Start Service on Android Boot

Problem Statement

Despite meticulously configuring the necessary components, the IntentService fails to start during Android boot. No error messages are reported, leaving you perplexed about the issue.

Solution

Step 1: Verify AndroidManifest.xml Configuration

Ensure the following entries are present in your AndroidManifest.xml file:

Step 2: Implementation of BroadcastReceiver for Startup

In your StartupIntentReceiver, replace the following line:

context.startService(serviceIntent);

with the following:

if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= Build.VERSION_CODES.O) {
    context.startForegroundService(serviceIntent);
} else {
    context.startService(serviceIntent);
}

Step 3: Adding Logging for Debugging

To pinpoint the issue, add logging statements to your StartupIntentReceiver's onReceive handler, for example:

Log.v("BatteryLogger", "Got to onReceive, about to start service");

Step 4: Troubleshooting

• Confirm Deployment: Ensure the APK is correctly deployed and installed on your device.
• Check Logs: Examine device logs in DDMS or the OS settings to verify if the service is being started.
• Focus on BroadcastReceiver: Verify that the BroadcastReceiver is receiving the BOOT_COMPLETED intent and starting the service.
• Alternative Implementation: If the above steps don't resolve the issue, consider using the example provided in the Answer, which incorporates a service, BroadcastReceiver, and an activity to start the service on boot.