Android – Running a background task every 15 minutes, even when application is not running

I need to build a background task that runs every 10/15 minutes (doesn’t really matter, either is good), even when the application is not running.

How can I accomplish this? I can’t seem the wrap my head around this.

I read I could use some sort of runnable() functionality or use a background services or AlarmManager. I was thinking of a background service, since it also must be done when the application itself is not running.

What is a better way of doing this and how could I do it?

Answer

You have have detemined the amount of time (interval) to execute a snippet of code, its better to use AlarmManager because its more energy effient. If your app needs to listen to some sort of a event , then Service is what you need.

public static void registerAlarm(Context context) {
    Intent i = new Intent(context, YOURBROADCASTRECIEVER.class);

    PendingIntent sender = PendingIntent.getBroadcast(context,REQUEST_CODE, i, 0);

    // We want the alarm to go off 3 seconds from now.
    long firstTime = SystemClock.elapsedRealtime();
    firstTime += 3 * 1000;//start 3 seconds after first register.

    // Schedule the alarm!
    AlarmManager am = (AlarmManager) context
            .getSystemService(ALARM_SERVICE);
    am.setRepeating(AlarmManager.ELAPSED_REALTIME_WAKEUP, firstTime,
            600000, sender);//10min interval

}