How Do I Wake Up Sleeping Apps on a Samsung Device?
To wake up sleeping apps on a Samsung device, you need to adjust the battery optimization settings, either globally or for specific apps, preventing the system from automatically putting them to sleep. This ensures they can run in the background and receive notifications as expected.
Understanding App Sleeping on Samsung Devices
Samsung devices, like many Android smartphones, employ a battery-saving feature that automatically puts apps to sleep. While this significantly extends battery life, it can sometimes interfere with an app’s functionality, preventing it from receiving updates, displaying notifications, or running in the background. Understanding how this feature works is the first step in learning how do I wake up sleeping apps on a Samsung device?
Benefits of Managing Sleeping Apps
While letting your phone manage sleeping apps can improve battery performance, selectively waking apps offers tangible benefits:
- Receive Timely Notifications: Crucial for apps like messaging, email, and calendar apps.
- Background Data Sync: Allows apps to continuously update with the latest information, ensuring immediate access to relevant data.
- Real-time Functionality: Essential for apps requiring location services or other background processes.
- Avoid Missed Updates: Prevents delayed downloads or installations due to the app being restricted.
How to Disable Sleeping Apps Globally
This method disables the automatic sleeping functionality for all apps. Be aware this may impact battery life.
- Open Settings.
- Tap on Battery and device care.
- Select Battery.
- Tap on Background usage limits.
- Disable the Put unused apps to sleep toggle.
How to Disable Sleeping Apps Individually
This is the recommended method, as it allows you to control which apps remain active in the background. Here’s how do I wake up sleeping apps on a Samsung device? on a per-app basis:
- Open Settings.
- Tap on Battery and device care.
- Select Battery.
- Tap on Background usage limits.
- Select Never sleeping apps.
- Tap the “+” icon in the upper right corner.
- Select the apps you want to prevent from sleeping.
- Tap Add.
Using “Don’t Optimize” Settings
Android also offers a separate setting to prevent battery optimization at the system level for specific apps. This provides more granular control.
- Open Settings.
- Tap on Apps.
- Select the app you want to keep awake.
- Tap on Battery.
- Select Optimise battery usage.
- Choose All apps from the dropdown at the top of the screen.
- Find your app in the list and toggle the setting off.
Common Mistakes and Troubleshooting
- Assuming the phone is broken: Before assuming a system error, check the sleeping apps settings. Many issues arise simply because the app has been automatically put to sleep.
- Disabling all sleeping settings without understanding the impact: Understand that disabling sleeping apps entirely will reduce battery life.
- Not checking permissions: Ensure the app has the necessary permissions to run in the background.
- Outdated Software: Keep your device’s operating system and apps updated to fix bugs and performance issues.
Battery Optimization Settings Comparison
| Setting | Scope | Effect | Impact on Battery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Put unused apps to sleep | Global | Puts apps to sleep after a period of inactivity. | Positive |
| Never sleeping apps | Individual | Prevents selected apps from being put to sleep. | Negative |
| Optimise battery usage (off) | Individual | Prevents system-level battery optimization for the selected app. | Negative |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why are my notifications delayed on my Samsung phone?
Delayed notifications are often a sign that the affected app is being put to sleep by the system’s battery optimization features. Check the “Never sleeping apps” list or the app’s battery optimization settings.
How can I tell if an app is sleeping on my Samsung device?
Unfortunately, there’s no explicit indicator. However, if you notice an app consistently failing to update in the background or receiving delayed notifications, it’s highly probable that it’s being put to sleep. Review the settings described above to wake up sleeping apps.
Does disabling sleeping apps completely drain my battery?
While disabling sleeping apps will reduce battery life, the impact depends on the number of apps kept active and their individual usage patterns. Consider selectively adding only essential apps to the “Never sleeping apps” list.
Can I revert the changes and let my phone manage sleeping apps again?
Yes, you can easily revert the changes by re-enabling the “Put unused apps to sleep” toggle in the Battery settings or removing apps from the “Never sleeping apps” list.
Will these settings affect all apps on my phone?
The “Put unused apps to sleep” setting will affect all apps, while the “Never sleeping apps” and the individual “Optimise battery usage” settings only affect the apps you specifically configure.
Are there any apps that should always be kept awake?
This depends on your needs, but consider keeping messaging apps, email clients, calendar apps, and any other apps that require real-time functionality or notifications awake.
What if an app still sleeps even after I’ve added it to the “Never sleeping apps” list?
In rare cases, the app itself might have its own internal battery saving features. Check the app’s settings for any such options. Additionally, ensure that the app has all necessary permissions granted. If issues persist, try clearing the app’s cache and data.
Does “Deep Sleeping Apps” affect the “Never Sleeping Apps” list?
Yes, apps that are put into “Deep Sleeping Apps” will be completely restricted and will not run in the background at all, regardless of other settings. Make sure the apps you want to wake up aren’t in the “Deep Sleeping Apps” list.
How often does my Samsung phone put apps to sleep?
The timeframe varies depending on your usage patterns and the specific battery optimization settings. The system typically puts apps to sleep after several days of inactivity.
What permissions do apps need to run in the background?
Typically, apps need permissions related to background data usage, precise location (if applicable), and notification access to properly function while running in the background. These permissions can usually be found within the app’s settings.
Will this fix my app crashing in the background?
While not always, ensuring an app isn’t being put to sleep can often prevent background crashes caused by lack of resources. The settings will definitely provide a more stable enviornment for your app.
Is waking up sleeping apps a permanent solution?
Yes, unless you change the settings again. Once you add an app to the “Never sleeping apps” list, it will remain there until you manually remove it. Similarly, disabling the “Put unused apps to sleep” setting will remain in effect until you re-enable it. Remember to review this setting periodically to ensure optimal battery performance while also enabling functionality for your most important applications. Now you know how do I wake up sleeping apps on a Samsung device?!