Game won't stay open in background, reloads every time I go back to home screen

It has been happening for a couple of months or so for me if I switch and don't return to the game for more than a few minutes. I also use Android.
One other difference is that when I return to the game even it is open it always reloads the "Hi there anyname LVL x" message ftom play games. That is also a "new feature"