I wrote an Android app, originally developed on Android 8.1 API 27. The App opens on boot. Now i'm trying to update the app to be compatible with Android 13 API 33, but i can not get the app to start on boot. Originally i used the method in this post How to start/ launch application at boot time Android but this does not work in the new version. I have tried using "AlarmManager" and "WorkManager" but have not managed to get it to work.

I do receive "RECEIVE_BOOT_COMPLETED" and the foregroundService starts, but the MainActivity is blocked from starting. Here is let Logcat output.

2025-02-03 13:42:23.140  1985-1985  ServerDebug             dk.wk.abainfovarsling                I  onReceive called - Intent: android.intent.action.BOOT_COMPLETED
2025-02-03 13:42:23.140  1985-1985  ServerDebug             dk.wk.abainfovarsling                I  Boot completed - starting BootForegroundService.
2025-02-03 13:42:23.208  1985-1985  ServerDebug             dk.wk.abainfovarsling                I  BootForegroundService started - scheduling MainActivity launch.
2025-02-03 13:42:26.212  1985-1985  ServerDebug             dk.wk.abainfovarsling                I  Scheduling MainActivity launch using AlarmManager.
2025-02-03 13:42:26.219  1985-1985  ServerDebug             dk.wk.abainfovarsling                I  MainActivity scheduled to launch in 5 sec.

I wrote an Android app, originally developed on Android 8.1 API 27. The App opens on boot. Now i'm trying to update the app to be compatible with Android 13 API 33, but i can not get the app to start on boot. Originally i used the method in this post How to start/ launch application at boot time Android but this does not work in the new version. I have tried using "AlarmManager" and "WorkManager" but have not managed to get it to work.

I do receive "RECEIVE_BOOT_COMPLETED" and the foregroundService starts, but the MainActivity is blocked from starting. Here is let Logcat output.

2025-02-03 13:42:23.140  1985-1985  ServerDebug             dk.wk.abainfovarsling                I  onReceive called - Intent: android.intent.action.BOOT_COMPLETED
2025-02-03 13:42:23.140  1985-1985  ServerDebug             dk.wk.abainfovarsling                I  Boot completed - starting BootForegroundService.
2025-02-03 13:42:23.208  1985-1985  ServerDebug             dk.wk.abainfovarsling                I  BootForegroundService started - scheduling MainActivity launch.
2025-02-03 13:42:26.212  1985-1985  ServerDebug             dk.wk.abainfovarsling                I  Scheduling MainActivity launch using AlarmManager.
2025-02-03 13:42:26.219  1985-1985  ServerDebug             dk.wk.abainfovarsling                I  MainActivity scheduled to launch in 5 sec.

• java
• android

• Please be more specific on your problem, is the RECEIVE_BOOT_COMPLETED broadcast receiver not being fired or are you trying to do something else too? – tyczj Commented Feb 3 at 13:33

1 Answer 1

I do receive "RECEIVE_BOOT_COMPLETED" and the foregroundService starts, but the MainActivity is blocked from starting

Background activity starts have been banned for several years except in limited scenarios.

I have tried using "AlarmManager" and "WorkManager" but have not managed to get it to work.

Those would also qualify as banned background activity starts.

i'm trying to update the app to be compatible with Android 13 API 33, but i can not get the app to start on boot

Have your app be the designated launcher (<intent-filter> for the MAIN action and HOME category).