androidkotlinbootcompletedstartforegroundservice

Getting ForegroundServiceStartNotAllowedException when starting a foreground service after Boot Completed on Android 15


I've reviewed the Android 15 documentation, specifically the section on 'Restrictions on BOOT_COMPLETED broadcast receivers launching foreground services.'

It states that BOOT_COMPLETED receivers are restricted from launching the following types of foreground services: dataSync, camera, mediaPlayback, phoneCall, mediaProjection, microphone.

If a BOOT_COMPLETED receiver attempts to start any of these service types, the system throws a ForegroundServiceStartNotAllowedException.

However, my foreground service is of type shortService, and I'm encountering the following exception:

android.app.ForegroundServiceStartNotAllowedException: FGS type shortService not allowed to start from BOOT_COMPLETED!

Based on the documentation, shortService shouldn't trigger this exception. Could anyone suggest what I might be doing wrong or any workarounds for this issue?


Solution

  • In Android 14 (API level 34) and Android 15 (API level 35), the platform has introduced stricter restrictions on starting foreground services from certain contexts, including the BOOT_COMPLETED broadcast receiver. Despite your foreground service being of type shortService, you're encountering the ForegroundServiceStartNotAllowedException because Android 15 has a general restriction on starting any kind of foreground service directly from a BOOT_COMPLETED broadcast.

    Due to Android 15's restrictions, starting any foreground service directly from the BOOT_COMPLETED receiver will likely trigger the exception. Instead, use WorkManager or JobScheduler to schedule the foreground service after a short delay, allowing the system to stabilize post-boot. This approach is safer and compliant with the new platform limitations.