How to Stop Apps from Opening Automatically on Android

If apps keep opening automatically on your Android phone, you can often stop them by changing app permissions, disabling automatic startup where supported, or adjusting default link settings. The correct solution depends on whether an app launches when your phone starts, opens when you tap a link, or keeps appearing without your permission.

This guide explains how to identify the problem and stop unwanted apps from opening on Android phones, including Redmi, Samsung, Tecno, Infinix, itel, and other Android devices.

Why Do Apps Open Automatically on Android?

Android apps can open or restart for several reasons. Understanding what triggers the behaviour helps you choose the right solution.

Common causes include:

• Automatic startup: Some apps can launch background services when you turn on your phone.
• Background activity: Apps may run services or respond to notifications even when you are not actively using them.
• App links: Android can open an installed app automatically when you tap a website link associated with that app.
• Default app settings: Your phone may automatically use a selected app for certain links or actions.
• Notifications and other triggers: Some apps open after you tap a notification or interact with another application.
• Suspicious apps or adware: An unfamiliar app may display unwanted advertisements, redirect your browser, or behave unexpectedly.

These problems require different solutions. Follow the method that matches what is happening on your phone.

1. Disable Automatic Startup for Unwanted Apps

Some Android manufacturers provide an autostart or auto-launch setting that controls which apps can start automatically.

How to disable autostart

1. Open Settings on your Android phone.
2. Look for Apps, App management, Battery, or a similar option.
3. Search for a setting called Autostart, Auto launch, or Background autostart.
4. Open the setting if it is available.
5. Find the app you do not want to start automatically.
6. Turn off its autostart permission.

The exact steps depend on your phone's manufacturer and software version.

For example, some Xiaomi and Redmi phones provide a Background autostart option. Other Android devices may use a different name or may not offer a separate autostart switch.

Important: Do not disable automatic startup indiscriminately. Messaging apps, alarm applications, and other essential services may need background access to work properly.

2. Restrict Background Activity for Specific Apps

If an app continues running or restarting in the background, you can check its battery settings.

Steps to restrict background activity

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Apps or App management.
3. Select the app you want to restrict.
4. Open Battery, App battery usage, or a similar option.
5. Look for background activity or battery usage controls.
6. Select a restricted option if your phone provides one.

Some devices use labels such as Restricted, Allow background usage, or Background activity.

Restricting background activity can reduce unnecessary battery use, but it may delay notifications or prevent some features from working as expected.

If the app is already behaving normally and only opens when you tap a notification, changing its background settings may not solve the actual problem.

3. Stop Apps from Opening Automatically When You Tap Links

Sometimes an app appears to open by itself, but Android is actually opening it because you tapped a website link.

For example, tapping a video link might open YouTube instead of keeping the page in your browser.

You can change this behaviour through the app's link settings.

How to stop an app from opening supported links

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Apps.
3. Select the app that keeps opening.
4. Find Open by default, Opening links, or a similar setting.
5. Look for Open supported links.
6. Turn the option off if it is available.

On some devices, you may need to open Settings → Apps → Default apps → Opening links to find the relevant controls.

After changing the setting, return to your browser and test the same link.

The menu names may differ across Android versions and manufacturers.

Note: This setting controls how Android handles links associated with an app. It does not prevent that app from starting for every other reason.

For more information about Android's app-link system, see the official Android Developers documentation:
https://developer.android.com/training/app-links/about

4. Force Stop an App That Keeps Opening

If an unwanted app is currently running, you can force-stop it.

Follow these steps

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Apps or App management.
3. Select the app you want to stop.
4. Tap Force stop.
5. Confirm the action if prompted.

Force stop terminates the app's current activity and processes.

However, force stop is not a permanent autostart solution. The app may run again when you open it or when the system allows it to resume after the app's stopped state ends.

If the app repeatedly returns, investigate its autostart settings, background permissions, or the event that triggers it.

5. Check Whether an Unknown App Is Causing the Problem

If unfamiliar apps appear, advertisements open unexpectedly, or your browser repeatedly redirects to unknown websites, do not assume the problem is ordinary background activity.

An unwanted or potentially harmful application may be responsible.

Check recently installed apps

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Apps or App management.
3. Review the installed apps.
4. Look for unfamiliar apps or applications you installed shortly before the problem started.
5. Open an app's information page to review its permissions and available options.
6. Uninstall an app if you do not recognise it and have confirmed that it is unnecessary.

Be careful when removing system applications. Some preinstalled apps are necessary for your phone to operate correctly.

Run Google Play Protect

Google Play Protect can check apps for potentially harmful behaviour.

1. Open the Google Play Store.
2. Tap your profile icon.
3. Select Play Protect.
4. Run a scan if the option is available.
5. Follow any recommended actions.

If unwanted behaviour continues, review your browser notifications and remove notification permissions from websites you do not trust.

Avoid installing random cleaner or task-killer applications that promise to stop every background process. They may introduce additional problems without addressing the cause.

6. What If Apps Keep Opening After You Close Them?

Closing an app from the recent-apps screen does not necessarily disable its background services or prevent it from launching again.

If an app keeps returning, try these steps:

1. Force-stop the app.
2. Check whether your phone has an autostart setting for that app.
3. Review its battery and background activity settings.
4. Check whether another app or notification is launching it.
5. Update the app and your phone's software if updates are available.
6. Uninstall the app if you no longer need it and the problem continues.

Avoid setting Android's Developer Options to No background processes as a general fix. This setting can disrupt normal multitasking and does not reliably prevent every type of automatic app launch.

If the problem affects several apps, restart your phone and investigate recently installed applications before changing advanced system settings.

7. How to Stop Apps from Opening Automatically on Redmi Phones

Redmi phones may provide additional controls for applications that start automatically.

Depending on the MIUI or HyperOS version, try the following:

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Apps.
3. Look for Permissions or an app permissions manager.
4. Find Background autostart or Autostart, if available.
5. Turn off the option for apps that do not need to launch automatically.

If you cannot find the setting, use the Settings search bar and search for Autostart.

Some Redmi models use different menus, so the exact steps may vary.

For a more detailed Redmi-specific walkthrough, see our related guide on stopping apps from running in the background on Android.

8. How to Stop Apps from Opening Automatically on Samsung Phones

Samsung Galaxy phones provide battery and background usage controls, although the exact options depend on the device and One UI version.

Try these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Battery.
3. Look for Background usage limits or a similar option.
4. Review the available controls for restricting applications.
5. Restrict apps that do not need unrestricted background activity.

Samsung's battery settings may also offer sleeping or deep-sleeping app lists.

Be aware that restricting an app may delay its notifications or affect background functions. Avoid placing essential communication apps into deep sleep if you need their notifications immediately.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do apps open automatically on my Android phone?

Apps may launch because of autostart permissions, background services, app links, notifications, or other system events. If unfamiliar apps or advertisements appear unexpectedly, investigate potentially unwanted applications as well.

How do I stop apps from starting when I turn on my phone?

Check whether your device has an Autostart, Background autostart, or Auto launch setting. Disable the permission for unnecessary apps if your phone supports this feature.

How do I stop apps from opening when I click links?

Open the app's settings page and look for Open by default or Open supported links. Turn off supported-link opening if you want the relevant links to remain in your browser.

Does Force Stop permanently prevent an app from opening?

No. Force Stop terminates the app's current activity, but it does not permanently uninstall the app or disable every possible trigger that could open it later.

Can I stop all Android apps from opening automatically?

Android does not provide one universal setting that reliably prevents every app from launching under every circumstance. You may need to adjust autostart, background activity, app-link, or other settings for individual applications.

Will restricting background activity stop notifications?

It may. Depending on your device and the app, restricting background activity can delay notifications, synchronisation, or other background functions.

What should I do if unknown apps keep appearing on my phone?

Review recently installed applications, uninstall unfamiliar apps when safe to do so, and run Google Play Protect. If the issue continues, investigate browser redirects, notification permissions, and potentially unwanted software.

Final Thoughts

If apps keep opening automatically on your Android phone, start by identifying what triggers them. Disable autostart for unnecessary apps where supported, adjust background activity settings, and change app-link preferences if links keep opening the wrong application.

If unfamiliar apps, random advertisements, or unwanted website redirects appear, investigate the cause instead of relying only on Force Stop.

The best solution depends on your phone model, Android version, and the specific app involved. Changing the setting responsible for the behaviour is more effective than trying to close every app repeatedly.

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Originally published at Flames Nova