How to adjust battery saving settings for Qustodio on Samsung devices

Since the release of Android 5, many device manufacturers including Samsung have added battery saving options that may interfere with apps running in the background such as Qustodio.

It’s easy to turn off any battery saving options related to Qustodio. First disable Qustodio on your device. To do this, open the Qustodio app and log in. Tap Disable protection > Until I turn it on again. Close the app.

 Next, to get the specific step by step instructions for your device model, check which Android version your Samsung device is running in Settings > About device > Software info.

Samsung with Android 5 & 6

Samsung provides a pre-installed Smart Manager app on its mobile devices on both Android 5 (Lollipop) and Android 6 (Marshmallow). Unfortunately, by default this app restricts all applications installed on the mobile phone. To disable battery optimization for the Qustodio app, please follow these steps:

1. Open Smart Manager on your mobile phone
2. Tap Battery
3. Tap the Detail button and select Qustodio from the list
4. Change the app optimization to Turned off
5. 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

Samsung with Android 8 & 7

In Android 7 (Nougat) and Android 8 (Oreo), Samsung has pre-installed a 'device maintenance' function which restricts applications on the mobile phone by default. This may affect the performance of Qustodio on your child’s device.

Most importantly, make sure the Qustodio app is excluded from any battery optimization settings. To disable battery optimization for the Qustodio app, please follow these steps:

1. Open Settings on your mobile phone
2. Enter the Apps section
3. Access the menu on the top right corner and click Special access
4. Enter the Optimize battery usage section
5. Set the slider next to the Qustodio app to the OFF position

In addition to the 'battery optimization' function, we need to disable the monitoring function for the Qustodio app. Here is how:

1. Open Settings on your mobile phone
2. Tap Device maintenance
3. Tap Battery
4. Scroll down to enter the Unmonitored apps section
5. Click Add apps and select Qustodio
6. Once the Qustodio app is selected, click Done
7. Access the menu on the top right and click Advanced Settings
8. Set the slider for App power monitor to the OFF position
9. 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

Samsung with Android 9

In Android 9 (Pie), Samsung has pre-installed a 'device maintenance' function which restricts applications on the mobile phone by default. This may affect the performance of Qustodio on your child’s device.

In addition to the 'device maintenance' function, the Qustodio app must be excluded from battery optimization. To disable battery optimization for the Qustodio app, please follow these steps:

1. Open Settings on your mobile phone
2. Enter the Apps section
3. Access the menu on the top right and click Special access
4. Enter the Optimize battery usage section
5. Set the slider next to the Qustodio app to the OFF position
   
   
   
   To configure device maintenance, follow these steps:
6. Open Settings on your mobile phone
7. Enter the Device Care section
8. Enter the Battery section
9. Enter the Power mode section and select Optimized
10. Go back to the Battery Section
11. Enter the menu on the top right and click Settings
12. Set the slider next to Put unused app to sleep to the OFF position
13. 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

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 > Apps > Your App > 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.).