This species is found in lowland primary and secondary tropical moist forest, plantations, and subsistence gardens (Bonaccorso 1998). It normally roosts in small groups, or as solitary individuals, in foliage. It has been recorded roosting in coconut plantations, and there are some records of animals roosting in caves including a maternity colony (Bonaccorso 1998, Flannery 1995). It forages in the canopy for fruit and flowers. Females give birth to a single young and at least in New Britain, birth peaks may occur in January and July (Bonaccorso 1998).

The Bismarck Bare-backed Fruit Bat is restricted to the Bismarck Archipelago of Papua New Guinea. It has been recorded from the islands of Duke of York, Dyaul, Mioko, New Britain, New Ireland, Ulu, Umboi (and nearby small islands), and the New Hanover Islands (Flannery 1995, Bonaccorso 1998). It is found from sea level to 300 m asl.

It is not known if the species is present in any protected areas, and even if it is, the level of protection this affords the species is unclear. For example, the majority of the protected areas within the species range were either logged or converted to subsistence gardens or plantations between 1972 and 2002 (derived from supplementary information in Shearman and Bryan 2011).