I don't think that filesystem watching is the issue. Filesystem can be watched by inotify and it does not require any wakelock. There is a different issue, though. The sync app uses network connections. Unlike Dropbox, it is probably not connected to a single server, but looks for other peers, which may require a wakelock. There are some possible ways around this issue: a) A simple but not very powerful approach: Use a slightly centralized solution that notifies (by GCM) the phone about other peers. Note that there is probably no other way on iPhone, so something similar will be probably implemented. Disadvantages: SPoF + need to have an internet connection. b ) Optimize peer connection to be push-like, if not optimized. c) I am not sure if UPnP is battery friendly, i.e. if it can run completely without a wakelock. If not, I suggest a more battery friendly mode on background that possibly turns UnPNP totaly out. Note: If neither b ) nor c) was an issue, there should be no reason for wakelock.