So what do you do if you want a broadcast intent to kick off a longer-running task than the restrictions of the main run loop allow?

You have two options. The first is to put that work into a service instead and start the service in your broadcast receiver’s small window of opportunity. This is the method we recommend. A service can take as long as it needs to service a request. It can queue up multiple requests and service them in order or otherwise manage requests as it sees fit.

The second is to use the BroadcastReceiver.goAsync() method. This method returns a BroadcastReceiver.PendingResult object, which can be used to provide a result at a later time. So you could give that PendingResult to an AsyncTask to perform some longer-running work and then respond to the broadcast by calling methods on PendingResult.

There is one downside to using the goAsync method: It is less flexible. You still have to service the broadcast within 10 seconds or so, and you have fewer architectural options than you do with a service.

Of course, goAsync() has one huge advantage: You can set results for ordered broadcasts with it. If you really need that, nothing else will do. Just make sure you do not take too long.