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Alex_Muc
Alex_Muc
Level 3.0: Honeycomb
May 28, 2026
Question

Prevent Deep Sleep for Managed Apps

  • May 28, 2026
  • 1 reply
  • 23 views

We report the version numbers of certain apps on managed devices. I've noticed an unusual update pattern with some apps for some time now.
Although we use a payload for Managed Google Play to automatically update public apps, and the affected devices are actively in use, some apps are still running old versions. Updates for some apps simply aren't being performed. The adoption rate for current versions then continues to decline over time.

 

The cause seems to be an Android feature. Unused apps are disabled after a certain amount of time. For example, on Samsung devices, the affected apps are listed under "Deep sleeping apps" in the device's battery settings. In the app settings and in the Play Store, the apps are shown as disabled.

 

It seems that Deep Sleep is preventing updates in Managed Google Play. The affected apps must be launched or enabled manually. In general, I think it’s fine to save device resources by turning off unused apps. But in an enterprise environment, we do want to maintain version control over the apps and prevent outdated versions from being used. Updates include new features, bug fixes, and security patches. Even if an app isn't used for a while on an actively used device, its version should not be accidentally frozen.

 

Is there a policy to prevent certain apps from being disabled or entering deep sleep mode? At first sight, I couldn't find a setting for that. I'm not sure either whether this behavior is a bug or a feature. 🙂

    1 reply

    Flo
    Flo
    Level 2.0: Eclair
    May 28, 2026

    Hello ​@Alex_Muc ,

    By design with our EMM (Ivanti N-MDM) I dont think so but with OEM apps and a managed config, maybe you can do it. For Samsung example, with knox service plugin, you can try with this setting :
     


     

      Alex_Muc
      Alex_MucAuthor
      Level 3.0: Honeycomb
      May 28, 2026

      The battery optimization allowlist in the Knox Service Plugin (/OEM Config) is a useful feature. So far, we haven't put it into production use, as we'd prefer to stick with the standard features of Android Enterprise whenever possible.
      When I manually change the battery optimization settings for apps in Deep Sleep, they are reactivated. We would need to test whether the battery optimization allowlist can directly prevent Deep Sleep. I’m not sure to what extent the two mechanisms—battery optimization and Deep Sleep—are related.

      Flo
      Flo
      Level 2.0: Eclair
      May 28, 2026

      I should try on adevice with this Knox Service Plugin configuration to disable the app from the Battery optimization allowlist and resync the device to see if the app reactivates on its own. This would confirm that this configuration prevents deep sleep as well as battery optimization.

      However, even if that’s the case, it still won’t give you a native Android solution.

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