would it be at all possible to make apps stay open on their own screens.. so maybe when i see the screen previews it would allow me to switch screens and apps... similar to webos?.. hmmm...
No, that's no possible because of the way Android handles switching applications. When you switch an application, it is paused and its state saved. This is done so if the system needs to free up memory, it can kill the process, and when you select the application again, it will resume from the saved state.
If I understand you correctly you are asking for something like workspaces or virtual desktops, which does not translate well into the mobile sphere. However, you can approximate what you want by using the "Recent Apps" functionality by long-pressing the home button to switch applications. But neither should be necessary, because a properly written application is supposed to note its state and resume where you left off when you select it again. If that is not happening, it is probably due to something in the way the application was coded.
Perhaps reading the documentation on Acitivitiesand Tasks will help you understand what is happening you run an application, and why sometimes the Back button does things you don't expect it to.
When you have a program open, example is a video player. When I hit the home button does that program really fully close? Why I ask this is because I'll open up a web browser and input a web page. Before the web page even fully loads I'll hit the home button. Then even after a few minutes I'll load up that same browser and that page that didn't fully load will be there loaded up. I just want to make sure that when I close a program, it really is closed. That's all.
Hitting home does not "Close" or quit the program it rather puts it in the back round to fully quit it you must hit the recent apps button (Third on the left) and swipe the app away or get a task manager for those pesky back round apps.
Tech Faded said:
Hitting home does not "Close" or quit the program it rather puts it in the back round to fully quit it you must hit the recent apps button (Third on the left) and swipe the app away or get a task manager for those pesky back round apps.
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Click to collapse
Actually swiping apps away from recent list doesn't really close the apps. It just removes them off the recent list. Only a task manager can do that or going into settings, then apps, then force stopping it. But really,Android manages the memory very well itself. Alot of times, the way Android works, manually stopping a program will be more harm than good. Most of the time Android will just pull it back up itself therefore causing more CPU usage for that task tl bring it back. ANDROID keeps some apps semi-loaded. Ones it feels with load faster once you launch it since its already partially loaded. ANDROID is not like a PC where the processes in background will automatically slowbthings down or drain battery faster. Only certain apps that truly run in background can have that effect if too many loaded up. Whatever you do, don't use any auto memory killers or auto task managers or battery saver apps like juice defender, etc... those do more harm than good.
Unless your tablet is running with alot of lag, just try to ignore or resist the urge to keep constantly killing apps or whatever. You will see Android itself does a great job at managing it and will free up memory when actually needed. I'm still trying to do the same also resisting the urge. I just use Asus built in Task manger widget to see what's running in the background. If something clearly not needed then ill kill it. Beware though not to kill system apps or you might cause them to crash or be unstable.
A good app I came across is called BetterBatteryStats. Made by an xda member. Just type name of app in search box here in forum. That app will let you see what's truly running in the background and using up most battery or CPU processes. Has some great tips in there also in help section. IT LET me see how the Google currents app, although I wasn't using it, kept running in the background and using up processes and adding to battery drain. I would always see it pop up in my task manager although I never opened it and I have the refresh data set to long intervals. So it's basically a rouge app..lol. I uninstalled that mofo. Its a great app but runs to much in background regardless of data refresh settings and sometimes doesn't allow prime to stay in deep sleep when screen is off. Partial wakelocks, kernel wakelocks, etc...are all things you have to look over when determining what apps are causing most battery drainage or not allowing prime tl stay in deep sleep. Because they will partial wakelock n get data or whatever. It gets technical..lol learned alot from that one app. Free here in xda forums .
demandarin said:
Actually swiping apps away from recent list doesn't really close the apps. It just removes them off the recent list. Only a task manager can do that or going into settings, then apps, then force stopping it. But really,Android manages the memory very well itself. Alot of times, the way Android works, manually stopping a program will be more harm than good. Most of the time Android will just pull it back up itself therefore causing more CPU usage for that task tl bring it back. ANDROID keeps some apps semi-loaded. Ones it feels with load faster once you launch it since its already partially loaded. ANDROID is not like a PC where the processes in background will automatically slowbthings down or drain battery faster. Only certain apps that truly run in background can have that effect if too many loaded up. Whatever you do, don't use any auto memory killers or auto task managers or battery saver apps like juice defender, etc... those do more harm than good.
Unless your tablet is running with alot of lag, just try to ignore or resist the urge to keep constantly killing apps or whatever. You will see Android itself does a great job at managing it and will free up memory when actually needed. I'm still trying to do the same also resisting the urge. I just use Asus built in Task manger widget to see what's running in the background. If something clearly not needed then ill kill it. Beware though not to kill system apps or you might cause them to crash or be unstable.
A good app I came across is called BetterBatteryStats. Made by an xda member. Just type name of app in search box here in forum. That app will let you see what's truly running in the background and using up most battery or CPU processes. Has some great tips in there also in help section. IT LET me see how the Google currents app, although I wasn't using it, kept running in the background and using up processes and adding to battery drain. I would always see it pop up in my task manager although I never opened it and I have the refresh data set to long intervals. So it's basically a rouge app..lol. I uninstalled that mofo. Its a great app but runs to much in background regardless of data refresh settings and sometimes doesn't allow prime to stay in deep sleep when screen is off. Partial wakelocks, kernel wakelocks, etc...are all things you have to look over when determining what apps are causing most battery drainage or not allowing prime tl stay in deep sleep. Because they will partial wakelock n get data or whatever. It gets technical..lol learned alot from that one app. Free here in xda forums .
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Click to collapse
I was under the assumption that ICS fixed that? I suppose I was mistaken I apologize for my misunderstanding.
Demandarin, what makes you think swiping doesn't close a program? It does and its very obvious it works, just swipe then open the same program and you will see it starts over and will not be where you left off.
Try Settings > Developer Options > Don't Keep Activities. Sounds like it will fully close tasks once they are closed.
atgmartin said:
Try Settings > Developer Options > Don't Keep Activities. Sounds like it will fully close tasks once they are closed.
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This is a very bad setting to enable if you ever have to switch back and forth between two different activities (for example email & web browsing). In general you should just leave the developer options alone.
As for closing apps.. why does it matter?
Apps that are not actively running don't use CPU and therefore don't use battery. Some apps sync information in the background, such as weather apps and email and while they do this battery is being used, however you can optimize the frequency of the updating to preserve as much battery life as possible.
In general unless you have experiencing performance issues, let Android manage itself.
If you absolutely need to turn off running apps, use the Asus Task Manager widget that comes pre-loaded on your tablet. You can use the Asus Task Manager to kill individual apps or all apps with a single click.
ON ICS, the swipe does stop the task running in the background, but I've seen where it the app may begin again, but as a background activity as almightywhacko describes.
People don't understand. Apps DON'T "run" in the background. They only run when you interact with them.
Buff McBigstuff said:
People don't understand. Apps DON'T "run" in the background. They only run when you interact with them.
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Click to collapse
Well, it depends. Apps don't run in the background like they do in windows, but some apps do continue to run processes in the background like data syncing and what not. However, it the app doesn't do this stuff then it only holds its state.
Also, I have not seen swiping recent apps closing apps. I think it is just happenstance if an app is closed by swiping it off the recent apps. Looking at the logging and monitoring the app state I have seen no correlation between running/not running apps and the recent app list.
However, as other people said, manually closing apps in Android will most likely reduce your performance rather than do anything beneficial.
I always get mad at those stupid apps that pretend to be providing a service. They won't go away. even if kill them they just come back(like Kenny). The app that likes to bother me the most is Zen pinball. I really like the game but it is always popping up prompting me to enable openfeint which I had already signed up for. I press enable but it still does not go away.
UmbraeSoulsbane said:
Well, it depends. Apps don't run in the background like they do in windows, but some apps do continue to run processes in the background like data syncing and what not. However, it the app doesn't do this stuff then it only holds its state.
Also, I have not seen swiping recent apps closing apps. I think it is just happenstance if an app is closed by swiping it off the recent apps. Looking at the logging and monitoring the app state I have seen no correlation between running/not running apps and the recent app list.
However, as other people said, manually closing apps in Android will most likely reduce your performance rather than do anything beneficial.
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Click to collapse
Only if they spawn a service. As far as activities, which most people would consider to be the "app" part, those do not run in the background. It just sits until it gets killed or used.
Hi,
I'm using application called SetCPU on my Samsung Galaxy S Plus I9001
When I start it and press the home button to leave it running in background, it shows in Task Manager as active application, but sometimes it will shut itself down after few hours.
Is there a way to set applications to run always in background?
SetCPU doesn't need to constantly run unless you're using profiles, and in that case it may be triggered to run by the events you've set profiles for. If you're not using profiles, don't worry about it. The settings will stick regardless of the app's state.
If you're using profiles or just want certain apps to stay in memory, use the V6 Supercharger script with Script Manager - do a search for the thread and directions on setup. With the script you can lower the oom value of certain apps, which the script calls "bulletproofing". The script is really handy for other things as well, give it a shot.
There are apps that will lower the oom value, but I believe this is only temporary. Those apps may have improved though, so if you want to check them out first since they're probably easier to understand. If they fail to reach your expectations, try the script.
root
do you have root access? And second what plainjain said. I would add as well that in Android 2.3 even if the app didn't show in recent apps it didn't mean it wasn't lurking in the background somewhere.
Don't set that baby too high. After a fracked rom flash an Inspire 4g of mine gave me a third degree burn when I rolled over on it in my sleep.
Greenify is the most useful app yet made for Android but still so much can be done to make it better so I thought to make a thread to make Greenify better and I hope @oasisfeng would look at it.
Post your feature requests and suggestions here in this thread.
My suggestions: I think there should be an option, like a timer, after which greenify automatically greenifies apps even when the screen is on so that if I use a lot of apps continuously and then without turning the screen off once I start to watch a movie or play a game or anything on a phone, greenify should hibernate the background triggered apps automatically and save battery and provide better overall performance.
I know Tasker can do that but personally I don't like using Tasker because of its complex UI so I've set a shortcut on my phone when I double tap the menu button it triggers the hibernate now shortcut of greenify. But it would be of much help if greenify does it itself, having a timer of something between 1min-1hour to greenify apps automatically.
Also I would like the ram usage of greenify to be less, as sometimes it starts using as much as 60-70mb of ram, which is quite much. I hope you can find a way to reduce the ram usage.
If developer read this, i would like to have an option to disable startup apps.
If you have too much apps that starts in same time when you turn on your phone, you will have a slow boot..
I think that this is option that should exist in such great app..
And yes, some timer should exist also...
@oasisfeng
Hi sir. & tnx for the amazing greenfy.
As i talked with you I have some suggestions for greenfy & i want everyone to share more suggestions:
1) Add an option to put some apps in a group. Then put them in hibernation or degreenfy them with one click or widget.
Let me explain: for example i use some sound mods that keep special apps in memory. But when i dont listen to music i dont need them. So i want them to be in hibernation. But when i want to listen to music, i need to degreenfy them with one click
2) Add an option to deactivate & freeze some apps temporarily & easily in the greenfy app.
For example i dont want the google play services be in the memory all the time. I just need it when i want to use a google app. So i freeze it in the greenfy. & when i need it i defrost & activate it.
3)Add an option to force greenfy some apps instead of cut off the services one by one. Or an option to choose the services that we dont need them. & deactivate them.
4) Add an option to degreenfy some apps by a period of time & put it back in hibernation after that automatically.
For example: i use a calander app. That if i put it in hibernation the date that it shows freezes & sticks on a certain day. But if there be an option to degreenfy it daily for an hour automatically & put it back, it was great.
5) Add an option to change the cpu governer from ondemand(or balance) to power save automatically when the screen turns off. & when it turns on or we receive a call or notificstion it goes back to ondemand( or balance)
6)Add an option to not put in hibernation for some apps when they are downloading or uploading. ( i think it's not possible to determine this ) but just a suggesttion)
7) Add an gaming mode. That greenfy put all of the apps in hibernation instead of call,message, or apps that we mention.
kassaaam said:
Greenify is the most useful app yet made for Android but still so much can be done to make it better so I thought to make a thread to make Greenify better and I hope @oasisfeng would look at it.
Post your feature requests and suggestions here in this thread.
My suggestions: I think there should be an option, like a timer, after which greenify automatically greenifies apps even when the screen is on so that if I use a lot of apps continuously and then without turning the screen off once I start to watch a movie or play a game or anything on a phone, greenify should hibernate the background triggered apps automatically and save battery and provide better overall performance.
I know Tasker can do that but personally I don't like using Tasker because of its complex UI so I've set a shortcut on my phone when I double tap the menu button it triggers the hibernate now shortcut of greenify. But it would be of much help if greenify does it itself, having a timer of something between 1min-1hour to greenify apps automatically.
Also I would like the ram usage of greenify to be less, as sometimes it starts using as much as 60-70mb of ram, which is quite much. I hope you can find a way to reduce the ram usage.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Alright im not oasisfeng but i can certainly answer some questions as to why this might be possible atm
First, the so-called hibernation whem screen on will only drain your battery futher and will cut-off android system's background process for apps. To put it shortly, it'll cut-off the functions of apps that needs another app for its services.. Some instances includes xposed for whatsapp and the whatsapp itself and others alike. This will have an excessive power drain due to two reasons:
1.) Greenify will constantly monitor background time when screen on hence battery drain
2.) Hibernating apps while screen is on will only re-trigger it, as an example is facebook/messenger.. As hibernating them screen on would only awaken it again after a few seconds which results in more wakelocks and more unneccesarry battery drain
And for the ram usage i have never encountered such, the biggest i have is 11 mb so im quite puzzled.. What services are running in your greenify? I personally disable campaign tracking and analytics services to minimize ram usage
mire777 said:
If developer read this, i would like to have an option to disable startup apps.
If you have too much apps that starts in same time when you turn on your phone, you will have a slow boot..
I think that this is option that should exist in such great app..
And yes, some timer should exist also...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Disabling startup apps is the job of other 3rd party apps such as appopsxposed and bootmanager.. Greenify hibernates but not limits. You can never have too much butter on one bread sir
One of my apps (Airwatch) keeps refreshing / opening from scratch when I launch it. I tried locking it in the recent apps dialogue, changing battery optimisation to "ignore", and also changing Launch Control to manual and allowing all three options.
Any ideas in what else I can do to make the phone keep the app open in the background? I use it all the time and it's quite annoying having to wait for it launch every time I need to access it.