Apps not working when the device is in battery optimization mode

Environment

• Knox Platform for Enterprise
• Knox Service Plugin
• Android Enterprise

Overview

Android devices use battery-saving features such as Doze mode and App Standby to extend battery life by reducing background activity when devices aren’t actively used. In enterprise environments, some business-critical apps like Microsoft Authenticator, VPN clients, and messaging apps need continuous background operation to work properly. Device users may experience various functionality issues when these apps are restricted by battery optimization features.

Cause

When Android’s battery optimization features activate during device idle periods, they automatically restrict background activity for all apps, unless specifically configured otherwise. If critical apps aren’t allowlisted, they lose their ability to function in the background, which can disrupt essential processes.

Resolution

To resolve the issue, you can exempt specific apps from Android’s battery optimization restrictions.

First, confirm the following requirements are met:

• The device is enrolled in Android Enterprise in fully managed or work profile mode.
• You have a valid Knox Platform for Enterprise premium license.

After you’ve confirmed the requirements are met, you can then either:

1. Configure Knox Service Plugin

   1. On your EMM console, go to your Knox Service Plugin configuration.

   2. Configure the following Device-wide policies:

      Policy	Value
      Enable device policy controls	True
      Application management policies > Enable application management controls	True

   3. Under Application management policies, add critical apps to your Battery optimization allowlist.

      Enter the package names of applications you want to exempt from battery optimization. For example, to exempt Microsoft Authenticator, enter com.azure.authenticator.

   4. Save the profile and apply the changes to your devices.

2. Use the Knox SDK — If you’re a developer, you can use the addPackageToBatteryOptimizationWhiteList(AppIdentity appIdentity) API to add critical apps to your allowlist.