Modern smartphones of the brand Huawei, running shell EMUI or Magic UI, are famous for their aggressive energy saving policy. This, on the one hand, provides excellent autonomy, but on the other hand, it often leads to important notifications from instant messengers arriving with a delay, and applications closing immediately after minimizing. Users often wonder how to enable background mode on Android Huawei to solve this problem.
The essence of the question lies in the process management system, which by default “kills” all unnecessary tasks to save battery power. In order for applications to work correctly when minimized, you must manually change the settings for each specific software. This is not a device error, but is a feature of system optimization that is easy to control.
In this guide, we will examine in detail all the setup steps. You'll learn where the hidden switches are, how to turn off battery optimization, and what Task Manager settings you need to change. Following these instructions will ensure that your favorite services will work stably, even when the smartphone screen is turned off.
Basics of background processes in EMUI
The shell EMUI uses its own resource allocation algorithm, which differs from stock Android. The system constantly monitors the activity of running apps and, if there is no user interaction for a certain time, puts them into sleep mode or completely terminates the process. This is done in order to free up RAM and reduce the load on the central processor.
However, for applications such as Telegram, WhatsApp or email clients, this behavior is unacceptable. They require constant network access to receive real-time push notifications. If the system limits their operation, you may miss an important message or call. Understanding the principles of operation task manager helps to correctly configure the device to suit your needs.
⚠️ Attention: Completely disabling all background restrictions for all applications at once can lead to a noticeable increase in battery consumption. It is recommended to configure only those apps that really require constant activity.
It is important to distinguish between the concepts of “background activity” and “autorun”. The first allows the application to run when you are not using it right now, and the second allows the app to start on its own immediately after turning on the phone. For stable operation of instant messengers, activation of both parameters is usually required.
Searching and setting up a specific application
The first step in solving the problem is to find the desired service in the system settings. The interface Huawei may differ slightly depending on the firmware version, but the logic of actions remains the same. You need to go to the application management section, where information about each installed package is stored.
Find the desired app in the list, for example, your main messenger. By clicking on its name, you will be taken to the detailed information menu, where all the key switches are located. This is where the fate of the background work is decided. Ignoring this step often becomes the reason that the settings are not applied.
Pay attention to item "Battery consumption" or "Launch applications". It may be called differently in different firmware versions, but the functionality is identical. Switching the toggle switch to the active position removes the main restrictions imposed by the energy saving system on the selected software.
If you cannot find the desired application in the general list, use the search at the top of the settings screen by entering the name of the app. This will save time if there is a large amount of installed software.
After entering the launch control menu, the system can offer you three control options: automatic control, manual control or complete shutdown. For our purposes, it is critical to select the manual mode in order to independently determine the rules of the app's behavior.
Manual control of startup and autorun
When you activate manual control, a window with three specific checkboxes will open in front of you. Each of them is responsible for a certain aspect of the application’s life in the system. Incorrect configuration of at least one of these points can negate all configuration efforts.
The first point is "Autorun". It allows the application to start immediately after the operating system boots. Without this, the messenger will not be able to connect to the server until you manually open it. The second point is "Indirect launch", which allows other apps to activate this application.
The third and most important point is "Work in the background". It is this setting that prevents the system from “killing” the process when the screen is off. If this checkbox is unchecked, the application will be forced to close a few minutes after minimizing, regardless of other settings.
☑️ Setting up manual launch
Make sure that all three switches are active. Only the comprehensive inclusion of these functions guarantees stable operation of the service. After checking the boxes, be sure to click the confirm button, otherwise the changes will not be saved and the system will return to standard restrictions.
Disabling battery optimization for applications
Even after setting up manual launch, the system may continue to limit the application through the battery optimization mechanism. This is an additional level of power protection that must be disabled separately. You can find this setting in the same application information menu, in the “Battery Consumption” section.
In the list that opens you will see the options: “Allow background activity”, “Hard limit” or “Manage manually”. You need to select the option that allows full activity. On some versions Magic UI this item is called “Launch an application” and requires unchecking the “Manage automatically” item.
If you select the “Hard Restriction” option, the application will not be able to run in the background under any circumstances. This is useful for games or apps that you rarely use, but is absolutely not suitable for communications. The system will block any attempts by the app to access the network without your knowledge.
⚠️ Attention: The settings interface may change depending on the security update or Android version. If you do not find the described items, check the “Battery” section in the general phone settings; there may be a general list of optimized apps.
It is also worth checking the global energy saving settings. Sometimes turning on Ultra-Economy mode automatically applies hard restrictions to all apps, ignoring individual settings. Make sure that the normal battery mode is active.
Pinning applications in RAM
Another effective method of keeping a app in memory is to use the lock function in the task manager. This method works as an “anchor”, preventing the system from closing the application when clearing memory with the “Close All” button. This is especially true for devices with a small amount of RAM.
To pin an application, open the recent tasks menu by pressing the corresponding navigation button or by swiping up from the bottom with a delay. Find the card of the desired application and pull it down (or click on the lock icon, depending on the interface version). You will see a small lock icon on the application card.
Pinned applications are marked with a lock symbol and do not disappear during a mass memory clear. However, it is worth remembering that this method does not override system battery restrictions, but only prevents the user from accidentally closing it. Therefore, it is better to use it in conjunction with the previous settings.
What happens if you pin too many applications?
If you pin more than 5-7 heavy applications in memory, the system may start to work slower, and there will be critically little free RAM to run new tasks. Use blocking only for the most important services.
Using blocking in the task manager is insurance against aggressive memory cleaning. In combination with autorun permission, this gives a double guarantee that the application will remain active throughout the day.
Specifics of working with instant messengers and social networks
Additional settings may be required for different types of applications. For example, social networks often have built-in traffic saving mechanisms that conflict with system settings. Check the internal settings of the application itself, making sure that the “Data Saving” mode is not enabled.
Particular attention should be paid to applications for calls over the Internet, such as Viber or Skype. For them, not only background work is critical, but also access to the network in sleep mode. In Wi-Fi settings, it is recommended to disable the “Suspend Wi-Fi in sleep mode” feature if such an option is available in the advanced network settings.
Below is a table that will help you navigate the necessary settings for popular types of applications:
| Application type | Autorun | Background work | Pin to memory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Messengers (WhatsApp, TG) | Required | Required | Recommended |
| Email clients | Required | Required | Not required |
| Social networks | Optional | Required | Optional |
| Activity tracking (Pedometer) | Required | Required | Required |
| Games | Deny | Deny | Deny |
Setting up activity trackers, such as Google Fit or the system step counter, requires a special approach. If such an application is closed in the background, (step counting) will stop and the data for the day will be lost. For them, consolidation in memory is a strictly necessary condition for correct operation.
Diagnostics of problems and additional solutions
If after performing all the above steps the application still does not work correctly, perhaps the problem lies deeper. Check if you have third-party memory cleaners or antiviruses with optimization functions installed. Such apps can intercept control and close processes contrary to system settings.
It is also worth checking access rights. Go to the app's settings and make sure it is allowed to use background data. Sometimes the ban on data transfer in the background blocks the service from working even when the background process is active. Permission to use mobile data and Wi-Fi must be full.
In extreme cases, resetting the network settings or updating the firmware to the latest version helps. Developers Huawei regularly release patches that correct errors in the task manager. Check for updates in the menu Settings → System and updates → Software update.
⚠️ Attention: Third-party memory cleaning applications (Clean Master and analogues) often work more aggressively than the built-in Huawei system. If you have such software installed, try uninstalling it and checking the background applications again.
Remember that there is no perfect balance between autonomy and instant notification delivery. The more apps you allow to run in the background, the faster your battery will drain. Your task is to find a middle ground, leaving only vital services active.
The main secret of stable operation on Huawei is a combination of three actions: allowing autorun, disabling battery optimization and pinning it in the task manager. (all three conditions are necessary).
Frequently asked questions
Why are settings reset after rebooting the phone?
Usually settings should not be reset. If this happens, check to see if you have Ultra-Economy or Energy Saver mode enabled, which forces the system to return to standard limits every time you start the system. Also make sure that you clicked the “OK” or “Save” button after changing the launch options.
Does enabling background mode affect the speed of your smartphone?
Enabling background work in itself does not slow down the phone. Slowdown can only occur if there are too many heavy applications running at the same time that consume a lot of RAM. For light messengers, the impact on performance is invisible.
How to enable background mode for all applications at once?
In the EMUI system there is no one “Enable all” button. This is intentional for safety and energy savings. You need to configure each important application individually through the Launch Applications menu. Massively enabling all apps will quickly drain the battery.
What to do if the “Launch applications” item is not in the settings?
In new versions of Magic UI, this item may be hidden inside the “Battery” -> “Launch applications” section. If it is not there either, try entering the phrase “Autostart” or “Background activity” in the settings search, the system itself will redirect you to the desired section.
Is it possible to completely disable battery optimization for the entire system?
It is impossible to completely disable system optimization without root access. However, you can change the battery mode to "Performance" in the battery settings. This will reduce the aggressiveness of closing background processes, but will increase battery consumption by 15-20%.