For new gamers, experiencing lag, slow load times, and stuttering during gameplay can be frustrating. While upgrading your hardware or using performance-boosting software can help, one of the simplest and most effective ways to improve your gaming experience is by limiting background apps. Background apps consume system resources, like RAM and CPU, which can affect your game’s performance. In this guide, we will explain how limiting background apps can help optimize your device and give you a smoother, more enjoyable gaming experience.
1. What Are Background Apps?
Background apps are programs that run on your device while you’re using other apps. These apps can include everything from social media apps and web browsers to music players and system services. While some background apps are essential for your device’s functionality, others can use up valuable system resources that would be better allocated to your game.
For example, if your phone or PC is running several background apps, your game might not have enough memory (RAM) or processing power (CPU) to run smoothly. This can result in lower frame rates, longer loading times, or even crashes.
2. Why Limiting Background Apps Can Improve Performance
When you play games, especially high-performance ones, your device needs to allocate resources efficiently to ensure smooth gameplay. Here’s how limiting background apps can help:
- More System Resources for Gaming: By closing unnecessary background apps, your device can allocate more RAM, CPU, and GPU power to the game you’re playing. This can improve frame rates and reduce lag, leading to smoother and faster gameplay.
- Faster Load Times: Background apps can slow down the loading process, as they occupy system resources. Limiting background apps can help your game load faster by freeing up resources that the game needs.
- Less Overheating: Running multiple apps at once can cause your device to overheat, which may result in throttled performance. By limiting background apps, you reduce the strain on your device, helping it stay cooler and perform better.
- Increased Battery Life (for Mobile Devices): Mobile phones, in particular, can drain battery life quickly when multiple apps are running in the background. By limiting background apps, you can extend battery life during gaming sessions.
3. How to Limit Background Apps on Mobile Devices
If you play games on your mobile device, here’s how you can limit background apps to improve performance:
On Android:
- Close Apps Manually: To close background apps, go to the “Recent Apps” screen by tapping the square button on your navigation bar. Swipe away the apps you’re not using.
- Disable Auto-Start Apps: Some apps automatically restart in the background when you unlock your phone. To disable this, go to “Settings” > “Apps” > “App Manager” and select apps that you don’t need running in the background. You can disable auto-start for these apps.
- Use Battery Saver Mode: Enabling Battery Saver mode can help limit background processes and optimize your device’s power usage. This can be found in “Settings” > “Battery.”
- Use Game Mode or Performance Mode: Many Android phones come with a built-in “Game Mode” or “Performance Mode” that limits background apps automatically while gaming. This feature can be accessed through your phone’s settings or a dedicated app.
On iPhone (iOS):
- Close Apps Manually: Double-tap the Home button or swipe up from the bottom (on newer models) to view open apps. Swipe up on apps to close them.
- Limit Background App Refresh: Go to “Settings” > “General” > “Background App Refresh” and turn it off for apps that you don’t need updating in the background.
- Enable Low Power Mode: Turning on Low Power Mode can reduce background activity and save battery life, helping your device run more efficiently while gaming. This can be done through “Settings” > “Battery.”
- Disable Push Notifications: Disabling push notifications for apps you don’t need can reduce background activity and improve overall performance. Go to “Settings” > “Notifications” and manage your notification preferences.
4. How to Limit Background Apps on PCs
If you’re gaming on a PC, limiting background apps can also enhance performance. Here’s how to do it:
- Close Unnecessary Applications: Before starting a game, close any apps you don’t need. You can use the Task Manager (press “Ctrl + Shift + Esc”) to end tasks that may be running in the background.
- Disable Startup Programs: Some programs automatically start when you boot up your PC, consuming resources in the background. To disable them, press “Ctrl + Shift + Esc” to open Task Manager, click on the “Startup” tab, and disable unnecessary startup programs.
- Use Game Mode (Windows 10 and 11): Windows 10 and 11 come with a Game Mode feature that optimizes system resources for gaming. To enable it, go to “Settings” > “Gaming” > “Game Mode” and turn it on.
- Close Web Browsers and Other Heavy Programs: Web browsers and other heavy applications can consume significant system resources. Make sure to close them before you start gaming to maximize your device’s performance.
5. Additional Tips for Optimizing Game Performance
Besides limiting background apps, here are a few other tips that can help improve your gaming performance:
- Keep Your Device Updated: Regularly update your device’s operating system and apps to ensure that you have the latest performance improvements and bug fixes.
- Clear Cache: Over time, cached files can take up space and slow down your device. Clear your cache periodically to ensure your device runs efficiently.
- Use Performance-Boosting Software: On PCs, you can use performance-boosting tools, such as CCleaner or Razer Cortex, to clean up system files and optimize your gaming setup.
Limiting background apps is one of the easiest and most effective ways to improve your gaming performance. By closing unnecessary apps and freeing up valuable system resources, you ensure that your device can focus on providing the best possible gaming experience. Whether you’re playing on mobile or PC, taking a few moments to manage your background apps can lead to smoother, faster, and more enjoyable gaming sessions.
So, if you’re a beginner looking to enhance your gameplay, start by limiting background apps and optimize your device for better performance today.