How to detect if App has gone in or out of App Standyby Mode ( Android M+)

Detecting App Standby Mode in Android (M+)

Android’s App Standby Mode is a power-saving feature introduced in Android Marshmallow (M) that automatically restricts background activities of apps that are deemed inactive. It can be crucial to detect if your app is in Standby Mode to optimize its functionality and avoid unexpected behavior.

Understanding App Standby

App Standby categorizes apps based on their usage frequency into three tiers:

• Active: Frequently used apps.
• Working Set: Apps used occasionally.
• Standby: Rarely used apps.

Apps in Standby Mode face restrictions, including:

• Limited background tasks (e.g., syncing, data fetching).
• Delayed notifications.
• Reduced battery consumption.

Detection Methods

1. Using the `JobScheduler`

The `JobScheduler` API, introduced in Android Lollipop (5.0), provides a reliable mechanism to schedule jobs and handle background tasks. While primarily intended for background tasks, it can also be utilized to detect Standby Mode.

import android.app.job.JobInfo;
import android.app.job.JobScheduler;
import android.content.ComponentName;
import android.content.Context;

// Define a JobService to trigger when the app enters or exits Standby
public class AppStandbyJobService extends JobService {
    @Override
    public boolean onStartJob(JobParameters params) {
        // Detect Standby Mode using `params.isDeviceIdle()`
        if (params.isDeviceIdle()) {
            // App is in Standby Mode
            // ... implement your logic
        } else {
            // App is not in Standby Mode
            // ... implement your logic
        }
        jobFinished(params, false);
        return true;
    }

    @Override
    public boolean onStopJob(JobParameters params) {
        return false;
    }
}

// Schedule the JobService
public static void scheduleJob(Context context) {
    ComponentName serviceName = new ComponentName(context, AppStandbyJobService.class);
    JobInfo.Builder builder = new JobInfo.Builder(1, serviceName)
            .setPeriodic(60 * 60 * 1000) // Run every hour
            .setRequiredNetworkType(JobInfo.NETWORK_TYPE_ANY); // No specific network requirement
    JobScheduler jobScheduler = (JobScheduler) context.getSystemService(Context.JOB_SCHEDULER_SERVICE);
    jobScheduler.schedule(builder.build());
}

Explanation:

• Create a `JobService` class.
• In the `onStartJob()` method, use `params.isDeviceIdle()` to check if the device is in idle mode (Standby).
• Schedule the `JobService` to run periodically. The `JobScheduler` will execute it even in Standby Mode.

2. Using the `PowerManager`

The `PowerManager` API offers methods to check the device’s power status. While not explicitly designed for Standby detection, it can be helpful in certain situations.

import android.content.Context;
import android.os.PowerManager;

public static boolean isDeviceIdle(Context context) {
    PowerManager powerManager = (PowerManager) context.getSystemService(Context.POWER_SERVICE);
    return powerManager.isDeviceIdleMode();
}

Explanation:

• Use `PowerManager.isDeviceIdleMode()` to check if the device is in Idle Mode.
• Note that this method might not be entirely reliable for detecting Standby Mode in all cases.

3. Monitoring Battery Stats

You can utilize the `BatteryManager` API to monitor the battery status and infer Standby Mode indirectly. However, this method requires more advanced logic and might not be as accurate as other approaches.

import android.content.Context;
import android.content.IntentFilter;
import android.os.BatteryManager;

public static boolean isAppInStandby(Context context) {
    IntentFilter filter = new IntentFilter(Intent.ACTION_BATTERY_CHANGED);
    Intent batteryStatus = context.registerReceiver(null, filter);
    if (batteryStatus != null) {
        int status = batteryStatus.getIntExtra(BatteryManager.EXTRA_STATUS, -1);
        // Analyze status for possible Standby Mode inferences
    }
    return false;
}

Explanation:

• Use `BatteryManager` to get battery-related information.
• Analyze the battery status to infer potential Standby Mode scenarios. This requires careful analysis of battery stats and might be less accurate than dedicated methods.

Considerations

Here are some key points to keep in mind:

• Standby Mode detection might require frequent checks, leading to potential battery consumption.
• The exact behavior and features of Standby Mode can vary between Android versions and device manufacturers.
• Android developers should strive to design apps that function efficiently even when in Standby Mode.

Table: Comparison of Methods

Conclusion

Detecting Standby Mode is crucial for optimizing app behavior in Android (M+) to avoid unexpected limitations. The `JobScheduler` offers the most reliable and accurate approach, while other methods might be useful in specific situations. By understanding these techniques, developers can ensure their apps function seamlessly even in Standby Mode and enhance the user experience.