An unexpected “app” program opening in the background of your Android device might result from a variety of causes.
This is not an unusual event in Android’s complicated operating system, where several background processes and applications operate.
The existence of this perplexing “app” could indicate the presence of malware, malfunctioning legitimate software, or a problem with the device’s system functions. Understanding why this occurs is critical to effectively resolving the issue.
Why does the phone open an “App” tab in the background?
This type of common issue that can be seen from the Android device can be caused by the following factors:
Malicious software triggering unauthorized app launches
In the context of the ‘app’ tab unexpectedly appearing, malware might exploit system weaknesses to trigger unauthorized program launches.
This action serves the malicious aim of the malware, potentially leading to data breaches, unauthorized access to sensitive information, or even the exploitation of the device for larger-scale cyber-attacks.
Users might see this as an unexpected ‘app’ emerging without their initiation, signifying a potential breach that demands rapid response.
Legitimate applications inadvertently activate an ‘app’ process
While the majority of apps have been developed with strict quality standards, errors or unexpected interactions may cause even trusted apps to behave unpredictably.
In some cases, a legitimate program may mistakenly develop or call for an ‘app’ process owing to code faults, conflicts with other apps, or transitory software issues.
Users may be perplexed by this unintended activation because it appears to occur without any direct user activity. Identifying which app is generating this behavior can be difficult; a systematic effort is required to discover the core cause of the app’s functionality.
Malfunctioning or corrupted system processes lead to this anomaly
An Android device’s flawless operation is primarily reliant on its system processes. Issues or corruption within these critical functions might cause unexpected behavior, such as the unexpected emergence of an ‘app’ tab.
These system operations, which govern the device’s essential functions, may face failures as a result of software conflicts, lack of updates, or even hardware faults.
To restore the device’s stability and appropriate functioning, identifying and correcting these system-level faults necessitates a more extensive diagnostic procedure.
Steps to fix phone opening an “app” tab in the background
Each method listed below has been tried and tested by our experts because there could be several factors for this problem. If the first one doesn’t work for you, try the next one until the problem is fixed.
Step 1: Clear all running background apps
Shutting all app processes on the device, clearing all active background apps may help in diagnosing the program causing the issue. Take the following steps:
1. You can access the Recent Apps view by tapping the square or rectangular button at the bottom of the screen. This will display all the apps currently running in the background.
2. Scroll through the list of running apps to identify the applications currently active in the background.
3. For each app you want to close, swipe it to the left or right, or depending on your device, you might find a close X icon or a swipe-up gesture to shut down individual apps.
4. To close all apps simultaneously, look for an option that allows you to close all running apps at once. This might appear as a Close All button or an icon, typically found at the bottom or top of the screen within the Recent Apps view.
Dismissing all background programs will help you identify the application that is causing the ‘app’ tab to display. If the problem goes away after closing all apps, slowly reopen them one by one to see if the ‘app’ tab reappears.
Step 2: Uninstall unwanted apps from the device
If prior diagnostics have identified the app responsible for the ‘app’ tab issue, this is where you will explicitly target and uninstall that program.
Any app that you do not recognize or have no use for should be removed as well. These could be programs you installed but no longer use, or apps you don’t recall installing in the first place.
1. Open your device’s Settings app, often represented by a gear icon and typically found on the home screen or in the app drawer.
2. Scroll down or search for the Apps or Application Manager option within the Settings menu. This section will display a list of all the apps installed on your device.
3. Scroll through the list to find the app that’s causing the ‘app’ tab to appear or any other unfamiliar app that you don’t recognize.
4. Tap on the app you want to uninstall. This will take you to the app’s information page.
5. Within the app’s information page, look for the Uninstall button or option. Tap Uninstall and confirm the action when prompted.
6. Go back to the list of installed apps and repeat the process for any other apps you wish to uninstall, especially if they’re unfamiliar or unnecessary.
After deleting an app, check to see if the ‘app’ tab problem persists. If the problem goes away, the deleted software is most likely the culprit. If not, continue with the diagnostic procedure or proceed to the stages below.
Step 3: Update your operating system
Updating your operating system can address fundamental system process concerns. By applying the most recent updates, you enable your device to repair any potential glitches, problems, or vulnerabilities that may have contributed to the appearance of the ‘app’ tab.
1. Open the Settings app on your Android device. It’s typically represented by a gear icon and can be found on the home screen or in the app drawer.
2. Look for the System or About Phone option within the Settings menu. This section typically holds information about your device.
3. Within the section, locate and tap on the System Update or Software Update option. Your device will now search for any available updates for your operating system.
4. If an update is available, follow the on-screen instructions to download and install it.
5. Once the update is installed, restart your device as directed or as needed by the update process.
Check for other improvements: Monitor your device after updating the operating system to see if the ‘app’ tab issue persists.
Step 4: Scan your device with a powerful antivirus application
If the problem persists, it could be the result of a malicious malware infection; in that case, you should scan your device with an antivirus capable of eliminating the virus.
Malwarebytes is a renowned anti-malware tool and it has one of the best threat detection. Every device should be scanned every once in a while. With this tool, not only Document Master but also other threats that are lurking on the device can also be eliminated.
1. First, go to the Google Play store and install Malwarebytes Anti Malware. If you are using an Apple device, you can simply go to the App Store and download it from there.
2. Once installed, it will ask you for permission to access files. Allow it access to manage the files on the device, it is needed to detect malicious threats
3. Click Run a full scan to detect potential threats on the whole device. Since this may take a while, you can simply close the application and let it run in the background. You can see the progress of the scan through the notifications.
4. After the scan is complete, the detected threats will be shown on the screen and all that is left to do is to eliminate them. Click the Remove Selected to get rid of the threats.
We advise you to run a routine scan of the device to ensure that it is continuously malware-free. We also recommend using Malwarebytes Real-Time Protection, which will secure your machine and detect any threats as soon as they appear.
Step 5: Reset your device to factory settings
A factory reset is a hard approach that should be done only as a final resort after all other diagnostic methods have failed.
It’s effective at resolving chronic problems, but it erases all data from the device, so make a backup of your vital data before beginning.
1. Open the Settings app on your Android device. Look for the gear icon, typically located on the home screen or in the app drawer.
2. Scroll down and find the System or Reset Options within the Settings menu.
3. Tap on Reset or Factory Data Reset. The exact wording may vary depending on the device and Android version.
4. Read the information provided regarding a factory reset. Ensure you understand that this action will erase all data from your device.
5. Confirm your intention to perform a factory reset. Your device might prompt you to enter your PIN, pattern, or password.
6. Once confirmed, the device will begin the reset process. This might take several minutes.
Following the completion of the factory reset, your device will restart as if it were brand new, requiring the first setup as when the device was first used. And you can ensure that the problem has been resolved.
