Use Samsung’s built-in Background usage limits to restrict selected apps: choose Sleeping apps for a lighter restriction or Deep sleeping apps to stop an app from running until you open it. These controls are in Settings, though the exact menu path varies by Galaxy model and software version.
Choose the right background restriction
Samsung provides four related controls. Their main difference is how much background activity they allow and how that can affect timely notifications and updates.
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| Control | What it does | Practical effect |
|---|---|---|
| Put unused apps to sleep | Automatically puts apps to sleep after they have not been used for a while. | Applies sleep management without requiring you to add each app yourself. |
| Sleeping apps | Lists apps that are sleeping but may run in the background when needed. | Samsung Australia says they may run intermittently, and updates or notifications may be delayed. Samsung Australia explains sleeping apps. |
| Deep sleeping apps | Stops apps from running in the background; they work only when opened manually. | Choose this only if you do not need the app to update or notify you in the background. Samsung UK describes deep sleeping apps. |
| Never sleeping apps | Exempts selected apps from sleep management so they can remain available in the background. | Reserve this for apps whose background activity you need; allowing it can use more battery. |
Find Background usage limits in Settings
On many Galaxy phones, the route is Settings > Battery and device care > Battery > Background usage limits. On some newer models, open Settings > Battery > Background usage limits instead. Samsung’s support pages document both paths. Samsung US instructions and Samsung Canada instructions show the menu options.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesIf neither path matches, open the Battery page in Settings and look for Background usage limits. Older software may place Battery under Battery and device care. Labels also vary by region and version: the exemption list may be called Never sleeping apps or Never auto sleeping apps. Use the name shown on your phone.
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Put apps to sleep or deep sleep
- Open Settings and go to Battery and device care > Battery > Background usage limits, or use Settings > Battery > Background usage limits if that is the path on your device.
- To let the phone manage unused apps automatically, turn on Put unused apps to sleep.
- For a lighter restriction on specific apps, open Sleeping apps. Tap the plus or add control, select the apps, then tap Add.
- For apps that should run only when opened, repeat the process in Deep sleeping apps.
- To exempt an app from sleep management, add it to Never sleeping apps (or the equivalent label on your phone).
To remove an app from a list, use that list’s remove or edit control. Its wording and location can differ by software version. Samsung Canada’s instructions cover adding and managing apps in the lists.
Check notifications before choosing deep sleep
Sleep restrictions are a trade-off, not a guaranteed way to improve battery life by a particular amount. Samsung does not give a fixed battery-saving figure for these controls. A sleeping app may still run intermittently, but its updates or notifications can be delayed. A deep sleeping app does not run in the background and works only after you open it, so it is unsuitable when you depend on timely alerts or background updates.
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- Please note, this device does not support E-SIM; This 4G model is compatible with all GSM networks worldwide outside of the U.S. In the US, ONLY compatible with T-Mobile and their MVNO's (Metro and Standup). It will NOT work with other CDMA carriers, and it is also not compatible with their MVNO (Visible, Xfinity Mobile, US Mobile, Cricket Wireless, etc).
- Compatibility with certain third-party devices and accessibility accessories, including some hearing aids, may vary depending on manufacturer support, Bluetooth protocols, software compatibility, and regional firmware limitations. For additional hearing aid compatibility information, please refer to Samsung’s official support documentation.
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Samsung Developer documentation describes system app-management behavior and a separate platform change: since One UI 6 with Android 14, foreground services for apps targeting Android 14 are guaranteed to work as intended when those apps follow the new foreground-service API policy. That qualified developer rule is not a promise that a user-restricted app will deliver notifications on time. Samsung Developer’s app-management documentation explains the policy.
Adjust the lists when an app needs to work again
If an app’s background updates or notifications are no longer timely, remove it from Deep sleeping apps first. If it is in Sleeping apps and still does not behave as you need, remove it from that list or place it in the never-sleeping list. Keep exemptions limited to apps that genuinely need background availability.
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