Android guides
Step-by-step fixes for the things phone makers do not explain: notification lights, apps that keep closing, storage, battery, privacy and more.
Stop your phone from killing apps
Pick your phone maker for the exact settings.
Notification light
Notification light
Edge Lighting for Notifications on Any Android Phone (2026)
Want the screen edges to glow for notifications? Check your phone's built-in edge lighting first, then add an edge lighting app that works on any Android.
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How to Get a Notification Light on Any Android Phone (2026)
Your phone has no notification LED? Use Android's free flash notifications, your phone's edge lighting, or a light around the camera cutout. Steps for each.
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How to Use the Pixel 11 Pro HiLight Ring for All Notifications
Out of the box, Pixel 11 Pro HiLight only lights for favourite callers and Gemini. Here is what it does built in, and how to light it for any app.
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Notification Light on Samsung Galaxy: Edge Lighting, AOD and a Ring
Galaxy phones lost the LED, but you can get it back. How to set up Samsung's Lighting effect, AOD notifications and a ring around the punch hole camera.
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Seeing Notifications on Always On Display: What AOD Can and Cannot Do
How to show notifications on Always On Display, why AOD lights cannot animate smoothly, how to avoid burn-in, and how to add an AOD notification light.
Read moreKeep apps running
Keep apps running
How to Stop Honor and Huawei Killing Apps (MagicOS 9, EMUI)
Keep apps running on Honor and Huawei phones: set App launch to Manage manually, allow Run in background, turn off battery optimization and lock apps.
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How to Stop OnePlus Killing Apps on OxygenOS 15 and 16
Keep apps running on a OnePlus phone: Allow background activity, Allow auto launch, battery optimization, locking in recents and settings that reset.
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How to Stop OPPO and realme Killing Apps (ColorOS 16)
Keep apps running on OPPO and realme phones: Allow background activity, auto launch, power saving and locking in recents on ColorOS 15, 16 and realme UI.
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How to Stop Samsung Killing Apps in the Background (One UI 8)
Keep apps running on a Samsung Galaxy: Never sleeping apps, Unrestricted battery, Device Care, Put unused apps to sleep and locking apps in recents.
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How to Stop vivo and iQOO Killing Apps (Funtouch OS, OriginOS)
Keep apps running on vivo and iQOO phones: background power consumption, Autostart, Unrestricted battery and recents lock on Funtouch OS 15 and OriginOS 5.
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How to Stop Xiaomi Killing Apps on HyperOS and MIUI (2026)
Keep apps running on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO phones: Autostart, No restrictions battery saver, locking in recents and the HyperOS 2 and 3 menu changes.
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Why Android Kills Background Apps, and How to Stop It (2026)
Why your phone closes apps in the background, why notifications, lights and filters stop, and the settings that help on Samsung, Xiaomi, OnePlus and more.
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Privacy and security
How to Block Trackers on Android Without a VPN (2026)
Block tracker and malware domains on Android without a VPN using Private DNS, then cut chosen apps off the internet with a firewall that leaves your VPN free.
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How to Hide Photos on Android (Free and Encrypted Options)
Hide photos on Android with Google Photos Locked Folder, Samsung Secure Folder or Private space, and learn when an encrypted vault app is the better choice.
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How to Set Up Private DNS on Android (and Which Provider to Pick)
Turn on Private DNS on Android in four taps, pick a provider that blocks trackers or malware, and fix the usual problems when sites stop loading.
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Storage
How to Clear Cache on Android (One App or All of Them)
Clear an app's cache on Android from Settings, see what clearing cache really does, and find out how to clear every app's cache at once without root.
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How to Free Up Storage on Android Without Losing Anything
Find what is filling your Android storage, use the built-in Free up space and Files by Google tools, then clear junk, duplicates and chat media safely.
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