Nexus 6P: Close and Turn Off Background Apps

To close and turn off background apps on a Nexus 6P, open the Recents screen (square button) and swipe each app card away, or go to Settings > Apps > [app name] > Force stop. For a deeper fix, restrict background activity in Developer Options or use the built-in battery optimization per app.

Why Background Apps Matter on the Nexus 6P

The Nexus 6P runs near-stock Android 6.0 through 8.1, which manages memory differently than iOS or older Android versions. Android keeps apps in RAM so they reopen instantly, but a misbehaving app can keep the CPU awake, drain the 3450 mAh battery, or eat mobile data. The 6P’s Snapdragon 810 also runs warm under load, so closing background apps can noticeably reduce heat and extend battery life between charges.

Unlike iPhones, Android doesn’t have a single “close all” button that permanently kills everything. Apps restart on their own when triggered by alarms, push notifications, or system events. Understanding which apps actually need to run in the background — and which are just sitting there — is the key to managing them without breaking notifications.

Quick Ways to Close Background Apps

The fastest method uses the on-screen navigation buttons. The 6P’s default navigation bar has a square Recents button on the right. Tap it to see a vertical stack of your open apps, then:

Swipe an app card left or right to close just that app.
Swipe many cards quickly to clear several at once.
Tap the app card to return to it instead of closing it.

This removes the app from the visible Recents list and tells Android you’re done with it, but it doesn’t stop background services that the app itself started. For example, a music player might keep playing, or a sync service might keep running in the background even after you swipe it away.

If the Recents screen doesn’t respond, press and hold the Recents button to split-screen (Android 7.0+), or just press Home and reopen the app later. A full reboot — holding the power button and tapping Restart — clears all background processes temporarily and often fixes a sluggish 6P.

Using Settings to Force Stop Apps

For apps that keep misbehaving, use the Force stop option in Settings. This is a stronger action than swiping away from Recents — it kills the app’s process and prevents it from running again until you manually open it.

Open Settings from the app drawer or notification shade.
Tap Apps (or Apps & notifications on Android 8.0+).
Select the app you want to stop, for example Chrome or Facebook.
Tap Force stop. A confirmation dialog appears; tap OK.

Force stopping is immediate and doesn’t require waiting for the app to close on its own. However, the app will restart the next time you open it, and some system apps (like Phone or Google Play Services) may restart automatically because other parts of Android depend on them. If you force stop a system app, you might lose notifications or see errors until you reboot.

For apps that you rarely use but can’t uninstall (bloatware from carriers), Force stop is the only way to keep them from running. But you’ll have to repeat it after every reboot or app update.

Turning Off Background Activity Entirely

Android 6.0 introduced Doze and App Standby, which automatically limit background activity when the phone is idle. On the Nexus 6P, you can also manually restrict an app’s background data and battery usage:

Battery optimization: Go to Settings > Battery > Battery optimization. Tap the dropdown and select All apps, then choose an app and set it to Optimize (default) or Don’t optimize. Optimized apps get their background activity restricted during Doze.
Background data: Go to Settings > Data usage > [app name] and toggle off Background data. This prevents the app from using mobile data or Wi-Fi in the background, though it may still run with Wi-Fi unless you also disable that.
Developer Options: If you enable Developer Options (tap Build number seven times in Settings > About phone), you get a Background process limit setting. Set it to No background processes to kill everything as soon as you leave an app. This is extreme and can break notifications and widgets, so use it only for testing.

For Android 8.0 Oreo, the 6P also has Notification channels and Background execution limits that automatically restrict what apps can do when you’re not using them. You can check which apps are using battery in Settings > Battery and tap an app to see its background usage breakdown.

Common Problems and Misconceptions

One common misconception is that closing all background apps extends battery life dramatically. In reality, Android’s memory management is designed to keep apps cached, and killing them can actually increase battery drain because the app has to restart from scratch the next time you open it — a full cold start uses more CPU than a warm resume. The 6P’s 3 GB of RAM is enough for typical use, so closing apps constantly isn’t necessary unless an app is stuck or draining battery.

Another issue: apps that restart themselves. Many apps use AlarmManager or WorkManager to schedule background tasks. Swiping them away doesn’t cancel those alarms. To stop a truly persistent app, you need to force stop it, disable it (if possible), or uninstall it. Disabling an app (Settings > Apps > [app] > Disable) removes it from the launcher and prevents it from running, but it also removes its data and updates.

If the 6P becomes slow or hot, the problem might not be background apps at all. A full storage (less than 500 MB free) can cause lag, and an old battery may drain faster regardless of app usage. Check Settings > Storage and consider a factory reset if the phone is still sluggish after closing apps.

Comparing Methods: Swipe vs. Force Stop vs. Restrict

Each method has a different effect on app behavior and system resources:

Swipe from Recents: Removes from the visible list, but the app’s services may continue. Best for freeing up RAM when you’re actively multitasking.
Force stop: Kills the process and prevents restart until you manually open it. Best for a misbehaving app that crashes or drains battery.
Battery optimization: Limits background activity only when the phone is idle. Best for apps you use occasionally but don’t want running constantly.
Background data off: Stops data usage but allows the app to run. Best for data-hungry apps like social media or news readers.
Disable: Completely stops the app from running, but only works for apps that allow disabling. Best for pre-installed apps you never use.

A practical approach: leave most apps alone, force stop only the ones that show high battery usage in Settings > Battery, and use battery optimization for apps you rarely open. If you’re about to play a game or use GPS, you can swipe away other apps to free up RAM, but don’t make a habit of it.

Safety and Data Considerations

Closing background apps is safe and doesn’t risk your personal data. Force stopping an app may cause unsaved work to be lost (like a draft in a note-taking app), but it won’t delete saved files or accounts. However, disabling a system app can break functionality — for example, disabling Google Play Services would stop many apps from working. Always read the warning before disabling an app.

If you turn off background data for an app, it won’t sync in the background, which means you might miss emails or messages until you open the app. For critical apps like email or messaging, keep background data on. Also note that some apps (like banking or two-factor authenticator) may require background access to send you security alerts.

Finally, if you’re concerned about privacy, background apps can track your location or activity. To limit this, go to Settings > Location > App-level permissions (Android 8.0+) and set each app to Allow only while using. This is separate from closing apps and gives you finer control over what apps can do when you’re not looking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will closing all background apps speed up my Nexus 6P?
Not usually. Android manages memory automatically, and reopening apps takes more CPU than resuming them. If the phone feels slow, check for apps using excessive battery in Settings > Battery, or free up storage space. A reboot is more effective than swiping away every app.

How do I stop apps from running in the background permanently?
Use Force stop for a temporary fix, or disable the app if it allows it. For a system-wide restriction, enable Developer Options and set Background process limit to No background processes — but this will break notifications and widgets. Battery optimization is a less aggressive permanent option.

Why do apps reopen after I swipe them away?
Apps can restart through scheduled tasks (AlarmManager) or because another app (like Google Play Services) triggers them. Swiping only closes the visible activity; the app’s services may still run. To prevent restart, force stop the app or disable it.

Does force stopping an app delete its data?
No. Force stop only kills the running process. Your app data, accounts, and settings remain intact. However, unsaved changes in the app (like a half-typed message) may be lost. Disabling an app also keeps data but hides the app from the launcher.

What is the difference between background data and background apps?
Background data refers to network usage (mobile data or Wi-Fi) when you’re not actively using the app. Background apps refer to processes running in the background. You can turn off background data without stopping the app from running, and vice versa. Both are controlled in Settings > Data usage and Settings > Apps respectively.

Is it safe to force stop Google Play Services?
It’s not recommended. Google Play Services is a system component that many apps depend on for push notifications, location, and account sync. Force stopping it may cause apps to crash or lose functionality until you reboot. If it’s using too much battery, try restarting the phone or clearing its cache instead.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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