Fix Apps & Devices That Stop Working in Battery Saver Mode

Battery Saver mode is a great way to stretch your phone or laptop’s charge, but it can also cause apps and devices to stop working properly. This guide explains why that happens and walks you through the exact settings to fix it on Android, iOS, and Windows. You’ll learn how to keep background apps alive, allow notifications, and reconnect Bluetooth or Wi‑Fi accessories without draining your battery.

What You’ll Need

• Access to your device’s Settings app (phone, tablet, or laptop)
• The affected app or device nearby (e.g., a smartwatch, earbuds, or a printer)
• Patience – some changes require a restart of the app or device

Step-by-Step

1. Identify the culprit. First, check whether the problem only occurs when Battery Saver is on. Turn Battery Saver off temporarily and see if the app or device works again. If it does, proceed with the steps below.
2. Remove the app from Battery Saver’s restrictions (Android). Go to Settings > Apps > [App Name] > Battery. Choose Unrestricted (or Don’t optimize) instead of Optimized or Restricted. This tells the system to let the app run in the background even when Battery Saver is active.
3. Allow background activity on iOS. Open Settings > Battery > Battery Saver (or Low Power Mode). While you can’t exempt individual apps from Low Power Mode directly, you can enable Background App Refresh for the specific app: Settings > General > Background App Refresh and toggle it on for the app. Also check Settings > Notifications for that app and ensure Allow Notifications is on.
4. Adjust Windows power settings. On a laptop, open Settings > System > Power & battery. Under Battery saver, click Edit and uncheck Lower screen brightness and Limit background activity for the apps you need. For a specific app, go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps, find the app, click the three-dot menu, choose Advanced options, and set Background app permissions to Always.
5. Reconnect Bluetooth devices. If your earbuds, watch, or keyboard drop connection, go to Settings > Bluetooth, tap the gear icon next to the device, and disable Optimize battery usage (Android) or turn off Low Power Mode for that device (iOS). On Windows, go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices, select the device, and ensure Allow notifications is checked.
6. Keep Wi‑Fi and location active. Battery Saver often turns off Wi‑Fi scanning or GPS. On Android, go to Settings > Location > Scanning and turn on Wi‑Fi scanning and Bluetooth scanning. On iOS, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services and set the app’s permission to Always (if you trust it).
7. Restart the app or device. After changing settings, force-close the app (swipe it away in the app switcher) and reopen it. For Bluetooth devices, turn them off and on again.
8. Test with Battery Saver on. Re-enable Battery Saver and check if the app or device now works. If not, repeat the steps or try the troubleshooting section below.

Common Mistakes

• Only toggling the global Battery Saver. Many people assume turning it off is the only fix, but you can often keep it on and exempt the specific app.
• Forgetting to allow notifications. Battery Saver may block push notifications, so even if the app runs, you won’t see updates.
• Not checking per-app battery settings. On Android, the default is “Optimized,” which still restricts background activity. You must select “Unrestricted.”
• Assuming all devices are the same. A smartwatch may need its own companion app to be unrestricted, not just the watch’s Bluetooth connection.

Tips

• Use “Battery Saver” selectively. Instead of leaving it on all day, schedule it to turn on at 20% or 30% battery, so you don’t have to constantly manage exceptions.
• Create a “whitelist” of essential apps. Only exempt apps you truly need in the background, like messaging or navigation, to save battery.
• Update your apps and OS. Bugs in older versions may cause apps to crash under Battery Saver; updates often fix these.
• Check the device’s own battery settings. Some Bluetooth devices have their own low-power modes that you can disable in their companion app.

Troubleshooting

If the app still stops working after exempting it:

• Force stop and clear cache (Android). Go to Settings > Apps > [App] > Storage and tap Clear Cache. This does not delete your data.
• Reinstall the app. Uninstall and reinstall to reset any corrupted settings.
• Check for a “Battery Optimization” setting inside the app. Many apps (e.g., WhatsApp, Gmail) have their own battery settings that override the system.
• If it’s a Bluetooth device, forget and re-pair it. Go to Bluetooth settings, tap “Forget,” then pair again.
• If it’s a Windows app, run the built-in troubleshooter. Go to Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters and run “Power” or “Bluetooth.”

If the problem persists across all apps:

• Restart your device – this clears temporary glitches.
• Turn Battery Saver off entirely and see if the problem goes away. If it does, you may need to keep it off until you update your OS.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why does Battery Saver stop my apps from working?
A: Battery Saver restricts background activity, notifications, and sometimes location services to save power. This can prevent apps from updating or receiving data until you open them.

Q: Can I exempt an app from Battery Saver on iPhone?
A: iOS doesn’t let you exempt individual apps from Low Power Mode, but you can enable Background App Refresh for that app, and you can turn off Low Power Mode when you need the app to work.

Q: Will exempting an app drain my battery faster?
A: Yes, but only for that app. If it’s an essential app, the trade-off is usually worth it. You can limit other apps to compensate.

Q: My Bluetooth earbuds keep disconnecting – is that Battery Saver?
A: Possibly. Battery Saver may turn off Bluetooth scanning or reduce power to the Bluetooth radio. Check your device’s Bluetooth settings and disable any “optimize battery” option for that accessory.

Q: Does Battery Saver affect Wi‑Fi calling?
A: Yes, it can. On Android, go to Settings > Network & Internet > Wi‑Fi calling and ensure it’s enabled. On iOS, Low Power Mode can disable 5G and background data, which may affect Wi‑Fi calling if you’re on a weak signal.

Q: How do I know which app is causing the problem?
A: Turn off Battery Saver and see if the issue stops. If it does, turn it back on and disable it for one app at a time until you find the culprit.

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