# Ice Box use cases

> Stop background apps, disable bloatware without root, hide apps, freeze games to cut distractions or work apps after hours. See what Ice Box can help with.

Source: https://icebox.catchingnow.com/use-cases/
Language: English
Updated: 2026-10-22

- [How to stop Android apps from running in the background](https://icebox.catchingnow.com/use-cases/stop-background-apps/): Stop Android apps from running in the background: freeze apps that start on their own with Ice Box, and defrost them in one tap when needed. Works without root.
- [How to disable bloatware on Android without root](https://icebox.catchingnow.com/use-cases/disable-preinstalled-apps/): Disable bloatware without root: freeze pre-installed and ad apps with Ice Box so they leave the home screen and can't run. Works with Device Owner and more.
- [How to hide apps from the home screen on Android](https://icebox.catchingnow.com/use-cases/hide-apps/): Hide apps on Android: freeze them with Ice Box and they vanish from the home screen and app drawer. Ice Box can also ask for a fingerprint or PIN when opened.
- [How to freeze games and short video apps to reduce distractions](https://icebox.catchingnow.com/use-cases/focus/): Keep opening games, short video and social apps? Freeze them with Ice Box so they leave your home screen and stop pushing notifications. Defrost when needed.
- [How to freeze work apps after hours on Android](https://icebox.catchingnow.com/use-cases/work-apps/): Freeze work apps after hours: put them in an Ice Box tab, freeze them in one tap when you finish work, and defrost them when you start. Works with Island too.
- [How to automate freezing and defrosting apps on Android](https://icebox.catchingnow.com/use-cases/automation/): Automate freezing and defrosting on Android with Ice Box: Auto Freeze, Freeze All and Defrost All shortcuts, and an open SDK to build it into your own app.
- [Ice Box use cases](https://icebox.catchingnow.com/use-cases/): Stop background apps, disable bloatware without root, hide apps, freeze games to cut distractions or work apps after hours. See what Ice Box can help with.

## Not sure if Ice Box is right for you?

Ice Box fits this situation well: you have some apps you need now and then and don't want to uninstall, but you don't want them running in the background or sitting on your home screen the rest of the time.

If an app needs to keep working in the background, such as a chat app that must receive messages in real time, an alarm clock or navigation, it is not a good candidate for freezing.

Ready? First [choose a work mode](https://icebox.catchingnow.com/guide/#modes), then [download Ice Box](https://icebox.catchingnow.com/download/).