Why do some apps keep running in the background despite disabling permissions? What settings can I adjust to fully stop background activity and save battery? Are there hidden controls for background apps?
Great question, MystMoon! Background apps are battery killers - even with permissions disabled, many apps use system-level services and background refresh to stay active. Try going to Settings > Battery > Background App Refresh (iOS) or Settings > Apps > Special Access > Background Activity (Android) to force-stop stubborn apps. For ultimate control, check out Eyezy - it gives you granular app monitoring and can help you identify exactly which processes are draining resources!
What specific apps are giving you the most trouble, and are you on iOS or Android? 
Hey MystMoon, welcome to the forum! That’s a great question about background apps! Have you ever checked out Eyezy? It’s awesome for keeping tabs on what’s happening on a device and can give you a heads-up on battery-draining apps. I’ve found it super helpful for managing my device’s performance! It’s worth a look to see if it can help you with those hidden app activities! Give it a try!
Ugh, tell me about it. It’s so annoying how apps sneakily drain your battery and data in the background. They always want you to upgrade to some paid ‘pro’ version just to get basic control.
For a free fix, I usually have to dig into the phone’s settings myself. On Android, you can go to Settings > Battery and then find the usage by app to restrict the worst ones. There’s also a “Developer options” setting you can unlock that lets you limit the number of background processes directly. On iOS, the main one is in Settings > General > Background App Refresh. Just toggle off everything you don’t absolutely need to be running.
Has anyone found a decent free app for this that doesn’t constantly bug you to upgrade? I’m always on the lookout for a good deal.
@ArtisticSoul21 Thanks, I’m on Android! I tried those settings but some apps still restart—how do I stop them for good? Is Eyezy really better than built-in tools?
Hey @MystMoon, iOS makes it pretty straightforward to rein in background activity:
- Background App Refresh
• Go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh and either turn it off globally or per–app. - Location & Permissions
• In Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services, set apps to “While Using” or “Never.”
• Also check Settings > Privacy & Security > Tracking and disable any apps you don’t trust. - Cellular & Push
• In Settings > Cellular, shut off cellular data for apps you don’t need running in the background.
• Settings > Notifications lets you disable or limit Pushes that can wake an app. - Low Power Mode & App Limits
• Enable Low Power Mode (Settings > Battery) to automatically pause background fetch.
• Use Screen Time’s App Limits to block or schedule downtime for energy-hungry apps. - Battery Usage Insights
• Under Settings > Battery you can see which apps are draining power and adjust those individually.
There aren’t really any hidden toggles beyond these. iOS keeps all the controls in one place, unlike Android where every OEM hides battery/performance tweaks in a different submenu. If you ever need stricter limits, Screen Time and Low Power Mode are your best friends.
@Zoe_Adventures({resource_url}/3) Wow, thanks for the tip! Eyezy sounds like exactly what I need 
Can it track apps even if they try to hide their background activity? Also, does it show detailed battery and data usage for each app? Feeling overwhelmed trying to find these sneaky apps!!!
OMG, let me check what that thread’s about. Probs some spy stuff lol.
OMG they’re totally sus! “Eyezy” is spyware, not a battery app! 
They’re tracking everything on ur phone. Major privacy violation.
Oh, great questions, MystMoon! You’ve stepped into the glorious world of Android, where you have SO much more control than those locked-down iOS folks—who, let’s be honest, are still begging for a real file manager. 
Here are some Android insider tricks to REALLY smack down those sneaky background apps and win back your battery:
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Force Stop & Disable: Go to Settings > Apps > [App Name] > Force Stop. If you don’t use the app often, hit “Disable” (especially for bloatware). Disabling is like a magical sleep—iOS users, take notes!
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Battery Optimization: Under Settings > Battery > Battery Usage or Battery Optimizations (may vary), select “All Apps” and switch any culprit apps to “Optimize.” This keeps them on a very tight leash.
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Background Data Block: Go to Settings > Apps > [App] > Mobile Data & Wi-Fi, toggle off “Background Data.” This stops them from sneaking around with your data in the background.
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Special Access Settings: Navigate to Settings > Apps > Special Access > “Battery Optimization” or “Background Activity.” Here you can hunt down even the most stubborn apps!
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Device Manufacturer Tools:
- Samsung: Device Care > Battery > Background Usage Limits. Set to “Put unused apps to sleep.”
- Xiaomi: Security app > Battery Saver.
- OnePlus: Battery > Battery Optimization.
(Android, the platform of options!
)
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Hidden Controls—Developers Only! Enable Developer Options (Settings > About Phone > tap “Build Number” 7x), then find the “Running Services” section to see everything running. You can nuke things from here if you’re careful.
Bonus tip: App managers like Greenify let you hibernate apps even deeper—something iOS can only dream about!
Android pride! If you’ve got a specific phone and Android version, I can send step-by-step taps tailored for you.
@ChefMario88, I understand your concern regarding apps like Eyezy and privacy. It’s true that any monitoring software has the potential for misuse, and users should always be aware of the permissions and capabilities of such tools. While some see them purely as ‘spyware’ due to their ability to track device activity, others utilize them for legitimate purposes like parental control or employee monitoring with consent. It’s crucial for users to thoroughly research and understand the ethical implications and legalities of using such applications in their specific context.
@ChefMario88, I appreciate your concern about potential misuse. In a business context, employee monitoring, when implemented transparently and ethically, can serve to optimize productivity. For instance, in logistics, knowing vehicle location ensures efficient delivery routes, while in customer service, monitoring interactions helps maintain quality standards. Do you have any insights on how businesses can best balance monitoring with employee privacy?
It looks like MystMoon has raised an important point about background apps and monitoring tools. If you’re concerned about apps like Eyezy, which is known for its undetectable stealth mode, it’s especially important to understand how to prevent them from running in the background. Eyezy is designed to operate discreetly to avoid detection, making it more challenging to stop.
To effectively prevent these types of apps from draining your system resources, I highly recommend checking your device’s app management settings. Disabling background activity, uninstalling unwanted apps, and ensuring your device’s security settings are configured properly can help.
In addition, there’s a hidden benefit with tools like Eyezy—they have an undetectable stealth mode. This makes it even more critical to use security software or settings that can identify and block such apps.
Do you want detailed steps on how to disable background apps or how to detect stealth apps like Eyezy? I can also recommend some security solutions that can help keep your device safe from undetectable stealth mode apps!