Hello folks,
I just randomly checked the memory usage on my Android device and now, I have one question:
Why do some background processes use incredibly much RAM?
For example there are the Facebook app and the Messenger app, together using about 30MB of memory while actually doing nothing. Same for VLC: According to Android Settings there are 7MB used by VLC, while it does nothing. And VLC doesn't even has to check for any new messages.
Btw. MPC-HC on my computer uses 5MB of RAM when not playing any video.
Then again, there is one question left:
The memory values above are read from Android Settings -> Apps -> Active. When using the app "Memory Usage" the values are significantly higher: Facebook app uses 50MB, Facebook Messenger 40MB. VLC seems to use 21MB.
Now, I have two questions:
1. Why are the values in Settings / Memory Usage different?
2 and more important: Why do Apps on Android consume that much memory when actually not doing anything?
Thanks in advance for information,
Wolle
Related
Just curious why the free RAM shown in the task manager doesn't line up with the free RAM shown in Manage Applications/Running? For example right now in Manage Apps it shows I have 598MB free however task manager shows 261MB free. Obviously a huge difference between the two.
Settings -> Applications -> Manage applications -> Running shows you actual free RAM plus the amount of RAM that can be recovered from closing cached/inactive apps.
Task Manager (and third-party system info/task manager apps) will generally only show only how much actual free RAM remains.
While it's true that inactive/cached apps are pre-loaded in RAM (similar to how Windows does with Superfetch), those apps aren't actually running and can be purged at any time when the system needs RAM for running processes and services. Therefore, the amount of RAM these cached apps are consuming should be considered free, and that's why you see it under Manage Applications.
Thanks for the quick reply! Yeah, I get how Android handles the memory I just didn't couldn't figure out why it was being displayed differently in those places. I appreciate the info.
psouza4 said:
Settings -> Applications -> Manage applications -> Running shows you actual free RAM plus the amount of RAM that can be recovered from closing cached/inactive apps.
Task Manager (and third-party system info/task manager apps) will generally only show only how much actual free RAM remains.
While it's true that inactive/cached apps are pre-loaded in RAM (similar to how Windows does with Superfetch), those apps aren't actually running and can be purged at any time when the system needs RAM for running processes and services. Therefore, the amount of RAM these cached apps are consuming should be considered free, and that's why you see it under Manage Applications.
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Couldn't have said it better!
Glad to help.
I've read many threads on the forum with conflicting views on Cache/RAM management. Generally, I use my phone (X10MP) only for SMS, calls and some very light web surfing (if I can find a hotspot).
Currently my RAM hovers somewhere between 60-80 MB used and 70-90 MB free.
I don't know the exact about of RAM I have though.
Just want to get some opinions if there is a need for me to clear the cache in the RAM. There are many applications that are cached in the RAM which I do not use very often. These range from things such as Media, Google Playstore and a few other things.
Is it possible to prevent these applications from being cached in the RAM? Especially since I do not use them often. I'm aware of apps that can kill such cached apps but the reviews for these management apps are kind of mixed.
Secondly, I'm just trying to fish for some suggestions on QR Code reader. Anyone have good recommendations? The ones on the Market have much mixed reviews so I just wanted to get a second opinion.
Any other applications that are beneficial/essential to help the X10MP run smoothly while not sacrificing battery life?
I'm currently using nAa kernel with MiniCM7 2.20 flashed.
Browser -> Dolphin HD
Gallery -> QuickPic
File Explorer -> Root Explorer (I can't seem to attach files via email using this though.)
Thank you =)
Hi all, I own xperia Neo V. Rooted recently. I found that a few apps like Hill climb racing, Zedge, Youtube Latitude etc.. are constantly loading as widgets or under other category into my RAM. I installed android assistant to see the list of processes in memory and found that these apps are loading constantly. RAM gets equipped quite soon and system performance gets degaraded. I also installed Next Launcher 3D. Would it be any cause for this? I also tried a few task killer apps especially from one of the XDA developers (Boost my Xperia) it is excellent, frees up memory by removing unncessary apps, but after a few minuts, RAM gets laoded by leaving only 35-40MB of free space.
Would anyone please suggest/guide me in managing memory efficiently?
varunit said:
Hi all, I own xperia Neo V. Rooted recently. I found that a few apps like Hill climb racing, Zedge, Youtube Latitude etc.. are constantly loading as widgets or under other category into my RAM. I installed android assistant to see the list of processes in memory and found that these apps are loading constantly. RAM gets equipped quite soon and system performance gets degaraded. I also installed Next Launcher 3D. Would it be any cause for this? I also tried a few task killer apps especially from one of the XDA developers (Boost my Xperia) it is excellent, frees up memory by removing unncessary apps, but after a few minuts, RAM gets laoded by leaving only 35-40MB of free space.
Would anyone please suggest/guide me in managing memory efficiently?
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Click to collapse
Killing task won't help, since Android must restart all killed (sticky) tasks. Using ICS or later, you can disable many of them at the same place you usually uninstall them -- or uninstall them (mutual exclusive options). Also, don't look at "free memory". Memory is not supposed to be "free". Free memory is wasted memory, and Linux always try to use all memory in the most appropriate way. If fewer apps, more space goes to buffers, caches etc, always resulting about the same amount of free memory in the end.
If you are rooted.. try the greenify app.. which will put the background apps in hibernate mod if they are idle for sometime.. this will save your ram and battery..
presents aioyss
amith007 said:
If you are rooted.. try the greenify app.. which will put the background apps in hibernate mod if they are idle for sometime.. this will save your ram and battery..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, will give it a shot.
Yeah. I was gonna suggest greenify too.
Next launcher takes a lot of RAM, around 80 MB. Try some other light weight launchers.
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LIFE!
IT'S WHAT YOU MAKE OUT OF IT!
How do I free up RAM for my Samsung Note II LTE GT-N7105 on stock Android 4.3, rooted?
I am an Android retarded user looking for a patient teacher who will walk me through the Android RAM mysteries and answer a few question and, in exchnage, I can teach about the secret world of Traditional Neapolitan coffee infusion: home roasting, grinding, preparation and... savouring or, alternatively, Home Theatre! Your pick!
Smiles!
On average, at startup,
- Clean Master shows:
> 50% RAM
> 70% Device Storage
> 20% SDcard External Storage.
- Titanium Back shows:
> 500MB free RAM (of 2.11GB)
> 4GB free Internal+Media (of 10.9GB)
> 50GB free ExtSDcard (of 63.8GB)
Starting with these numbers, the device freezes after a bit of usage of the Swipe (Nuance) App. But I recently played with a 78 year old banker's GT-N7105, which was 20 times faster than mine, while running the same Swipe keyboard App: "My nephew geeks around a forum called xda-developers!"
1. In general, what's the relationship between installed Apps and RAM usage? Sometimes when I kill an app it frees up a bit of RAM, sometimes a lot and sometimes nothing at all.
2. Do installed (but not opened) Apps take up RAM space just by sitting in my Apps drawer? Should I uninstall all the Apps which I downloaded because "one day I might need it" and never used them or are they harmless (RAM wise) if I don't open them?
3. Do Apps which have been launched and now sit in the background take up RAM (as in Windows)?
4. Is there any difference between "fereezing" and "un-installing" an app as far as device operation speed is concerned?
5. Do I need to make sure that Apps don't start up if I don't need them (Google Play Services, Google Play Store, Goggle Translation, YouTube, Video Player, S Voice, Picasa Uploader, Nearby Service, Nearby Devices, SNS)?
6. If they eat up RAM, how do I make sure that they don't self start? Android Assistant App?
7. If background open Apps eat up RAM, is there a way to kill them automatically once I open a new one without loosing the cahced data which i might be using?
Thanks in advance for your time and expertise.
ascanio1 said:
How do I free up RAM for my Samsung Note II LTE GT-N7105 on stock Android 4.3, rooted?
I am an Android retarded user looking for a patient teacher who will walk me through the Android RAM mysteries and answer a few question and, in exchnage, I can teach about the secret world of Traditional Neapolitan coffee infusion: home roasting, grinding, preparation and... savouring or, alternatively, Home Theatre! Your pick!
Smiles!
On average, at startup,
- Clean Master shows:
> 50% RAM
> 70% Device Storage
> 20% SDcard External Storage.
- Titanium Back shows:
> 500MB free RAM (of 2.11GB)
> 4GB free Internal+Media (of 10.9GB)
> 50GB free ExtSDcard (of 63.8GB)
Starting with these numbers, the device freezes after a bit of usage of the Swipe (Nuance) App. But I recently played with a 78 year old banker's GT-N7105, which was 20 times faster than mine, while running the same Swipe keyboard App: "My nephew geeks around a forum called xda-developers!"
1. In general, what's the relationship between installed Apps and RAM usage? Sometimes when I kill an app it frees up a bit of RAM, sometimes a lot and sometimes nothing at all.
2. Do installed (but not opened) Apps take up RAM space just by sitting in my Apps drawer? Should I uninstall all the Apps which I downloaded because "one day I might need it" and never used them or are they harmless (RAM wise) if I don't open them?
3. Do Apps which have been launched and now sit in the background take up RAM (as in Windows)?
4. Is there any difference between "fereezing" and "un-installing" an app as far as device operation speed is concerned?
5. Do I need to make sure that Apps don't start up if I don't need them (Google Play Services, Google Play Store, Goggle Translation, YouTube, Video Player, S Voice, Picasa Uploader, Nearby Service, Nearby Devices, SNS)?
6. If they eat up RAM, how do I make sure that they don't self start? Android Assistant App?
7. If background open Apps eat up RAM, is there a way to kill them automatically once I open a new one without loosing the cahced data which i might be using?
Thanks in advance for your time and expertise.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ugggg I hate this app lately! Just spent ten minuets answering all your points fully and it gave me stupid permission error! Even wrote a nice analogy about ram and libraries...forgive me if I'm brief now
Sum it up
Poorly made apps or ones that need to stay in the background to operate fully or spy on you stay in ram, many don't, dump bad and seldom used apps, stay away from task killers, if you need one use watchdog, see what's actually using cpu, better battery stats or cpu spy can help too. Freezing is fine, v6supercharger can help you, setting background process limit in developer settings can help
You have a nice snappy phone, get rid of junk and use nice roms and you'll have no issues
Secret world of traditional neapolitan coffee infusion sounds intriguing
Sent from my SGH-T699 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
i would suggest installing and using greenify, since u already rooted.
post #3 of that thread is worth reading, probably will answer most, if not all of your question regarding android ram usage
@an0nym0us_
Cool advice, thanks! I installed and I will try it now.
@an0nym0us_
Cool advice, thanks! I installed and I will try it now.
@demkantor
I only got the jist of it but I didn't really understand... any chance to try again, when you have more time on your hands?
There are 3 aspects that make up coffee flavour: the beans' quality, roasting and preparation.
Beans (origin, ripeness, homogeneity, dryness) and roasting (tempreature, duration) are, for now, out of your reach. But preparation isn't.
Most infusion's preparation depends on 3 basic parameters:
- temperature
- time
- contact surface.
Threfore brewing time and temperature and the beans' grind size (and also the grinding method) will influence the coffee taste: the greater the time, temperature (up to 95°C) and surface the greater the organoleptic proprieties' transfer will occurr. Which does not necessarily mean the better taste... more on that in the next lesson.
Organoleptic properties are the aspects of food or other substances as experienced by the senses, including taste, sight, smell, and touch, in cases where dryness, moisture, and stale-fresh factors are to be considered.
I use my Z Ultra mostly for playing games, especially Summoners War. And because I'm a guild leader, I use LINE to coordinate attacks with my guildmates so I switch between the game and LINE in certain occasions. The moment I updated to Lollipop, I noticed that I can't do that totally anymore. Once I press home to minimize my game, write a message in LINE then get back to the game, it's already gone and it restarts. It also happens in Kitkat but not only when I have too many background processes running (Email app, Facebook, Messenger, etc.).
I heard there's some memory leak issue with Android 5.0, is that the case here? Is there a way to prevent my game from closing?
If you are using the stock ROM it isn't about the memory leak because Sony has fixed it, it is about Sony services and apps are very resource hungry and they are eating the RAM. You can disable some apps or services (be careful!) which you don't use and thus save some memory. There is a guide in Themes & Apps section with apps that can be disabled, you can follow it to free some RAM.
Regards
teddy74eva said:
Sony services and apps are very resource hungry and they are eating the RAM.
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Click to collapse
... which ones and how much? Because i see here >800 MB reported as free. I suspect neither the game and the messaging software do not use that much.
It's just lollipop being aggressive about killing processes whenever it feels like it>
Also, where did you hear that sony fixed the memory leak?
The memory leak issue is being discussed here.
tsiros said:
... which ones and how much? Because i see here >800 MB reported as free. I suspect neither the game and the messaging software do not use that much.
It's just lollipop being aggressive about killing processes whenever it feels like it>
Also, where did you hear that sony fixed the memory leak?
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Click to collapse
I don't know exactly which apps and how much RAM they use because I don't use stock anymore but facebook and messenger combined can use about 300 MB, not mentioning the game. That 800 MB (although I don't believe it, hard to achieve even on AOSP) is "free" only by its name. More than half of it consists of cached apps which can be closed to free more memory, but it is still being used. You can see it when you go into settings > apps > running and switch the view. And about the memory leak, it is somewhere in Cross-dev section, a thread by Iagucool I think, he had compared some smali files and Sony apparently had fixed the leak in their firmware.
Regards
neither facebook nor messenger are sony's apps.
cached memory is free memory in the sense that it is not used at the moment the system is asked about it, much like any other kind of free memory. That part of memory that is cached, as per android's own description, is available for new processes that ask for memory.
tsiros said:
neither facebook nor messenger are sony's apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks capitain obvious for pointing it out, I didn't say that they are.
cached memory is free memory in the sense that it is not used at the moment the system is asked about it, much like any other kind of free memory. That part of memory that is cached, as per android's own description, is available for new processes that ask for memory.
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Click to collapse
Erm sorry but no, cached memory is used memory but it can be freed when system is running out of the really free one, so it has an ability to be freed whenever system wants to, thus labeled as "free".
Regards
you said "sony services and apps" eat memory... i asked you which ones... and you said facebook and messenger. Neither of those are sony services or apps.
mind you, "sony services and apps" does not mean the same thing as "apps and sony services"