Android Smartphones with Accelerometers Which Work with the Screen Off
Submitted by John on Mon, 25/06/2012 - 16:41
Do you find that activity monitoring applications like pedometers don't work (receive events / count steps) when your phone screen is switched off? It's not a bug in Android itself but rather a choice or bug of the hardware manufacturer. Some phones work, some phones don't. If you're looking to buy a new phone and you need the accelerometer to work in standby mode (with screen off), this guide might help you. It's a list of information I collected about the issue on the internet. In each case I've listed the source - where I got the information so you can look it up yourself. When the Android version was mentioned, I've included it in brackets. If you'd like me to add something just drop a note in the comments.
Android Phones, Tablets and Watches which Receive Accelerometer Events in Standby (with the Screen Off)
AKA Devices which Work
- Acer Iconia A500 - comment from George below
- Acer Liquid MT - comment from Rendón below
- Asus EEE Pad Transformer (v4.0) - own testing
- Google (LG) Nexus 4 - Comments below from DesmoDavid, H31vry5, Mobo, Michael and Fernando. Bjørn Ivar Knudsen commented that it doesn't work, but he seems outnumbered.
- Google (LG) Nexus 5 - Comment below from Romain Guidoux.
- Google Nexus 7 - Comment below from Michael
- HTC Droid Incredible 2 (v2.2.1) - http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=11028#c52
- HTC Sensation (v4.0) - Stack Overflow
- HTC Sensation 4G (v2.3.3) - http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=11028#c51
- Lenovo A2010 - comment from ladipro
- Lenovo A60 (sort of) - comment from ravemir below
- Lenovo A820 (MTK chipset) - comment from Llondru below. But another comment from Mark claims that it doesn't work.
- Lenovo S820 - comment from aanz below.
- LG Optimus 3D (P920) - comment from Arthur
- LG Revolution (v2.2.2) - http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=11028#c52
- Motorola Cliq (v1.5) - http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=3708#c13 and (v2.2.2) http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=11028#c51
- Motorola Droid 3 (v2.3.4) - http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=11028#c52
- Motorola Droid Pro (v2.2.1) - http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=11028#c52
- Nexus One (v2.2) - http://stackoverflow.com/questions/2143102/accelerometer-stops-deliverin...
- Samsung Captivate - Stack Overflow
- Samsung Charge (v2.2.1) - http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=11028#c52
- Samsung Exhibit 4G (v2.3.3) - http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=11028#c51
- Samsung Galaxy Express (v4.2.2) - comment from Miguel below. However, arie aardvarken comments that only the Express 2 works, not the version 1.
- Samsung Galaxy Nexus (v4.2.1 and 4.3) - Comment from Fernando below
- Samsung Galaxy S - (v2.2.1) http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=3708#c276 and http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=11028#c51, but see also claims that it doesn't work: http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=3708#c186 and http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=11028#c21
- Samsung Galaxy S2 Plus (cyanogenmod 11 - v4.4.2) (note that S2 is in not working list) - Comment from below Thomas K below.
- Samsung Galaxy S3 (v4.0) - own testing
- Samsung Galaxy S4 - comment from Steve below. Disputed by Ahmed Moharram who says "It is not working on Samsung S4 I9500 with KitKat. "
- Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini - comment from Roberto.
- Samsung Galaxy S5 - comment from Miranda below.
- Samsung Galaxy S5 Mini - comment from Roberto.
- Samsung Galaxy Tab (v2.2) - http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=11028#c51
- Samsung Galaxy W - comment from Roberto below.
- Samsung Galaxy XCover - comment from Arthur.
- Samsung Galaxy XCover 2 - comment from Roberto.
- Samsung Next Turbo S5570 - comment from Roberto below.
- Samsung Note 3 - comment from Nathan below.
- Samsung Sidekick (v2.2.1) - http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=11028#c51
- Sony Xperia S (v2.3.7) - own testing
- Sony Xperia X10 (v2.1, see v2.3 below) - http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=3708#c273
- T-Mobile Comet (v2.2) - http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=11028#c51
- T-Mobile MyTouch 4G Slide (v2.3.4) - http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=11028#c51
- Verizon 4G LTE (v2.2.2) - http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=11028#c52
Android Phones, Tablets and Watches which Do not Receive Accelerometer Events in Standby (with the Screen Off)
AKA Devices which Don't Work Properly
- Alcatel Move - http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=3708#c276
- Archos 101 tablet - comment from brans below.
- Asus Fonepad 7 - comment from mhiou below.
- Asus Memo Pad 7 HD - comment from Bii.
- Fairphone 1 - comment from Christian Majenz.
- Google Nexus One (v2.1) - http://stackoverflow.com/questions/2143102/accelerometer-stops-deliverin... and http://groups.google.com/group/android-developers/browse_thread/thread/8... (no version specified)
- Google Nexus 6 - comment from Paul Mohr
- HTC Aria (v2.1) - http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=3708#c178
- HTC Desire (v2.2) - http://stackoverflow.com/questions/6323757/how-to-keep-my-accelerometer-... and http://groups.google.com/group/android-developers/browse_thread/thread/8... and http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=3708#c284 and many more.
- HTC Desire HD - http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=11028#c25
- HTC Desire S - comment from raduz&co below
- HTC Desire Z - http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=3708#c247
- HTC Droid Eris (v2.1) - http://stackoverflow.com/questions/2143102/accelerometer-stops-deliverin...
- HTC Droid Incredible - http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=3708#c136
- HTC Evo - http://stackoverflow.com/questions/2143102/accelerometer-stops-deliverin...
- HTC Evo 4G (v2.2) - http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=11028#c8 and http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=3708#c282
- HTC G1 - http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=3708. Apparently it worked once, see http://groups.google.com/group/android-developers/browse_thread/thread/8...
- HTC Hero - http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=3708#c199 and lots more
- HTC Incredible - http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=3708#c251
- HTC Legend (v2.2) - http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=3708#c275 and http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=3708#c237
- HTC Magic - http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=3708. Apparently it worked once, see http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=3708#c106
- HTC One-M8 - According to arnon's comment below, "Sensors sample period on HTC One_M8 increased to more than 600msec as soon as the screen is turned off". So I guess that means that technically it works, but it is pretty useless for most applications.
- HTC One-S - comment from Amod below
- HTC Rezound - http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=11028#c70
- HTC Tattoo - http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=3708#c60
- HTC Thunderbolt (v2.2.1) - http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=11028#c52
- Huawei Ascend g300 - Comment from E-Mud below
- Huawei Sonc U8650 (v2.3.3) - http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=11028#c64
- Lenovo a3000 Ideatab - comment from raduz&co below.
- Lenovo a369i - comment from Thanh Cong below.
- Lenovo s820 - comment from aanz below.
- Lenovo K900 - comment from Nathan below.
- LG G100 Smartwatch - comment from chris.
- LG Optimus 2X (v2.3.4) - http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=11028#c65
- LG Optimus Chic E720 (v2.2) - http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=11028#c45
- LG Optimus L5 II (aka LG-E460) (v4.1.2) - anonymous comment.
- LG Optimus S - anonymous comment below
- LG Optimus T (v2.2) - http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=11028#c51
- LG P970 - comment from brans below.
- LG P990 - Stack Overflow
- LG Phoenix - http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=11028#c55
- Mediasonic MTP-710 - comment from bent below.
- Motorola Atrix 4G (v2.3.4) - http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=11028#c69
- Motorola Atrix MB860 (v2.2.2) - http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=3708#c286
- Motorola Droid (v2.0.1) - http://stackoverflow.com/questions/2143102/accelerometer-stops-deliverin...
- Motorola Droid X2 (v2.3.3) - http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=3708#c274
- Motorola Milestone (v2.1) - http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=11028#c7
- Motorola Photon 4G MB855 a.k.a. "ELECTRIFY" - Anonymous comment below
- Motorola Razr Maxx (xt910) - comment from Mehdi below
- Motorola Razri - comment from Destal below
- Samsung Galaxy Ace (GT-S5830) - comment from Chuong
- Samsung Galaxy Ace 2 (v2.3.6) - own testing
- Samsung Galaxy Ace 3 - comment from Miranda below
- Samsung Galaxy Mini (v2.3) - own testing
- Samsung Galaxy Note - Comment below from ish
- Samsung Galaxy Note 2 - Comment below from Reese. But Tino comments "Galaxy note 2 work with ditto note 3 rom with android 4.4.2. Today, with liquidsmooth and android 4.4.4 not work."
- Samsung Galaxy S Duos - Comment below from Sohhla
- Samsung Galaxy S2 (cyanogenmod 11 - v4.4.2) (note that S2 plus is in working list) - Comment from below Thomas K below.
- Samsung Galaxy Xcover 2 - Comment from Anton Moberg below
- Samsung Moment http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=3708#c56
- Sharp IS01 - http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=3708#c183
- Sharp Lynx - http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=3708#c183
- Sony Xperia X10 (v2.3, see v2.1 above) - http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=3708#c273
- T-Mobile 2X (v2.3.3) - http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=11028#c51
- T-Mobile G-Slate (v3.0.1) - http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=11028#c51
- T-Mobile G1 - http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=11028#c7
- T-Mobile MyTouch 3G Slide - http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=3708#c196
- ZTE Z667T (aka Zinger) - comment from ladipro
Comments
Appreciate this list
Many thanks for this list. Very useful information for me!Thanks.
You can add to the non
You can add to the non-working list alsoMotorola Photon 4G MB855
Motorola Photon
Thanks, added!
Models that not recive
LG P970Archos tab 101
Models that not receive
Thanks, added
Not working SGS 3
On samsung galaxy S3 to screen off, is now working or something error . can u fix it ?
Go S3!
Galaxy S3 works, baby!
Change on rate of sensor events
I've found that the rate at which sensor events are delivered decreases when screen is off. I'm using a GAME profile and I need that the rate remains the same even with the screen is turn off. Do you know if something can be done to avoid it or it is a manufacturer decision so none can be done. Thanks!!
Acer Iconia A500
It works on Acer Iconia A500 when you tilt it at the long side
Acer Iconia A500
Thanks, added
Acer Liquid MT
Works fine in this device: Smartphone Acer Liquid MT
Thanks, added.
Thanks, added.
note 2
Galaxy note 2 doesnt work
Galaxy note 2
Thanks, added
galaxy note 2
Galaxy note 2 work with ditto note 3 rom with android 4.4.2. Today, with liquidsmooth and android 4.4.4 not work.
No work
Tried this on my Asus Infinity TF700 and will not turn it off at all.Please fix. I would like to use this very much! Thanks!
Note 2..... x_x
Why doesn't Note 2 work??? :'(In fact, it's even better than S3.
Note2
Have been using Gravity screen off for over a month. It works well except the turn on by motion feature.
Misleading info?
I had the following results with an HTC EVO 3D: the accelerometer shuts down when the screen is locked, but then I could re-enable it. So end result is that the accelerometer can be made running while the screen is locked.I suspect many of the phones in the "doesn't work" list behave the same way.
Misleading info?
Maybe. This rings a bell - I think I read posts by people who had tried these things but from what I recall it didn't work or wasn't a satisfactory solution. But to be completely honest I don't remember / am not sure. Worth checking out.
Lenovo A60 kind of works
My phone does record accelerometer values with the screen off, but the problem is the rate at which it does slows down considerably: from 50Hz down to 2Hz. This makes using the sensors quite impractical, for me, but it also means that there is a middle ground regarding manufacturers shutting off sensors.
add to non-working list
Mediasonic MTP-710 . I can't get your app or any other auto on app to work so I assume that sensor does not work when screen is off. Tks. . . .
I don't have an app so I'm
I don't have an app so I'm not sure what you're referring to. Nevertheless I got the message and have added this Mediasonic tab to the non-working list, thanks!
Nexus 4
Does anyone know if the Nexus 4 works?
nexus 4 doesnt work.
doesnt work!
Samsung Galaxy S Duos doesn't work
Same problem: if I turn the screen off, the accelerometer stops updating. The device I tested on was bought in Brazil (variant S7562L), but I don't think this problem would be exclusive to just some variants of a device.
Nexus 4
Still working in my Nexus 4 polish rev. 11
Nexus 4 works
I just started learning android programming, but after testing out a slightly edited version of the app below, I found that my nexus 4 works... https://code.google.com/p/pedometer/ If you go into the onPasue method in Pedometer.java and comment out the if else statements, it seems to poll fine. I honestly dont know what I am doing so if someone can figure out and tell everyone whats happening it would be great....
Nexus 4 works
I can't confirm that the Nexus 4 wasn't working. Actually it seems to work quite well :)
Samsung Galaxy Note doesn't
Samsung Galaxy Note doesn't work.
It did not work on my Razar
It did not work on my Razar MAXX
Nexus 7 2012 works
Nexus 7 2012 works
What about the asus fonepad??
Does this screen of work on the asus fonepad??
"Keep Screen On" app
Try using this app on phones where step counting stops when in standby mode. Seems to work well for me on Galaxy Ace 2.
Thanks for publishing list - very helpful.
Samsung Galaxy Nexus
Actually working on Galaxy Nexus with stock 4.3. Also working on the previous 4.2.1 stock rom. Both, the field magnetic sensor and accelerometer sends events while the screen is off.
Lenovo A820 works
Hi, Lenovo A820 (MTK chipset) working perfectly ;)
No it does not work.
No, it does not work.
galaxy ace 2
I think my earlier comment has been misinterpreted. The Galaxy Ace 2 does NOT work in standby mode by itself. It should not therefore appear in the "phones which work" section nor in the disputed section. However, by using the "Keep Screen On" app, it will continue to register movement and therefore a pedometer app will work successfully. This comment should be appropriate for any of the phones in the "do not work" section but which have an accelerometer.
Ace 2 fixed
Ahh I see, thanks for clarifying that. I didn't realise you were referring to the keep screen on app. I've fixed up the list.
Not work at lenovo s820
Not work at lenovo s820
Lenovo A369i does not work
It not work with my Lenovo A369i
HTC One-S testing result
Hi - I could not get the accelerometer data when the screen was off on my HTC OneS. Acquiring partial wake lock in the service that is acquiring the sensor data got the sensors to provide the data. PowerManager pm = (PowerManager) getSystemService(Context.POWER_SERVICE); mWakeLock = pm.newWakeLock(PowerManager.PARTIAL_WAKE_LOCK, "My Tag"); mWakeLock.acquire(); Make sure to remove the lock in onDestroy() life cycle method: mWakeLock.release(); If you can add this to your list, it will help others.
ASUS Fonepad 7 dont count
ASUS Fonepad 7 dont count steps with pedometer and screen off. screen has to be forced to be onFirmware 54.34 , Android v3.2.4-20131016
additional phones to add
Great list, I came across your thread on StackOverflow while trying to debug this issue, saved me some time verifying my diagnosis, thanks! In my testing, Lenovo K900 does *NOT* work (no accel events with screen off, even with PARTIAL_WAKE_LOCK acquired...) and the Samsung Note3 DOES work (events come in as expected when the screen is off). Thanks!
K900 / Note3
Thanks, added!
S4 Works
Just to say the S4 works :)
Does NOT work in S4 I9500
It is not working on Samsung S4 I9500 with KitKat.
Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini
Hi JohnIf you could let me know please for the Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini pleaseWe use an App that need the acceloromoter to work in standy mode all the time ThanksGeorge
Samsung Galaxy Express 2 (SM-G3815)
Work. Count steps with pedometer "Accupedo" and screen off, with stock 4.2.2
motorola d1 razr xt918
motorola d1 razr xt918 does work when screen is off BUT the sampling its like 2HZ
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