A method and apparatus for mission critical standby of a portable communication device are disclosed. A portable communication device may include a primary processor for a first operating platform, a secondary processor for a second operating platform and communicatively coupled to the primary processor, and a power state manager that may have a first mode and a second mode. The power state manager may be configured to determine whether the primary processor is in a powered off state and sequence supply of power to the secondary processor. The first mode may allow the primary processor to monitor a power state of the secondary processor based on a determination that the primary processor is not in the powered off state and the second mode may enable the power state manager to monitor the power state based on a determination that the primary processor is in the powered off state.