How to check Battery optimisation and unrestricted apps on Android
See which apps are allowed to run without battery limits, why unknown apps ask for this, and how to put them back under control.
Android saves battery by putting unused apps to sleep. Some apps ask you to exempt them, and this is not always harmless. Malicious or spy apps want to stay awake so they can keep running in the background. A short check helps. Menu names differ slightly on Samsung, Xiaomi, Vivo, Oppo, Realme and OnePlus phones.
Steps
- Open Battery settings. Open Settings and search for Battery optimisation, Battery optimization or Battery usage. On some phones it is under Apps, then Special app access, then Optimise battery usage.
- Switch the view to All apps. The page may start with a short list. Tap the filter and choose All apps. Apps marked Not optimised or Unrestricted can run freely in the background.
- Check what is on the unrestricted list. Messaging, health or alarm apps you trust may be there. A cleaner, loan, flashlight or unknown app is not a good reason to be there. Note down names you do not recognise.
- Set them back to Optimise. Tap the app and choose Optimise or Restricted. The app will still work but will sleep when idle. This also helps your battery last longer, which is a small bonus.
- Look at battery use per app. Go to Battery usage and see which apps used the most power. An app you rarely open using a lot of battery may be working in the background. Investigate and uninstall if unneeded.
Menu names differ a little between phone makers and Android versions. If you cannot find a setting, open Settings and use the search box.
Why it matters
Background running is what lets spy apps collect and send data while you sleep. It also drains battery and data. Spotting one odd app with unrestricted battery and heavy background use is a useful clue that something is not right, even before you know exactly what it is doing, and it is free to check.
Watch out for
- Do not set banking or alarm apps to Restricted, or alerts may arrive late.
- Some brands hide extra battery controls under App launch or Auto-start, covered in another guide.
- A battery-saver or booster app is itself often the problem.
- High battery use is a clue, not proof of malware.
How Safeavio helps
Safeavio's phone scan reviews installed apps and risky settings, and warns about apps that look out of place. Anti-theft features such as location and SIM-change alerts need the app to stay alive in the background, so you may choose to keep Safeavio unrestricted. Everything is opt-in and explained in plain words.
Check it before you tap or pay
Safeavio Sentinel is a made-in-India Android app: paste a message or link, or scan a QR code, and get a plain verdict with the reasons. It helps you spot a scam; it does not promise to stop every one.
Download for AndroidWhat the app does
Google Play listing: coming soon. Today the signed APK is on safeavio.com/download. Android 7.0 or later.
Questions
Is it bad to leave WhatsApp unrestricted?
No. Messaging apps often need to run to deliver messages on time. The aim is not to restrict everything but to remove unneeded freedom from apps you do not know.
Will optimisation stop an app from working?
Not usually. It lets Android pause the app when idle. If you notice missing notifications from an app you trust, set that one to Unrestricted again.