How to start a Service at Boot Time in Android App using Kotlin?

This example demonstrates how to start a Service at Boot Time in an Android App using Kotlin.

Step 1 − Create a new project in Android Studio, go to File? New Project and fill all required details to create a new project.

Step 2 − Add the following code to res/layout/activity_main.xml.

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<RelativeLayout xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
   xmlns:tools="http://schemas.android.com/tools"
   android:layout_width="match_parent"
   android:layout_height="match_parent"
   android:padding="4dp"
   tools:context=".MainActivity">
   <TextView
      android:layout_width="wrap_content"
      android:layout_height="wrap_content"
      android:layout_centerHorizontal="true"
      android:layout_marginTop="50dp"
      android:text="Tutorials Point"
      android:textAlignment="center"
      android:textColor="@android:color/holo_green_dark"
      android:textSize="32sp"
      android:textStyle="bold" />
   <TextView
      android:layout_width="wrap_content"
      android:layout_height="wrap_content"
      android:layout_centerInParent="true"
      android:text="Hello World"
      android:textColor="@android:color/background_dark"
      android:textSize="24sp"
      android:textStyle="bold" />
</RelativeLayout>

Step 3 − Create a new kotlin class and add the following code in RunServiceOnBoot.kt

import android.app.Service
import android.content.Intent
import android.os.Handler
import android.os.IBinder
import android.util.Log
import android.widget.Toast
class RunServiceOnBoot : Service() {
   private val TAG = "MyService"
   private lateinit var handler: Handler
   private lateinit var runnable: Runnable
   private val runTime = 5000
   override fun onCreate() {
      super.onCreate()
      Toast.makeText(this, "Service Started", Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show()
      Log.i(TAG, "onCreate")
      handler = Handler()
      runnable = Runnable { handler.postDelayed(runnable, runTime.toLong()) }
      handler.post(runnable)
   }
   override fun onBind(intent: Intent?): IBinder? {
      return null
   }
   override fun onDestroy() {
      handler.removeCallbacks(runnable)
      super.onDestroy()
   }
   override fun onStartCommand(intent: Intent?, flags: Int, startId: Int): Int {
      return START_STICKY
   }
   override fun onStart(intent: Intent?, startId: Int) {
      super.onStart(intent, startId)
      Log.i(TAG, "onStart")
   }
}

Step 4 − Create a new kotlin class and add the following code in StartAppOnBoot.kt

import android.content.BroadcastReceiver
import android.content.Context
import android.content.Intent
class StartAppOnBoot : BroadcastReceiver() {
   override fun onReceive(context: Context?, intent: Intent?) {
      if (Intent.ACTION_BOOT_COMPLETED == intent!!.action) {
         val i = Intent(context, MainActivity::class.java)
         i.addFlags(Intent.FLAG_ACTIVITY_NEW_TASK)
         context!!.startActivity(i)
      }
   }
}

Step 5 − Add the following code to src/MainActivity.kt

import android.content.Intent
import android.os.Bundle
import androidx.appcompat.app.AppCompatActivity
class MainActivity : AppCompatActivity() {
   override fun onCreate(savedInstanceState: Bundle?) {
      super.onCreate(savedInstanceState)
      setContentView(R.layout.activity_main)
      val intent1 = Intent(this@MainActivity, RunServiceOnBoot::class.java)
      startService(intent1)
   }
}

Step 6 − Add the following code to androidManifest.xml

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<manifest xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android" package="app.com.q9">
   <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.RECEIVE_BOOT_COMPLETED" />
   <application
      android:allowBackup="true"
      android:icon="@mipmap/ic_launcher"
      android:label="@string/app_name"
      android:roundIcon="@mipmap/ic_launcher_round"
      android:supportsRtl="true"
      android:theme="@style/AppTheme">
      <activity android:name=".MainActivity">
         <intent-filter>
            <action android:name="android.intent.action.MAIN" />
            <category android:name="android.intent.category.LAUNCHER" />
         </intent-filter>
      </activity>
         <receiver android:name=".StartAppOnBoot">
            <intent-filter>
               <action android:name="android.intent.action.BOOT_COMPLETED" />
               <action android:name="android.intent.action.QUICKBOOT_POWERON" />
            </intent-filter>
         </receiver>
      <service android:name=".RunServiceOnBoot" />
   </application>
</manifest>

Let's try to run your application. I assume you have connected your actual Android Mobile device with your computer. To run the app from android studio, open one of your project's activity files and click the Run icon from the toolbar. Select your mobile device as an option and then check your mobile device which will display your default screen

Note: Try this in your own device for the best result.