In the realm of Android smartphones, apps form the cornerstone of our daily interactions. However, even the most meticulously crafted apps can occasionally encounter hiccups or performance dips. When faced with such situations, the ability to restart an app becomes crucial. Whether you’re dealing with a frozen screen, unexpected closures, or sluggish performance, restarting the app can often resolve the issue swiftly and effectively. By understanding the simple steps involved in restarting an app on Android, you can restore functionality and maintain a seamless user experience.
Fortunately, restarting an app on Android is a straightforward process that can be accomplished in just a few steps. The first and most common method involves utilizing the recent apps tray. Simply navigate to the home screen and tap the recent apps icon, typically represented by three horizontal or vertical lines. A list of recently used apps will appear, and you can swipe left or right to locate the app you wish to restart. Once identified, swipe the app’s thumbnail up and off the screen. This action will close the app and return you to the home screen. To relaunch the app, locate its icon on the home screen and tap it.
Another method of restarting an app on Android involves utilizing the device’s settings menu. This approach provides more detailed control over the app’s status and allows you to perform additional actions, such as clearing the app’s cache or data. To proceed, open the Settings app on your device and navigate to the “Apps” section. A list of installed apps will appear, and you can scroll down to find the app you wish to restart. Tap on the app’s entry to access its individual settings page. From here, you can select the “Force Stop” option to immediately close the app and return it to its initial state. To relaunch the app, simply locate its icon on the home screen and tap it.
Force Closing an App from Recent Apps List
Force closing an app from the Recent Apps list is a quick and effective way to restart it. Here are the steps on how to do it:
- Open the Recent Apps list by swiping up from the bottom of the screen (or by pressing the Recent Apps key on some devices).
- Swipe left or right to find the app you want to close.
- Swipe up on the app to close it.
Step Description 1 Open the Recent Apps list by swiping up from the bottom of the screen (or by pressing the Recent Apps key on some devices). 2 Swipe left or right to find the app you want to close. 3 Swipe up on the app to close it. Clearing App Cache and Data
The app cache stores temporary data that helps the app run more quickly. Over time, this cache can become corrupted or filled with unnecessary data. Clearing the cache can often fix app problems.
To clear the cache for an app:
- Go to Settings.
- Tap Apps.
- Find the app you want to clear the cache for and tap on it.
- Tap Storage.
- Tap Clear Cache.
Clearing the app data will delete all of the app’s data, including your settings, preferences, and saved games. This should only be done as a last resort, as it can result in losing important data.
To clear the data for an app:
- Go to Settings.
- Tap Apps.
- Find the app you want to clear the data for and tap on it.
- Tap Storage.
- Tap Clear Data.
Things to Consider Before Clearing App Cache and Data
Before you clear the cache or data for an app, there are a few things you should keep in mind. If you clear the cache, you may lose some temporary data that the app uses to run more quickly. This may cause the app to take longer to load or run less smoothly. If you clear the data, you will lose all of the app’s data, including your settings, preferences, and saved games. This may make the app unusable until you re-enter your information.
Action Effect Clear Cache Deletes temporary data, may make the app slower or less smooth. Clear Data Deletes all app data, including settings, preferences, and saved games. Restarting Your Android Device
Restarting your Android device can resolve various issues and improve its performance. Here are the steps to restart your device:
1. Press and hold the Power button: Locate the Power button on the side of your device and press and hold it until the power options appear.
2. Select Restart: From the power options, tap on “Restart” to initiate the restart process.
3. Confirm the Restart: A confirmation dialog box may appear, asking you to confirm the restart. Tap on “OK” or “Restart” to proceed.
4. Wait for the Device to Restart: Your device will turn off and then back on again. The restart process may take a few minutes, depending on the device’s specifications and how many apps are running in the background.
4a. Force Restart: If your device is frozen or unresponsive, you may need to perform a force restart. Press and hold both the Power button and the Volume Down button simultaneously for at least 10 seconds. Your device will vibrate and then force itself to restart.
4b. Safe Mode Restart: To restart your device in Safe Mode, press and hold the Power button until the power options appear. Long-press on the “Restart” option until the “Safe mode” prompt appears. Tap on “OK” to restart your device in Safe Mode.
4c. Recovery Mode Restart: In case of severe software issues, you may need to restart your device in Recovery Mode. Turn off your device, then press and hold the Power button and the Volume Up button together until you see the Recovery Mode menu.
Restart Type Steps Normal Restart Power button > Restart Force Restart Power button + Volume Down (10+ seconds) Safe Mode Restart Power button > Long-press Restart Recovery Mode Restart Turn off > Power button + Volume Up Updating the App or Android System
Updating the app or Android system can sometimes fix issues causing an app to not restart properly. Here’s how to do it:
Updating the App
1. Open the Google Play Store.
2. Tap on the menu icon in the top-left corner.
3. Select “My apps & games.”
4. Find the app that’s not restarting properly and tap on it.
5. If an update is available, tap on “Update.”Updating the Android System
1. Open the Settings app.
2. Scroll down and tap on “System.”
3. Tap on “System update.”
4. If an update is available, tap on “Download and install.”Checking for App Updates (Google Play Store)
If you’re experiencing issues with an app on your Android device, checking for app updates can be a quick and easy solution. The Google Play Store automatically updates most apps, but occasionally you may need to manually check for updates.
- Open the Google Play Store app on your Android device.
- Tap the menu icon in the top-left corner, then select “My apps & games”.
- You’ll see a list of all the apps installed on your device, with any available updates indicated by a green “Update” button.
- Tap the “Update” button for any apps you want to update.
- Wait for the updates to download and install. This may take a few minutes, depending on the size of the update.
- Once the updates are complete, the “Update” button will change to a blue “Open” button, indicating that the app is now updated.
Manually Updating Apps
If you’re unable to update an app through the Google Play Store, you can try manually updating it. This involves downloading the APK (Android Package Kit) file for the app from a reputable source and installing it on your device.
Here are the steps on how to manually update an app:
- Navigate to the “Settings” menu on your Android device.
- Select “Apps & notifications” or “Applications” (depending on your device’s operating system).
- Locate and tap on the app you want to restart.
- Tap the “Disable” button.
- Confirm the action when prompted.
- Wait for a few seconds.
- Tap the “Enable” button to re-enable the app.
- Launch the app to confirm the restart.
- Open the Settings app on your Android device.
- Tap on Apps & notifications.
- Find the app that you want to restart and tap on it.
- Tap on the Force stop button.
- Tap on the OK button to confirm.
Step Description 1 Find a reputable source for the APK file. This could be the app developer’s website, a trusted third-party app store, or a file-hosting site. 2 Download the APK file to your device. 3 Open the APK file and follow the on-screen instructions to install the app. Verifying App Permissions
Step 1: Open the Settings app
Launch the "Settings" app on your Android device, typically found in the app drawer or home screen.
Step 2: Select "Apps" or "Applications"
Depending on your device, select "Apps" or "Applications" from the Settings menu.
Step 3: Find the app you want to check
Scroll down the list of installed apps and find the app you want to verify permissions for.
Step 4: Tap on the app name
Click on the name of the app to open its settings page.
Step 5: Select "Permissions"
In the app settings, locate the "Permissions" option and tap on it.
Step 6: Review the app’s permissions
A list of all the permissions granted to the app will be displayed. Review the permissions carefully to ensure that they are necessary and appropriate for the app’s functionality.
Step 7: Enable or disable permissions
If necessary, you can enable or disable individual permissions by tapping on the toggle switch next to each permission.
Permission Description Calendar Access to your calendar events Camera Access to your device’s camera Contacts Access to your contacts Location Access to your device’s location Troubleshooting App Crashes
1. Check for Updates
Check if any updates are available for the app. Updating the app can often fix crashes caused by bugs or compatibility issues.
2. Clear the App Cache
Every app creates cache memory to load your frequently used data faster. However, corrupted cache files can result in app crashes. Clearing the cache can eliminate these issues.
3. Clear the App Data
Similar to clearing the cache, clearing the app data removes all stored information, including login credentials, preferences, and files. This can resolve issues related to corrupted data.
4. Uninstall and Reinstall the App
If none of the above steps work, uninstall the app and reinstall it. This will remove all associated files and settings, giving you a fresh start.
5. Check App Permissions
Ensure that the app has all the necessary permissions to function properly. If permissions are missing, it can lead to crashes.
6. Check Storage Space
Insufficient storage space can cause apps to crash. Free up some space on your device before launching the app.
7. Check for Malware
Malware can infect apps and cause them to crash. Run a malware scan on your device to detect and remove any malicious software.
8. Check for Device Compatibility
Some apps may not be compatible with your device’s operating system or hardware. Check the app’s compatibility requirements and ensure that your device meets them.
Using a Third-Party Task Manager
There are several third-party task managers available on the Google Play Store, offering additional features for managing running apps. Here are some of the most popular options:
Task Manager (Android)
Task Manager (Android) provides detailed information about running apps, their memory usage, and battery consumption. It allows you to kill tasks individually or in bulk, and includes a widget for quick access.
Advanced Task Manager
Advanced Task Manager is another comprehensive task manager with features such as auto-kill, whitelisting, and various sorting options. It also provides detailed usage statistics and integrates with other apps like System Monitor and Autostarts.
Memory Booster & RAM Optimizer
Memory Booster & RAM Optimizer is primarily focused on optimizing memory usage. It has a simple interface that displays the current memory status, and lets you free up memory by killing tasks. It also includes a widget for quick access.
The following table compares the key features of the three task managers discussed above:
Feature Task Manager (Android) Advanced Task Manager Memory Booster & RAM Optimizer Detailed app information Yes Yes No Bulk task killing Yes Yes Yes Widget for quick access Yes Yes Yes Auto-kill No Yes No Whitelisting No Yes No Memory optimization No Yes Yes Disabling and Re-Enabling the App
Another effective method to restart an Android app involves disabling and then re-enabling it through the device’s settings. This action forces the app to fully shut down and relaunch, often resolving performance issues or glitches.
Steps:
Advantages Disadvantages Effectively restarts the app, closing all processes and clearing memory Requires user interaction and may disrupt ongoing tasks within the app How To Restart An App On Android
Apps can sometimes become unresponsive or start to behave erratically. If this happens, you may need to restart the app to get it working properly again. Here are the steps on how to restart an app on Android:
The app will now be closed and restarted. You should be able to use the app again without any problems.
People Also Ask
How do I close an app on Android?
To close an app on Android, you can either swipe it away from the recent apps screen or tap the X button in the top-right corner of the app.
How do I force close an app on Android?
To force close an app on Android, you can go to the Settings app and tap on Apps & notifications. Then, find the app that you want to close and tap on it. Finally, tap on the Force stop button.
