Fix Google Sleep API Intermittent Data Loss on Android

The Google Sleep API intermittently stops delivering classification and segment data on Android devices after initial days due to a combination of factors including Google Play Services updates, OEM power management policies, service lifecycle issues, and potential bugs in the API implementation. This is a widely reported issue across multiple device manufacturers, with users experiencing complete data cessation after 1-3 days despite maintaining proper permissions and foreground execution.

Contents

• Common Causes of API Interruption
• Manufacturer-Specific Issues
• Best Practices for Continuous Data Collection
• Troubleshooting Solutions
• Alternative Approaches

Common Causes of API Interruption

Several factors contribute to the intermittent behavior of the Google Sleep API:

Google Play Services Updates
As reported by developers, “After the google play service is updated, the sleep API cannot receive sleep events and cannot obtain data” source. These updates can introduce breaking changes or temporary bugs that disrupt the sleep tracking functionality without warning.

Service Lifecycle Management
The Sleep API relies on background services that can be terminated by Android’s system for various reasons. The Sleep as Android team has noted that “aggressive OEM power management services kept killing their app’s sleep tracking services,” which is a common issue across different manufacturers.

Permission and Registration State
The API requires proper registration and permission handling. Google’s documentation states that prior to registering for updates, you must check that the user has granted the ACTIVITY_RECOGNITION permission and call requestSleepSegmentUpdates() to receive sleep behavior updates. Any interruption in this registration can cause data to stop flowing.

Manufacturer-Specific Issues

Different Android manufacturers implement aggressive power management policies that can interfere with Sleep API operation:

Samsung Devices
Samsung’s built-in optimization features often terminate background services to conserve battery. This can cause the Sleep API’s continuous monitoring to stop unexpectedly, requiring manual intervention or resubscription.

Xiaomi Devices
Xiaomi’s MIUI system is particularly aggressive with background service termination, often requiring the app to be added to a protected list or having auto-start permissions enabled to maintain consistent Sleep API operation.

Google Pixel Devices
Even on stock Android, users report intermittent issues, though these are typically related to Google Play Services updates rather than manufacturer-specific optimizations.

The variability in behavior across manufacturers stems from different implementations of Android’s background execution limits and battery optimization policies. As noted in the Sleep as Android forum, this creates a challenging environment for maintaining consistent sleep tracking.

Best Practices for Continuous Data Collection

To maintain reliable Sleep API operation across different Android devices:

Implement Robust Registration Management

• Monitor Google Play Services status and re-register when updates occur
• Use PendingIntent with appropriate flags to ensure service persistence
• Implement a background service that periodically checks API registration status

val intent = Intent(context, SleepReceiver::class.java)
val flags = if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= Build.VERSION_CODES.S) {
    PendingIntent.FLAG_IMMUTABLE or PendingIntent.FLAG_UPDATE_CURRENT
} else {
    PendingIntent.FLAG_UPDATE_CURRENT
}
return PendingIntent.getBroadcast(context, 0, intent, flags)

Handle Data Retrieval Alternatives
When the primary Sleep API stops working, as recommended by developers, you can “send a session request that will read the dataType.TYPE_ACTIVITY_SEGMENT or used the Users.sessions methods to correctly record fitness data the sleep activities.”

Implement Manufacturer-Specific Optimizations

• Samsung: Add your app to the optimized list and disable battery optimization
• Xiaomi: Enable auto-start and add to protected apps
• Xiaomi: Use the manufacturer’s power management APIs to whitelist your services

Comprehensive Error Handling

• Implement exponential backoff for API re-registration attempts
• Log API state changes and permission status for debugging
• Create fallback mechanisms when primary API fails

Troubleshooting Solutions

When the Sleep API stops delivering data:

Immediate Workarounds
The temporary workaround you’ve identified—resubscribing to the Sleep API—is indeed the most common solution. This typically involves:

1. Unregistering from sleep updates
2. Verifying all permissions are still granted
3. Re-registering with requestSleepSegmentUpdates()

Persistent Configuration Issues
According to user reports in the Sleep as Android forums, issues can persist even with proper permissions. In such cases, try:

• Clearing Google Play Services cache
• Disabling and re-enabling Health Connect permissions
• Checking if the app has been affected by recent system updates

Diagnostic Logging
Implement comprehensive logging to track:

• API registration success/failure events
• Permission status changes
• Google Play Services version updates
• OEM power management triggers

Alternative Approaches

For applications requiring highly reliable sleep tracking:

Hybrid Tracking Solutions
Combine Google Sleep API with device sensors for redundancy. As noted in Reddit discussions, some developers use “device sensors and an artificial intelligence model to save power” rather than relying solely on Google Play Services.

Health Connect Integration
Consider migrating to Google’s newer Health Connect platform, which aims to provide more reliable health data synchronization across apps.

Direct Sensor Access
For critical applications, implement direct sensor access as a fallback, though this requires additional permissions and may consume more battery.

The intermittent nature of the Google Sleep API remains a significant challenge for Android developers, requiring careful implementation of multiple fallback strategies and continuous monitoring to maintain consistent sleep data collection across different device manufacturers and Android versions.

Sources

1. Google Sleep API - Official Documentation
2. Android Sleep API - Stack Overflow Issue
3. Google Fit Sleep Data Integration - Sleep as Android
4. Google Fit API Sleep Data Retrieval - Stack Overflow
5. Deprecated Android Sleep API Codelab
6. Google Blocking Sleep as Android - Forum Discussion
7. Sleep Tracking Not Working Properly - Google Groups
8. Android Sleep API Tutorial - Kodeco

Conclusion

The Google Sleep API’s intermittent data delivery issues stem from multiple factors including Google Play Services updates, OEM power management policies, and service lifecycle management. To maintain reliable operation across different Android manufacturers:

1. Implement robust registration management with automatic re-registration after Play Services updates
2. Create manufacturer-specific optimizations for Samsung, Xiaomi, and other popular brands
3. Develop fallback mechanisms using alternative data retrieval methods
4. Implement comprehensive error handling and diagnostic logging
5. Consider hybrid tracking approaches that combine Google’s API with device sensors

While resubscribing remains the most common temporary workaround, building a resilient system that anticipates and handles these intermittent failures is essential for applications requiring continuous sleep data collection. The Android ecosystem’s fragmentation and varying power management policies make this challenging but not impossible to achieve with proper implementation.