diff --git a/lib/tunnelbroker/tunnelbroker-context.js b/lib/tunnelbroker/tunnelbroker-context.js
--- a/lib/tunnelbroker/tunnelbroker-context.js
+++ b/lib/tunnelbroker/tunnelbroker-context.js
@@ -110,6 +110,9 @@
 
   const accessToken = useSelector(state => state.commServicesAccessToken);
   const userID = useSelector(state => state.currentUserInfo?.id);
+  const isAppActive = useSelector(
+    state => state.lifecycleState !== 'background',
+  );
 
   const [unauthorizedDeviceID, setUnauthorizedDeviceID] =
     React.useState<?string>(null);
@@ -440,6 +443,12 @@
     [secondaryTunnelbrokerConnection],
   );
 
+  React.useEffect(() => {
+    if (!isAppActive) {
+      socket.current?.close();
+    }
+  }, [isAppActive]);
+
   const addListener = React.useCallback(
     (listener: TunnelbrokerSocketListener) => {
       listeners.current.add(listener);