This Android permission allows an application to automatically start after the device has completed its startup sequence. When granted, the application is notified via a broadcast intent as the system finishes booting. A practical example includes an alarm application that needs to re-establish its scheduled alarms following a device restart.
The functionality conferred by this permission is vital for applications requiring persistent background processes or time-sensitive operations initiated at boot. Historically, this capability enabled essential system services to function reliably after unexpected shutdowns. Misuse of this permission, however, can lead to increased device startup times and unnecessary resource consumption, prompting stricter controls in later Android versions.
