How to enable background mode on Android smartphones Honor: a complete guide

Background mode on smartphones Honor is a key feature that determines how applications will work when you minimize them or switch to another task. Without proper configuration, many instant messengers stop sending notifications, music players are interrupted, and geolocation services lose accuracy. In this article, we will look at how to enable and optimize the background mode on devices Honor running Magic UI or EMUI, taking into account the features of different versions of Android.

The problem is that manufacturers often limit the operation of applications in the background in order to save battery power. This leads to the fact that even popular applications like WhatsApp, Telegram or Google Maps may not function correctly. We will show you how to bypass these restrictions in legal ways, without resorting to root or third-party utilities. We will also explain why some applications can still “fly out” of the background - and what to do about it.

What is background mode and why do you need it?

Background mode (background mode) is the state in which an application continues to perform tasks after the user has minimized it or switched to another. Without this mechanism:

• 📱 Messengers will not show notifications about new messages.
• 🎵 Music players (for example, Spotify or YouTube Music) will stop after a few minutes.
• 📍 Navigators (Google Maps, Yandex.Maps) will stop tracking the route.
• 🔄 Background tasks (mail synchronization, weather updates) will not be performed.

On smartphones Honor (as well as on other devices with EMUI/Magic UI) background mode is limited by default. The system aggressively closes applications to save battery power. This is part of the policy Huawei/Honor to optimize energy consumption, but it often interferes with users. For example, if you are listening to a podcast on Google Podcasts and lock the screen, playback may be interrupted after 5-10 minutes.

It is important to understand that the background mode ≠ autorun. Autorun is responsible for ensuring that the application starts with the system, and background mode is responsible for ensuring that it continues to work after being minimized. Both parameters need to be configured separately.

How to check if an application is running in the background

Before setting up the background mode, make sure that the problem is really in it. Here's an easy way to check:

1. Open the problematic application (for example, Telegram).
2. Minimize it with the button Home or gesture.
3. Wait 5-10 minutes (without opening other resource-intensive applications).
4. Unlock the screen and check:
   • Have new notifications arrived (if you were expecting a message).
   • Does music/podcast playback continue?
   • Has the data in the application been updated (for example, the exchange rate in a banking application).

If any of this did not work, the application closes in the background. You can also use task manager:

1. Open Settings → Applications.
2. Tap on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Show processes.
3. See if your application is in the list of running ones. If not, it is closed.

Step-by-step guide: enable background mode on Honor

Setting the background mode on Honor depends on the firmware version. We will consider two main scenarios: for Magic UI 7.0+ (new models) and EMUI 10/11 (old devices) If you don’t know your version, check in Settings → About phone. → EMUI/Magic UI version.

Method 1: Through the battery settings (Magic UI 7.0 and later)

This method works on models Honor 50, Honor 70, Honor 90 and others with Magic UI 7.0–8.0:

1. Go to Settings → Battery.
2. Tap on Launch applications (or Manage application launch).
3. Select the desired application from the list.
4. Activate the switches:
   • Autostart (allows startup at system startup).
   • Secondary launch (allows you to work in the background).
   • Work in the background (main parameter!).

Go back and select Battery optimization → find your application and disable optimization for it.

Enable autorun applications|Allow secondary launch|Activate background work|Disable battery optimization for the application-->

Method 2: Through application settings (EMUI 10/11)

For older models (Honor 10, Honor 20, Honor View 20 etc.) with EMUI 10.x–11.x:

1. Open Settings → Applications and notifications → Applications.
2. Select the desired application (for example, VK).
3. Tap on Battery.
4. Disable the switch Manage automatically.
5. Enable:
   • Autostart.
   • Secondary launch.
   • Work in the background.

Go back to the main application settings and select Notifications → make sure they are enabled.

If your version of EMUI does not have the item Work in the background, look for Disable battery optimization or Ignore optimization.

Method 3: Through the developer (for experienced users)

If standard methods do not help, you can try to disable optimization through developer mode:

1. Activate developer mode: go to Settings → About phone i tap 7 times on Settings → About phone data-i="142">Find the item Build number.
2. Return to Settings → System → Developer Options.
3. Find an item Do not disable background processes and enable it.
4. It is also useful to disable Limit background processes (install Standard limit).

⚠️ Attention: these settings may increase battery consumption. Do not enable them unless necessary.

Why applications still close in the background

Even after correct settings, some applications may close. solutions:

Problem	Cause	Solution
The application closes after 5-10 minutes	Aggressive optimization Magic UI	Disable battery optimization for the application and add it to Protected applications
Music stops when the screen is locked	Restrictions on running in the background for multimedia	Enable Playing in the background in the application settings and disable Adaptive battery in the system settings
Notifications from instant messengers are not coming	Autostart or secondary launch is prohibited	Check the settings Autostart and Notifications for the application
The application does not update data in the background	Internet access in the background is limited	Enable Data transfer in the background in the application settings and disable Background limitation in the battery settings

Another common reason is manually closing applications through the multitasking menu. Many users are accustomed to “cleaning up” background tasks, but Honor this leads to the system starting to close applications automatically even more aggressively. Do not close applications manually by swiping up - this teaches the system that you do not want them to work in the background.

How to add an application to protected ones (and why it is important)

Function Protected applications is a “white list” of apps that the system will not close in the background. By default, only system utilities are added there, but you can include any applications there:

1. Go to Settings → Battery → Launch applications.
2. Tap on Protected applications (or Applications protected from cleaning).
3. Turn on the switch for the desired application.

On some models Honor this item may be called differently:

• 🔒 Applications protected from optimization (EMUI 10).
• 🛡️ Application protection (Magic UI 7).
• ⚡ Battery exceptions (old versions).

If your firmware does not have such an item, use an alternative method:

1. Open Settings → Applications.
2. Select the desired application → Battery.
3. Disable Manage automatically and enable Ignore optimization.

⚠️ Attention: do not add too many applications to protected ones - this will increase the load on the processor and reduce battery life.

Battery optimization: how to find balance

Aggressive battery optimization is the main reason why applications close in the background. But you shouldn’t disable it completely: this will lead to rapid drainage. Instead:

• 🔋 Disable optimization only for critical applications (messengers, navigators, music players).
• ⚡ Use Performance mode (in Settings → Battery) for games and resource-intensive tasks, but do not leave it on constantly.
• 📊 Check battery consumption statistics in Settings → Battery → Battery Usage and remove applications that consume too much energy in the background.

There is a hidden feature Honor there is a hidden function Adaptive batterythat learns your habits, the system will close it less often over time. But this process may take a few days to speed it up:

1. Do not close the application manually through multitasking.
2. Open it more often (for example, WhatsApp - once a day).
3. Allow all notifications for the application.

What should you do if, after updating Magic UI, applications close again?

After major updates (for example, from Magic UI 7.1 to 8.0), the system resets some optimization settings. You will have to do the following:

1. Check the battery settings for each application.

2. critical applications into protected ones.

3. Disable adaptive optimization (if it interferes).

This is normal practice - manufacturers often tighten restrictions in new firmware versions.

Alternative methods: if all else fails

If standard methods do not work worked, try these solutions:

1. Using the utility Don’t Kill My App!

This unofficial application (available on dontkillmyapp.com) contains instructions for setting up the background mode for different manufacturers, including HonorIt does not require root access, but will help you find hidden ones. settings.

2. Configuration via ADB (for advanced users)

If you have experience with ADB, you can manually disable optimization for a specific application:

adb shell dumpsys deviceidle whitelist +com.example.app

Where com.example.app —batch name of the application (can be found out through App Inspector or adb shell pm list packages).

⚠️ Attention: incorrect use of ADB can lead to unstable operation of the system. Do this only if you understand the risks.

3. Switching to third-party firmware (as a last resort)

On some models Honor (for example, Honor 8X or Honor 10 Lite), you can install custom firmware like LineageOS, where there are no such strict restrictions on background processes. However, this:

• 🔓 Requires unlocking. bootloader and root access.
• 🚫 Void the warranty.
• ⚠️ May lead to unstable operation of the camera and other functions.

We recommend resorting to this method only if all other methods have failed, and you are willing to sacrifice stability for the sake of background running of applications.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

❓ Why do applications close in the background again after updating Magic UI?

The manufacturer can reset battery optimization settings after major updates. You will have to re-:

1. Check the battery settings for each application.
2. Add critical applications to Protected.
3. Disable adaptive optimization (if it interferes).

This is normal practice - in new firmware versions the restrictions are often tightened.

❓ How to find out which application is draining the battery in the background?

Go to Settings → Battery → Battery usage. There will be a list of applications with the percentage of consumption. If some application consumes >10% in the background. for no apparent reason - limit its operation or delete it.

❓ Is it possible to enable background mode for all applications at once?

Technically yes, but this is highly not recommended. Disabling optimization for all applications will lead to:

• Severe battery discharge (the phone may not survive until the evening).
• Overheating of the device.
• Slowdown of the system.

Add to exceptions only those applications that are really needed.

❓ Why is music in Spotify/VK Music stops when the screen is locked?

This is due to a restriction on multimedia playback in the background. Solution:

1. In the application settings, enable Playing in the background.
2. Disable battery optimization for the player.
3. Add it to Protected applications.
4. Check if the mode is enabled Energy saving in the notification shade.

❓ Does the background mode work in power saving mode?

No. In Energy saving or Ultra-economy mode mode, the system blocks almost all background processes, except for calls and SMS. To allow applications to work in the background, disable these modes or add applications to exceptions (if such an option is available). available).