Why do apps just close when I'm right in the middle of using them?

[Android Central Question]

I have a Samsung Galaxy A20 running Android version 9. I'm new to Android, having switched from an iPhone 6. My issue is that an app will close while I'm right in the middle of using it. It's not like the app is crashing - I can tap the III button at the bottom left and in the list of open apps (is that called the finder?), it'll be right there and I can tap it to bring it right back up and continue on with what I was doing. It's annoying, though, and I'd really like to figure out why it's doing it and make it stop. My hypotheses are:
* System optimization runs and closes it to free up memory or something. (If that's what's going on, how do I fix the system optimization settings so that it's less aggressive?
* A bug in Gboard is sending out the minimize command?
* Some setting in Tasker is doing this?
* Some setting in AVG AntiVirus (Boost RAM?) is causing it.

The thing is, it's pretty random and it can go 2 or 3 days without happening, so it makes troubleshooting pretty hard. I'm hoping someone out there will say, "That was happening to me, too. It turned out it was _________."

 

[B. Diddy]

Welcome to Android Central! Are you sure you're not accidentally tapping the Home or Back buttons while actively using the app? You're not using full-screen navigation gestures, right? https://www.androidbeat.com/2019/04/best-galaxy-a20-a10-tips-tricks/

I'd get rid of AVG and any other "RAM booster" app that might be installed. Android devices don't need antivirus apps as long as you stick with the Play Store for apps and avoid shady websites. RAM booster apps don't understand how Android works, and their constant urge to kill apps in RAM could certainly affect your app performance.

In addition, it might depend on the app you're using. If it's a poorly designed app, or one that didn't come from the Play Store, it might be buggy or not entirely compatible with your device, and therefore more prone to crashing.

Please register on this forum, which will allow you to engage in discussion more easily, as well as post images. https://forums.androidcentral.com/ask-question/409154-join-android-central-community.html

 

[mustang7757]

You same person with pop up notifications issue?

https://forums.androidcentral.com/showthread.php?t=999033

 

[Ernie Pantuso]

Yes

 

[Ernie Pantuso]

Are you sure you're not accidentally tapping the Home or Back buttons while actively using the app?

Yeah, pretty sure.

You're not using full-screen navigation gestures, right? https://www.androidbeat.com/2019/04/best-galaxy-a20-a10-tips-tricks/

I'll look into that

I'd get rid of AVG and any other "RAM booster" app that might be installed. Android devices don't need antivirus apps as long as you stick with the Play Store for apps and avoid shady websites. RAM booster apps don't understand how Android works, and their constant urge to kill apps in RAM could certainly affect your app performance.

I wish I'd read that before paying for the premium version! Turns out, though, that the RAM Booster doesn't run automatically; I have to manually trigger it.

In addition, it might depend on the app you're using. If it's a poorly designed app, or one that didn't come from the Play Store, it might be buggy or not entirely compatible with your device, and therefore more prone to crashing.

It has happened on multiple apps, most of them system apps - Messages, Contacts, Phone. But it has also happened with YouTube, Evernote, and Spark.

 

[B. Diddy]

Here's my spiel on malware on Android:

For the most part, it's still quite difficult to get an actual virus on your phone, because malware requires you to manually accept the installation (which is why they try to fool you into thinking you're installing something legitimate). Use common sense:


1. Avoid shady websites that deal with things like porn, gambling, and "free" (aka pirated) apps/music/movies.


2. Never ever tap on a link that appears in a popup while browsing, especially if they're warning you that your phone is infected -- they're just trying to scare you into installing some bogus "antivirus" app that is probably malicious itself.


3. Only install apps from well-established app sources like Google Play Store or Amazon Appstore. Read a bunch of app reviews before installing an app to look for any complaints about adware or suspected malware.


4. Turn on Google Play Protect features in Settings>Google>Security (or in the Play Store settings). This allows Google to periodically scan your phone's apps to look for malware.


5. Turn off "Unknown Sources" in Settings>Security (or in Special App Access on newer phones). This prevents any app that wasn't obtained from Google Play Store from being installed (which could include malicious apps that are inadvertently downloaded).

 

[B. Diddy]

Here's another thing to consider -- if you have the Play Store app set to update apps automatically, then if you're using one of those apps while it updates, it might force close on you while it finishes the update.

 

[VidJunky]

I wish I'd read that before paying for the premium version! Turns out, though, that the RAM Booster doesn't run automatically; I have to manually trigger it.

Even if you think you have to manually trigger it I think it's still worth using your device for awhile without it. You've paid for it so you can uninstall it and run for a few days to see how it performs and if you want install it again at no additional cost as you've already paid for it.

I wish I could like B. Diddy's spiel twice on antivirus apps. Since he really only talked about antivirus apps, I would just like to add that memory boosters, ram boosters, battery savers and all these type apps usually end up doing exactly the opposite of what they claim. Battery savers run constantly, using battery, in the background trying to close apps and whatever else they do. Ram boosters run constantly, using ram and battery, shutting down apps to free up ram only to have the system or user open them again. Most of them have a sister antivirus or malware app that alerts users to dangerous apps that aren't dangerous or present false positives, then scare users into spending money for this one feature that isn't available in the free app, or the promise of better protection.

 

[B. Diddy]

Since he really only talked about antivirus apps, I would just like to add that memory boosters, ram boosters, battery savers and all these type apps usually end up doing exactly the opposite of what they claim. Battery savers run constantly, using battery, in the background trying to close apps and whatever else they do. Ram boosters run constantly, using ram and battery, shutting down apps to free up ram only to have the system or user open them again. Most of them have a sister antivirus or malware app that alerts users to dangerous apps that aren't dangerous or present false positives, then scare users into spending money for this one feature that isn't available in the free app, or the promise of better protection.

+1 billion.

 

[Catfixxer]

Hi my Samsung A20 has the same issue it happens randomly in any app or when reading a news article. It doesn't close the app but goes back to the home screen. This happens holding the phone or while it is just sitting on a surface without and hands or movement near it. Is this some kind of setting or a software glitch. Also I only use apps through the playstore no outside websites and no avg or other such app added.

 

[B. Diddy]

Welcome to Android Central! Have you already tried some of the usual tests, like booting into Safe Mode?

 

[blackhawkhot]

Hi my Samsung A20 has the same issue it happens randomly in any app or when reading a news article. It doesn't close the app but goes back to the home screen. This happens holding the phone or while it is just sitting on a surface without and hands or movement near it. Is this some kind of setting or a software glitch. Also I only use apps through the playstore no outside websites and no avg or other such app added.

>Try clearing the System Cache on the boot up menu.
This is an easy fix for gremlins when it works.
>Kill AVG if you have a package blocker otherwise consider uninstalling it.
Look at your power management setting as well although I doubt it's this.
>Disable any 3rd party (not Samsung's)or carrier power management apps, they will cause issues.
>Clear caches for affected apps and their dependencies.
>Reset to Samsung/Adroid apps to their factoryload state if updated.
Check what apps are running in the background when it happens; it may yield clues.

Play with it, Androids wuv affection...