Put Unused Apps to Sleep not working

[SCohen]

I cannot figure out why the put unused apps to sleep automatically feature does not work. 

I have cleared cache, data, forced closed app(device care). Cleared system cache and factory reset the device.

Been a month since reset and not one app has been put to deep sleep. 

I've seen similar issues with s23, s24 and s25 all ultra models.

Any advice will help.

Thanks 

[RedDogRabbit]

Strange,, did you make any changes on a per app basis, ie: Did you set up apps to run Unrestricted?

I don't think that I've ever seen this on any of my Samsung devices.. certainly not on my S23 Ultra, or S25. 

 

[SCohen]

After the factory reset on the s21 ultra, no changes to any apps where made. Ya it seems to be some what of a mystery. Couple google searches show other people have experience a similar issue. My s25 ultra put some unused apps to sleep in first month. Now since march 29 nothing has happened. And yes there are plenty of apps which are not being used regularly or at all.

[SCohen]

But the s21 ultra refuses to put any unused app to sleep. I've tried to turn the feature in your screen shot on and off with n without restarts. Turned adaptive battery on and off. Nothing. Currently testing leaving adaptive battery off with put unused apps to sleep on.
I assume some setting or issues with device care is the cause. But haven't been able to locate it or any helpful information.

[RobertZ]

There aren't many options in background usage limits, and it sounds like you've tried them all. I don't think there are any other options to try. Maybe try Samsung tech support?

If you go into device care, care report (tap the four vertical lines on your right corner), does it list unused apps?

[SCohen]

Ya I'm stuck as well. I tried tech support, they only offered all the steps I have taken already.
There is the care report. Says 0 issues. Which I guess is good, but still many apps aren't used, so I not sure the issue.

[SCohen]

Only difference I have noticed is on the s21 ultra under apps, the device care app in the battery section says optimized for battery setting. Where as the s25 ultra has device care as unrestricted under battery settings. And you cannot change it to optimized or restricted. On the s21 ultra u can choose any of the 3 battery settings. With it being on optimized automatically.

[Helenna]

Hi SCohen,

We understand how frustrating this issue can be. It seems like you've already tried most of the troubleshooting steps, but I’d like to help you further.

Here are a few suggestions we recommend:

Device Care Permissions: Please check the permissions for Device Care. Go to Settings > Apps > Device Care > Permissions and ensure that Device Care has all the necessary permissions to function correctly. Without these permissions, it might not be able to manage unused apps properly.

Update to the Latest Software: Even though you’ve done a factory reset, there might have been updates post-reset. Check for the latest software update under Settings > Software Update > Download and Install. Sometimes, newer patches may resolve underlying issues with power management.

Test Safe Mode: Sometimes, third-party apps interfere with system functions. I’d recommend booting your phone into Safe Mode to see if the issue persists. To do this, press and hold the Power button, then tap and hold Power Off until you see the option to enter Safe Mode. In Safe Mode, only system apps will be active, which can help isolate if a third-party app is causing the issue.

Battery Optimization Settings: Ensure that Battery Optimization is properly configured. You can check this under Settings > Battery and Device Care > Battery > Background Usage Limit. Make sure that apps are not set to "Never Sleeping," as this will prevent them from going into deep sleep.

Test with a New User Profile: Sometimes, user profile settings can interfere with system behavior. Try creating a new user profile by going to Settings > Accounts and Backup > Users > Add User. Test the "Put Unused Apps to Sleep" feature on this new profile to see if the issue persists.

We hope this helps, and feel free to reach back out if you have any more questions!

Thank you.

[SCohen]

Thanks for the reply. All the permissions are factory.
No software updates available.
Safe mode would have to be active for multiple days to see if the system will put unused apps to sleep and render my phone unuseful with only system apps running.
All battery settings are on as shown in screenshots above.
I do not see user under accounts and backups. Are u saying to make a new Samsung account or google account?
Would have to create a new email address and all?

[SCohen]

How often does the system put unused apps to sleep?
I have manually added a couple apps to see if helps. But a great example on s21 ultra is Netflix, I can't delete the app or disable. So I left it enabled and waiting to see if system detects, as I never use Netflix.
So far nothing after 6 days.
As mentioned my s25 ultra put unused apps to sleep twice in March. And nothing since the 27th.