Modern Android smartphones are becoming more and more aggressive in terms of saving battery power. The operating system tends to close any application that you are not using right now in order to save CPU and RAM resources. However, for instant messengers, activity trackers, alarm clocks and monitoring systems, this behavior is a critical problem.
If an important notification arrives with a delay or the fitness tracker stops counting steps while the phone is in your pocket, the energy saving setting is most likely to blame. The user must manually allow autostart applications and prohibit the system from “killing” processes in the background. In this article, we will look at how to do this on devices from different manufacturers, since the standard Android settings are often hidden behind proprietary shells.
The procedure varies from model to model, but the general principle remains the same: you need to find the power management section and add the desired app to the exclusion list. Don't ignore this step if you want your smartphone to work predictably and complete tasks on time without your constant participation.
Why apps don't start automatically
Starting with Android 6.0 and especially in versions 8.0, 9.0 and later, Google has implemented strict restrictions on background activity. The mechanism Doze Mode and restrictions on background processes were created in order to extend the battery life of the device. The system believes that if you haven't opened the application for several hours, you don't need it, and forcibly stops it.
Smartphone manufacturers have gone even further by adding their own add-ons on top of stock Android. Shells like Xiaomi's, Huawei's or Samsung's have their own task managers, which often work more aggressively than the operating system itself. They can block network activity or prohibit the service from starting immediately after rebooting the phone. MIUI from Xiaomi, EMUI from Huawei or One UI Samsung's have their own task managers that are often more aggressive than the operating system itself. They can block network activity or prevent the service from starting immediately after the phone is rebooted.
Autostart is a function that allows the app to initiate its work immediately after turning on the device or when a certain event occurs (for example, receiving a push notification). Without explicit permission from the user, modern operating systems block this feature by default for security reasons and to save resources.
⚠️ Attention: Completely disabling power saving restrictions for a large number of apps can lead to a noticeable decrease in the operating time of the smartphone on a single charge. Add to the exceptions only those services that really need to work constantly.
Often users are faced with a situation where, after updating the firmware, all settings are reset, and their favorite instant messengers begin to be “silent” again. This is normal system behavior and requires reconfiguration of access rights. Understanding the architecture of how background processes work will help you properly configure the device to suit your needs.
Universal method through Android settings
In “pure” Android or on devices with minimal modifications, setting up autorun and work in the background is done through the app menu. This method is basic and should be done first, regardless of the brand of your smartphone. We will look at a step-by-step algorithm of actions.
First you need to find the desired application in the general list. To do this, go to Settings and select section Applications (or Applications and notifications). Find the app in the list that is not working correctly and click on it. Key parameters that control its life cycle are hidden here.
- 🔋 Select item Battery or Energy consumption inside the application menu.
- 🚀 Change the operating mode to
No restrictionsorDo not limit. - 🔔 Check the section Notifications and make sure they are enabled.
- 📂 In advanced settings, find the item
RunorAutostartand activate it.
After changing these parameters, the system will no longer forcefully close the process. However, on some devices this is not enough and requires additional fixation of the application in RAM. This is done through the multitasking menu.
To pin an application in memory, open the recent tasks menu (the "square" button or swipe from the bottom), find the app window and click on the lock icon or hold your finger on the window until a message about fixing appears.
It is important to note that the names of menu items may differ depending on the version of Android. For example, in Android 10 it might be called "Battery Usage" and in Android 13 it might be called "Battery Usage". The essence remains the same: you need to remove all restrictions that the system imposes on background activity.
Setting up autorun on Xiaomi (MIUI and HyperOS)
Xiaomi devices are known for their aggressive memory management policy. The MIUI shell (and the new HyperOS) has a separate system service that controls the launch of apps. Even if you have given all the permissions in the standard Android menu, the application may not start without setting it up in a special manager.
To access the necessary settings, open the application Security, which is pre-installed on all Xiaomi smartphones. Inside, find the section Permissions and select item Autorun. Here you will see a list of all installed apps with switches next to each.
Turn on the switch next to the desired application. This will give it the right to start immediately after turning on the phone. However, this may not be enough for stable operation in the background. It is also necessary to set up battery saving specifically for this software.
☑️ Setting up Xiaomi MIUI
Additionally, you should check your notification settings. MIUI has a separate notification lock screen that can hide important messages. Go to Settings → Notifications and status bar → Lock screen and make sure that “Show content” is checked for your application.
⚠️ Attention: Interface MIUI is updated frequently. If you do not find the “Autostart” item in the “Security” application, try to find it by searching in the general settings of the phone by entering the request “Autostart”.
Ignoring these settings on Xiaomi leads to the fact that instant messengers do not send messages until the screen is unlocked. Only after turning on the screen does the phone “understand” that it needs to check the server and downloads messages en masse. Correctly setting up autorun solves this problem.
Features of operation on Samsung and Huawei
Samsung and Huawei smartphones use their own optimization algorithms, which also require manual intervention. On Samsung devices with One UI shell, control is carried out through the device care menu. Huawei, in turn, uses a phone manager system that is hidden from the eyes of the average user.
On Samsung you need to go to Settings → Device maintenance → Battery → Restrictions in the background. There are three lists: Sleeping Apps, Deep Sleep, and Never Sleeping Apps. You need to add important software to the third list.
For Huawei and Honor the situation is more complicated. In new versions of EMUI, settings are scattered across different menus. First go to Settings → Battery → Launch applications. Disable automatic control for the desired app and manually enable all three items: “Autostart”, “Indirect launch” and “Work in the background”.
| Brand | Path to settings | Key parameter |
|---|---|---|
| Samsung | Device maintenance → Battery | Never sleeping applications |
| Xiaomi | Security → Permissions | Autostart |
| Huawei | Battery → Launch applications | Manual control |
| OnePlus | Battery → Optimization batteries | Do not optimize |
On OnePlus and OPPO devices there is also a “Battery Optimization” function. By default, it is enabled for all applications. To disable it, you need to go to the appropriate menu, select an application from the list and check the box Do not optimize. This action is similar to removing restrictions on other devices.
Hidden developer settings
If standard methods do not help, you can try turning on developer mode (by clicking on the build number 7 times in “About phone”) and find the item “Do not unload from memory” or “Background process”. However, this is an extreme measure that affects the entire system.
Remember that every manufacturer strives to maximize operating time figures in advertising brochures, often sacrificing functionality. Therefore, manual configuration is a mandatory ritual after purchasing a new smartphone of these brands.
Use of third-party utilities for control
If the built-in system tools do not give the desired result or the interface is too confusing, you can use specialized software. There are applications that help manage startup and background processes more flexibly than standard Android settings.
One of the popular solutions is the application Auto Start - No root. It allows you to view a list of all applications that have permission to autorun and manage them from one interface. This is especially convenient if you have installed software from different manufacturers with different settings menus.
- 🛠 The utility All-In-One Toolbox offers a startup management function and memory clearing.
- 🚫 The application Greenify helps “put to sleep” unnecessary apps, leaving only important ones active.
- 📊 Task managers like SystemPanel 2 show detailed statistics on process activity.
It is worth understanding that third-party utilities themselves consume phone resources. Installing another app to control other apps can create a vicious cycle of energy consumption. Use such software only if standard methods cannot achieve stable operation.
Third-party startup managers are most effective on older versions of Android (up to 8.0). On modern systems, their capabilities are severely limited by access rights, so preference should be given to standard settings.
There are also automation scenarios, for example, through an application Tasker. With its help, you can create a complex scenario: “If the charge level is above 20% and Wi-Fi is turned on, then launch application X.” This gives maximum control, but takes time to learn the functionality of the app.
Problems with energy saving and their solution
Even after enabling autorun, users may encounter that the application still closes. Often the culprit is the "Energy Saving" or "Ultra-Saving" mode, which activates automatically when the battery is low. In this mode, the system ignores almost all user settings and kills any background processes.
You need to check the settings of the economy mode itself. Go to the battery menu and find the power saving options. Make sure that the application you want is not added to the list of those that are disabled when this mode is activated. In some cases, it is easier to disable automatic power saving altogether.
Another problem is the “Adaptive Battery”. This Android feature uses machine learning to predict which apps you'll use. If you rarely open a tracker, the system may decide that it is not important and limit its operation, despite the autorun settings.
⚠️ Warning: Disabling the adaptive battery may cause the system to stop optimizing power consumption for rarely used apps. Monitor your battery usage after making changes.
To disable adaptive battery for a specific application, go to Settings → Applications → Special. access → Optimizing charge consumption. In the drop-down list, select “All applications”, find the one you need and remove the restriction. This will forcefully tell the system that the application is important, regardless of the frequency of its use.
An integrated approach to configuration includes not only enabling autorun, but also excluding the application from all types of optimization. Only the combination of these measures guarantees stable operation of the service in the background 24 hours a day.
Frequently asked questions and additional settings
After completing all the basic settings, users often have questions related to specific usage scenarios. For example, what to do with applications that require constant geolocation, or how to set up auto-start for smart watches.
For activity trackers and navigators, permission to work in the background without restrictions is critical. Also check the geolocation access rights: set the value Allow always, and not “Only when used”. Without this, the GPS module will turn off as soon as the screen goes dark.
If you are using a smartphone + smartwatch combination, make sure that the companion application (for example Galaxy Wearable or Mi Fitness) also has all permissions for autostart. Otherwise, the connection with the watch will be broken, and notifications will stop coming to the bracelet.
Why does the application disappear from the autorun list after updating?
When updating the application, its digital signature or code version may change the manifest parameters. Android security may perceive this as a new application and reset previous permissions. After each major update, it is advisable to recheck the battery and autorun settings for critical apps.
Does autorun affect the speed of the smartphone?
The mere fact of allowing autorun does not slow down the phone. The speed only drops if the application actually starts performing heavy tasks immediately after being turned on. If a app just hangs in memory waiting for an event, it does not consume CPU time. Problems arise only when you incorrectly configure dozens of heavy apps at the same time.
Is it possible to configure autorun without root access?
Yes, all the methods described in the article work on devices without root access. Modern versions of Android provide enough tools in the standard settings menu to manage background activity. Root access is required only for deep modification of system files, which is unnecessary and even dangerous for the average user.
What to do if the autorun button is inactive (gray)?
If the switch is inactive, it is possible that the application is not declared by the developer as supporting autorun, or it is disabled in the application manager settings. Try just opening the application first, then minimizing it, and only then checking the settings. In some cases, clearing the application cache before setting it up helps.
Are settings reset when you reboot the phone?
No, permission and autorun settings are saved in the system database and are not reset during a normal reboot or power off. They can only be reset when returning to factory settings (Hard Reset) or when deleting the application itself.