When you see a message saying an app is “not active”, it typically means the app has been closed or is not currently running in the foreground on your device. There are a few common reasons why you might see this message:
The app was force closed
If an app crashes or freezes, your device may automatically force close the app to recover. This will make the app “not active”. Usually you will get a pop-up notification saying something like “Unfortunately, App Name has stopped”. When this happens, the app is no longer running in the background or foreground.
The app was manually closed
You may have intentionally closed an app by swiping it away from the recent apps list or using a task manager to force stop it. This manually stops the app process and makes it “not active”. The app will not run again until you manually restart it.
The app is idle in the background
Apps that are open but running in the background can also show as “not active”. When an app is idle for a certain period of time, your Android device will automatically limit its background processes to save battery. This puts the app in a dormant state even though it’s still open.
App optimization for battery life
As part of broader battery optimization efforts, Android may restrict apps from running background tasks if the apps are not actively being used. If you haven’t opened an app in a while, Android may limit its background activities, which makes it “not active” even though it’s still open.
Disabled app permissions
If you revoked certain permissions from an app, such as background processing or auto-start permissions, it can prevent the app from running active processes in the background. This essentially forces the app into an idle “not active” state unless it’s actively being used in the foreground.
App standby/doze restrictions
Android has battery saving features like App Standby and Doze Mode that can restrict apps from running background tasks if your device is inactive for a period of time. If an app gets placed into App Standby or enters Doze, it will show as “not active” until the device becomes active again.
App uninstall/reinstall
If you fully uninstall an app, then reinstall it again, the app will show as “not active” when freshly installed because it’s no longer running any processes. You have to launch the app again to make it active once more.
App account logged out/deactivated
Some apps require you to log in or maintain an active account to keep running properly in the background. If you log out or deactivate your account within an app, it can make the app go into an inactive state with limited background functionality.
App requires update
An outdated version of an app may incorrectly show as “not active” if the current app version is no longer supported. Updating the app to the latest compatible version can resolve this.
App requires reinstallation
In rare cases, an app may get corrupted or damaged in a way that prevents it from running properly. Uninstalling and reinstalling the app can help resolve this inactive state in some situations.
Phone requires restart
As a last resort, try restarting your Android device if apps frequently show as “not active”. This will restart all system processes and clear any memory issues that could be preventing apps from running actively.
How to make an app active again
Here are some tips to try to make an app active again if it shows as “not active”:
- Open the app – Simply launching the app and using it can trigger it to become active.
- Check app settings – Make sure background data, auto-start, and notifications are enabled for the app.
- Revoke battery optimizations – Exclude the app from battery optimization and app standby restrictions.
- Force stop the app – Stop the app process, clear cache/data, then restart the app.
- Update/reinstall the app – Install the latest compatible version of the app.
- Restart your device – Reboot your phone to refresh all system processes.
Preventing apps from becoming inactive
Here are some general tips to keep your apps consistently active and prevent them from idling out:
- Open and use apps frequently – Actively using apps will keep them running in the foreground.
- Allow background app refresh – Enable this option under device Settings > Apps.
- Exclude apps from battery optimization – Stop battery management from limiting app background activity.
- Leave apps open – Don’t swipe away apps to manually close them.
- Interact with notifications – Respond to notifications to keep the related app active.
- Disable App Standby – Some devices let you disable the App Standby feature entirely.
- Plug in device regularly – Apps are less likely to be restricted when the device isn’t in power saving mode.
Why apps show as “not active”
There are good reasons why Android and individual apps limit background processes when they aren’t actively being used:
- Improve device performance – Less background activity frees up system resources.
- Enhance user experience – Users don’t want every app running all the time.
- Save battery life – Background processes drain battery much faster.
- Increase security – Minimizing app activity reduces potential security risks.
- Comply with regulations – Some government rules limit background data collection.
While it can be frustrating when your apps show as “not active”, this is usually done to optimize your device based on your usage patterns and preferences. But with some additional configuration, you can generally keep needed apps active in the background.
When to be concerned about an inactive app
Most of the time an “not active” app is nothing to worry about. But in some cases it may indicate a larger problem:
- App constantly crashes/freezes – If the app is force closed frequently, there is likely an underlying issue.
- App functionality is broken – The inactive app may fail to do its job until manually launched.
- App notifications don’t come through – Important alerts can be missed if the app can’t run in the background.
- App data doesn’t sync – The app can’t update with new data while inactive.
- Excluding the app from battery optimization doesn’t work – This indicates a deeper issue preventing background activity.
- Reinstalling/restarting doesn’t fix it – If basic troubleshooting doesn’t resolve the inactive status, it’s a bigger problem.
If an inactive app continues to malfunction or break core functionality, you may need to reach out to the developer for further support and troubleshooting.
Conclusion
Having apps show up as “not active” is generally nothing to stress about. In most cases, it just means the app is being restricted from running background tasks to optimize your battery and resources. But for important apps you need running actively at all times, there are steps you can take to prevent them from idling out. With a little configuration, you can usually keep your essential apps actively running in the background.