The answer is a newly installed app running background services that consume resources. This is the most likely cause because Android apps can request permissions to run processes even when not actively in use, and a poorly optimized or malicious app will continuously use CPU cycles and network activity, directly leading to both system slowdown and accelerated battery drain. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of mobile device troubleshooting and resource management, often appearing as a common trap where test-takers might blame the battery or OS update instead. Remember that the first step is always to uninstall the suspect app and observe if performance improves. A helpful memory tip is "App in the back, battery on the rack"—if an app stays busy in the background, your battery and speed will take a hit.
220-1201 Mobile Device Application Support Practice Question
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of mobile device application support. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A user reports that after installing a new app on their Android phone, the device has become noticeably slower and the battery drains faster. What is the most likely cause?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
The app is a known malware that steals personal data.
Why wrong: While possible, performance issues are more commonly due to resource-heavy background processes rather than malware specifically.
B
The app is running background services that consume resources.
Many apps run background services for updates or notifications, which can slow the device and drain battery.
C
The phone's storage is full from the app installation.
Why wrong: The scenario states the app was just installed, and storage fullness would not typically cause immediate slowdown unless storage was critically low before.
D
The app requires a newer version of Android.
Why wrong: Incompatibility would usually cause the app to crash or not install, not gradual slowdown and battery drain.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The app is running background services that consume resources.
This question addresses common symptoms of poorly optimized or malicious apps. A newly installed app that runs background processes or has bugs can consume CPU cycles and battery, causing performance degradation. The first troubleshooting step is to uninstall the app and observe if the issue resolves.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
The app is a known malware that steals personal data.
Why it's wrong here
While possible, performance issues are more commonly due to resource-heavy background processes rather than malware specifically.
✓
The app is running background services that consume resources.
Why this is correct
Many apps run background services for updates or notifications, which can slow the device and drain battery.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The phone's storage is full from the app installation.
Why it's wrong here
The scenario states the app was just installed, and storage fullness would not typically cause immediate slowdown unless storage was critically low before.
✗
The app requires a newer version of Android.
Why it's wrong here
Incompatibility would usually cause the app to crash or not install, not gradual slowdown and battery drain.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Trap categories for this question
Scenario analysis trap
The scenario states the app was just installed, and storage fullness would not typically cause immediate slowdown unless storage was critically low before.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the 220-1201 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this 220-1201 question in full detail.
Identify which 220-1201 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Mobile Device Application Support — This question tests Mobile Device Application Support — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The app is running background services that consume resources. — This question addresses common symptoms of poorly optimized or malicious apps. A newly installed app that runs background processes or has bugs can consume CPU cycles and battery, causing performance degradation. The first troubleshooting step is to uninstall the app and observe if the issue resolves.
What should I do if I get this 220-1201 question wrong?
Identify which 220-1201 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A user reports that their Android phone's battery drains quickly after installing a new social media app. The phone worked fine before. What is the most efficient first troubleshooting step?
easy
A.Uninstall the social media app immediately.
✓ B.Check the app's permissions and disable background activity.
C.Perform a factory reset of the device.
D.Update the phone's operating system.
Why B: This is a common battery drain issue. Checking the app's permissions (especially background activity) is the quickest way to identify if the app is misbehaving. Uninstalling is effective but not the first step, and a factory reset is too drastic.
Last reviewed: Jun 18, 2026
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