auto_start_flutter

A Flutter plugin to help manage background execution permissions on Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, and Linux devices. It supports requesting "Auto-Start" permissions on specific Android OEM devices, checking "Background App Refresh" status on iOS, and managing "Startup Apps / Login Items" settings on Windows and macOS to ensure your app can run reliably in the background.

Features

• Auto-Start Permission:
  • Android: Open manufacturer-specific "Auto-Start" or "App Launch" settings.
  • iOS: Check Background App Refresh status.
  • Windows/macOS: Open the "Startup Apps" or "Login Items" system settings.
• Battery Optimization: Check if the app is exempt from battery optimizations and open settings to request exemption (Android) or power settings (Windows/macOS).
• Device Support:
  • Android: Xiaomi, Redmi, Poco, Oppo, Vivo, Huawei, Honor, Samsung, ASUS, OnePlus, Nokia, LeTV, Meizu, HTC, Infinix, and more.
  • iOS: All devices.
  • Windows: Windows 10/11.
  • macOS: macOS 10.14+ (limitations apply).
  • Linux: Supported (stubbed methods due to varying Desktop Environments).
• Robustness: The plugin attempts multiple known intents for each manufacturer to ensure the settings page opens correctly.

Getting Started

Add the package to your pubspec.yaml:

  auto_start_flutter: ^0.7.0

Import the package:

import 'package:auto_start_flutter/auto_start_flutter.dart';

Platform Support

Feature	Android	iOS	Windows	macOS	Linux
isAutoStartAvailable	Checks manufacturer whitelist	Checks UIBackgroundRefreshStatus	Returns true	Returns true	Returns true
getAutoStartPermission	Opens Auto Start / App Info	Opens App Settings	Opens Startup Apps	Opens Login Items	Returns true (No-op)
openAppInfo	Opens App Info	Opens App Settings	Opens Apps & Features	Opens General Settings	Returns true (No-op)
getDeviceManufacturer	Returns Build.MANUFACTURER	Returns "Apple"	Returns "Microsoft"	Returns "Apple"	Returns "Linux"
isBatteryOptimizationDisabled	Checks doze mode status	Returns true (Always valid)	Returns true	Returns true	Returns true
disableBatteryOptimization	Opens ignore battery optimization settings	Opens App Settings	Opens Power & Sleep	Opens Energy Saver	Returns true (No-op)
openCustomSetting	Opens specific activity	Not Supported	Not Supported	Not Supported	Not Supported

Usage

AutoStart Permission / Background Refresh

On Android, this checks if the device is from a manufacturer known to have aggressive auto-start restrictions and redirects the user to the appropriate settings page. On iOS, this checks if Background App Refresh is enabled. If not, it redirects the user to the App Settings page where they can enable it. On Windows and macOS, this opens the Startup Apps or Login Items system settings, where users can toggle your app's startup status.

import 'package:auto_start_flutter/auto_start_flutter.dart';
// ...

// 1. Check if auto-start permission is available / relevant
// Android: Returns true for Xiaomi, Oppo, Vivo, etc.
// iOS: Returns true if Background App Refresh is available (not restricted).
var isAvailable = await isAutoStartAvailable;

if (isAvailable == true) {
    // 2. Request permission / Open Settings
    // Android: Opens Auto Start settings or App Info.
    // iOS: Opens App Settings.
    // Windows/macOS: Opens Startup Apps / Login Items settings.
    await getAutoStartPermission();
}

Other Features

2. App Info: Open the system settings page for the app.

   // Android: Opens App Info
   // iOS: Opens App Settings
   await openAppInfo();
   

3. Device Manufacturer: Get the device manufacturer.

   String? manufacturer = await getDeviceManufacturer(); 
   // e.g. "Xiaomi", "Apple", "Samsung"
   

4. Custom Settings (Android Only): If you know the specific package and activity name for a setting page on a specific device, you can attempt to open it directly.

   // Example: Try opening a specific hidden setting
   await openCustomSetting(
     packageName: 'com.android.settings',
     activityName: 'com.android.settings.Settings\$PowerUsageSummaryActivity',
   );
   

Battery Optimization (Android & Windows)

Android's Doze mode and App Standby can restrict background processing. On Windows, power settings can similarly affect background performance. On iOS, this API returns true (disabled) to maintain API compatibility.

1. Check Status: Check if your app is already ignoring battery optimizations.

   bool isExempt = await isBatteryOptimizationDisabled ?? false;
   print("Battery Optimization Disabled: $isExempt");
   

2. Open Settings: If not exempt, open the "Ignore Battery Optimization" settings to let the user allow your app.

   if (!isExempt) {
     await disableBatteryOptimization();
   }
   

Platform Support

Platform	Supported	Notes
Android	✅	Supports custom OEM intents and standard battery optimization settings.
iOS	✅	Checks UIBackgroundRefreshStatus and opens App Settings.
Windows	✅	Opens Startup Apps settings.
macOS	✅	Opens Login Items settings.
Linux	✅	Basic support. Most methods return logical defaults as DE APIs vary wildly.

Note: Standard Android APIs do not allow checking if "Auto Start" is actually enabled. isAutoStartAvailable only returns true if the device manufacturer is on the supported list (e.g. Xiaomi, Oppo). On Windows and macOS, isAutoStartAvailable returns true to indicate that the "Startup Apps" / "Login Items" setting is accessible. Only iOS allows verifying the actual background refresh status programmatically.

Contributing

If you find any issues or would like to add support for more devices, please file an issue or pull request on GitHub.