Computer-implemented methods, computer-readable media, and computer systems for managing power consumption in mobile devices are described. A mobile computer system executes a first computer application configured to receive data from a server system over a network, and a second computer application configured to periodically search for a connection to the network at a first time interval. In response to executing the second computer application, the mobile computer system determines that a strength of the connection is below a threshold strength. In response to determining that the strength of the connection is below the threshold strength, the computer system executes the first computer application to delay requesting data from the server system until the connection to the network is detected.