We can talk for a long time about how quickly technology is developing. Today, almost everything is tied to one service or another: from communicating on social networks and buying a movie ticket to paying utility bills and fines. For many, a smartphone is a tool for work.
Just 10-20 years ago we could not take advantage of all the benefits that a modern mobile phone with Internet access now offers. Thanks to this, various actions (sharing files or information, shopping, etc.), which previously required a lot of effort, become much easier. Just press a couple of buttons in the application interface and you’re done.
But any development of services and technologies in general requires the same from the devices we use every day. And yet, what is background mode on an Android phone?
What is background mode in a smartphone?
You can stop running applications in the background, freeing up your smartphone's RAM. The operation of this function can also be adjusted, and background mode can be turned on or off in the device settings.
Vyacheslav
For several years he worked in mobile phone stores of two large operators. I understand tariffs well and see all the pitfalls. I love gadgets, especially Android ones.
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Question to the expert
Why do you need background mode on an Android phone?
This function is necessary so that the user can quickly go to the running application without losing previously saved progress. This means that the program will open at the location where the person previously stopped.
How can background mode harm your phone?
This function does not harm the security of the mobile phone, but it does negatively affect the stability of its operation. In the sense that applications run in the background, the smartphone's RAM is consumed automatically, which reduces its operating speed.
How does background mode work on Android devices?
If the user is working with an application and it is displayed on the phone screen, then the background mode is not active. When a person minimizes the application and begins to perform other actions, this program does not close, but runs in the background, performing part of its functions.
Does running applications in the background affect the battery life of a smartphone?
Background mode affects power consumption. If several programs are running in the background, your Samsung phone will drain faster. This is due to the fact that the running software constantly exchanges data with each other.
The background mode has both advantages and disadvantages, which will be described in detail below. Now everyone will understand what background applications are.
Where does the memory of Android devices actually leak and how to check it
To check where the smartphone's RAM is being used, turn on developer mode and look at the list of running services. Let's consider the algorithm of actions:
- The user enters the device settings.
- Then go to the “About phone” section. Then open the “Device Information” tab and select “Build Number”. You must click on this item 7 times.
- After completing the steps, open the “For Developers” section. It contains information about running processes in the “Statistics of running processes” item.
- A list with system and third-party processes will open in front of the person. It will display the amount of RAM each software is consuming. When you click on any process, the user opens a list of services that consume energy.
What is background mode for?
Thanks to the support of this technology, many applications on your phone can be configured in automatic mode, thereby increasing the multitasking of your device. The background mode is designed to implement the following operations:
- Background data transfer from a smartphone to the Internet.
- Download and install software updates.
- The ability to receive alerts while programs and utilities are running in the background.
- Listening to music compositions in minimized form.
- Synchronizing information, creating backup copies.
- Ability to work simultaneously with several instant messengers, support for multitasking.
Disadvantages of dialing modes
These two dialing modes have been used in parallel for some time now. But they are trying to get rid of pulse dialing, since it has significantly more disadvantages than tone dialing.
- Dialing a number takes much longer with pulse dialing. Also, a pause is required so that the telephone exchange can distinguish individual digits when dialing a number;
- Tone dialing is considered more noise-resistant than pulse dialing. When calling other subscribers through the old home phone, glitches often occurred and the caller ended up with the wrong subscriber whose number he dialed;
- It is more difficult to distribute additional numbers in one network;
- Some telephone exchanges continue to charge additional fees for the ability to use touch-tone dialing on the line.
Today there are various technologies that allow you to connect it if there is no one way of communication. You can find out more about this from your own telephone operator. Perhaps soon the older dialing mode will be replaced by a new one. In this case, you will not need to connect additional services. Or use buttons and switches to contact one or another subscriber.
How background mode works on Android
Background mode runs applications hidden. That is, they are minimized, but continue to work and perform their functions, just like on a desktop computer or laptop.
On phones with little RAM, the Android operating system automatically closes programs running in the background. This is necessary to free up RAM in order to implement other, usually system, tasks. It's easy to understand what apps running in the background are.
In the smartphone settings, the user can always remove the software he needs from the background. You can also do this by closing the program without minimizing it.
It is recommended to clear the background mode on phones periodically. That is, to free up RAM, especially if the open applications are no longer needed by the user. Now it's easy to find out how to turn off apps running in the background.
What causes your phone battery to drain?
Now let’s look at what exactly drains your phone’s battery. The analysis methods given above are undoubtedly good, but they also have disadvantages. They do not show the direct impact of the application on the battery. To understand how many percent the processes of each specific application spent, you need to open “Settings”, then “Battery”. Here you can find information about which applications are running and how actively they drain the battery. This will make it even easier to decide what to stop or even delete.
With each new version of Android, the number of automatic charge saving systems increases. This means that over time the number of settings may be reduced.
You can discuss whether it is worth using certain applications in our Telegram chat. There is always someone there who can advise something.
Third-party applications for optimizing smartphone performance have always caused a lot of controversy and discussion. On the one hand, they allow you not to think about how and what needs to be done to stop unnecessary processes, but such applications may also have disadvantages.
The main disadvantage is that such applications themselves can drain the battery even more. Many users complain about this. Sometimes it’s really easier to do everything manually than to trust everything to automation.
Pros and cons of running apps in the background
It is more convenient to consider the positive and negative aspects of the presented technology in the form of a small table, which will be shown below.
Advantages and disadvantages
The ability to automate the operation of the device without direct intervention.
Expanding the functionality of a smartphone running Android OS.
Ability to perform multiple tasks simultaneously.
Ability to listen to music in minimized form while performing other operations.
Device RAM consumption. This is especially true for models with a small amount of RAM.
High battery consumption when operating the technology.
Impossibility of completely disabling on some models of smartphones with Android OS.
Instability of operation on outdated versions of the Android operating system, the possibility of constant freezes.
Changing the way to activate Siri
Who will it help: those who often communicate with a voice assistant, but use a watch, headset or smart speaker.
A background process waiting for the coveted phrase “Hey Siri” has a significant impact on battery drain. You can activate the assistant with a physical button on your iPhone or iPad or using other gadgets.
You just need to turn off calling the assistant on your iPhone by voice.
How to set it up: go to Settings – Siri and Search and disable the option Listen to “Hey Siri”
How to view a list of background processes
To find out which applications are currently running in the background of the operating system, the user will need to take the following steps:
- Click on the square icon on the bottom toolbar of your mobile phone.
- The screen will display a list of program windows that the user has opened recently. Here you can scroll through all applications and close unnecessary ones.
- View the software that opens.
To clear all programs running in the background at once, you need to click on the “Clear all” button.
Turn off motion tracking on iPhone
Who it will help: those who have an Apple Watch or a fitness bracelet.
One of the features of the iPhone is tracking the movement of the smartphone, which is needed to collect statistical data or to use the smartphone as a pedometer.
If you use any other gadget to calculate the distance traveled or do not need to calculate the distance traveled at all, feel free to turn off this background activity.
How to set it up: the switch is located along the path Settings - Privacy - Movement and Fitness.
How to disable and enable a background process
To stop work in the background for any application, you need to follow a few simple steps according to the algorithm:
- Expand the mobile phone's curtain by sliding your finger across the screen in the top-to-bottom direction.
- In the list of parameters, find the “Energy Saving” item and click on it.
- Next, after opening the window, you will need to find the “Application Settings” tab and click on it once.
- After completing the previous steps, the screen should display a list of all applications installed on your phone. Here the user needs to move to the “Control” section at the top of the menu.
- Find the desired program in the list and click on it. In the application settings, you will need to click on the word “Disable”, as well as “Clear cache”. This will disable the background process.
- Enabling a background process is done in the reverse order. In this case, the user will have to click on the “Enable” or “Enable” button.
- Check the result. After disabling the background software, the amount of RAM on your mobile device should increase.
Now you can understand how to disable background applications on Android.
The names of the tabs in the mobile phone settings may differ depending on the model of the device, its firmware version and the Android operating system.
Which background processes on Android cannot be stopped
Not all processes on the Android operating system can be stopped in the phone settings. System functions that affect the operation of the operating system do not stop, for example, Google services. However, they are the ones who waste a large percentage of the battery charge and the autonomy of the gadget.
Other applications that a person does not use can be safely turned off from the background, so as not to load the device with unnecessary programs.
Disable unnecessary notifications
Who it will help: those whose smartphone screen does not have time to go dark due to regularly received notifications.
It's no secret that the iPhone screen is the most energy-consuming module and consumes the lion's share of battery power. Reducing the brightness or shortening the auto-locking interval will not allow you to get a big increase in the autonomy of the gadget.
A more effective solution would be to properly configure notifications. You can completely disable messages from some apps, and you can remove notifications from unimportant programs from the iOS lock screen.
Banners should be left fully turned on only for the most necessary programs, and the rest should be shown when unlocking the gadget. This way, the iPhone screen will not turn on again when notifications arrive, and autonomy will significantly increase.
How to set it up: go to Settings - Notifications and for unnecessary programs we completely disable the display of messages, and for not the most important ones we remove banners from the lock screen.
How to clear startup
Sometimes some applications that are in startup greatly slow down the phone's operation and therefore require removal, especially if a person does not use them.
To view and remove software from startup, specialized software is used. The procedure in such cases is as follows:
- Download one of the programs for viewing startup from the Google Play Market.
- Wait for the software installation to complete and launch it.
- View all startup applications, find the file you need and delete it by clicking on the corresponding button.
- Reboot your smartphone to apply the previously made changes.
- Check the result. After completing the above steps, the Android operating system should run faster.
You cannot delete system files from startup. This will lead to instability of the operating system.
Turn on bedtime mode
Who it will help: those who actively use their smartphone before bed and manage to discharge the gadget before nightly charging.
Another new iOS 14 option allows you to limit notifications on your iPhone 45 minutes before your set bedtime. The gadget will protect the user from unnecessary messages and allow you to quickly launch the necessary programs directly from the lock screen.
This should minimize desktop wandering and reduce iPhone screen time. As a bonus, you'll be able to fall asleep and stay asleep faster at night.
How to set it up: in the standard Clock application, on the Alarm Clock tab, activate Sleep Mode and configure it at your discretion. After this, iOS will limit notifications before bed and help you quickly launch only the programs or shortcuts you need in the evenings.
How to disable background sync
Disabling this feature will reduce power consumption when programs are running in the background. The shutdown algorithm is as follows:
- Go to your phone’s “Settings” and go to the “Accounts” section.
- Click on the line “Google”.
- Disable all options by moving the slider opposite to the inactive position and find out what the background mode is on your phone.
- Apply the changes made by clicking on the appropriate button in the menu.
- Restart your smartphone and check the result.
Thus, running applications in the background on Android devices automates smartphone management and allows you to perform multiple tasks simultaneously. You can become familiar with all the features of this technology by carefully reading the above information, and also understand what the background mode is.
4.7/5 — (8 votes)
Properly setting up geolocation
Who it will help: users who have never looked at the Privacy settings section will be able to get a noticeable increase in the autonomy of their smartphone.
With the release of iOS 14, geolocation settings received an important and interesting feature. The new option Precise geoposition allows you to choose which programs will determine the position of the smartphone with an accuracy of up to a meter, and which - only to the city or district level.
For most applications like a weather informer or a discount aggregator, this will be enough, and the smartphone itself will not waste battery power in order to more accurately determine the coordinates.
In any case, there is a reason to go through the geolocation settings in order to increase your privacy, and at the same time increase the battery life of your smartphone.
How to set it up: go to Settings - Privacy - Geolocation Services and for most applications except navigators, delivery services and taxis, turn off the Exact geolocation .
Conclusions and advice
Most truly skilled developers are friendly with optimization, so the applications they create consume a minimal amount of battery power and consume very little RAM. If you don't think so, there is no point in closing applications that are running in the background. There are various ways to combat excessive consumption of mobile device resources, but they all entail certain consequences.
Sources
- https://androfon.ru/article/chto-takoe-fonovyiy-rezhim-v-android
- https://v-androide.com/instruktsii/rabota/fonovyj-rezhim-v-telefone-kak-ogranichit-peredachu-dannyx.html
- https://AndroidInsider.ru/polezno-znat/kak-otklyuchit-prilozheniya-v-fonovom-rezhime-i-sekonomit-akkumulyator.html
- https://vr4you.net/109-how-to-disable-the-background-and-stop-the-data-transfer-on-the-android.html
- https://itduo.ru/kak-otklyuchit-fonovyj-rezhim-u-prilozhenij-na-android/
- https://mirinfo.ru/android/chto-takoe-fonoviy-rezhim.html
- https://samsung-galaxy.mobi/kak-otklyuchit-fonovye-protsessy-v-androide/
- https://www.internet-technologies.ru/articles/newbie/stoit-li-zakryvat-fonovye-prilozheniya-na-android.html
- https://tarifkin.ru/mobilnye-sovety/kak-vklyuchit-fonovyj-rezhim-na-androide
Solving some problems
- Create and link a new Google account. Since the smartphone does not allow you to log in, you will have to create an account on a computer or any other properly working device.
Once a new account is created, its data (email and password) will need to be entered when setting up the system for the first time. The old (synchronized) account can and should be deleted in the account settings.
Note: Some manufacturers (for example, Sony, Lenovo) recommend waiting 72 hours before linking a new account to your smartphone. According to them, this is necessary so that a complete reset and deletion of information about the old account is performed on Google servers. The explanation is dubious, but the anticipation itself sometimes really helps.
If you don’t need an application on the go, you can disable its background synchronization. Click on such an application and activate the “Limit background mode” item.
