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Fix Microsoft Family Safety Drive Sharing Turning Off on Android
Question details
Users need a permanent fix for the Microsoft Family Safety app where the Drive Sharing feature automatically turns itself off after a few hours on Android smartphones.
- Product
- Microsoft Family Safety
- Device & OS
- Android (Google Pixel 6a, Samsung Galaxy S9+, Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra)
- Scenario
- Tracking family location and driving safety continuously using an Android smartphone.
- Observed behavior
- Drive Sharing automatically disables itself within 6 to 12 hours of setup despite having correct location, battery, and sharing permissions configured, while iOS devices function normally.
Ensure your Android operating system and the Microsoft Family Safety app are updated to their latest versions via the Google Play Store before modifying system permissions.
Configure Android Location and Battery Permissions
Adjusting background data, precise location, and battery optimization ensures the app isn't restricted by Android's aggressive power management.
Android systems often put background apps to sleep to save battery life. Granting unrestricted access prevents the system from disabling Drive Sharing.
Go to Settings > Apps > Family Safety > Permissions > Location. Select 'Allow all the time' and toggle on 'Use precise location'.
Navigate back to the Family Safety App info page, select 'Battery', and choose 'Unrestricted' to stop Android from killing the app in the background.
Tap on 'Mobile data & Wi-Fi' in the App info menu and ensure 'Background data' and 'Unrestricted data usage' are toggled on.
Clear App Cache and Re-authenticate
Clearing corrupted app data can resolve sudden feature disconnections and synchronization bugs.
Report the Defect to Microsoft Support
If the issue persists despite correct settings, it is likely an Android-specific app defect requiring Microsoft's intervention.
Manage Your Documents Efficiently on Android with WPS Office
While dealing with background app troubleshooting on Android, you might also need a reliable, lightweight tool for managing your daily documents. WPS Office is a highly compatible alternative to Microsoft Office that runs smoothly on Android devices without aggressively draining your battery.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Search for WPS Office in the Google Play Store and tap 'Install'.
- 2. Open Your Files: Launch the app to instantly open, edit, and share your existing Microsoft Office files without any formatting loss.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Family Safety Drive Sharing work seamlessly on iOS but not on Android?
Android's operating system features aggressive battery optimization and background activity restrictions that automatically terminate apps running in the background. This differs significantly from how iOS manages background location services, often leading to Android-specific connectivity drops.
Will disabling battery optimization for Family Safety drain my phone battery?
Yes, allowing an app to run with unrestricted background activity and continuous precise location access prevents Android from saving power, which may noticeably increase your device's overall battery consumption.
Is reinstalling the Family Safety app a permanent solution for Drive Sharing issues?
No. While reinstalling or clearing app data may temporarily restore the Drive Sharing feature, users frequently report the feature turning off again within 6 to 12 hours. It is recommended to report this bug directly to Microsoft for a permanent fix.
