If apps keep closing in the background on your phone, you are not imagining it. You switch to another app for a moment, then come back and everything reloads. It can feel like the phone cannot multitask anymore, even though it used to work fine.
In most cases, this does not mean your phone is broken. It usually happens because the system is trying to save battery, manage memory, or deal with temporary performance pressure.
Below are the most common reasons this happens and what you can realistically do.
Reason 1: Battery Saving Features Are Closing Apps More Aggressively
Many phones use battery saving features that limit what apps can do in the background. When these limits are active, apps may close more often, especially messaging, social media, and navigation apps.
This often overlaps with cases where the battery drains faster than expected.
What to do
• Turn off Battery Saver or Low Power Mode temporarily and test again
• Check if the affected app is allowed to run in the background
• If power saving modes turn on automatically, try disabling them during the day
Reason 2: The Phone Is Running Low on Memory
When the phone is under memory pressure, it may close background apps to keep the system stable. This is common when many apps are open, or when you switch between heavier apps.
This can feel similar to cases where the phone lags when switching between apps.
What to do
• Close apps you are not using
• Avoid keeping many heavy apps open at the same time
• Restart the phone normally using the power button (This is a regular restart and not a factory reset)
Reason 3: Background Activity for That App Is Restricted
Some apps are not allowed to run freely in the background unless you enable it. If background activity is restricted, the app may close or reload often.
This is especially noticeable with messaging apps, email apps, and music apps.
What to do
• Check the app settings and allow background activity if available
• On Android, check Battery Optimization and set the app to Unrestricted if appropriate
• On iPhone, check Background App Refresh for the app and enable it if needed
Reason 4: A Recent Update Changed Background Behavior
After an update, background behavior can change. Some apps need time, and sometimes another update, to work smoothly with the new system. Until then, they may reload more often than usual.
This often overlaps with cases where the phone feels slow after an update.
What to do
• Update the affected app from the app store
• Restart the phone normally using the power button (This is a regular restart and not a factory reset)
• If the issue started right after an update, give it a day and watch for another app update
Reason 5: Storage Is Nearly Full and Apps Cannot Stay Stable
When storage is nearly full, the system has less room for temporary files. That can make apps less stable and more likely to reload or close in the background.
This often overlaps with cases where the phone feels slow when storage is almost full.
What to do
• Check storage in settings and free up space
• Delete unused apps, large videos, or old downloads
• Clear app cache where possible
• If one app keeps reloading after that, reinstalling the app may help
Reason 6: Heat or Low Battery Can Trigger Background Limits
If the phone gets warm or the battery drops quickly, the system may reduce background activity to protect performance and battery health. That can cause apps to close more often without warning.
This often overlaps with situations where the phone heats up while charging.
What to do
• Let the phone cool down if it feels warm
• Avoid heavy use while charging
• Charge the phone for a bit and test again once the battery level is higher
Quick Checklist
• Turn off Battery Saver or Low Power Mode temporarily
• Close unused apps and reduce multitasking
• Allow background activity for the affected app
• Update the app and restart the phone normally using the power button
• Free up storage space if it is nearly full
• Let the phone cool down if it feels warm
When This Is Normal and When It Is Not
If an app reloads occasionally, that is normal, especially with heavy apps or older phones. If multiple apps close constantly every day, even after changing settings and freeing up space, deeper troubleshooting or support may be needed.