Turning off battery optimization stops your phone from restricting background app activity, which is the key to fixing delayed notifications or unreliable GPS tracking in a specific app. To turn off battery optimization on Android, you disable a system setting that limits how apps run when you are not actively using them.
What turning off battery optimization actually does
On Android, "battery optimization" is a system-level feature that restricts how apps behave in the background to save power. Battery optimization helps prevent battery drain, allowing your device to last longer on a single charge. It prevents apps from consuming excessive battery resources in the background, ensuring your device runs smoothly and efficiently with fewer app crashes and faster performance. Battery optimization can have a significant impact on the overall environmental footprint of smartphones by reducing power consumption and minimizing the need for frequent charging. When you turn it off for a specific app, that app can run freely, receive notifications instantly, and maintain accurate GPS tracking. Battery optimization can interfere with the normal functioning of certain apps or services. This is different from iOS's "Optimized Battery Charging," which is a battery-health feature that pauses charging at 80% to reduce battery wear.
How to turn off battery optimization on Android
The universal method to disable battery optimization for a single app works on most Android devices. Navigate to Settings > Apps, select the desired app, tap Battery, and then choose "Unrestricted" or "Don't Optimize." This allows the app to run without power restrictions in the background.
Google Pixel devices
On Google Pixel devices running Android 12 or later, the path is typically Settings > Apps > See all apps > [App Name] > Battery, where you select "Unrestricted." You can also turn off Adaptive Battery under Settings > Battery > Adaptive preferences if the system is still restricting apps.
Samsung devices
For Samsung devices, disable battery restrictions for an app by going to Settings > Apps > [App Name] > Battery and selecting "Unrestricted." Samsung phones also feature "Adaptive Battery" and "Background Usage Limits," which can be managed under Settings > Battery and device care > Battery. These manufacturer-specific settings can override your per-app choice, so check them if problems persist.
How to manage background app activity on an iPhone
iOS handles background activity differently than Android. To allow an app to refresh content in the background, go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh and toggle it on for the specific app. This is not the same as turning off battery optimization, because iOS does not have an app-level battery optimization toggle like Android does.
What iOS calls "Optimized Battery Charging" is a charging feature, not a background activity restriction. On iPhone 14 models and earlier, turn off Optimized Battery Charging by going to Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging, then toggling it off. For iPhone 15 models and later, the setting is found under Settings > Battery > Charging. Turning it off means your iPhone will charge to 100% immediately rather than pausing at 80%, which can increase battery wear over time. If you want to save your iPad & iPhone battery life if widgets are draining it too fast, you can turn on battery saver instead by going to Settings > Battery > Low Power Mode. To disable Low Power Mode, go to Settings > Battery > Power Mode and turn it off.
On iPhone 15 models and later, you can also adjust the "Charge Limit" under Settings > Battery > Charging. On a Mac, turn off Optimized Battery Charging by going to System Settings > Battery, clicking the info button (ⓘ) next to Charging, and turning it off. You can set the "Charge Limit" to 100% in System Settings > Battery > Charging (info button). To disable Low Power Mode on macOS, go to System Settings > Battery, click the drop-down menu next to "Low Power Mode," and set it to "Never."
On Windows, turn off general power-saving modes by going to Settings > System > Power & battery and setting "Power mode" to "Best performance." You can also disable "Energy saver" in the same menu.
Troubleshooting: why are apps still being restricted?
If you turned off battery optimization for an app but it is still being restricted, the issue is often a manufacturer-specific setting. Disable these limits for the app in question.
Another common cause is Adaptive Battery, a feature that learns your usage patterns and restricts infrequently used apps. On Google Pixel devices, you can turn off Adaptive Battery under Settings > Battery > Adaptive preferences. On Samsung, manage it under Settings > Battery and device care > Battery. Disabling Adaptive Battery stops the system from automatically restricting apps based on your habits, which is useful if you want consistent background performance for a specific app.
Inconsistent app performance (slower loading times or limited functionality) can be addressed by disabling battery optimization for specific apps. Data syncing issues (delays in receiving new messages or updates) can be overcome by adjusting battery optimization settings for those apps. Poor location accuracy can be improved by exempting the relevant apps from battery optimization. To maximize battery life without disabling optimization, optimize app settings such as push notifications, refresh rates, or background app refresh. You can also manage background processes using device-specific settings or third-party apps.
If you are trying to fix delayed notifications or GPS issues, ensure the app is also not being affected by any system-wide battery saver modes. You can turn on battery saver manually when needed, but leaving it on can override your per-app settings. Understanding what happens if you turn off optimized charging on an iPhone is separate from these Android issues, as that setting only affects charging behavior, not app background activity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is battery optimization?
Why would I want to turn off battery optimization?
You would want to turn off battery optimization for apps that require continuous background activity to function properly, such as those delivering real-time notifications or tracking location.
Will turning off battery optimization drain my battery faster?
Disabling battery optimization for a specific app may slightly increase battery consumption for that app, as it is no longer restricted. However, the overall impact on your battery life is minimal if you only disable it for a few essential apps. Disabling battery optimization for certain apps may have an impact on your device's battery life, so choose wisely and only disable it for apps that truly require continuous background activity.
Can I turn off battery optimization for all apps at once?
Most Android devices do not offer a single toggle to disable battery optimization for all apps. You must disable it individually for each app through the Settings > Apps path. System apps may have this option restricted by the manufacturer.
Does turning off battery optimization affect system updates?
No, disabling battery optimization for an app does not affect how your device receives or installs system updates. It only changes how that specific app behaves in the background.
Why is my iPhone still delaying notifications after I turned off optimized charging?
Turning off Optimized Battery Charging only affects when your iPhone charges to 100%, not how apps deliver notifications. For delayed notifications, check that Background App Refresh is enabled for the specific app and that Low Power Mode is turned off.
What is the difference between "Unrestricted" and "Optimized" on Android?
"Unrestricted" allows the app to run freely in the background without any battery restrictions. "Optimized" is the default setting where Android decides when to restrict the app based on your usage patterns. "Restricted" is the most aggressive setting, which heavily limits background activity.
