A host that is coupled to a memory device is configured to read a status register of the memory device to determine if the memory device supports host controlled enablement of automatic background operations. The memory device responds to the host regarding whether the memory device supports host controlled enablement of automatic background operations. The host can enable the automatic background operations if the memory device supports this feature. The host can then set a time period in the memory device that is indicative of when the memory device can automatically perform the background operations.