What is Services in Android SDK?

In Android, a Service is a component that can perform long-running operations in the background without a user interface. Services are used for tasks that need to continue running even if the user switches to another application. For example, a service can play music in the background while the user navigates through other apps.

Types of Services

  • Foreground Service: This service is noticeable to the user and shows a persistent notification. It is used for tasks that users are actively aware of and may want to interact with.
  • Background Service: This service runs in the background without user interaction and may be terminated or limited by the Android system.
  • Bound Service: This service allows components to bind to it and interact with it, providing a client-server interface for components to interact with the service.

Example of a Simple Service

public class MyService extends Service { @Override public int onStartCommand(Intent intent, int flags, int startId) { // Your logic to perform background operation return START_STICKY; } @Override public IBinder onBind(Intent intent) { // Return null because it is not a bound service return null; } @Override public void onDestroy() { super.onDestroy(); // Cleanup resources here } }

Android Service Foreground Service Background Service Bound Service Android Development