Modern operating systems Android have become much stricter about what happens in the background. This is done for safety and to save battery life, but often creates problems for users who need certain apps to run all the time. Messengers may not send notifications, navigators may turn off when the screen is minimized, and activity trackers may lose data. Allowing autorun becomes a critical step for the correct operation of specific software.
The setup process is not universal for all devices, since each manufacturer makes its own changes to the shell. MIUI from Xiaomi, One UI from Samsung or ColorOS from Oppo have their own memory management algorithms that aggressively kill background processes. Understanding these mechanisms will help you correctly configure your smartphone to suit your needs without disturbing the overall stability of the system.
In this article we will analyze not only the standard paths in the settings menu, but also specific options for different brands. You will learn how to bypass system restrictions, what permissions need to be given to applications, and why simply enabling them in settings is sometimes not enough. Be prepared to go through several configuration steps to achieve the desired result.
Why the system blocks background running of applications
Starting with version Android 6.0, Google has introduced the function Doze Mode. This mechanism puts the device into deep sleep mode when the screen is turned off and the phone does not move. In this state, network activity is suspended and background processes are frozen. This is a great feature for saving energy, but it becomes an obstacle for apps that require a constant connection to the server.
Smartphone manufacturers have gone even further by adding their own task managers. They strive to free up RAM RAM at any cost, believing that the fewer applications running in the background, the faster the phone works. However, this approach often results in important notifications arriving late or not arriving at all. By default, the system considers any application that is not in use right now as an unnecessary resource consumer.
⚠️ Attention: Completely disabling battery optimization for all apps in a row can lead to the smartphone starting to discharge in a few hours. Act selectively, allowing autostart only for those applications that really need it.
It is also worth considering that different versions Android interpret the concept of “background service” differently. In new OS versions (12, 13, 14), the restrictions have become even stricter. The system can now completely prevent a service from starting if the application has not been opened by the user for a long time. This requires deeper settings of access rights.
Basic setup through the developer and application menu
The first and most obvious step is to check the settings of a specific application. In most cases, the system allows you to manually change the behavior of the app. To do this, you need to go to the settings section, find the software you need and explore the available options. Often there is a hidden switch responsible for working in the background.
Go to Settings → Applications → Manage applications. Select the app you are interested in from the list. You need to find an item that may have different names depending on the phone model. Look for sections related to battery, startup, or notifications. This is where the key switches are hidden.
Usually there are three main levels of restrictions that need to be removed:
- 🔋 Optimization batteries: Switch to “No restrictions” or “Do not optimize” mode.
- 🚀 Autostart: turn on the toggle switch that allows start when the system boots.
- 🔒 Background activity: allow work in the background and display on top of other windows.
If you do not see the obvious “Autorun” item, this does not mean that it is not there. Some shells integrate this feature into the overall power-saving mechanism. Try to find the item Saving energy inside the application card and disable it. This often has the same effect as direct permission to launch.
If the Autorun item is inactive (gray), try first force stopping the application, and then going into the settings again. Sometimes this resets the state cache and unlocks options.
Specific settings for popular shells (Xiaomi, Samsung, Huawei)
Chinese manufacturers are known for their aggressive memory cleaning algorithms. Owners of smartphones Xiaomi with shell MIUI or HyperOS face this most often. It is not enough to simply change the settings in the application menu. There is a separate system tool that controls this process.
On Xiaomi devices you need to find the application Security (green icon with a shield). There is a section inside it Permissions → Autorun. This is where the main switch is located. Without enabling this option, the system will block the app from starting immediately after the phone boots, regardless of other settings. This is a unique protection mechanism that is often overlooked.
For owners Samsung the situation is a little different. In the shell One UI the emphasis is on “Sleep mode”. You need to go to Settings → Device maintenance → Battery → Background restrictions. There is a list of "Deep Sleep Apps" here. If your app gets there, it won't be able to run in the background. Move it to the list of “Apps that never sleep.”
Smartphones Huawei and Honor use a shell EMUI or MagicOS. They have a "Launch Applications" feature that is managed automatically by default. You need to switch the control to manual mode. After this, a window will open with three switches: “Autorun”, “Indirect launch” and “Work in the background”. All three must be active for stable operation.
| Manufacturer | Section name | Key option | Path to settings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi / Redmi | Security | Autostart | Applications → Permissions |
| Samsung | Battery | Non-sleeping applications | Device maintenance → Battery |
| Huawei / Honor | Running applications | Manual management | Settings → Battery |
| Oppo / Realme | Phone manager | Allow autostart | Privacy permissions |
What is “Indirect launch” on Huawei?
This permission allows one application to run another. For example, a messenger can launch a voice call service. If you disable this, the chain of processes will be interrupted and the function will not work.
Pinning applications in RAM
Even if you have enabled autorun, the system may close the application if there is insufficient memory. To prevent this, use the pinning feature in the multitasking menu. This tells the task manager that this application is a priority and cannot be unloaded from RAM.
Open the recent applications menu (Square button or swipe up from bottom and hold). Find the application card you need. On most devices, you need to click on the app icon at the top of the card or pull the card down. A lock icon will appear. Click on it.
After this procedure, a lock symbol will appear next to the application. This means that when you press the "Clear All" button (broom), this application will remain in memory. It will continue to work until you close it yourself or restart the phone. This is a reliable way to keep the service active.
However, it is worth remembering that pinning too many apps will lead to system slowdowns. RAM is not rubber. Use this function only for 2-3 of the most important apps, such as a navigator or instant messenger for work.
⚠️ Attention: On some new models with a large amount of memory (12 GB and above), the lock function may be absent or work differently, since the system itself effectively manages resources without manual intervention.
☑️ Checking the locking applications
Using ADB to force services to be enabled
In cases where the standard settings do not help or are hidden by the manufacturer, you can use the debugging tool ADB (Android Debug Bridge). This is a more advanced method that requires connecting your smartphone to your computer. It allows you to send direct commands to the system, bypassing the settings graphical interface.
First you need to activate developer mode. Go to Settings → About phone and quickly click 7 times on the item Build number. After this, a new section will appear in the settings menu For developers. Turn on the item there USB debugging.
Connect the phone to the PC and launch the ADB console. To enable autorun for a specific package, you can use the change battery settings command. However, a more efficient method is to disable the power saving mode for a specific application UID.
adb shell dumpsys package com.example.app | grep userIdOnce you have an application's user ID, you can change its power saving state. The command might look like this (caution required):
adb shell am set-inactive com.example.package falseThis command tells the system that the application is actively being used and prevents it from being put to sleep by the App Standby mechanism. This is especially useful for trackers and smartwatches, which often lose connectivity due to aggressive system sleep.
Using ADB gives maximum control, but requires technical knowledge. An error in the command can lead to unstable operation of the system, so copy the commands carefully.
The impact of system updates and resetting settings
Users often notice that after an update Android all autorun settings are reset. This is normal security behavior. With a major update (for example, from version 12 to 13), background activity permissions are reset, and you will have to go through the setup procedure again.
It is also worth considering that some memory “cleaners” pre-installed on the phone may have their own cleaning schedules. Check the settings of such utilities. Perhaps there is a checkbox “Clear memory every night”, which kills your important processes.
If all else fails, you can consider resetting application settings (not the entire phone!). This will reset all permissions to factory settings. Sometimes this helps if a software glitch has accumulated in the system that blocks the operation of services. After the reset, you will have to re-issue all permissions, but the work may stabilize.
Remember that interfaces change. What worked last year may be moved to a different menu today. Always ensure that menu paths are up to date on your specific device.
⚠️ Warning: Resetting application settings will delete your notifications and saves in some games. Make sure your important data is synced to the cloud before performing this operation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why does the app turn off immediately after I minimize the screen?
You most likely have aggressive battery optimization enabled or the app is on the Deep Sleep list. Check the power saving settings for a specific application and add it to exceptions. Also try pinning it to the multitasking menu.
Is it harmful to keep many applications in startup?
Yes, this can increase battery consumption and take up RAM. Allow autorun only for apps that need to run constantly (messengers, navigation, smart home). It is better to launch social networks and games manually.
How to enable autorun on Android 14 if there is no such item in the menu?
On Android 14 this function is often hidden. Try to find it by searching in the settings for “Autorun” or “Special. access". If that doesn’t help, use the developer menu or third-party utilities like NoHiding, which force the visibility of hidden settings.
Can a virus disguise itself as a system application and be included in startup?
Yes, malware often registers itself in startup. If you see an unknown application with system rights that cannot be removed, scan your phone with an antivirus. Be careful when granting device administrator rights.
Are autorun settings reset when you reboot the phone?
No, if you saved the settings correctly in the “Permissions” or “Security” menu, they should be saved after a reboot. If they fly off, you may have a third-party cleaner application installed that resets them every time you start.