear.
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    6
    Tap the app you don’t want to start automatically.
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    7
    Tap Stop. The selected app will stop and will usually not restart automatically.
    • If this method does not work for you, try another method.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Using Battery Optimization

  1. Image titled Prevent Apps from Auto Starting on Android Step 8
    1
    Open your Android’s Settings. It’s the
    Image titled Android7settings.png
    icon that’s usually in the app drawer.
    • If you have Marshmallow or later, you might have apps that start randomly due to a lack of battery optimization. This method helps optimize apps so they stop starting automatically.[1]
  2. Image titled Prevent Apps from Auto Starting on Android Step 9
    2
    Scroll down and tap Battery. It’s under the “Device” header.
  3. Image titled Prevent Apps from Auto Starting on Android Step 10
    3
    Tap ⁝. A menu will appear.
  4. Image titled Prevent Apps from Auto Starting on Android Step 11
    4
    Tap Battery Optimization. If any apps appear in this list, they may be starting automatically and wasting your battery.
    • If you don’t see the app you’re looking for, try another method.
  5. Image titled Prevent Apps from Auto Starting on Android Step 12
    5
    Tap the app you want to stop opening automatically. A pop-up menu will appear.
  6. Image titled Prevent Apps from Auto Starting on Android Step 13
    6
    Select “Optimize” and tap Done. This app should no longer start automatically.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Using Startup Manager (Rooted Devices)

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    1
    Search for startup manager free in the Play Store. This is a free app that allows you to customize which apps start up when you boot your rooted Android.
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    2
    Tap Startup Manager (Free). It’s the black icon with a blue clock inside.
  3. Image titled Prevent Apps from Auto Starting on Android Step 16
    3
    Tap Install. The app will now install on your phone or tablet.
  4. Image titled Prevent Apps from Auto Starting on Android Step 17
    4
    Open Startup Manager and tap Allow. This is to give the app root access. You should now see a list of all apps configured to start automatically.
  5. Image titled Prevent Apps from Auto Starting on Android Step 18
    5
    Tap the blue button next to the app you want to disable. The button will turn gray, which means the app will no longer start automatically.
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Community Q&A

  • Question
    How do I switch back from being a developer?
    Sasa Bozilovic
    Sasa Bozilovic
    Community Answer
    To turn off developer options, go back to Settings > Apps > Settings > Clear Data (you need to go to storage first if you have android 6.0+). The settings will close. Reopen the settings. The developer options will be disabled.
  • Question
    Unwanted apps keep downloading onto our phones. What is happening and how can we make it stop?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Your device(s) may be infected with malware. Run a play protect scan (or an antivirus scan) to detect and remove it. In worse cases, you may need to format your device!
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References

  1. ↑ http://www.techadvisor.co.uk/feature/google-android/how-stop-android-apps-starting-automatically-3642206/

About This Article

Nicole Levine, MFA
Written by:
Nicole Levine, MFA
wikiHow Technology Writer
This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Nicole Levine, MFA. Nicole Levine is a Technology Writer and Editor for wikiHow. She has more than 20 years of experience creating technical documentation and leading support teams at major web hosting and software companies. Nicole also holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Portland State University and teaches composition, fiction-writing, and zine-making at various institutions. This article has been viewed 315,749 times.
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Co-authors: 3
Updated: May 25, 2022
Views: 315,749
Categories: Android
Article SummaryX

If you’re fed up with your apps auto-starting on your Android phone, open the phone’s setting using the icon that looks like a cog in the app drawer. In the settings menu, scroll down and tap “About”, which will show you more information about your phone. On this screen, look for the “Build number” option. If you don’t see it, try finding it under a “Software information” or “More” menu. Once you have the build number, tap it 7 times, or until you get a message that says “You are a developer now” and a Developer Options screen opens. Then, tap “Running services” to bring up a list of apps. From this list, tap the app you don’t want to start automatically and hit the “Stop” button. For more help, like how to prevent apps from opening automatically on a rooted device, read on.

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