Apps keep minimizing back to home screen?

[Android Central Question]

I've had this issue for several months now. The phone is a Samsung Galaxy Note 8. All apps are on their current versions. So a minute or two into browsing chrone the app will minimize to the home screen. No error message or crash. Same will happen to Play Store and my Gallery. This has become increasingly, aggravating and I'd appreciate any help. I've done hard resets, clearing caches, with no positive results

 

[B. Diddy]

Welcome to Android Central! Just to be sure -- could it be that you're accidentally tapping the Home or Back buttons with the palms of your hands? This is becoming more common, as phone makers obsessively annihilate those satanic bezels.

 

[Alec Thacker]

Welcome to Android Central! Just to be sure -- could it be that you're accidentally tapping the Home or Back buttons with the palms of your hands? This is becoming more common, as phone makers obsessively annihilate those satanic bezels.

Nope, it's not my palm. I wish it was, believe me. I actually started to receive a few crash messages here and there. But mainly it just crash a minute or two into browsing. Usually on image gallery sites, like pinterest, tumblr and a booru sites. I download a lot of reference images for my art; so I'm wondering if that has any correlation/causation.

 

[B. Diddy]

Did you only clear app caches, or also the system cache partition? https://support.t-mobile.com/docs/DOC-36229

 

[Alec Thacker]

Did you only clear app caches, or also the system cache partition? https://support.t-mobile.com/docs/DOC-36229

I cleared the app caches, I'm trying a system cache partition now. I'll keep you posted.

 

[Alec Thacker]

Did you only clear app caches, or also the system cache partition? https://support.t-mobile.com/docs/DOC-36229

Tried clearing the system cache partition. Still have the issue.

 

[B. Diddy]

Does it happen in Safe Mode as well? You'll only be able to test this with apps that were preinstalled. https://support.t-mobile.com/docs/DOC-36242

 

[Alec Thacker]

Does it happen in Safe Mode as well? You'll only be able to test this with apps that were preinstalled. https://support.t-mobile.com/docs/DOC-36242

Yes, it still occurs in safe mode.

 

[B. Diddy]

Have you noticed phantom touches elsewhere? If you have a screen protector on, see if the problem happens when you take it off.

We've essentially narrowed it down to a problem with the firmware vs hardware. If it's a firmware problem, a factory reset wouldn't necessarily help if the phone's copy of the firmware is corrupt. You could try reinstalling the firmware using Smart Switch: https://www.sammobile.com/forum/threads/29918-SmartSwitch-Install-amp-update-or-replace-firmware

 

[jculbertson]

Me too. Started minimizing apps to home screen just recently on my Note 8. This was especially difficult when using Google Maps and Waze to navigate in my car. I was not holding my phone.

 

[Frustrated7136]

My Google maps is having the exact same problem. YouTube is doing it as well. It has been doing it since the last OS update. Just recently my keyboard has started closing randomly as well.

 

[Luis Rodriguez24]

Same here . Start with google nav n now YouTube . Still looking for fix

 

[Edward Redbehr]

Same here . Start with google nav n now YouTube . Still looking for fix

Same thing happens to Google Driving on my new Galaxy Note 9. As soon as I start driving my vehicle, , the Google Driving app minimizes . I still receive verbal directions,, but I want to be able to see the map.

 

[tracy underhill]

Same here. very frustrating. First it was just with maps. Have to hit button to maximize like every 15 seconds. Now its utube, and other apps as well. Watching a tutorial on sign language and the screen minimizes.
Someone please fix this!!!

 

[Evolved Love]

I have the same issue. Anyone feedback regarding a fix is appreciated.

 

[Jamie Berry]

Just picked up the note 9 and same thing was happening to me. Started with Snapchat (random video calls), noticed it one Google Maps and YouTube and then every keyboard would do the same.

Help!!!!!!

 

[Mjzettler]

Same here! Started with Maps a few days ago, then noticed it with YouTube. Using Google Pixel 2.

 

[Slipknotsic86]

Try going to
Settings
App & Notifications
Advance Options
Special App Access
Picture in Picture
Shut off picture in Picture on app

Worked for me

 

[cruz griffin]

I'm having the same problem YouTube keeps minimizing. never did it before now it dose it about every 30 seconds

 

[Desjen]

I'm having the same problem YouTube keeps minimizing. never did it before now it dose it about every 30 seconds

The same thing is happening to me. I have the Samsung Galaxy 9 it happens every minute or so and YouTube and I think Android Central should find a fix considering this phone was just about $1,000 you would expect this not to occur. Does anybody have a fix yet?