Ashwin Lewis
Android phones are designed to automatically manage their battery life by forcing unused apps and low-priority apps to sleep. This can be frustrating when you want to keep certain apps running in the background, especially if you're waiting for timely notifications or updates. While some apps may continue running after the screen is locked, others may not, and this can be influenced by the device make and model. To prevent apps from sleeping, you can use a WakeLock to keep the phone running with the screen off, but this will significantly affect battery life.
Characteristics and Values of "When Android App Sleeps Does Not Work"
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Notifications | Delayed notifications |
| Battery life | Drained quickly |
| App functionality | Interrupted |
| App integrity | Damaged |
| App permissions | Denied |
| App restarts | Not allowed |
| App updates | Delayed |
| App performance | Slowed |
| App development | Challenging |
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What You'll Learn
Workarounds to prevent apps from sleeping in the background
Android devices are known for aggressively putting apps to sleep to save battery and increase the phone's speed. While this is a good strategy to improve battery life, it can be annoying when it comes to apps that run in the background. Here are some workarounds to prevent apps from sleeping in the background:
Use a WakeLock:
You can use a WakeLock to keep your phone running with the screen off. This requires the WAKE_LOCK permission, and you need to inform the user that the app will consume battery power while the phone is off. Note that using a WakeLock can significantly affect device battery life.
Prevent the screen from sleeping:
You can use the following code to prevent the screen from sleeping:
GetWindow().addFlags(WindowManager.LayoutParams.FLAG_KEEP_SCREEN_ON);
Remember to re-enable the screen timeout afterward so that the screen doesn't stay awake indefinitely:
GetWindow().clearFlags(WindowManager.LayoutParams.FLAG_KEEP_SCREEN_ON);
This method only works within an Activity and not from other app components.
Adjust battery optimization settings:
Android devices offer battery optimization settings that allow you to control which apps are put to sleep. Here are the general steps:
- Locate the app you want to keep awake on your home screen or launcher.
- Long-press the app icon to display the app info shortcut (usually an "i" symbol).
- Tap "Battery" in the menu that appears.
- Select "Unrestricted" on the next screen to allow the app to run with fewer limits in the background.
- Repeat this process for each app you want to keep awake.
- Use automation apps:
You can use automation apps like Tasker (paid) or Automate (free) to keep your device awake. These apps allow you to create "flows" to customize your device's behavior, such as keeping the screen or CPU awake.
Disable aggressive battery management:
Some Android devices have aggressive battery management features that may interfere with apps running in the background. Disabling these features can help prevent apps from sleeping. For example, on Samsung devices, this feature is called "Lock this app."
Use alternative apps:
If you're having issues with specific apps, you can try using alternative apps that handle background processing better. For example, some users have reported switching from Gmail to Outlook to improve background app behavior.
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Using a WakeLock to keep the phone running
If you need your app to run while the phone screen is off, you can use a WakeLock to keep the phone running. A WakeLock prevents the device from entering lower power states and keeps the CPU running. It is a PowerManager system service feature that ensures the screen and keyboard backlight are on at full brightness.
There are two types of WakeLocks: partial and full. A partial WakeLock allows the screen to turn off but keeps the CPU powered on. This is used for long-running audio playback like music, audiobooks, and podcasts. A full WakeLock does not allow the screen to turn off and is used for video players.
To use a WakeLock, you need the WAKE_LOCK permission. It is important to note that using a WakeLock will significantly affect the device's battery life. You need to make it clear to the user that your app will consume battery power while the phone is off.
Kotlin
Fun doSomethingAndRelease() {
WakeLock.apply {
Acquire()
DoSomethingThatThrows()
Release() // release the WakeLock when no longer needed
}
}
Fun doSomethingAndRelease() throws MyException {
Try {
WakeLock.acquire()
DoSomethingThatThrows()
} finally {
WakeLock.release() // ensure release is called
}
}
In this example, the `acquire()` method is used to obtain the WakeLock, and the `release()` method is used to release it when it is no longer needed. It is important to release the WakeLock as soon as it is no longer needed to prevent unnecessary battery drain.
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Managing battery optimisation settings
If you're experiencing issues with apps not working as expected when your Android device sleeps, you can try managing your device's battery optimisation settings. Here are some steps you can take:
Understanding Battery Optimisation:
Battery optimisation features on Android devices are designed to improve battery life by managing how apps behave when they're running in the background. These features can include putting unused apps to sleep, delaying notifications, and reducing background app activities. While these optimisations can help extend battery life, they may interfere with how certain apps function, especially those that require constant background activity.
Adjusting Background App Settings:
To ensure specific apps can run in the background without restrictions, you can adjust your device's background app settings:
- Open your device's Settings app.
- Navigate to "Apps" or "Applications."
- Select the app you want to manage.
- Look for an option like "Background App Usage," "Background Activity," or "Background Usage Limits."
- Adjust the settings for the selected app to allow background usage or optimise its performance.
Using Wake Locks:
If you need an app to remain active even when the screen is off, you can use a Wake Lock. A Wake Lock prevents the device from sleeping and allows the app to continue running. However, note that this will significantly affect battery life, and you should make this clear to the user. To implement a Wake Lock, you may need to use specific APIs or code, as mentioned in some of the provided links.
Keeping the Screen On:
If your issue is specifically related to the screen turning off, you can prevent your Android device from going to sleep by using certain settings or apps:
- Device Settings: Some devices offer a "Stay Awake" option while charging, which can be found under "Developer Options" or "Applications" in the Settings app.
- Automation Apps: You can use automation apps like Tasker or Automate to create flows that keep the screen awake.
- Code Implementation: If you're a developer, you can use specific code lines to prevent the screen from sleeping, as mentioned in one of the provided links.
Remember that while these methods can help manage battery optimisation and app behaviour, they may impact your device's battery life. Always monitor your battery usage and adjust settings accordingly to strike a balance between app functionality and battery longevity.
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Using a ForegroundService to keep apps running
Foreground services are essential for running tasks that are crucial to an application's functionality, even when the user is not directly interacting with the app. They are ideal for ongoing tasks such as music playback, GPS tracking, or uploading/downloading files, where the user expects the task to continue without interruption even when the application is terminated. Unlike background services, foreground services maintain a higher priority and are less likely to be terminated by the system when resources are low.
To keep a foreground service running in the background at all times, you can try using a WakeLock to keep the phone awake with the screen off. Note that a WakeLock requires the WAKE_LOCK permission, and you need to inform the user that the app will consume power while the screen is off. Another simple solution is to use the following two lines of code:
// prevent the screen from sleeping
GetWindow().addFlags(WindowManager.LayoutParams.FLAG_KEEP_SCREEN_ON);
// do your stuff
// don't forget to re-enable the screen timeout so it won't stay awake
GetWindow().clearFlags(WindowManager.LayoutParams.FLAG_KEEP_SCREEN_ON);
It is important to note that the code above can only be called within an Activity and not from other app components.
If you are using Android 13 or higher, you will need to request runtime permission for posting notifications. Without this permission, notifications will not be visible to the user.
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$11.74
Using a third-party automation app
There are several third-party automation apps available that can help keep your Android device awake. These apps can automate various tasks and provide customisation options without requiring root access. Here are some popular options:
Tasker: This is a paid app that allows you to automate your device and keep the screen and CPU awake. It offers customisation of screen timeouts, brightness, and creation of automated workflows.
MacroDroid: MacroDroid is another automation app that enables you to control screen settings and automate tasks. It provides similar features to Tasker, including customisation of screen timeouts and brightness adjustments.
KinScreen: KinScreen requires permission to manage usage access to identify apps. It allows you to keep your Android screen on when using selected apps. You can choose specific apps from a list and activate the settings.
Wakey: Wakey is a simple and useful app that keeps your screen awake when you are using whitelisted apps. The free version is ad-supported, but you can upgrade to remove ads, automate screen wake, and whitelist apps.
Caffeine: Caffeine is a highly-rated app that keeps your screen active when needed. It offers an Infinite timeout option, making it ideal for secondary devices or specific use cases like a display window for a PC.
To use these third-party automation apps effectively, follow the instructions provided by each app. Typically, you will need to grant the necessary permissions, customise your settings, and activate the features you require.
It is important to note that using these apps to keep your device awake will impact battery life, as noted in the warning for the WakeLock API. Therefore, it is advisable to use these methods sparingly and be mindful of your device's battery health.
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