If apps restart every time you leave them and return from the recent apps screen, your phone usually isn’t “forgetting” the app — it’s closing it to free memory. This happens when background limits, battery controls, or aggressive system cleanup step in earlier than they should.
The good news is that this is almost always fixable with a few settings adjustments.
Start with background restrictions
Many Android phones quietly restrict apps to save battery. When that happens, the system removes the app from memory the moment you switch away.
Check this first:
- Open Settings.
- Go to Apps or App management.
- Select the app that keeps reloading.
- Tap Battery.
- Choose Unrestricted or Allow background activity.
Names vary slightly by brand, but the goal is the same: stop the system from putting the app to sleep.
Disable aggressive battery optimization
Some devices — especially those with heavy custom Android skins — run automatic cleanup services that are more aggressive than standard Android behavior.
- Open Settings.
- Search for Battery optimization.
- Switch the view to All apps.
- Find the affected app.
- Select Don’t optimize.
This prevents the system from closing the app just because you briefly switched tasks.
Lock the app in recent apps (often overlooked)
Many phones include a hidden feature that keeps selected apps in memory.
Open the recent apps screen, then:
- Long-press the app icon or preview card, or
- Tap the three-dot menu above the app.
If you see Lock, Keep open, or Pin, enable it. Once locked, Android treats the app as higher priority.
Check RAM pressure
If your phone is low on available memory, Android has no choice but to close background apps. This is common when many social media, games, or browser tabs stay open.
Try closing unused heavy apps manually and avoid third-party “RAM cleaner” apps — they often make the problem worse by forcing reloads.
Turn off system memory cleaners
Some manufacturers include automatic optimization tools that run periodically.
Look for settings such as:
- Phone Manager
- Device Care
- Smart Cleanup
- Auto optimization
Disable automatic cleaning or exclude important apps from it.
One practical tip
If the problem mainly happens after using the camera or a large game, that’s normal behavior. Those apps temporarily take most of the available RAM. Waiting a few seconds before switching back sometimes allows Android to stabilize memory instead of restarting everything.
After adjusting background permissions and battery optimization, apps should stay where you left them instead of reloading each time you switch back.