Allow applications to run in the background on Android: a complete guide

Modern Android smartphones have a powerful resource management system that automatically limits the background activity of applications to save battery power. However, this function often works too aggressively, blocking the work of instant messengers, navigators, health trackers and smart watches. Users are faced with a situation where notifications arrive with a delay or do not arrive at all, and running music stops as soon as the screen goes dark.

The solution lies in deep customization of the system parameters of each specific application. You don't need to be a programmer to figure this out. Android provides flexible tools for manually managing power consumption, allowing you to select priority apps that you want to allow to run in the background without restrictions. Understanding these mechanisms will help you maintain the autonomy of your device without sacrificing the functionality of important services.

In this article we will look in detail at how to configure the operation of applications on different versions of Android, including shells from Samsung, Xiaomi and other manufacturers. We'll look at standard menu paths, hidden developer settings, and specific battery optimization features that often cause crashes.

Why Android blocks background activity

The Android operating system, starting with version 8.0 Oreo and especially in newer versions, has implemented strict restrictions on background processes. This was done to prevent energy-sucking apps from draining the phone in a few hours. The system analyzes the behavior of apps and, if an application has not been used for a long time or consumes a lot of resources, Android forcibly limits its access to the network and processor.

Particular attention should be paid to the term Doze Mode (standby mode). When the phone is lying still and the screen is turned off, the system enters this mode, postponing network activity and background tasks. For instant messengers this is not critical thanks to Google Play services, but for third-party email clients or corporate trackers this can become a problem. This is where your intervention is required to set up exceptions.

Smartphone manufacturers often reinforce these restrictions with their skins. For example, MIUI from Xiaomi or One UI from Samsung may have their own, more aggressive algorithms for “killing” processes. Therefore, standard Android settings may not be enough, and you will have to look for additional menu items in the battery section of a specific manufacturer.

⚠️ Attention: The settings menu interface may differ depending on the version of Android and the installed shell. If you don't find an exact match for the item name, look for synonyms like "Power consumption", "Battery" or "Optimization".

• 📱 Aggressive optimization often enabled by default for all new applications.
• 🔋 Power saving mode automatically limits background synchronization.
• ⏳ Applications that have not been used for a long time may be completely frozen by the system.

Basic setup via application menu

The simplest and most effective way to allow work in the background is to change the settings of a specific application through the main menu of the system. This method works on most devices and does not require a computer connection. You need to find the problematic application in the list of installed apps and open its properties.

Go to Settings → Applications and select the desired app from the list. Here you are interested in the section related to battery or power consumption. Depending on the version of Android, this item may be called differently. Your task is to find a switch that removes restrictions on background activity.

On pure Android (Pixel, Motorola, Nokia) this item is usually called "Battery consumption". Inside you need to select the option "No restrictions". This will give the application full access to system resources at any time. On Samsung smartphones, the path may look like Settings → Applications → [Application name] → Battery → Optimization battery usage, where you need to select "Do not optimize."

It is important to understand that removing restrictions increases consumption energy. If you allow a dozen apps to run without restrictions, your phone's battery life may noticeably decrease. Therefore, apply this setting only to those apps that really need to work all the time, for example, a navigator or workout tracker.

Battery settings and optimization on different brands

Chinese smartphone manufacturers such as Xiaomi, Huawei, Honor and OPPO are famous for their overactive memory cleaning system. Even if you set the Android settings correctly, the proprietary shell can “kill” the process after a few minutes of inactivity. This requires double checking your settings.

There is a separate application in the MIUI and HyperOS (Xiaomi, Redmi, POCO) shell "Security". Inside it you need to find the section "Battery" or "Charge consumption", then go to application settings. Find the desired app and make sure that the mode is selected "No restrictions". Also, in the settings of the application itself there is often an “Autostart” switch that needs to be activated.

Huawei and Honor (EMUI/MagicOS shell) the situation is similar. In the application Optimizer → Battery → Launch applications you need to find your app. It is recommended to switch the control to manual mode and enable all three sliders: “Autostart”, “Indirect launch” and “Work in the background”. This ensures that the system will not interfere with the operation of the application.

Brand / Shell	Path to settings	Key parameter	Recommended value
Samsung (One UI)	Settings → Applications → [App] → Battery	Optimization	Do not optimize
Xiaomi (MIUI/HyperOS)	Security → Battery → [App]	Background restrictions	No restrictions
Huawei (EMUI)	Optimizer → Launch applications	Manual control	Enable all 3 items
OPPO / Realme	Settings → Battery → Background consumption	Allow background activity	Allow

Do not forget that interfaces are updated. If you don't see an exact match, look for similar sections in the battery settings. The main rule: find the list of applications and remove the “energy saving mode” label from the desired one.

Managing notifications and background data

Often the problem lies not only in processor time, but also in access to the Internet connection. If an app is blocked from sending data in the background, it won't be able to receive a new message or update its location, even if the system allows it to run. These two settings are closely related.

In the settings menu of each application (in the same place as the battery settings), find the item "Mobile data and Wi-Fi". Here you need to activate the switch "Background data". Without this permission, the app will only work when you open it on the screen. It is also worth enabling the “Unlimited traffic consumption” option if you use the mobile data and want to be sure of the delivery of messages anywhere.

Notifications deserve special attention. In Android 13 and later, rights to send notifications are granted separately. Go to Settings → Applications → [App] → Notifications and make sure the slider is enabled. Inside this menu, check the notification categories (for example, "Messages" or "Calls") - they should also have sound and display enabled on the lock screen.

⚠️ Attention: If you enable "Unlimited data consumption" for video services or social networks, this may lead to rapid depletion of your mobile data package. Use this feature only for instant messengers and work applications.

• 📶 Background data must be enabled for synchronization.
• 🔔 Rights to notifications must be confirmed manually in new versions of Android.
• 🌐 The "Traffic Saving" mode can block the operation of applications even when background data is turned on.

Specifics of working in sleep mode and on the lock screen

Some applications, such as sleep trackers, audiobooks or navigators, should work when the phone screen is turned off. This is where the “Freeze” or “Sleep” mechanism of applications comes into effect. Android can put rarely used apps into a deep sleep, from which they cannot wake up without user intervention.

To prevent this, find the section "Sleep mode" or "Deep sleep"in the battery settings. The "Deep Sleep Applications" list should not contain the apps you need. If the application is there, remove it from this list. There is also an Adaptive Battery feature that learns your habits. If you rarely open the application, the system itself will offer to limit its operation.

For navigation applications (Yandex.Navigator, Google Maps, 2GIS), permission to work in the background with access to geolocation is critical. In location settings, select mode "Always Allow" instead of "Only when in use." Otherwise, the navigator will go silent as soon as the screen goes dark, and you will lose the route.

Why does the application still crash?

Even with all the settings, if the system does not have enough random access memory (RAM), it can forcefully close background processes. This is especially true for budget smartphones with 2-4 GB of memory. In this case, the only thing that helps is closing heavy applications or buying a device with more RAM.

Also check if you have Do Not Disturb or Digital Well-Being mode turned on. Time limits for using an application can block its operation after the allotted time has expired, even in the background.

Advanced settings and developer mode

For experienced users for whom standard methods are not enough, there are hidden settings. In the menu Settings → About phone you need to click on “Build number” 7 times to activate developer mode. After this, a new section will appear in the settings menu "For developers".

In this section you can find the item "Background process limit". Make sure it is set to "Standard Limit" or "No Limit". If "No background processes" is selected, then no application will be able to run after being minimized. There is also a "Do not keep active" option, which should not be enabled if you want to save the state of applications.

Another powerful tool is ADB (Android Debug Bridge). Using the command line on your computer, you can forcefully disable Doze mode for a specific application. The command looks something like this:

adb shell dumpsys deviceidle whitelist +com.package.name

Where com.package.name is your application identifier. This method works at the system level and ignores most user settings, but requires caution.

⚠️ Attention: Changing settings in developer mode or using ADB commands can lead to unstable system operation and a sharp increase in battery consumption. Use these methods only if you understand the consequences.

• 🛠 Developer mode gives access to hidden system parameters.
• 🚫 The background process limit must be removed for stable operation.
• 💻 ADB commands allow you to manage the whitelist at a deep level.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Is it safe allow applications to run in the background all the time?

Yes, this is safe for the system, but it affects autonomy. Apps that are allowed to run in the background will consume more energy and mobile data. Allow this only to those apps that you really need in real time (messengers, navigation, smart home).

Why did the settings go wrong after updating Android?

When updating the operating system or the application itself, permission settings are often reset to factory settings for security purposes. After each major update, it is worth checking the "Battery" section again for important applications.

How to find out which application uses the most battery in the background?

Go to Settings → Battery → Battery Usage. There will be a list of applications sorted by consumption. Pay attention to the "Background activity" column. If a regular application consumes a lot of energy in the background, it may not work correctly.

Is it possible to completely disable battery optimization for all applications at once?

This cannot be done using standard Android tools, as this contradicts the concept of energy saving. There are third-party apps and root access that allow you to do this, but they are not recommended for regular users due to the risk of rapid drainage and instability.