Do you ever wonder why your mobile data finishes fast even when you’re not streaming, downloading, or browsing?
Or why your battery drains overnight—even when the phone is idle?
That’s because some apps run silently in the background, using:
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Mobile data
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Wi-Fi
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Battery
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Processing power
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Location services
This guide will show you how to stop background apps from secretly consuming data and battery, even if your phone doesn’t support advanced power-saving features.
🔍 Why Some Apps Secretly Use Data & Battery in the Background
Background apps may be doing things like:
1. Syncing Data Automatically
Apps like Gmail, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok constantly sync messages, feeds, or updates.
2. Tracking Location
Navigation apps, ride-hailing apps, and some social media apps use GPS—even when you’re not using them.
3. Running Background Services
Some apps launch hidden processes such as:
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Auto-updates
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Cloud backups
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Ads loading
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Push notifications
4. Poorly Optimized Apps
Some apps—especially from third-party app stores—aren’t optimized and run constantly.
5. Malware or Spyware Behavior
Rare but possible, especially if you install apps outside Google Play.
Many background problems affect performance, like mentioned in How to Configure Your Phone for Faster Performance
🔥 How to Stop Apps from Using Background Data & Battery
Follow each method exactly. They work on Samsung, Tecno, Infinix, Xiaomi, Oppo, Vivo, Huawei, Nokia, and more.
✅ Fix 1: Restrict Background Data (Best Method)
Go to:
Settings → Network & Internet → Data Usage → Mobile Data Usage
Choose an app → Disable “Background Data.”
This stops the app from using data when you’re not actively using it.
Apps you should restrict (safe):
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TikTok
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Instagram
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Facebook
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Snapchat
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Opera Mini
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Chrome
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Telegram (optional)
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X (Twitter)
✅ Fix 2: Turn On Battery Optimization for Problem Apps
Go to:
Settings → Battery → Battery Usage → Optimize Apps
Choose any heavy app → Optimize / Restrict.
This prevents the app from:
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Running constantly
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Waking up the device
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Draining the battery overnight
✅ Fix 3: Disable Auto-Start / Auto-Launch Apps
Most devices now have an Auto-Start Manager.
Go to:
Settings → Apps → Auto Start / Launch Manager
Turn OFF auto-start for apps like:
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Facebook
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TikTok
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Instagram
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Messenger
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Opera Mini
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Any unused app
Auto-start is one of the biggest hidden causes of data & battery drain, can also affect call handling as noted in How to Receive More Than One Call at a Time
✅ Fix 4: Turn Off Background Location Access
Go to:
Settings → Location → App Permissions
Set most apps to:
✔️ Allow only while using the app
❌ Never “Allow all the time.”
Apps that often abuse location:
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Maps
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Ride-hailing apps
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Weather apps
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Facebook
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Snapchat
✅ Fix 5: Disable Unnecessary Push Notifications
Every push notification forces the app to connect to the internet.
Go to:
Settings → Notifications
→ Turn off notifications for heavy apps.
Your data life will DOUBLE after this.
✅ Fix 6: Put Rarely Used Apps to Sleep
On Samsung, Tecno, Infinix, Oppo, Xiaomi:
Go to:
Settings → Battery → Background Usage Limits
Enable:
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🔘 Put unused apps to sleep
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🔘 Deep sleep unused apps
This auto-stops apps from secretly running.
✅ Fix 7: Remove Unknown or Suspicious Apps
Some apps silently use:
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Background data
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Battery
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Microphone
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Location
Uninstall apps you don’t recognize immediately.
Suspicious apps can also freeze your touchscreen during calls as explained in Touchscreen Freezes Only During Calls? Here’s Why
When You Should Suspect Malware
If you see:
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Strange battery drain
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Spikes in data usage
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Apps running you didn’t open
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Ads appearing randomly
Then remove suspicious apps and restart your phone.
App misbehavior is similar to issues covered in How to Stop Apps From Listening to You
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