Android O - Background service limitation not work

Question

I was just testing my existing android application against Android O background limitations.

In testing, I found a strange behavior. So basically in my application, I am using background service and I am starting it in very first activity.

So now the issue is once the activity and background service gets started, I am closing my activity using the back button. So as per the service concepts, it keeps running in the background.

After approx 1 min onDestroy() method gets called of background service but still the service keeps running. Ideally as per the documentation it should be get killed.

So, I don't know whether it is an issue or what.

For reference, I have created a sample code which reflects the same scenario which is as below:

Steps

• Start application
• Click on Start background service button.
• Close application using the back button.

HomeActivity.java

package com.icpl.otest;

import android.content.Intent;
import android.os.Bundle;
import android.support.v7.app.AppCompatActivity;
import android.support.v7.widget.Toolbar;
import android.view.View;

import com.icpl.otest.service.MyService;

public class HomeActivity extends AppCompatActivity {

    @Override
    protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
        super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
        setContentView(R.layout.activity_home);
        Toolbar toolbar = (Toolbar) findViewById(R.id.toolbar);
        setSupportActionBar(toolbar);
    }

    public void onStartServiceClick(View view) {
        Intent serviceIntent = new Intent(this, MyService.class);
        startService(serviceIntent);
    }
}

MyService.java

package com.icpl.otest.service;

import android.app.Service;
import android.content.Intent;
import android.os.Handler;
import android.os.IBinder;
import android.util.Log;

public class MyService extends Service {
    private static final String TAG = "MyService";

    private Handler mHandler;

    public MyService() {
        Log.i(TAG, "MyService constructor called.");
        mHandler = new Handler();
    }

    @Override
    public IBinder onBind(Intent intent) {
        throw new UnsupportedOperationException("Not yet implemented");
    }

    @Override
    public int onStartCommand(Intent intent, int flags, int startId) {
        Log.i(TAG, "onStartCommand with intent:- " + intent);
        startShowingVisibility();
        return START_NOT_STICKY;
    }

    private void startShowingVisibility() {
        mHandler.postDelayed(new Runnable() {
            @Override
            public void run() {
                Log.i(TAG, "I am alive");
                startShowingVisibility();
            }
        }, 3000);
    }

    @Override
    public void onDestroy() {
        Log.i(TAG, "onDestroy()");
        super.onDestroy();
    }
}

Answer 1

After approx 1 min onDestroy() method gets called of background service but still the service keeps running

No, it does not. The work that your service may have started may keep going (in your case, your infinite Handler "loop"). However, your process may be terminated at any moment.