These days we leave our mobile phones switched on 24 hours a day without giving him a breakAnd that sooner or later takes its toll: small glitches, apps that freeze, the system getting slower and slower… What many people don't know is that you can configure your phone to restart automatically, without you having to remember, and thus keep it always "clean" and more agile.
In addition to improving performance, automatic restart has a second very powerful advantage: Increase the security of your mobile phoneBoth Android and iOS have started using a restart after several days of inactivity as a measure to protect your data, so that even if someone has the phone in their hands, it is much more difficult for them to access the sensitive information you store inside.
Why is it beneficial for the mobile phone to restart itself every so often?
When you go many days without turning off your mobile phone, the system accumulates Background processes, caching, and small memory leaks which makes everything run less smoothly. Restarting instantly erases that "temporary junk" and forces Android or iOS to start from scratch, freeing up RAM and closing applications that had become stuck.
A scheduled restart once or twice a week is a good way to keep your phone running smoothly. faster and more stable without having to remember to turn it offFor users who are very obsessed with performance, restarting it every day might make sense, but for most, a weekly frequency is more than enough.
Beyond performance, there's another key point: security. Manufacturers and Google have observed that if a phone remains turned on and unlocked for many days, it's easier for certain forensic tools or advanced attacks to exploit that state. attempting to extract data while the system is runningForcing the device to restart after a period of inactivity drastically cuts off that access.
Automatic security restart: what Android and iOS already do
In recent months, both Apple and Google have begun rolling out a security feature that makes Your phone will automatically restart if you don't use it for several days.It's not a fault or error on your phone: it's a measure specifically designed to protect the stored information.
This function does not erase anything or restore the device to its factory settings. What it does is return the system to a state prior to unlocking, in which The data remains encrypted and the operating system does not yet have access to it.Until you enter your PIN, pattern, password, or biometric data, the contents of your mobile phone remain protected and much less exposed to attacks.
How automatic restart protects your personal data
The trick lies in how Android and iOS handle encryption. Upon startup, the system enters a kind of "secure mode" where The key to decrypt the full contents of the device is only released when you unlock it.Until you do this, what's in internal memory continues to occupy space, but it's not readable by the system or most external tools.
If the phone remains switched on, unlocked, and unrestarted for many days, the situation changes: the system already has the key stored in memory, and some forensic analysis techniques or very advanced attacks could attempt to crack it. exploit that state to read data they shouldn't be able to see.Forcing a restart after a long period of inactivity blocks access again: the system boots up without a password and, until you enter the code, everything remains locked.
This measure is specifically designed for at-risk groups (journalists, activists, professionals who handle sensitive information), but It benefits any user who wants extra protection against theft, loss or unauthorized access attempts.
How often does the mobile phone restart itself due to inactivity?
On compatible mobile devices, both Android and iOS, the behavior being applied is very similar: The device automatically restarts after 72 hours without being unlocked.In other words, if three consecutive days pass without you entering your PIN, pattern, Face ID, or similar, the system forces a restart and, when you use it again, it will ask for the code.
This inactivity restart cannot be "forced" to a shorter time, and is intended exclusively as a security measure linked to the blockadeIt's not about a scheduled weekly restart for performance, but about preventing a phone that is powered on, locked, and unused from remaining indefinitely accessible to advanced tools.
Which mobile phones have automatic security restart?
In Apple's case, this automatic restart feature for inactivity arrived with iOS 18.1Therefore, any iPhone compatible with iOS 18 and running this version already benefits from this protection. If your iPhone is on that list, you can assume that if three days pass without you unlocking it, the system will automatically restart and ask for your passcode the next time you touch it.
In the Android ecosystem, it was initially thought that this new feature would be exclusive to Android 16But Google has opted for a different approach. The company is rolling out the feature through an update to Google Play Services, specifically starting with version 25.14, which means that The vast majority of Android phones and tablets updated to these services will eventually have it. without needing to change the entire system version.
This update is rolling out gradually, so you might not see anything new yet. When it's live, your phone will perform this inactivity restart normally, even on devices like Android tablets or smartwatches, as long as they depend on those Google Play Services.
Is it possible to disable automatic security restart?
Currently, there is no option to disable this behavior on iOS. Apple designed the system so that Restarting after several days without unlocking is part of the security model itself.So there's no switch in the settings to turn it off, nor any way to change the 72-hour time limit.
On Android, the situation is somewhat different. Google is integrating this measure within a advanced protection mode of the device, and everything indicates that the automatic security restart can be disabled or enabled as part of that set of features. What doesn't seem negotiable is the interval: the number of days required for the restart to occur cannot be changed; either the complete security logic is accepted, or this extra feature is disabled.
Automatic restart from Google Play Services after inactivity
Version 25.14 of Google Play Services brings a very interesting new feature: a Automatic restart when the phone has been locked and unused for three daysThis function is not configured from the classic system settings, but is integrated into the service layer itself, which Google updates in the background.
The idea is simple: if you have a mobile phone or tablet that you barely use, but keep turned on "just in case," that device can spend weeks connected to the network, locked, and without being restarted. With this feature, Each time it accumulates three consecutive days of continuous blocking, it restarts to reduce its exposure. to possible remote attacks or sustained access attempts.
For the average user, this is completely transparent: you don't have to do anything, you don't lose any information, and You'll only notice that your phone asks for the full security code. instead of simply accepting the fingerprint or unlocking with your face when you use it again after several days.
Advantages of inactivity restart on infrequently used devices
Many people have a secondary mobile phone, an old tablet, or a smartwatch that they rarely use, but leave on to receive the occasional message or as a backup device. These devices may be switched on and connected. for days or weeks with very little interaction, which makes them more "easy" targets for automated attacks or brute-force tests.
The inactivity restart designed by Google specifically addresses this use case: by forcing the system to restart after three days of being locked, it ensures that the encryption key should not be stored indefinitely in memory and that the attack surface is much smaller. It's a simple but effective way to strengthen the security of devices that we don't monitor daily.
This additional protection is in addition to other measures, such as silent security updates or the detection of suspicious behavior, and It requires no technical knowledge or complicated adjustmentsSimply put, your phone behaves more securely without you having to worry.
Schedule automatic restart on a Samsung Galaxy from the settings
Beyond these safety restarts, some manufacturers offer their own tools to periodically restart the phone for performance reasons. Samsung is one of the few that includes a specific option for this. Schedule automatic restarts on your Galaxy phones, available in recent versions of One UI (from One UI 3.0 onwards).
This option isn't immediately obvious, but you can activate it in seconds if you know where to look. Within your Samsung's settings, you'll find a section dedicated to device maintenance where you can... Configure the exact days and times when the mobile phone should restart automatically, on a recurring basis.
To locate this function, the usual way in current Samsung interfaces is to go into settings, then access “Battery and device care” From there, use the three-dot menu in the upper right corner. This menu contains advanced options, including a section for automating certain system tasks.
In that advanced panel you will see the option to configure a “Automatic action” related to restartOnce activated, you can check the box for "Automatic restart at set times" or a very similar term depending on the model and software version. From there, you just need to choose which days of the week you want it to restart and set the specific time that suits you best.
Conditions for Samsung's scheduled restart to take place
Even if you enable automatic restart on your Samsung device, it won't automatically turn off and on in every situation. To protect data integrity and prevent inconvenience, Samsung requires that the following conditions be met. several preconditions before executing the scheduled restart.
On one hand, the phone must have its screen off and detect that It hasn't been actively used for a while.If you're using your phone at the scheduled time, the system will wait and won't restart. This prevents you from being interrupted in the middle of a call, a game, or an important task.
On the other hand, the battery has to be above a certain minimum level, which Samsung places around 30% chargeThe logic is clear: there's no point in forcing a restart if the phone is almost out of battery, because it could turn off in the middle of the process and create more problems than it solves.
It's also important that the SIM card lock is not active, as this could prevent normal startup. If the SIM PIN interferes with the automated process, the phone might get stuck waiting for that code during startup. That's why Samsung specifies that, for automatic restart, The SIM lock must be configured so that it does not block the process that is, manageable after startup.
Practical benefits of periodically restarting your Samsung Galaxy
Once enabled, Samsung's scheduled restart becomes a kind of regular system "tune-up." Each time it completes, the phone shuts down. Close all open apps, delete residual processes, and free up memory.This reduces the likelihood of crashes, micro-lag, or strange behaviors that accumulate with daily use.
For many users, a weekly restart is a good frequency: it helps keep the device running smoothly without requiring constant monitoring or reminders to turn it off. Those with dozens of apps installed or who use their phone for work may notice that, in the long run, The system remains more stable and responds more smoothly..
It's not a magic bullet for every problem, but it's a very simple digital hygiene measure to implement: instead of waiting for your phone to start malfunctioning before manually restarting it, you allow the system itself to do the rest. It resets itself when you're not using itusually in the early hours of the morning or at a time when it doesn't affect you.
Configure an automatic restart on Samsung using Modes and Routines
In addition to the built-in option in the maintenance settings, Samsung phones have a very powerful tool called “Modes and Routines”This feature allows you to automate tasks based on different conditions. With it, you can create a specific routine to restart your phone at a particular time on the days you choose.
The general process involves going into settings, opening the Modes and Routines section, and at the bottom of the screen, Access the "Routines" section to create a new oneFrom there you can press the “+” button to design an automation from scratch, first indicating the condition that will activate it.
As a starting condition, you can choose one “specific time” and days of the week where you want the routine to run (for example, every Monday at 4:00 AM). Once the condition is set, you will have to define what action the phone should perform when that time arrives.
In the actions section ("Then"), you can scroll through the list until you find the section related to Bixby, Samsung's assistantOne of the possibilities is to use "Bixby Voice" to launch a specific command, or the "Ask Bixby" option to dictate a custom command.
Within that action, you can enter an order of the type “Restart phone” as the main commandIf for some reason Bixby does not correctly execute the reboot when using this mode, there is the alternative of configuring a "quick command" that bundles this instruction and then having the routine fire that quick command instead of the direct command.
Once you've defined the condition (day and time) and the action (restart using Bixby), simply click "Done" and "Save". customize the name, icon, and whether you want to see a notification Once the routine is executed, the phone will follow the schedule you've set without any further intervention from you.
Scheduled reboots without root: limits and possibilities on Android
On stock Android or other custom Android versions besides Samsung's, the options for scheduling reboots without root access are much more limited. The system itself It doesn't usually offer a simple switch to say "reset every week at such and such time"And many third-party apps that promise to do this can only turn the phone off, but not turn it on, or require advanced privileges.
In the case of users who need frequent restarts to fix problems such as Calls that stop coming in and are diverted to voicemailThe most practical approach is usually to use less automatic solutions: set weekly reminders, use quick shortcuts on the home screen to restart with a single tap, or take advantage of accessibility features and voice assistants that simplify the process.
Without root access, a common app cannot completely restart the device at will because that command It requires system permissions that Android protects for security.That's why, when a manufacturer like Samsung integrates the function into its own layer, it's so valued: the restart is executed with native privileges without needing to "hack" the system.
On phones without this feature, it's a good idea to periodically check if the manufacturer has added something similar. system updates or maintenance applicationsWith the increasing importance of security and performance, it's likely that more brands will join in offering planned reboot tools in one form or another.
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As mobile phones become more complex and store more sensitive data, Combining automatic restarts for security with periodic restarts for performance becomes a very sensible strategy.Both the integrated functions by Google and Apple, which protect your data after several days of inactivity, and the specific tools from manufacturers like Samsung, which allow you to schedule weekly restarts, point in the same direction: to keep the phone more agile, more stable and above all much better protected without you having to worry about doing everything manually.
