Android: How to start an Activity in the background?

Question

Is it possible to start an Activity in the background? I need such an Activity that can operate in the background and spawn other Activities as needed in response to user commands issued to my Home Screen widget.

Answer 1

Is it possible to start an Activity in the background?

No.

I need such an Activity that can operate in the background and spawn other Activities as needed in response to user commands issued to my Home Screen widget.

Your AppWidgetProvider can "spawn other Activities as needed in response to user commands issued to my Home Screen widget", assuming that by "user commands" you mean "clicks".