Disabling Background App Killing on Android: A Proven Guide

Introduction / Why is this needed

Modern versions of Android aggressively conserve battery and RAM by automatically unloading processes from memory. This is convenient for the system but critical for messengers, sleep trackers, navigators, or smart home apps. If notifications are delayed, music interrupts, and routes reset, the system is 'killing' the background process. In this guide, you'll set up exceptions that guarantee stable app operation without root privileges or third-party utilities.

Requirements / Preparation

Before you begin, ensure:

• Your device runs Android 10 or newer.
• You have full access to the Settings menu and an unlocked screen.
• You know the exact model and manufacturer's skin, as menu names may vary.

Step-by-step guide

Step 1: Open app power management

Go to Settings → Apps. Select the desired program from the list. In the opened window, find the Battery or Battery usage section. Tap it to access energy-saving settings for that specific app.

💡 Tip: If you can't find the app in the general list, use the search bar at the top of the settings screen. In the results, select the item marked "App."

Step 2: Disable energy usage optimization

In the opened menu, find the Battery optimization or Background usage management toggle. Actions depend on the skin:

• On stock Android / Pixel: tap Battery → Battery optimization → change to No restrictions.
• On Xiaomi (HyperOS/MIUI): enable Activity control → select No restrictions.
• On Samsung (One UI): go to Settings → Battery → Battery optimization → in the dropdown, select All apps → find the desired app and turn off the toggle.

⚠️ Important: Do not disable optimization for system utilities, file managers, or unknown programs. This can lead to rapid battery drain.

Step 3: Allow autostart and background activity

Battery optimization isn't the only trigger for stopping apps. Many manufacturers block automatic startup. Go to Settings → Battery → App launch or Autostart. Find the program and enable:

• Autostart
• Secondary launch
• Background activity If the system prompts you to choose a mode manually, check all three items and save changes.

Step 4: Lock the app in the task manager

This action physically prevents accidental closure via the "swipe away" gesture.

1. Open the list of running apps (the □ button or swipe up and hold from the bottom).
2. Find the icon of the desired app.
3. Tap and hold it, then select the lock icon 🔒 or the Lock item. Now, when clearing memory, the app will remain in the list and its processes will continue running.

Verification

Leave the app running in the background for 30–60 minutes. Open Settings → Battery → Battery usage. The program should appear in the list of active processes, and its background work status should not be marked as "Restricted." For messengers, send a test message from another device: the notification should arrive instantly, even with the screen off.

Possible issues

The app still closes. Check if the global Power saving or Ultra power saving mode is enabled. These modes override all individual permissions. Disable them from the notification shade or battery settings.

Settings reset after reboot. Some manufacturers use additional security managers. Open the preinstalled Phone manager or Security app, find the App permissions → Autostart section and ensure the desired app is active. Also, try disabling Adaptive sleep in the general battery settings.

A warning about increased battery drain appears. This is a standard Android notification. If the app consumes more than 15–20% of energy in the background, it may have a memory leak or push notification server error. Update the app to the latest version or contact the developer.