One embodiment of the present invention provides a system including a mobile device and a content-retrieving agent for facilitating energy-efficient content retrieval. During operation, the mobile device receives a request for a piece of content from a user. In response to the request, the mobile device forwards the request to the content-retrieving agent which is configured to obtain the requested content from a remote device on behalf of the mobile device. The system allows the mobile device's receiver to be placed in an energy-saving sleep mode when the content-retrieving agent is obtaining the requested content for the mobile device and is not transmitting the content to the mobile device. The system allows the mobile device's receiver to wake up when the content-retrieving agent is transmitting the content to the mobile device. The mobile device receives the content from the content-retrieving agent.