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Among Android phone brands, OnePlus sits with Samsung and Xiaomi at the top of the group of manufacturers whose custom user interface (in this case, OxygenOS) aggressively shuts down background apps to conserve battery power. You could be using a few apps and when you switch back to one of them, you notice that it has been closed in the background and is now starting afresh. So much for multitasking; right?
But we Android lovers choose it for its multitasking abilities, among other reasons. So, can you stop OnePlus from closing apps in the background? The answer is a Yes. You can prevent OxygenOS from killing apps in the background.
There are two settings that you need to modify to stop OxygenOS from killing background apps so aggressively. One is a generic feature, while the other requires you to modify the settings for each app you want to exclude.
How to prevent OnePlus from closing apps
- Go to Settings -> Battery
- Battery Optimization
- Advanced battery optimization (tap on the three dotted menu in top right corner to see this)
- Disable Turn on adaptive battery .
- Disable Sleep Standby Optimisation .
- If enabled, also disable Optimise App Power Consumption .
After you have done this generic procedure, it is time to modify the optimisation settings for each app you want to exclude.
Go to your OnePlus phone’s system Settings >
- Select Apps and notifications (or Applications , on older models)
- Tap on See all apps
- Select the app you want to exclude
- Tap on Advanced and under that, on Battery
- Pick the “ Don’t optimise ” option.
Change this to “Don’t optimise” to stop your OnePlus from closing apps in the background
That app is now free from OxygenOS’ optimisation. Repeat this for as many apps as you want to keep running in the background. I recommend that you do it for the most critical apps to you.
You have now prevented OxygenOS from killing these apps in the background. Note that depending on the size of your phone’s RAM, the resource needs of the apps in question, and the number of apps you have running, sometimes, these apps might shut down of their own accord if the phone runs out of RAM. But the experience is definitely different from the aggressive behaviour of OxygenOS.
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Author:Mister Mobility
Digital Skills and Communication Coach | Mobile Phone Connoisseur since 2001 | Tech Blogging since 2004
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Under the new policy announced by Samsung, you will receive up to four Android OS (operating system) upgrades and “select newer devices” will receive up to five (5) years of security updates. That is better than what even Google Pixels get now, and far better than what any other Android OEM provides.
Software Upgrades for Samsung Phones
Under Samsung’s new software update policy, Galaxy devices will receive “up to four operating system upgrades, and five years of security updates”, for select models. The wording of Samsung’s policy offers no guarantees for all models or even for the maximum stated periods. In other words, some phones may get three years of major updates, and not four.
But if what we have seen of Samsung’s implementation of software updates in the last few months is anything to go by, the brand looks good to set the pace for other Android smartphone makers to follow. For most Samsung Android phones, it is safe to assume that they will get 3 years Android OS updates. The Galaxy A52s 5G , for example, is getting just that.
Software upgrades for Google Pixels
Google Pixel phones are guaranteed to get up to 3 years of major software updates, and up to 5 years of security updates. All models. So, you can buy any Pixel phone without worrying whether or not it will get updated, and for how many years. What’s best is that the software upgrades start rolling out to them the very first day the latest version of Android operating system is released.
Software Updates for Apple iPhones
iPhones remain unbeatable for software updates. They get an average of 6 years of major software updates, and they get them fast. Of course, much older devices sometimes miss out on a few cutting edge features, but there is no controversy around the fact that Apple is king when it comes to software updates.
What are the software upgrade policies of other Android OEMs?
Xiaomi has committed to providing three major Android updates and four years of security updates to its devices.
What of OPPO smartphones? The company says its Find series will get 3 major software upgrades and 4 years of security updates, the Reno and F series will receive 2 years of major updates and four years of security updates, while the A series will be limited to a single major update and three years of security updates. It is a bit complicated, but it is explicit: you know what you are getting.
HMD Global has been committed to providing 2 years of major Android updates and 3 years of security updates to Nokia smartphones. This is applicable to all Nokia smartphones, from the most basic (and Nokia has entry-level smartphones) to the most advanced. Nokia is perhaps the only brand you can buy an entry-level A droid phone from and get guaranteed software updates.
OnePlus premium flagship phones will now get three major Android OS updates and 4 years of security updates, going forward. The new OnePlus Android software update policy says that Nord and Nord CE phones will get two major OS updates along with three years of security patches, while Nord N series phones will get only one Android OS update and three years of security updates.
Motorola has been quite disappointing with software updates for their smartphones. Rather than make a commitment, the company has a wordy statement that reads, “Motorola is committed to regular and timely security updates as recommended by Google/Android. While phones cannot be upgraded indefinitely, we provide security updates within the industry standard on both our regular and our Android One devices.” A lot of words that provide no guarantees.
Transsion brands, TECNO, Infinix and itel , are yet to commit to any software upgrade policy. Most models barely get any major upgrade in their entire lifetime. The same goes for smartphones by smaller brands like BLU, Mara, Umidigi, Doogee, Oukitel, and the like. If you want guaranteed software upgrades, it is best to stick to the bigger brands.
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Author:Mister Mobility
Digital Skills and Communication Coach | Mobile Phone Connoisseur since 2001 | Tech Blogging since 2004
