Now Android will be better at background apps

A headache for Android developers and users alike has been the operating system’s ability to randomly terminate or kill apps running in the background. Now, however, that will change following a new initiative from Google, where they are working to reduce the incidence of apps being killed in the background starting with Android 14. Among other things, Google will ensure that the APIs for background services in Android 14 are implemented consistently. across all devices.

The first company to jump on this bandwagon is Samsung, which will take advantage of the new features and capabilities of wallpaper apps in One UI 6.0 based on Android 14 that will be released later this year. Samsung previously had a relatively aggressive stance towards turning off background apps to improve system performance and extend battery life. The reason is that even when the app is not actively used but is in the background, it can consume system resources such as memory and battery life. This, in turn, can lead to slower device operation and lower battery life.

According to Google, this kind of partnership with device manufacturers will make it easier for developers to build apps that work consistently across different Android devices regardless of manufacturer.

Among other things, Android 14 will reduce background app restrictions by making it easier for developers to announce the types of services offered and request type-specific permissions. It should make it easier for developers to make it clear when it’s okay to use front-end services, and make sure apps are only restricted when they’re not needed. Google Play will also introduce new rules to ensure the appropriate use of the services offered and the data transmission functions initiated by the user.