Android - onCreate() called despite using SingleTop launch mode -

i have 2 activities in application.

the second activity in application prompts notification icon presented in notification bar.

the intent first activity second uses flag_activity_singletop , flag_activity_clear_top flags in intent. same goes intent used in pendingintent notification.

my aim second activity single activity , created once, when user leaves via home button , goes activity via notification, instance running comes , oncreate not called.

this approach works on devices, testing on 1 device in particular (a sony xperia device - 4.0.4) has shown doesn't work in cases.

on sony xperia oncreate of second activity called when entered user, notification.

i have tried using singletop in manifest without success. bug in device or doing wrong? perhaps missing flag need or along lines?

if wants more specific code or information please let me know , post it.

first of all, please note android kill activity when app backgrounded. there no guarantee activity stay alive while app backgrounded. in case, in projects end using singleinstance launch mode activities 1 instance should running @ same time.

just try update androidmanifest singleinstance launch mode activity:

<activity         android:name="com.your.package.youractivity"         android:launchmode="singleinstance"/>