What autostart is on Android

Why it matters

The skin refuses to let the app start after a reboot or after it has been cleared from memory. At that point there is nobody to show the reminder: the app is not running and never learns that the time has come.

Where it is in settings

Xiaomi, Redmi, POCO

Settings → Apps → Permissions → Background autostart (plain Autostart on MIUI). The same switch also lives inside the Security app.

Huawei, Honor

Settings → Battery → App launch (the path in help for Android 9-12) → your app → turn off Manage automatically and turn on all three: Auto-launch, Secondary launch, Run in background. Honor’s current help uses Optimizer → % remaining → App launch. The settings search finds the screen fastest: type "App launch".

OPPO, realme

Settings → App management → your app → Allow auto startup. On realme and newer firmware the switch sits on the app’s battery screen, next to background activity.

OnePlus

App settings → Battery → allow auto launch. On some firmware it is a separate item in the app’s settings; the settings search finds it fastest.

vivo, iQOO

On older versions: Settings → More settings → Applications → Autostart. On Funtouch OS 12 and newer: Settings → Apps & notifications → Special app access → Autostart. If neither exists, search the settings for "autostart".

Tecno, Infinix

Phone Master → Accelerate → Auto-start management → turn on your app. While in Phone Master, open the menu at the top left → Settings → Protected apps and add it there too.

What next

The notification settings check for your brand

The full write-up: Android notifications not showing up? Here is what kills them

Neighbouring terms

• Battery optimisationLimits on background work that Android sets to save charge.
• Lock in recentsPinning an app card so it survives clearing the list.
• Sleeping appsSamsung lists an app lands in by itself if you do not open it.

The whole glossary