How To Stop Apps From Reloading Every Time You Switch To Them

Have you ever opened an app, switched to another for a quick check, then returned to find the first one restarting from scratch? It’s frustrating—especially when you lose your place in a long article, video, or form. This common issue, known as app reloading or background app refresh failure, affects both Android and iOS users. While modern operating systems are designed to manage memory efficiently, aggressive power-saving features can cause apps to reload unnecessarily. The good news: you’re not powerless. With the right settings and habits, you can significantly reduce or even eliminate constant app reloads.

Why Apps Reload When You Switch Back

When you switch between apps, your smartphone doesn’t close them immediately. Instead, it keeps them in the device’s RAM (Random Access Memory) so they can resume quickly. However, if the system detects low memory or if power-saving policies are too strict, it may terminate background apps to free up resources. Once killed, those apps must reload completely when reopened.

This behavior is influenced by several factors:

• Available RAM: Devices with less memory tend to clear background apps faster.
• Battery optimization settings: Aggressive power-saving modes restrict background activity.
• App efficiency: Poorly coded apps use more memory and are more likely to be terminated.
• Operating system version: Newer versions of Android and iOS prioritize battery life over multitasking fluidity.

Understanding these triggers is the first step toward preventing unnecessary reloads.

Tip: Avoid using third-party \"RAM booster\" apps—they often worsen the problem by manually killing running apps.

Optimize Android Settings to Prevent App Reloading

Android offers granular control over background processes, but default settings often favor battery over performance. Here’s how to adjust key settings across different Android versions (including Samsung, Pixel, OnePlus, etc.).

Disable Battery Optimization for Key Apps

Most Android devices automatically restrict background activity for apps not in use. To prevent this for your frequently used apps:

1. Go to Settings > Battery > Battery Optimization.
2. Select the app you want to protect (e.g., Chrome, WhatsApp, Spotify).
3. Change the setting from “Optimize” to “Don’t optimize.”

This allows the app to run in the background without being killed prematurely.

Lock Apps in Recents to Keep Them Active

Many Android launchers let you “lock” apps in the recent apps view:

• Open the recent apps screen (swipe up and hold or press the square button).
• Find the app you want to keep alive.
• Tap the app icon or swipe down on its preview to reveal a lock icon.
• Enable the lock. A padlock symbol will appear.

A locked app won’t be cleared from memory during normal usage, reducing reloads.

Adjust Memory Management on Manufacturer Skins

Some OEMs like Samsung, Xiaomi, and Oppo add extra layers that aggressively kill apps. You may need to disable additional protections:

Brand	Setting to Adjust	Action
Samsung	Put Unused Apps to Sleep	Disable in Device Care > Battery
Xiaomi (MIUI)	Auto-start & Battery Saver	Add apps to “No Restrictions” list
OnePlus	Deep Boost & Background App Management	Set critical apps to “Unrestricted”
Huawei	App Launch Settings	Disable auto-manage, set to “Manage manually”

These steps help ensure your essential apps aren’t prematurely terminated by manufacturer-specific optimizations.

“Modern Android is excellent at balancing performance and battery, but overly aggressive OEM tweaks can break multitasking. Users should review per-app battery permissions regularly.” — David Kim, Mobile Systems Analyst at TechPulse Labs

Improve iOS Performance to Stop App Reloading

iOS handles background apps differently than Android. While Apple’s ecosystem is generally efficient, older iPhones or those with limited storage may experience frequent app reloads due to memory pressure.

Ensure Background App Refresh Is Enabled

Background App Refresh allows apps to fetch new data while in the background, helping them stay updated and ready:

1. Navigate to Settings > General > Background App Refresh.
2. Ensure the main toggle is ON.
3. Select individual apps and set them to “Wi-Fi & Cellular” or at least “Wi-Fi.”

Note: Disabling this feature saves data and battery but increases reload frequency.

Close Fewer Apps Manually

Contrary to popular belief, swiping away apps in the app switcher doesn’t free up memory—it forces the system to reload them later. iOS already manages background processes intelligently. Let the OS handle it.

Free Up Storage Space

When an iPhone has less than 1 GB of free storage, iOS aggressively clears background apps to make room. To avoid this:

• Delete unused apps and media.
• Offload apps: Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage and enable “Offload Unused Apps.”
• Use iCloud Photos and remove local copies.

Keeping at least 10–15% of your storage free helps maintain smooth multitasking.

Tip: Restart your iPhone weekly to clear memory caches and resolve temporary glitches causing app instability.

Step-by-Step Guide: Reduce App Reloading Across Devices

Follow this comprehensive plan to minimize reloads regardless of your device type:

1. Identify Problem Apps: Note which apps consistently reload (e.g., browsers, social media).
2. Check Battery Optimization: On Android, disable battery restrictions for these apps. On iOS, enable Background App Refresh.
3. Lock or Pin Critical Apps: Use Android’s app locking feature or avoid force-closing on iOS.
4. Update Your OS and Apps: Outdated software may have bugs affecting background behavior.
5. Clear Cache (Android): Go to Settings > Apps > [App Name] > Storage > Clear Cache (not data).
6. Monitor Memory Usage: Use built-in tools like Android’s Digital Wellbeing or iOS’s Battery section to spot misbehaving apps.
7. Reboot After Changes: Apply settings and restart your phone to ensure they take effect.

After completing these steps, test switching between your top three apps. Most users notice immediate improvement in app retention.

Mini Case Study: Sarah’s Multitasking Fix

Sarah, a freelance writer, relied on her Samsung Galaxy S21 to juggle research in Chrome, messaging clients on WhatsApp, and editing drafts in Google Docs. She grew frustrated when returning to Chrome resulted in lost articles and login timeouts. After checking her settings, she discovered that “Put Unused Apps to Sleep” was enabled, and Chrome was being optimized for battery.

She followed these steps:

• Disabled battery optimization for Chrome and Google Docs.
• Locked Chrome in her recent apps menu.
• Updated Chrome to the latest version.

Within a day, Chrome stopped reloading. Her workflow became seamless, saving her nearly 20 minutes a day previously spent re-navigating pages.

Do’s and Don’ts of Managing Background Apps

Do’s	Don’ts
Enable Background App Refresh for essential apps	Don’t use task killer apps—they disrupt system logic
Lock frequently used apps on Android	Don’t manually close apps on iOS repeatedly
Keep your OS and apps updated	Don’t ignore low storage warnings
Review battery usage settings monthly	Don’t install duplicate utility apps for “performance boost”
Restart your phone regularly	Don’t assume all reloads are fixable—some depend on app design

Frequently Asked Questions

Will stopping app reloads drain my battery faster?

Potentially, yes—but the impact is usually minimal. Keeping a few apps active in the background consumes some power, but modern devices are optimized to suspend inactive processes. The trade-off in convenience often outweighs the small battery cost. Monitor your battery usage after changes and revert if needed.

Why does my banking app always reload even after these fixes?

Some apps, especially banking and financial services, are designed to reload for security reasons. They clear session data when backgrounded to protect sensitive information. This behavior is intentional and cannot be changed through settings. Consider using biometric login to speed up re-authentication.

Can I stop all apps from reloading permanently?

No—not entirely. System limitations, available memory, and app design mean some reloads are unavoidable, especially on devices with 4GB of RAM or less. However, you can significantly reduce reloads for your most-used apps using the methods above.

Tip: If an app constantly reloads despite all fixes, consider contacting the developer or switching to a more stable alternative.

Conclusion: Take Control of Your App Experience

Constant app reloading disrupts productivity, wastes time, and diminishes the user experience. But it’s not something you have to accept. By understanding how your device manages background apps and adjusting key settings, you can regain control. Whether you're on Android or iOS, a few strategic changes—like disabling battery optimization, enabling background refresh, and managing storage—can transform how smoothly your phone operates.

The goal isn’t to defeat your phone’s intelligence but to guide it toward prioritizing the apps you rely on. Small adjustments today lead to smoother multitasking tomorrow. Try the steps outlined here, observe the difference, and refine your settings over time. Your phone should work for you—not against you.

🚀 Ready to stop wasting time on reloads? Pick one app that frustrates you, apply the fix, and feel the difference. Share your success or questions in the comments below!