Modern Android operating systems, starting with version 6.0 Marshmallow and ending with the latest releases, have introduced aggressive energy-saving mechanisms. The main goal of these algorithms is to extend the battery life of your smartphone by limiting the background activity of apps. However, this often leads to instant messengers stopping sending notifications, navigators resetting the route, and activity trackers losing heart rate or step data.
Users often encounter a situation where, after locking the screen, the application simply “falls asleep” and stops performing its functions. This is not a bug, but a feature of the Doze and App Standby system. To return applications to their full functionality, it is necessary to make a number of changes to system settings, which are often hidden from the eyes of the average user.
In this guide, we will look at how to configure background mode for critical apps, disable battery restrictions and prevent forced dumping from memory. We'll look at both standard system tools and specific settings for different manufacturers' shells.
Understanding background activity restrictions
Starting with Android 8.0 Oreo, Google has introduced strict restrictions on what apps can do in the background. Whereas previously apps were free to launch services and perform tasks, now the system checks whether the application is actively being used at the moment. If not, the process may be stopped after a few minutes.
The main culprit of the problems is the mechanism Doze Mode. When the device is not in use and is lying still, the system enters this mode, postponing network activity and synchronization. For ordinary apps this saves battery, but for messengers or smart watches this can become critical.
There is also a concept App Standby Buckets. The system classifies applications into groups depending on the frequency of their use. Rarely-used apps receive the strictest restrictions on background activity and network access.
Check your battery usage statistics: if an app often appears in the sleep list, it means the system is restricting its activity more than usual.
⚠️ Warning: Disabling background activity restrictions will increase battery consumption. Balance between the required functionality and the operating time of the smartphone.
Setting up permissions and battery optimization
The first and most important step is to exclude a specific application from the battery optimization list. By default, Android considers all apps to be restricted, so you need to manually add important services to the white list.
Go to the device settings and find the section Applications or Applications and notifications. Select the desired app from the list, then go to Battery or Battery consumption. Here you will see an optimization option.
Change the operating mode from “Optimized” to "No restrictions" or Do not optimize. This will give the system a signal that this application should work constantly, even if the screen is turned off.
- 🔋 Select the "No restrictions" mode for instant messengers so as not to miss calls.
- 🚫 Disable "Adaptive" battery mode" for navigators and trackers.
- ⚙️ Check access to background data in the same application settings menu.
- 📱 Make sure that the "Autostart" permission is enabled (relevant for Xiaomi, Huawei, Honor).
On some devices with MIUI, EMUI or OneUI shells, the path may be different. For example, on Xiaomi you need to go to the application Security → Permissions → Autorun and activate the switch next to the desired app.
Manage background data and network
Even if you allowed the application to run in the background, it will not be able to receive information from the Internet if network access is blocked. Android allows you to separately control the use of mobile data and Wi-Fi for each app.
In the same application settings menu, find the item Mobile data and Wi-Fi (or simply Data usage). Make sure the switch "Background data" is activated. Without this checkbox, the application will only work when you keep it open on the screen.
It is also worth checking the setting Data Saver. If this feature is enabled globally on the system, it can block background synchronization for all apps except those added to exceptions.
Settings → Network and Internet → Data Saver → Apps without restrictionsAdd your key apps to this list. This ensures that even with Strict Data Saver enabled, they can maintain a connection to the server.
Why is background data important?
Background data allows an app to send and receive information while you're not using it. Without this, the messenger will not know about a new message until you open it.
Fixing applications in RAM
Random access memory (RAM) in smartphones is limited. When space becomes scarce, the system begins to close processes running in the background, starting with those that have not been used for a long time. To prevent this, you can “lock” the application in memory.
Open the recent applications menu (square button or swipe up from bottom and hold). Find the application card you need. Usually, when you long press on a card or click on the icon at the top, a menu appears.
Select an option "Block" or click on the lock icon. Blocked applications are marked with a special icon and will not be unloaded by the system when the memory is cleared with the “Close All” button.
| Action | Effect | Impact on the battery |
|---|---|---|
| No battery limits | The application does not fall asleep | High |
| Lock in memory | Protection against unloading when there is insufficient RAM | Medium |
| Autostart resolution | Start after reboot | Low |
| Disable adaptive battery | The system does not learn to limit application | Average |
⚠️ Attention: Blocking too many applications in RAM can lead to interface slowdowns, since the system will not have enough resources for current tasks.
Specific shell manufacturers (MIUI, OneUI, EMUI)
Chinese smartphone manufacturers often use their own, even more aggressive memory management algorithms than pure Android. Owners of Xiaomi, Huawei, Honor, Oppo and Vivo encounter background problems more often than others.
On devices Xiaomi (MIUI/HyperOS) it is critical to configure three parameters: Autostart, No battery restrictions and Memory lock. Skipping any of them will lead to unstable operation.
In the shell OneUI from Samsung you should pay attention to the “Deep Sleep” function. Applications added to this list are completely disabled in the background. Check to see if your important application got there by mistake.
☑️ Settings for Xiaomi
Users Huawei and Honor must log into section Launch applications in the battery settings. There you need to disable automatic control for the desired app and manually enable all three items: Autorun, Indirect launch and Work in the background.
On smartphones from Chinese brands, standard Android settings are often not enough - be sure to use the proprietary power management menus.
Advanced methods: ADB and developer mode
If the standard settings do not help, you can use developer tools. Developer mode provides access to hidden parameters for managing processes and_standby_ modes.
To enable developer mode, click 7 times on the build number in the section About the phone. After this, a new item For developerswill appear in the settings. There you can find an option "Keep the screen on" (while charging) or a limit on background processes.
Make sure that in the "Applications" section → “Background process limit” value is selected No restrictions. By default, there may be a standard value, but sometimes users or optimizers change it to “No more than 1 process.”
For the most experienced users, it is possible to use the command line ADB (Android Debug Bridge). You can send a command through your computer to prevent the system from putting a specific application to sleep.
adb shell dumpsys deviceidle whitelist +com.example.appnameThis command adds the application package to the Doze mode whitelist at the system level. This is the most reliable method, but it requires connecting to a PC and installing drivers.
⚠️ Attention: Changing settings via ADB or in developer mode may lead to unstable operation of the system. Use these methods only if you know what you are doing. Interfaces and commands may change in new versions of Android.
What is a whitelist in ADB?
This is a list of exceptions that tells the system kernel that the specified application completely ignores Doze mode power saving rules.
Diagnostics and common errors
Sometimes users complete all the settings, but the application still does not work. A common mistake is to use third-party memory cleaners or antivirus apps that forcefully close processes, ignoring system settings.
Check whether you have applications like Clean Master, DU Battery Saver or similar installed. They often have their own permissions to control the system and can block other apps for the sake of “optimization.”
It is also worth checking for updates to the application itself. Developers sometimes release patches to fix compatibility issues with new versions of Android. An outdated version of the app may simply request background permissions incorrectly.
- 🧹 Remove third-party task killers and memory cleaners.
- 🔄 Update the problematic application to the latest version in Google Play.
- 📉 Check if the Ultra mode is enabled energy saving."
- 📡 Make sure that your phone has a stable network signal.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Why does the application unload immediately after the screen is locked?
Most likely, this application has battery optimization enabled or is not added to Doze mode exceptions. Check the battery settings for a specific application and select the “Unlimited” mode.
Does running in the background affect the Internet speed?
Insignificant. If an application is actively downloading data or syncing large amounts of information, this may take up part of the channel. However, for messengers and trackers, traffic consumption in the background is minimal.
Is it possible to make 10 applications work in the background at once?
Technically it is possible, but not recommended. This will cause the battery to drain quickly and possibly overheat the device. The system may start to work slower due to lack of RAM.
Are settings reset after rebooting the phone?
Permission and battery optimization settings are saved after reboot. However, the “Lock in memory” setting (the lock icon in recent tasks) may be reset on some shells; it needs to be checked.
Why do the settings on Samsung differ from Xiaomi?
Each manufacturer modifies Android to suit itself. Samsung has OneUI shell, Xiaomi has MIUI/HyperOS. The operating logic is the same (permissions, battery), but the menu names and paths to them are different.