Many smartphone users notice that after turning on the device, some apps begin to work instantly, without the need to click on their icons. This phenomenon is called autostart, and it is a standard function of the operating system Android.
On the one hand, this is convenient for instant messengers or alarm clocks, which must always be ready to work. However, the uncontrolled launch of dozens of utilities can lead to a serious slowdown in the operation of the gadget and rapid discharge of the battery.
In this article we will analyze in detail the mechanisms of this process, explain how to find the culprits of the "gluttony" of the battery, and provide step-by-step guide for managing startup on different versions of the system.
What is autostart and why do you need it? needed
At its core autostart it is a mechanism that allows applications to initiate their work when the operating system starts or when certain events occur. Developers use this function to ensure that their software is ready to interact with the user at any second.
For example, an email client must check for new emails immediately after turning on Wi-Fi, and an antivirus must start monitoring the system before you open the browser. Without these background processes, the functionality of many apps would be severely limited.
However, there are less useful use cases. Some developers deliberately write commands in the code of their utilities to constantly restart in order to collect statistics or show advertising, even if you are not actively using the app.
⚠️ Attention: Uncontrolled autorun of third-party games or optimization utilities can create a “snowball” effect when one app launches another, idling the processor.
Understanding exactly which background processes active on your device is the first step towards proper optimization. Modern versions Android have become stricter regarding such requests, but manual checking is still necessary.
How to find applications in startup
Unlike Windows, where there is a clear Startup folder, in the mobile ecosystem everything is more complicated. A direct list of apps that start when turned on is often hidden from the eyes of the average user.
Nevertheless, such troublemakers can be identified through the system settings. You will need to go to the application management section and carefully study the statistics of their activity.
Pay attention to the parameter Running in the background or Battery usage. If a app that you have not used for several days has a high percentage of energy consumption, most likely it is registered in startup.
On some shells, such as MIUI from Xiaomi or OneUI from Samsung, there are built-in autorun managers. They allow you to see the full list and manage it in a couple of taps.
Use developer mode for deeper analysis: enable the "Show processes" option in the developer settings to see active services in real time.
Managing autorun through Android settings
Starting with version Android 8.0 Oreo, the system has implemented strict restrictions on background activity. Now applications are prohibited from simply running services in the background if they are not in active use.
To control the behavior of specific apps, you need to go to the settings menu. The path may differ depending on the model of your smartphone, but the general algorithm remains the same.
Go to Settings → Applications → Special access. Here you will find the section Run in background or Battery optimization. This list displays all installed utilities.
Select an unnecessary application and change its status to Forbidden or Restricted. This action will not delete the app, but will prevent it from being activated without permission after rebooting the device.
| Application type | Recommended status | Impact on battery | Risk of shutdown |
|---|---|---|---|
| Messengers | Allowed | Average | High (notifications will not arrive) |
| Games | Forbidden | High | Low |
| Social networks | Restricted | High | Medium (notification delay) |
| System services | Allowed | Low | Critical (system crashes) |
Be extremely careful when disabling system components. If you prevent the service from starting Google Play Services, many phone functions will stop working correctly.
☑️ Checking autorun settings
Using third-party utilities for control
If the built-in system tools are not enough for you, specialized applications from the store come to the rescue. Google Play. They scan the system and identify hidden processes that consume resources.
One of the popular utilities is Greenify. It doesn't just prevent launching, but puts applications to sleep when the phone screen is turned off. This allows you to maintain functionality, but stop background activity.
Another option is task managers like CCleaner or AVG Cleaner. They offer the "Startup Manager" function, where you can uncheck unwanted apps with one click.
However, installing such apps has a downside. The cleaners themselves often work in the background and constantly monitor the system, which can offset the resulting battery savings.
⚠️ Attention: Avoid installing several antiviruses or cleaners at the same time. They will begin to conflict with each other for access to system resources, causing severe slowdowns.
Before installing any such software, carefully read the permissions it requests. If a simple “cleaner” asks for access to your contacts and microphone, this is a reason to refuse to use it.
Features of working on different shells
Smartphone manufacturers often modify the standard one Android, adding their own interfaces and energy-saving functions. This affects exactly how the autorun mechanism is implemented.
On devices Xiaomi with a shell MIUI there is a separate application Security. There is a section inside it Permissions → Autorun. There is a visual list with switches for each app.
Users Huawei and Honor can find a similar function in the menu Phone Manager. Here the system itself offers to optimize the launch, based on the frequency of application use.
Owners of pure Android (for example, Pixel or Moto) are deprived of such convenient switches and are forced to rely on restrictions background activity in the main settings.
Hidden settings via ADB
For advanced users, it is possible to disable autorun via a computer using the adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 command. This gives complete control, but requires caution.
Interfaces may change with the release of new firmware versions. If you do not find the described menus, use the search in the phone settings by entering the query “autostart” or “background mode”.
The impact of autostart on performance
An excessive number of active processes directly affects the speed of the smartphone. RAM (RAM) is a limited resource, and if it is full of unnecessary services, new applications will open slowly.
When you launch a heavy game or camera, the system has to urgently unload background processes from memory to free up space. This creates a load on the processor and causes micro-slowdowns in the interface.
In addition, the constant activity of network modules to update data in the background leads to heating of the device body. In the summer, this can provoke throttling - a forced reduction in the processor frequency for cooling.
Disabling autorun for 5-10 unnecessary applications can increase battery life by 15-20% in standby mode. This is especially true for older models with worn-out batteries.
Home The purpose of autorun control is not just to speed up the phone, but to prevent parasitic energy consumption in those moments when you are not using the device.
Regular audit of installed apps helps keep the system clean. Remove what you don't use and disable autorun for things you only need occasionally.
Common problems and solutions
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where, after disabling autorun, the application still starts. This may be due to the fact that the app has rights to receive system events, such as connecting to a network or changing the time.
In this case, you need to check the application permissions. Go to the settings of a specific utility and revoke unnecessary rights, for example, access to location or phone number, if they are not needed for the main function.
Another problem is the “resurrection” of deleted applications. Some Chinese manufacturers build in system applications that cannot be removed in the standard way. They are automatically restored after a reboot.
To combat such cases, obtain root accessis required, which gives full access to the file system. However, this is a complex process that can void your warranty and disrupt the operation of banking applications.
Is it possible to completely disable autorun of system applications?
Completely disabling system applications without root access is impossible and dangerous. You can only limit their background activity through the battery settings. An attempt to disable critical services will result in unstable operation of the phone or a cyclic reboot.
Why do instant messengers not send notifications after autostart is disabled?
Messengers require a constant background process to connect to the server. If you prevent them from autorunning and running in the background, push notifications will not be sent. For such applications, always select the “Allowed” status.
Does the widget on the desktop affect autorun?
Yes. If a widget (for example, weather or news) is installed on the home screen, the associated application will constantly update data in the background, ignoring some energy saving restrictions.
Do you need to use Task Killers?
No, modern versions of Android can effectively manage memory themselves. Forced termination of processes by third-party utilities often leads to the system immediately restarting them again, wasting even more energy.
How to find out which application is slowing down your phone when you turn it on?
Pay attention to the behavior of the phone in the first 2 minutes after turning it on. If the processor load indicator is high and you are not pressing anything, check the "Battery Usage" section for the last hour - the leaders in resource consumption will be visible there.