Since the introduction of Android 5, several device manufacturers have added battery-saving options that can interfere with Qustodio and prevent it from reporting activity. If your child's device stopped reporting activity some time after installing Qustodio, we advise checking for a battery-saving mode on your device.
Please select the child's device manufacturer to see the specific steps:
Huawei devices:
If you are using Android 7 or above, please follow these steps to adjust battery saving settings on your device:
- First disable Qustodio on your device. To do this, open Qustodio and log in.
- Tap Disable protection > Until I turn it on again. Close the app.
- Next, go to Settings and in the search bar type "Ignore battery optimization". Tap Ignore battery optimization > Allowed and select All apps from the drop-down menu.
- Search for Qustodio and select Allow.
- Next, you will need to configure the Phone Manager app. Open Phone Manager, go to Cleanup, and tap the Settings icon on the top right of the screen to disable automatic cleanup.
- We also recommend blocking the Phone Manager app in Qustodio Rules to prevent this option from being re-enabled.
- Next, you will need to configure the battery settings on your device (you can check the EMUI version on your device by going to Settings > About phone):
EMUI 8
- On your Huawei device, go to Settings > Battery and disable both Power saving mode and Ultra power saving mode. Tap Launch, then find and tap the Qustodio app to disable the Manage automatically setting. Ensure Auto-launch, Secondary launch, and Run in background are all enabled and click OK. For more detailed instructions, please check our Using Qustodio with Huawei devices FAQ.
- Open the Qustodio app again. Tap the top of the screen where the padlock icon is shown and the message "Qustodio is currently disabled" is displayed. Qustodio is now re-enabled.
- Finally, you can block access to the device Settings, to increase security: open Qustodio app, login and go to Configure this device > Device settings > Turn ON "Protect Android Settings". This will prevent your child from tampering with the settings (changing the time, etc.).
EMUI 5
- On your Huawei device, go to Settings > Apps > Settings (small gear icon at the bottom of the screen) > Special Access > Ignore battery optimization. Change the view to show "All apps" and make sure to allow Qustodio's setting.
- Then go back to Settings > Apps > Settings (small gear icon at the bottom of the screen) > Special Access > Usage access > Qustodio and set Allow usage access to ON.
- Still in the Battery options, tap the Settings icon on the top right of the screen and ensure the Power-intensive prompt and Close excessively power-intensive apps settings are disabled. For more detailed instructions, please check our Using Qustodio with Huawei devices FAQ.
- Open the Qustodio app again. Tap the top of the screen where the padlock icon is shown and the message "Qustodio is currently disabled" is displayed. Qustodio is now re-enabled.
- Finally, you can block access to the device Settings, to increase security: open Qustodio app, login and go to Configure this device > Device settings > Turn ON "Protect Android Settings". This will prevent your child from tampering with the settings (changing the time, etc.).
EMUI 4
- On your Huawei device, go to Settings > All > Device > Power saving > Protected apps > Qustodio and choose Power-intensive. Go to Settings > All > Device Manager > Startup Manager and add Qustodio. Finally, go to Settings > Smart Assistance > Notification Panel and ensure the Notification settings option is disabled.
- Open the Qustodio app again. Tap the top of the screen where the padlock icon is shown and the message "Qustodio is currently disabled" is displayed. Qustodio is now re-enabled.
- Finally, you can block access to the device Settings, to increase security: open Qustodio app, login and go to Configure this device > Device settings > Turn ON "Protect Android Settings". This will prevent your child from tampering with the settings (changing the time, etc.).
Other Huawei devices:
- Open Settings > Device > Power saving > Protected apps > Qustodio and turn it ON.
- Open Settings > Device Manager > Startup Manager and add Qustodio.
- Disable Ultra Battery mode: Go to Settings > Smart assistance > Notification Panel and uncheck the Notification settings.
- Block the Phone Manager app on the Family Portal, to prevent your child from forcing Qustodio to close.
- Open the Qustodio app again. Tap the top of the screen where the padlock icon is shown and the message "Qustodio is currently disabled" is displayed. Qustodio is now re-enabled.
- Finally, you can block access to the device Settings, to increase security: open Qustodio app, login and go to Configure this device > Device settings > Turn ON "Protect Android Settings". This will prevent your child from tampering with the settings (changing the time, etc.).
Note: depending on the device model these options may vary. You can find them using the search field at the top of the Settings screen.
Samsung devices:
Please note depending on the device model these options may vary or be named differently.
Samsung devices with Android 11
On Android 11 Samsung will prevent Qustodio from working in the background by default unless you exclude it from battery optimizations.
To keep your apps working properly make sure you:
- First disable Qustodio on your device. To do this, open Qustodio and log in.
- Tap Disable protection > Until I turn it on again. Close the app.
- Go to Settings > Battery > Battery optimization > All apps > Qustodio > Don’t optimize.
- Go to Settings > Apps, tap the menu icon (three vertical dots) and go to Special
- Next, go to Settings > Device Care > Battery > Power mode and select High Performance (or Optimized Performance).
- Make sure Put unused apps to sleep and Auto-disable unused apps is disabled.
- Open the Qustodio app again. Tap the top of the screen where the padlock icon is shown and the message "Qustodio is currently disabled" is displayed. Qustodio is now re-enabled.
- Finally, you can block access to the device Settings, to increase security: open Qustodio app, login and go to Configure this device > Device settings > Turn ON "Protect Android Settings". This will prevent your child from tampering with the settings (changing the time, etc.).
Samsung devices with Android 9
- First disable Qustodio on your device. To do this, open Qustodio and log in.
- Tap Disable protection > Until I turn it on again. Close the app.
- Go to Settings > Apps, tap the menu icon (three vertical dots) and go to Special Access > Optimize Battery Usage. Change the view to show All apps and make sure to switch off Qustodio's setting.
- Next, go to Settings > Device Care > Battery > Power mode and select High Performance (or Optimized Performance).
- Open the Qustodio app again. Tap the top of the screen where the padlock icon is shown and the message "Qustodio is currently disabled" is displayed. Qustodio is now re-enabled.
- Finally, you can block access to the device Settings, to increase security: open Qustodio app, login and go to Configure this device > Device settings > Turn ON "Protect Android Settings". This will prevent your child from tampering with the settings (changing the time, etc.).
Samsung devices with Android 8
- First disable Qustodio on your device. To do this, open Qustodio and log in.
- Tap Disable protection > Until I turn it on again. Close the app.
- Go to Settings > Apps, tap the menu icon (three vertical dots) and go to Special Access > Optimize Battery Usage. Change the view to show All apps and make sure to switch off Qustodio's setting.
- Go back to Settings > Device Maintenance > Battery > App power saving (Detail) > Qustodio and toggle this option off. Tap Unmonitored Apps > Add apps > Qustodio and tap Done.
- Next, still under Settings > Device Maintenance > Battery, tap the menu icon (three vertical dots) > Advanced settings > App power monitor and disable Put unused apps to sleep and set the App power monitor to OFF.
- Open the Qustodio app again. Tap the top of the screen where the padlock icon is shown and the message "Qustodio is currently disabled" is displayed. Qustodio is now re-enabled.
- Finally, you can block access to the device Settings, to increase security: open Qustodio app, login and go to Configure this device > Device settings > Turn ON "Protect Android Settings". This will prevent your child from tampering with the settings (changing the time, etc.).
Samsung devices with other Android versions
- First disable Qustodio on your device. To do this, open Qustodio and log in.
- Tap Disable protection > Until I turn it on again. Close the app.
- Go to Settings > Battery > App power saving (Detail) > Qustodio and toggle the option to OFF. Next, on the same screen, turn off the App power saving option.
- Then go to Settings > Power saving > Power saving mode and disable both settings. Make sure Ultra power saving mode is also turned off.
- Open the Qustodio app again. Tap the top of the screen where the padlock icon is shown and the message "Qustodio is currently disabled" is displayed. Qustodio is now re-enabled.
- Finally, you can block access to the device Settings, to increase security: open Qustodio app, login and go to Configure this device > Device settings > Turn ON "Protect Android Settings". This will prevent your child from tampering with the settings (changing the time, etc.).
Note: it is possible that disabled restrictions might get reverted after an OS update. Make sure you repeat these steps if Qustodio stops reporting.
Xiaomi devices:
If you are using Android 7 or above, please follow these steps to adjust battery saving settings on your device:
- First disable Qustodio on your device. To do this, open Qustodio and log in.
- Tap Disable protection > Until I turn it on again. Close the app.
- Next, go to Settings > Manage apps and look for Qustodio.
- There, make sure the Autostart option is ON.
- Then, check both App Permissions and Other Permissions, making sure that all options are allowed.
- Finally, in Battery Saver, select the No restrictions option.
- Open the Qustodio app again. Tap the top of the screen where the padlock icon is shown and the message "Qustodio is currently disabled" is displayed. Qustodio is now re-enabled.
- Finally, you can block access to the device Settings, to increase security: open Qustodio app, login and go to Configure this device > Device settings > Turn ON "Protect Android Settings". This will prevent your child from tampering with the settings (changing the time, etc.).
Some Xiaomi devices may require additional configuration to let Qustodio run background. Please make sure you check and enable:
- Settings > Advanced Settings > Battery manager > Power plan is set to Performance
- Device Settings > Advanced Settings > Battery Manager > Protected apps – Qustodio needs to be Protected
- Device Settings > Apps > Qustodio > Battery > Power-intensive prompt and Keep running after screen off
- Settings > Additional Settings > Battery & Performance > Manage apps’ battery usage and here:
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Switch Power Saving Modes to Off
Choose the next options: Saving Power in The Background > Choose apps > select Qustodio> Background Settings > No restrictions
Oppo devices:
If you are using Android 7 or above, please follow these steps to adjust battery saving settings on your device:
- First disable Qustodio on your device. To do this, open Qustodio and log in.
- Tap Disable protection > Until I turn it on again. Close the app.
- Go to Settings > App Management > Qustodio > Enable Allow Auto Startup.
- Tap Power Saver and select Allow Background Running.
- On Oppo devices that have a 'Security Center', open the Security Center app and go to Privacy Permissions > Startup manager > Allow Qustodio.
- On some Oppo devices (eg. R9, R11, and A37f) you will need to go to Settings > Battery > Others > Qustodio and uncheck all settings.
- On some other devices, you will need to go to Settings > Battery and storage > Battery manager and turn off Smart power saving. Tap Power consumption details > Optimize for excessive power consumption and uncheck Qustodio.
- Open the Qustodio app again. Tap the top of the screen where the padlock icon is shown and the message "Qustodio is currently disabled" is displayed. Qustodio is now re-enabled.
- Finally, you can block access to the device Settings, to increase security: open Qustodio app, login and go to Configure this device > Device settings > Turn ON "Protect Android Settings". This will prevent your child from tampering with the settings (changing the time, etc.).
Important: make sure the ‘Startup (Auto Launch)’ permission is enabled and pin the Qustodio app in recent apps.
ZTE devices:
If you are using Android 7 or above, please follow these steps to adjust battery saving settings on your device:
- First disable Qustodio on your device. To do this, open Qustodio and log in.
- Tap Disable protection > Until I turn it on again. Close the app.
- Next, go to Settings and in the search bar type "Ignore battery optimization". Tap Ignore battery optimization > Qustodio.
- On ZTE devices, you will need to disable Smart Power Save, and go to Settings > Power manager > Power management for apps. Look for Qustodio and turn all options OFF.
- Open the Qustodio app again. Tap the top of the screen where the padlock icon is shown and the message "Qustodio is currently disabled" is displayed. Qustodio is now re-enabled.
- Finally, you can block access to the device Settings, to increase security: open Qustodio app, login and go to Configure this device > Device settings > Turn ON "Protect Android Settings". This will prevent your child from tampering with the settings (changing the time, etc.).
Asus devices:
If you are using Android 7 or above, please follow these steps to adjust battery saving settings on your device:
- Open the app Mobile Manager > PowerMaster > Settings (or Battery-saving options) and make sure to uncheck Clean up in suspend.
- Then, go to Mobile Manager > PowerMaster > Settings (or Battery-saving options) and make sure to uncheck Auto deny apps from auto-starting.
- Finally, on Mobile Manager > PowerMaster > Auto-start manager make sure Qustodio's option is active.
- Once you finish, we recommend blocking the Mobile Manager app on Qustodio's rules, so these options are not changed by the child.
Wiko devices:
If you are using Android 7 or above, please follow these steps to adjust battery saving settings on your device:
- First disable Qustodio on your device. To do this, open Qustodio and log in.
- Tap Disable protection > Until I turn it on again. Close the app.
- Next, go to Phone Assist (or Manager) > Power Saver (or Battery) and turn off Eco Mode and Optimized mode. Make sure Qustodio is not selected to be optimized (selector should be OFF).
- On Power Saver go to Advanced Settings & Tips and tap on the Gear icon on top right. Go to Background apps whitelist and make sure Qustodio is selected as ON.
- Open the Qustodio app again. Tap the top of the screen where the padlock icon is shown and the message "Qustodio is currently disabled" is displayed. Qustodio is now re-enabled.
- Finally, you can block access to the device Settings, to increase security: open Qustodio app, login and go to Configure this device > Device settings > Turn ON "Protect Android Settings". This will prevent your child from tampering with the settings (changing the time, etc.).
OnePlus devices:
- First disable Qustodio on your device. To do this, open Qustodio and log in.
- Tap Disable protection > Until I turn it on again. Close the app.
- Next, go to Settings > Battery > Battery optimization > [three dots] > Advanced optimization. Disable both options: Adaptive Battery (or Deep optimization) and Sleep standby optimization.
- Open the Qustodio app again. Tap the top of the screen where the padlock icon is shown and the message "Qustodio is currently disabled" is displayed. Qustodio is now re-enabled.
- Finally, you can block access to the device Settings, to increase security: open Qustodio app, login and go to Configure this device > Device settings > Turn ON "Protect Android Settings". This will prevent your child from tampering with the settings (changing the time, etc.).
Meizu devices:
- First disable Qustodio on your device. To do this, open Qustodio and log in.
- Tap Disable protection > Until I turn it on again. Close the app.
- Next, go to Device Settings > Advanced Settings > Battery manager > Power plan set to Performance.
- Then, go to Device Settings > Advanced Settings > Battery manager > Protected apps > Qustodio set Qustodio as Protected.
- Finally, go to Device Settings > Apps > Qustodio > Battery > Power-intensive prompt and Keep running after screen off.
- Open the Qustodio app again. Tap the top of the screen where the padlock icon is shown and the message "Qustodio is currently disabled" is displayed. Qustodio is now re-enabled.
- Finally, you can block access to the device Settings, to increase security: open Qustodio app, login and go to Configure this device > Device settings > Turn ON "Protect Android Settings". This will prevent your child from tampering with the settings (changing the time, etc.).
Vivo devices:
- First disable Qustodio on your device. To do this, open Qustodio and log in.
- Tap Disable protection > Until I turn it on again. Close the app.
- Make sure that 'Autostart' option is selected for Qustodio:
Go to Settings > More settings > Permission management (Applications) > Autostart > Make sure Qustodio is activated for Autostart. - Select 'High background battery usage' for Qustodio:
Go to Settings > Battery > 'High background power consumption' > Make sure Qustodio is activated for high power consumption. -
Lock Qustodio in 'Recent Apps':
1. To lock the app to your recent apps list, please select the 'recent apps list button' (three horizontal lines) in the bottom left corner of your device.
2. Please make sure you click the opened lock icon in the top right to lock the Qustodio app. Once you have locked Qustodio to your recent apps list, the icon will turn into a closed lock-pad. - Open the Qustodio app again. Tap the top of the screen where the padlock icon is shown and the message "Qustodio is currently disabled" is displayed. Qustodio is now re-enabled.
- Finally, you can block access to the device Settings, to increase security: open Qustodio app, login and go to Configure this device > Device settings > Turn ON "Protect Android Settings". This will prevent your child from tampering with the settings (changing the time, etc.).
Realme devices:
- First disable Qustodio on your device. To do this, open Qustodio and log in.
- Tap Disable protection > Until I turn it on again. Close the app.
- Open Settings > Battery. Here you will find several options, that may change depending on the device or its operating system version. Look for each option on your device (the menu names may vary):
- Power saving mode > turn off all options.
- Super/Intelligent Power saving mode > turn off all options.
- Custom Power Saver > Look for Qustodio > Select "Run in Background".
- Optimize battery use > Qustodio > select "Don’t optimize".
- Power Saver Options > Disable all options.
- Performance Mode > turn on "High performance mode".
- Go to Advanced Settings and turn on "High performance mode".
- App Quick Freeze > look for Qustodio and make sure "Auto-freeze" is off for Qustodio.
- Optimised standby > Make sure it's off.
- Open the Qustodio app again. Tap the top of the screen where the padlock icon is shown and the message "Qustodio is currently disabled" is displayed. Qustodio is now re-enabled.
- Finally, you can block access to the device Settings, to increase security: open Qustodio app, login and go to Configure this device > Device settings > Turn ON "Protect Android Settings". This will prevent your child from tampering with the settings (changing the time, etc.).
TCL devices:
- First disable Qustodio on your device. To do this, open Qustodio and log in.
- Tap Disable protection > Until I turn it on again. Close the app.
- Open Smart Manager app on the child's device, either from the home screen or tapping Settings > Smart Manager. Here you will find several options, that may change depending on the device or its operating system version. Look for each option on your device (the menu names may vary):
- Auto-start > turn off Automatically manage. Ensure Qustodio Kids is switched on.
- Notifications > Ensure Qustodio Kids is switched on.
- Battery > turn off all options (turn off Normal and Super saving mode).
- Battery > enter Battery detail > turn off Battery saver and Battery Manager.
- Open the Qustodio app again. Tap the top of the screen where the padlock icon is shown and the message "Qustodio is currently disabled" is displayed. Qustodio is now re-enabled.
- Finally, you can block access to the device Settings, to increase security: open Qustodio app, login and go to Configure this device > Device settings > Turn ON "Protect Android Settings". This will prevent your child from tampering with the settings (changing the time, etc.).
Other devices:
- We recommend that you check for a Battery Saving mode in your device Settings.
- On some devices, you will need to grant Qustodio special battery usage permission in Settings > Battery > Menu (the three vertical dots) > Battery Optimization > All apps > Qustodio.