Applies To: Samsung Galaxy (One UI) • S24, S23, S22, S21, Note, Z Fold, Z Flip
Introduction
Samsung Galaxy devices with One UI use aggressive battery optimization to extend battery life. This often prevents apps from updating in the background due to:
🔋 Deep Sleeping Apps — One UI puts unused apps to sleep
📶 Data Saver mode — Blocks background data
🔌 Power Saving mode — Severely restricts background activity
⚙️ Play Store settings — Auto-update may be disabled
This guide provides universal solutions that work across all Samsung Galaxy models running One UI.
✅ Compatible Devices
Series | Models | One UI Version |
|---|---|---|
Galaxy S Series | S24, S23, S22, S21, S20, S10, S9 | One UI 1.0 to 6.1 |
Galaxy Note Series | Note 20, Note 10, Note 9, Note 8 | One UI 1.0 to 3.1 |
Galaxy Z Series | Z Fold 6, Fold 5, Fold 4, Fold 3, Flip 6, Flip 5, Flip 4 | One UI 3.1 to 6.1 |
Galaxy A Series | A54, A53, A52, A34, A33, A14, A13 | One UI Core 3.1 to 6.1 |
Note: Menu names may vary slightly between One UI versions, but the general path remains the same.
🛠️ Universal Solutions (All Samsung Models)
1️⃣ Disable "Put Unused Apps to Sleep"
Samsung's "Auto-optimize" features can prevent apps from running in the background.
Navigation | Settings > Battery > Background usage limits |
|---|---|
Turn off "Put unused apps to sleep" | |
Check "Sleeping apps" and "Deep sleeping apps" — remove any apps you need to update automatically by tapping and selecting "Remove" |
2️⃣ Set App Battery Usage to "Unrestricted"
Navigation | Settings > Apps |
|---|---|
Select the specific app that is not updating | |
Tap Battery | |
Change from "Optimized" to "Unrestricted" |
3️⃣ Disable Data Saver (or Whitelist Apps)
If Data Saver is on, apps cannot update in the background.
Option A: Disable Data Saver | Settings > Connections > Data usage > Data saver > Toggle OFF |
|---|---|
— OR — | |
Tap "Allowed to use data while Data saver is on" and add your apps | |
Option B: Per-App Setting | Settings > Apps > [App Name] > Mobile data > Enable "Allow background data usage" |
4️⃣ Configure Play Store Auto-Update
Navigation | Open Google Play Store |
|---|---|
Tap profile icon > Settings > Network preferences | |
Tap Auto-update apps > select "Over any network" |
5️⃣ Turn Off Power Saving Mode
Navigation | Settings > Battery > Power saving > Toggle OFF |
|---|
6️⃣ Advanced: Good Guardians (If Installed)
If you use Samsung's Good Guardians app (available in Galaxy Store), check the Memory Guardian module:
Action | Open Good Guardians > Memory Guardian > Add your app to "Excluded" list |
|---|
🔧 Quick Fixes
Issue | Quick Solution |
|---|---|
Device acting glitchy | Restart your phone — clears temporary glitches |
Play Store not updating | Clear Play Store cache: Settings > Apps > Google Play Store > Storage > Clear Cache |
✅ Troubleshooting Checklist
# | Task |
|---|---|
1 | Disabled "Put unused apps to sleep" |
2 | Set specific apps to "Unrestricted" battery usage |
3 | Disabled Data Saver OR whitelisted apps |
4 | Play Store set to auto-update over any network |
5 | Power Saving mode turned off |
6 | Device restarted (if experiencing glitches) |