What "running" means on your phone
An app is running when it is actively using your phone's processor, memory, or other resources — even if you are not looking at it. Some apps run only when you open them. Others run in the background, which means they keep working after you switch to a different app or lock your screen. A background app might be checking for new messages, tracking your location, or refreshing data without you asking it to in that moment.
The difference matters because running apps drain your battery faster, use your data plan, and can slow down your phone. They also have access to your phone's features — your camera, microphone, location, contacts — while they are running. Knowing what is running helps you decide which apps you actually want to keep on your phone and which ones you can remove or restrict.
Key Takeaways
- On iPhone, swipe up from the bottom to see apps running in the background; on Android, swipe up from the bottom or tap the recent apps button to see what is open.
- An app showing in your recent apps list does not always mean it is actively running — it may just mean you opened it recently.
- You can force an app to close by swiping it away from the recent apps view, or turn off background activity in Settings for apps you want to restrict.
- Battery settings on both iPhone and Android show you which apps are using the most power, which is a real sign of what is running and consuming resources.
How to check running apps on iPhone
On iPhone, swipe up from the very bottom of your screen and hold for a moment. You will see a row of app cards — these are apps that have been open recently or are running in the background. Swipe left or right to see more. Each card shows a thumbnail of what the app looked like when you last used it.
To close an app and stop it from running, swipe the card upward. The app will disappear from the list. However, closing an app from this view does not always mean it stops using resources — some apps restart automatically or continue running in a limited way even after you close them.
For a clearer picture of what is actually consuming battery and data, go to Settings, then Battery, then Battery Usage. This shows you which apps have used the most power over the last 24 hours or the last 10 days. Apps at the top of this list are the ones genuinely running and draining resources.
How to check running apps on Android
On most Android phones, swipe up from the bottom of the screen to see your recent apps. You will see a list or grid of app cards showing apps you have opened recently. Swipe left or right to see more, or swipe an app card upward to close it.
Some Android phones have a dedicated Recent Apps button (usually a square icon at the bottom right). Tap it to see the same list. Closing an app from this view removes it from the recent list, but does not always stop it completely — some apps are designed to restart or keep running in the background.
To see which apps are actually using power and resources, go to Settings, then Battery or Battery Usage. Look for Battery Usage or App Battery Usage. This list shows you which apps have consumed the most power, which is a reliable indicator of what is running and active on your phone.
The difference between "recent" and "running"
An app appearing in your recent apps list does not mean it is running right now. It usually just means you opened it at some point. Android and iPhone both keep a history of recently opened apps so you can switch back to them quickly. Some of those apps may have closed completely; others may be running in the background.
The battery usage list is more honest. If an app appears there, it actually used power, which means it was doing something — processing, checking for updates, refreshing data, or staying ready to respond. Apps that do not appear in battery usage are either closed or using almost no resources.
Why apps run in the background
Apps run in the background for different reasons. A messaging app might check for new messages every few minutes. A navigation app might keep your location active so it can alert you when you reach a destination. A music streaming app might keep playing after you switch to another app. A social media app might refresh your feed even when you are not looking at it.
Some background activity is useful — you want your phone to ring when someone calls, even if you are using another app. Other background activity is just the app trying to stay engaged with you or collect data. You can control which apps are allowed to run in the background through your phone's settings.
How to stop apps from running in the background
On iPhone, go to Settings, then General, then Background App Refresh. You will see a list of every app on your phone. Toggle off the switch next to any app you do not want running in the background. That app will no longer check for updates or refresh data when you are not using it.
On Android, go to Settings, then Apps (or process Manager on some phones). Tap an app, then tap Battery or Battery Usage. Look for an option like "Allow background activity" or "Background restriction" and turn it off. On some Android phones, you can also go to Settings, then Battery, then Battery Saver or Adaptive Battery, which limits background activity for apps you do not use often.
Turning off background activity for an app will not delete it or prevent you from opening it. It just stops the app from doing things when you are not actively using it. Some apps may not work as well without background activity — for example, a messaging app might not notify you of new messages as quickly — so choose which apps to restrict based on what you actually need.
What to do if your phone is slow or the battery drains fast
If your phone feels slow or the battery runs out quickly, check your battery usage list first. Go to Settings, then Battery or Battery Usage, and look at which apps are at the top. If you see an app you do not use often or do not recognize, that is a good sign it is running unnecessarily.
You have three options: turn off background activity for that app, uninstall it, or leave it alone if you think you might need it. If an app is using a lot of battery and you do not recognize it, search for its name online to understand what it does. Some system apps (apps that came with your phone) cannot be uninstalled, but you can usually turn off their background activity or disable them.
If multiple apps are using significant battery, start by turning off background activity for the ones you use least. Close apps you are not using from your recent apps list. Restart your phone — this clears temporary memory and can help it run faster. If the problem continues, you may have an app that is malfunctioning or a setting that needs adjustment, and you may want to contact your phone's manufacturer or a technician.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does closing an app from the recent apps list actually stop it?
Closing an app from the recent apps view removes it from the list and stops most of its activity, but some apps are designed to restart automatically or continue running in a limited way. The most reliable way to stop an app is to turn off its background activity in Settings, which prevents it from running unless you open it yourself.
Why do some apps keep running even after I close them?
Apps are programmed to restart or stay active because their creators want them to be ready to notify you, sync data, or respond quickly when you open them again. This is intentional design. You can override it by turning off background activity in Settings, but the app maker cannot force an app to stay closed if you have disabled its background permissions.
Is it bad to have a lot of apps running in the background?
Yes, it drains your battery, uses your data plan, and can slow your phone down. It also means more apps have access to your location, camera, microphone, and other features. Turning off background activity for apps you do not need to stay active is a straightforward way to improve battery life and reduce what is running on your phone.
Can I tell which apps are using my location right now?
On iPhone, go to Settings, then Privacy, then Location Services to see which apps have location permission. On Android, go to Settings, then Privacy or Permissions, then Location. Apps with a solid arrow or dot next to their name are actively using your location. You can turn off location access for individual apps or for all apps except the ones you trust.
What does "background data" mean?
Background data is information an app downloads or uploads when you are not actively using it — like refreshing your email, syncing photos to the cloud, or updating a social media feed. This uses your data plan and battery. You can turn off background data for individual apps in Settings, though some apps may not work properly without it.