background apps Archives

AppWizard

November 1, 2025

The Android IRS: How Google once tried to tax battery-sucking background apps

Google is implementing stricter controls on background processes in the Android ecosystem to conserve battery life. Developers can create foreground services for necessary background tasks, but this requires user notifications. Google encourages the use of APIs like JobScheduler, AlarmManager, and WorkManager for efficient background task management. The Android operating system does not effectively quantify battery costs for these tasks, and while there is a cap of 150 jobs per app, this can still lead to significant battery consumption. To address these issues, Google conceptualized the Android Resource Economy (TARE), which proposed a system where battery power is treated as a limited resource. TARE introduced a virtual currency called "Android Resource Credits" (ARCs) for executing background tasks, with a smaller unit called "Cakes." The system aimed to balance the Cost to Produce (CTP) of tasks with their Price in ARCs, adjusting dynamically based on device state. Apps earn ARCs through Regulations and Rewards, while spending is regulated by an enforcement mechanism that halts tasks if an app's balance is insufficient. TARE also included a "Consumption Limit" to align resource availability with battery status. However, TARE was abandoned with the rollout of Android 15, raising questions about the complexities of managing a virtual economy for battery behavior.

AppWizard

September 23, 2025

This Linux phone with Android app support has three kill switches for complete privacy

The Furi Labs FLX1s is a Linux-based smartphone priced at 9, designed with a focus on user privacy and security. It features three physical kill switches: a microphone kill switch, a camera and GPS kill switch, and a cellular connectivity kill switch. The smartphone weighs 201 grams and has a polycarbonate frame with a glass back, a 6.7-inch display (1600x720 pixels, 90 Hz refresh rate), a MediaTek Dimensity 900 processor, 8 GB of RAM, and 128 GB of storage (expandable via microSD up to 1 TB). It runs on FuriOS, supports Android app compatibility, and features KVM virtualization. The device includes a dual-camera setup (20 MP main and 2 MP macro) and a 13 MP front camera, powered by a 5,000 mAh battery. Connectivity options include 5G, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.2, with charging via USB Type-C. The first batch has sold out, and preorders for the second batch are being accepted, with shipments expected in October 2025.

AppWizard

September 22, 2025

How to Stop Android Battery Optimization from Killing Apps

Users and developers managing Android devices must navigate the balance between battery life and app functionality. Android's aggressive power-saving features can mute notifications or suspend background processes, leading to a state known as “sleeping.” To maintain app functionality, users can exempt specific applications from battery optimization through the Settings app under “Battery” or “Apps & notifications.” This feature, introduced in Android 6.0 Marshmallow, allows apps to operate seamlessly in the background. For example, disabling sleep mode for essential apps like WhatsApp can prevent missed notifications. Samsung's Adaptive Battery is particularly aggressive, often pushing unused apps into a “deep sleep” state after a few days, which can disrupt vital functions. Users may need to manually exempt applications in Samsung’s “Device care” settings. Other manufacturers like Huawei and Xiaomi impose similar restrictions, while Google’s stock Android offers more straightforward adjustments. Developers can incorporate foreground services or request permissions like “android.permission.WAKE_LOCK” to keep apps awake, balancing user privacy and battery health. Android’s Doze mode activates during inactivity and organizes background tasks into maintenance windows, but apps can request exemptions. Monitoring battery usage statistics can help identify problematic apps. In enterprise environments, tools like Ivanti’s mobile device management can automate these settings. Combining exemptions with notification settings ensures that apps remain active, although blanket exemptions may lead to faster battery depletion. The dynamic between operating system efficiency and app demands continues to evolve, particularly with Android 14’s enhanced foreground service requirements.

Winsage

September 13, 2025

6 changes I made to Windows 11 with Winaero Tweaker

Windows 11 has limitations, but tools like Winaero Tweaker allow for customization. Users can enable the classic context menu by selecting the Classic Full Context Menus option and restarting Explorer. Winaero Tweaker also enables desktop stickers, which can be accessed by signing out and back in after checking the Enable Stickers for Desktop Background option. Users can disable background activity for all Microsoft Store apps with a single toggle. The tool allows users to stop automatic driver updates by selecting the Disable driver updates option. It consolidates options to eliminate ads and suggestions in the Ads and Unwanted Apps section. Users can disable telemetry data collection through a checkbox. Winaero Tweaker offers many more customization options beyond those mentioned.

Winsage

June 17, 2025

5 registry tweaks I made to instantly speed up my Windows PC

Disabling animations and visual effects can improve the responsiveness of Windows 11. To disable visual effects, navigate to HKEYCURRENTUSERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerVisualEffects, create a DWORD value named VisualFXSettings, and set its value to 2. To allocate fewer resources to background apps, go to ComputerHKEYLOCALMACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindows NTCurrentVersionMultimediaSystemProfile, double-click on SystemResponsiveness, and change the Base Decimal value from 20 to 10. To speed up shutdown, navigate to ComputerHKEYLOCALMACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetControl, double-click on WaitToKillServiceTimeout, and set the value from 5,000 milliseconds to 2,000 milliseconds. To reduce startup delays, go to HKEYCURRENTUSERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorer, create a new key named Serialize, then create a DWORD (32-bit) Value named StartupDelayInMSec and set its value to 0. To prioritize applications and enhance system responsiveness, navigate to HKEYLOCALMACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindows NTCurrentVersionMultimediaSystemProfile, double-click on SystemResponsiveness, and adjust it from 14 to 10.

Winsage

June 15, 2025

5 Windows settings you should disable right now to improve your PC’s security

Adjusting operating system settings is essential for safeguarding your digital environment. To enhance security on public Wi-Fi networks, disable the network discovery feature by navigating to Settings > Network & Internet > Advanced Network Settings > Advanced Sharing Settings and toggling off "Network Discovery" for both Public and Private Networks. It is advisable to turn off the File and Printer Sharing setting in the same menu to further protect your system. To manage Clipboard History, which saves everything copied, right-click the Start button, go to Settings > System > Clipboard, and toggle off Clipboard history to prevent sensitive information from being stored. You can control background apps by navigating to Settings > Apps > Installed Apps, selecting the app, and choosing 'Never' under 'Background Apps Permissions' to prevent it from running in the background. To disable Remote Assistance, go to Settings > System > About > Advanced System Settings > Remote tab and uncheck the option for Remote Assistance connections. For Remote Desktop, toggle off the Remote Desktop option in Settings > System. To prevent Windows from automatically reconnecting to previously used public networks, navigate to Settings > Network and Internet > Wi-Fi > Manage Known Networks and uncheck the Connect Automatically When in Range box for those networks.

AppWizard

May 19, 2025

How to stop Android apps running in the background

Experiencing unexpected battery drain on Android devices can be caused by background apps. To manage these apps and alleviate battery issues, users can activate the Adaptive Battery feature by navigating to Settings > Battery > Battery Saver > Adaptive Battery and toggling it on. Regular updates for both the Android system and applications can improve battery performance. Users can check for Android updates in Settings > System > Software updates and for app updates in the Google Play Store under Manage apps & device. To monitor battery usage, users can go to Settings > Battery > Battery usage to identify which apps consume the most power. For RAM usage, enabling Developer options allows users to see which apps are using memory by going to Settings > About phone > Build number (tap seven times) > System > Developer options > Running services. Users can stop or uninstall background apps by navigating to Settings > Apps > See all apps, selecting the app, and choosing to force stop or uninstall it. To limit background activity for specific apps, users can enable "Pause app activity if unused" or toggle off "Allow background usage" in the app's battery usage settings. Some manufacturers offer built-in options for managing background apps, and third-party apps like Greenify can also help. Common battery-draining apps include social media and streaming services.

AppWizard

May 10, 2025

What to do if Steam games won’t launch

Steam, the most popular gaming platform on PC, sometimes experiences issues where games do not launch. To address this, users should check that their PC meets the game's minimum requirements, ensure the operating system and graphics drivers are updated, verify the integrity of game files through Steam, relocate games to the primary drive if necessary, and manage background applications that may cause conflicts. Additionally, installing specific Visual C++ redistributables from the game’s folder can resolve startup crashes. If problems persist, uninstalling and reinstalling Steam after cleaning the Windows registry may be necessary.

Winsage

April 14, 2025

5 Windows settings I should have disabled a long time ago (and how I did it)

- Disabling background apps can save system resources and improve performance. This can be managed through Settings -> Apps -> Installed apps or the Task Manager. - Hibernate mode may consume significant disk space and is not necessary for daily use; Sleep mode is sufficient for most users. Hibernate can be disabled using the command powercfg /h off or through Control Panel -> Power Options. - Telemetry and diagnostic data collection can be disabled in Settings -> Privacy & Security -> Diagnostics & Feedback, and previously collected data can be deleted to reclaim storage space. - Notifications, tips, and suggestions can be turned off in Settings > System > Notifications to reduce distractions. - The lock screen can be disabled to save resources; Windows 11 Pro users can use the Local Group Policy Editor, while Home users can modify the registry by creating a Notlockscreen DWORD value in the WindowsPersonalization key.