Hide Running in Background Notifications on Android Oreo

Android Oreo may show a persistent “app is running in the background” notification when an app continues working outside the foreground. You can usually silence that notification through Android’s notification settings without stopping the app, though menu names vary by phone and some apps may need the alert to remain visible.

What You’ll Need

• A phone or tablet running Android 8.0 Oreo or 8.1.
• A few minutes to check notification settings and test the affected app.
• The app name, if you know which app is producing the alert.

Step-by-Step

1. Identify the notification and its app. When “app is running in the background” appears, expand the notification shade by swiping down from the top of the screen. Note the app name and whether the message offers controls such as “Turn off” or “Manage.” Do not assume the notification is a fault: navigation, music, location, syncing, and other ongoing tasks may legitimately run in the background.
2. Open Android’s notification settings. Press and hold the notification, then tap the information icon or “All categories” if shown. You can also open Settings and look for Apps & notifications, then Notifications. On some devices, the path is Settings > Apps, choose the app, then Notifications. Oreo menus differ somewhat between manufacturers.
3. Look for a notification category related to background activity. If the app’s notification settings list categories or channels, find one named something like “Running in background,” “Background activity,” or “Other.” Tap that category to view its options. Android Oreo introduced notification channels, but an app must provide channels for these controls to appear; labels and availability depend on the app and phone.
4. Turn off or quiet only the matching category. If there is a switch for the background-running category, turn it off. If you want to keep the alert available but less disruptive, choose a silent or low-importance option if offered, and disable sound or vibration. Avoid disabling every notification from the app unless you are comfortable missing its other alerts.
5. If no category appears, check the system notification setting. In Settings > Apps & notifications > Notifications, look for a menu button, such as three dots, and an option for showing or hiding system notifications. On some Oreo devices, you can turn off the “Apps consuming battery” or “Apps running in background” notification there. The wording and location are manufacturer-specific, and this control may affect other system alerts as well.
6. Test the change. Return to the home screen, open the app, and let it perform the activity that triggered the message. Check the notification shade again. If the alert returns, repeat the steps and make sure you changed the specific category or system alert responsible, rather than a different notification from the app.
7. Restart only if the setting does not take effect. A restart can refresh notification behavior after changing a system-level option. Recheck the settings afterward; a restart does not create a missing category or override an app that deliberately keeps its notification enabled.

Common Mistakes

• Disabling all notifications for the app: This can also hide messages, reminders, or other useful alerts. Change just the background-related category when possible.
• Confusing a running alert with a battery warning: Oreo can show different notifications about background activity or battery use. Read the full message and inspect its notification settings before changing anything.
• Expecting identical menus on every phone: Manufacturers may rename, move, or omit Oreo controls. Search Settings for “notifications” or “system notifications” if the listed path does not match.
• Assuming hiding the alert stops the app: Silencing a notification changes what you see; it does not necessarily stop background work, reduce battery use, or prevent location access.
• Turning off a service alert without considering its purpose: The app may use a persistent notification to tell you that navigation, recording, playback, or another ongoing task is active.

Tips

• Use the press-and-hold shortcut on the notification first; it often takes you directly to the relevant app or channel settings.
• Make one change at a time, then test. This makes it easier to restore the right option if an unrelated alert disappears.
• If the notification is tolerable but noisy, prefer silent delivery over switching off a whole category.
• Check whether the app has its own background or notification controls. App settings can affect the alert, but they may not replace Android’s system-level controls.
• Remember that Oreo is an older Android release. Instructions for newer Android versions may refer to different menus and should not be followed blindly on an Oreo device.

Troubleshooting

The notification has no “Manage” option: Press and hold it for a few seconds and look for an information icon. If nothing opens, go through Settings and locate the app under Apps or Apps & notifications, then inspect its notification settings.

There is no background category: The app may not expose a separate notification channel, or the phone may handle the alert as a system notification. Check the system notification controls described in Step 5. If no applicable switch exists, that device’s Oreo software may not allow the alert to be hidden independently.

The alert comes back after being disabled: Confirm you changed the setting for the app or system notification that actually generated it. If the device has multiple similarly named categories, test each relevant one separately. An app update or settings reset may also restore notification preferences.

Other important notifications disappeared: Return to the same settings screen and re-enable the app’s general notifications or the categories you still need. Then disable only the background-related category, if available.

The app stops working after changes: Re-enable its notifications and check the app’s own settings. Do not use force stop or restrict background activity as a substitute for hiding a notification; those actions can interrupt features the app needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hide the notification without stopping the app?
Often, yes. Turn off or silence the relevant notification category. The app may continue running, but hiding the alert does not guarantee that it will.

Will this save battery?
Not by itself. It changes notification visibility, not the app’s background work. To investigate battery use, check Android’s battery settings and the app’s own background options.

Why does my phone not have the same setting?
Oreo’s menus vary by manufacturer, and apps choose which notification categories they provide. Some devices do not offer a separate switch for this system alert.

Is “App is running in the background” a virus warning?
No, the message alone is not a malware warning. It indicates background activity. If you do not recognize the app, check its name and installed-app details before deciding whether to keep it.

Can I hide only this alert but keep the app’s other notifications?
Yes, if the app or device exposes a separate category for it. Disable or silence that category rather than turning off all notifications for the app.

Do these steps work on newer Android versions?
The general idea is similar, but paths and controls change between Android releases and phone makers. Follow the labels on your device rather than expecting Oreo’s exact menus to appear.

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