Develop Bugs

Should You Use a Task Killer?

Decided to write an article about task killer use, mainly because of so many people being surprised that i do not recommend it, after their so called techy friends told them they need one, I'll post the opening paragraph with a link to the rest of it.
Task killer, one of the most prominent words within the android world. One that causes many arguments and confusion, well today lets see if we can put it all to rest.
I am constantly surprised when talking to new android owners that come to me with questions about their "faulty" phone and "poor-performing" battery, to discover that one of the first apps they installed was a task killer. Even more surprised when I dig deeper and ask why, with one of the top responses being because their "techy" friend said its a vital app. First things first, anything vital will be a core part of the the operating system. If google required that a task killer be a core part of their os, they would have included an easy way to kill apps, end of. Also, if your "techy" friend told you to download an task killer, please, ignore any advice from them in the future, you will regret it if you don't.
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Android Guide: Should I Use a Task Killer - Droid Den

You start off by saying you don't need one and then you say you do and even recommend one!
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App

themikeyboosh said:
You start off by saying you don't need one and then you say you do and even recommend one!
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App
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maybe you should read it again more carefully the paragrah your on about was simply laying out some reasons why you may need a task killer

themikeyboosh said:
You start off by saying you don't need one and then you say you do and even recommend one!
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App
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Click to collapse
system panel is not a task killer mate, its a tool to help you identify bad apples. That is the reason for that apps existence, just ask its dev.

I read yr thread. I'm not so experienced in the systems. But i think this thread is following a good logic, and the systems at the end are all about logic.....
So, first thing i do after finish reading was killing the task killers.
Thanks again for the post.
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App

Excellent article mate keep up your good work.
Many many people are brainwashed by many misleading reviews on Google in to thinking they need a task manager but this article explains nicely why they dont.
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App

System panel is a good solution. Try also power tutor, if it works with your phone

AndroHero said:
maybe you should read it again more carefully the paragrah your on about was simply laying out some reasons why you may need a task killer
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No no, I've read it, it's plain as day. You've just said it again.
le3ky said:
system panel is not a task killer mate, its a tool to help you identify bad apples. That is the reason for that apps existence, just ask its dev.
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Does it kill tasks? Need I go on.....It doesn't matter how you jazz it up "pal" there's no denying it can be used to kill tasks.

removed

themikeyboosh said:
Does it kill tasks? Need I go on.....It doesn't matter how you jazz it up "pal" there's no denying it can be used to kill tasks.
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lol? Do you honestly not understand?
There are apps out there that are coded badly.
In order to remove those apps you first need to id them.
SystemPanel helps you find out which app is causing a problem.
Then you may uninstall that app.
Nothing about using it as a task killer in there.
Does that help? I could try to put it in simpler terms if not.

I only use a task killer when I want to run some benchmarks shortly after having played around with resource-intensive apps like games.Other than that only as mentioned in the article,to trace and kill bad or frozen apps.Any other use is only harmful.

Very good article. It should be sticked.
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App

I don't use a task killer with my HTC Desire. But back in the day with 1.5 and 1.6 I needed a task killer. Now 2.1 or higher doesn't need one.

for sure, higher memory and more efficient android definitely does not need one.

"Android is smart enough to recognise when it is running low on available memory, and will start to close those apps that it deems are low priority."
Then pls tell me why after opening more and more apps my desire gets slower as it is running out of memory, and after killing them with task killer except for the one im using its running smoothly again. I would love to stick with the android solution, but its just not working out...
Rooted Desire S-Off running latest Redux Rom (Gingerbread)

At first I thought a task killer was making my battery life longer - but I tried it again a couple of months after using Android - just to see if it impact battery life and found no difference - or not noticable anyway on day-to-day use.

Thanks for this, very informative. Defo should be a sticky

Autotask Killer

I have tried to use this to stop the drm services from starting. I install and check all options to stop them from starting up. They still start up on reboot even though I check the option to not restart.
What can I use or how can I stop there since I seem to not need it.

mynewepic10 said:
I have tried to use this to stop the drm services from starting. I install and check all options to stop them from starting up. They still start up on reboot even though I check the option to not restart.
What can I use or how can I stop there since I seem to not need it.
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Anyone have an idea?

mynewepic10 said:
Anyone have an idea?
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Did you seriously just double post AND quote yourself simultaneously?
Is that another way to bump?
mynewepic10 said:
I have tried to use this to stop the drm services from starting. I install and check all options to stop them from starting up. They still start up on reboot even though I check the option to not restart.
What can I use or how can I stop there since I seem to not need it.
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Click to collapse
So I don't know the exact behavior of every single Task Manager, nor do I know what you mean by stopping the DRM(Digital Rights Management?) services.
For one, that sounds like an issue associated with pirateing, which is not tolerated for discussion here at XDA Devlopers.
And so to probably answer your question:
Especially with an Eclair 2.1 version of Android, Task Managers are not able to kill processes immediately as they are created. I know the one that I use only kills the Auto-Kill listed apps when I turn the screen off. So your Task Manager may not be able to successfully kill the aforementioned DRM process.
Hope that helps. Don't pirate. At least don't make it obvous...

Just use titanium backup to freeze the drm services. And he's not wanting to stop it fire piracy issues, its a known issue that drm services cause a huge battery drain on our phones
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App

What i do is, i created a custom shortcut to settings - running services. Tap the icon, click the process. No extra killers needed. I do it once per boot.. and, having tried a million other methods, this works the best.
Doesn't freezing it in titanium cause the same problems as if it was removed?
To cyan crayon: do you have an epic?
..and just realized were replying to a post that's 3 months old.. selffail.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using Tapatalk

decalex said:
To cyan crayon: do you have an epic?
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Yes, I have an Epic. If you use the desktop website you'll see it in my sig.
I haven't come across this DRM process issue yet, although I've only had my Epic for about two weeks. Regardless of the fact, when I do see problems I might be able to help with I will do my best to contribute.
Edit: Let me attempt to clarify what I have said.
I never guessed to check my processes, and whaddya know it's right there staring me right in the face.
The thing is task managers like Task Manager (which is what I use) only can target running apps. In case that wasn't apparent.
This process is starting along with the Android System, so unless you decide you don't want the system to start when the phone boots, it will start it every time.
The point is that task managers like Task Manager, cannot, and will not terminate processes other than its own, because (obvously for security reasons) the API for that behavior does not exist.
/lecture ^-^"
And I would imagine freezing it would cause issues. Just like decalex said. It does perhaps have a purpose.
Sent from my Epic4G using Tapatalk

decalex said:
What i do is, i created a custom shortcut to settings - running services. Tap the icon, click the process. No extra killers needed. I do it once per boot.. and, having tried a million other methods, this works the best.
Doesn't freezing it in titanium cause the same problems as if it was removed?
To cyan crayon: do you have an epic?
..and just realized were replying to a post that's 3 months old.. selffail.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using Tapatalk
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Click to collapse
I've never had any issues withe my phone at all, other than the known dk28 bugs and even then the worst bug is the occasional wfi error running midnight rom and I have tianium freezing all drm services. And I use the media player for about 7.5 hours of my day and pandora for about another hour with the occasional movie playing during breaks if I'm super bored lol
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App

CyanCrayon said:
Yes, I have an Epic. If you use the desktop website you'll see it in my sig.
I haven't come across this DRM process issue yet, although I've only had my Epic for about two weeks. Regardless of the fact, when I do see problems I might be able to help with I will do my best to contribute.
Edit: Let me attempt to clarify what I have said.
I never guessed to check my processes, and whaddya know it's right there staring me right in the face.
The thing is task managers like Task Manager (which is what I use) only can target running apps. In case that wasn't apparent.
This process is starting along with the Android System, so unless you decide you don't want the system to start when the phone boots, it will start it every time.
The point is that task managers like Task Manager, cannot, and will not terminate processes other than its own, because (obvously for security reasons) the API for that behavior does not exist.
/lecture ^-^"
And I would imagine freezing it would cause issues. Just like decalex said. It does perhaps have a purpose.
Sent from my Epic4G using Tapatalk
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Click to collapse
[How] to remove the omadrmconfigservice.drm to get more battery life on epic:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=794010
Do you really think that someone that knows how to pirate would ask for advice/assistance on how to do it in this forum?

brickwall99 said:
[How] to remove the omadrmconfigservice.drm to get more battery life on epic:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=794010
Do you really think that someone that knows how to pirate would ask for advice/assistance on how to do it in this forum?
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>.> There are some morons out there...
And you beat me to linking that.. ^^

Extremely useful app for rooted users - LBE Privacy Guard

Have a feeling a lot of people have already heard about it, but for anyone who hasnt tried it, definitely get it.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.lbe.security.lite
Its an app manager that lets you control what apps have access to. You can block apps from accessing the internet, viewing your personal info and take away any permissions you dont want it to have.
A big benefit to this also is battery life will go up as a result of blocking apps which always connect to the internet to upload your data or steam ads to you. A lot of freeware apps also have way too many permissions and this lets you effectively block them.
Its the first thing I install everytime I use a new rom

I'm gonna check it out...thanks for posting it
CM9 Beta 1 El30 Shadow Kernal

redspeed said:
Have a feeling a lot of people have already heard about it, but for anyone who hasnt tried it, definitely get it.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.lbe.security.lite
Its an app manager that lets you control what apps have access to. You can block apps from accessing the internet, viewing your personal info and take away any permissions you dont want it to have.
A big benefit to this also is battery life will go up as a result of blocking apps which always connect to the internet to upload your data or steam ads to you. A lot of freeware apps also have way too many permissions and this lets you effectively block them.
Its the first thing I install everytime I use a new rom
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I really appreciate you posting this and letting us know about this app! I don't think I would've come across it otherwise.
So I installed it and I'm just dumbfounded at all the stuff that some apps want access to....Why the f*** does Angry Birds: Space need to access my phone's GPS data?? There's an odd one!
Oh, by the way....a co-worker of mine with an iPhone smugly showed me that the functionality of LBE Privacy Guard app is actually built right into the iOS.
Not trying to turn this into an Android Vs Apple thread, but man, that kinda got under my skin.

GRK4G63 said:
I really appreciate you posting this and letting us know about this app! I don't think I would've come across it otherwise.
So I installed it and I'm just dumbfounded at all the stuff that some apps want access to....Why the f*** does Angry Birds: Space need to access my phone's GPS data?? There's an odd one!
Oh, by the way....a co-worker of mine with an iPhone smugly showed me that the functionality of LBE Privacy Guard app is actually built right into the iOS.
Not trying to turn this into an Android Vs Apple thread, but man, that kinda got under my skin.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If I recall, there's a developer option you can enable in CM7 that allows you to do just this. Just press the permission you want to block when installing the app or afterward. CM9 doesn't (to my knowledge) have this option yet, but I'm sure it will. Good day, iPhone users =).

GRK4G63 said:
I really appreciate you posting this and letting us know about this app! I don't think I would've come across it otherwise.
So I installed it and I'm just dumbfounded at all the stuff that some apps want access to....Why the f*** does Angry Birds: Space need to access my phone's GPS data?? There's an odd one!
Oh, by the way....a co-worker of mine with an iPhone smugly showed me that the functionality of LBE Privacy Guard app is actually built right into the iOS.
Not trying to turn this into an Android Vs Apple thread, but man, that kinda got under my skin.
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Click to collapse
Its scary how many apps want full control of your phone. Ive seen them wanting to read my contacts list and even control my messaging app. A lot of it has to do with data mining of their customers. All the info they collect from you is pretty valuable and the gps thing is pretty scary too. Theyre able to record your coordinates and report the info back to them. Not to mention its going to kill your battery too with them doing this.

Security apps I use
Droidwall - simple iptables for android
PDroid - like it better than Lbe, takes less resources but needs patch and waiting for ics support
Addons detector - shows which apps have "adware, spyware, etc."

Thanks William for mentioning PDroid. The app thread is here

PDroid gives message saying I needed to build somethingortheother first in order for it to work on my OG EPIC 4G .... LBE working great right outta the box though

Wow its come a long way I remember this when I first got rooted the guy mentioned using this... but its icon was red and the ui was bland they really uped it a notch =] completely forgot about this app thanks.. love it.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using xda premium

how do I get it out of my notification bar?
It says "Allow Haypi KingdomobtainIMEI" but I can't swipe it away
Sent from my SPH-D700 using xda premium

Nvm its the event logger I thought I needed to accept from there and it was being buggy LOL
Sent from my SPH-D700 using xda premium

A_Flying_Fox said:
Nvm its the event logger I thought I needed to accept from there and it was being buggy LOL
Sent from my SPH-D700 using xda premium
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Click to collapse
There is an option in the prefrences to turn off the notifications in the status bar.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using xda premium

[Q] Hey, where did that come from?

Every time I pull up my task manager to close out apps I find Google maps running even though I never opened it.
Is it triggered by another app, like Facebook possibly?
Er sorry, I thought I was in the Q&A forum. If one of the mods want to move this I'd appreciate it.

Download Autostarts from the Play store. You can prevent anything and everything from running on its own. One of the best root apps out there. It will also show you what the triggers are that cause it to start up.

Esoteric68 said:
Every time I pull up my task manager to close out apps I find Google maps running even though I never opened it.
Is it triggered by another app, like Facebook possibly?
Er sorry, I thought I was in the Q&A forum. If one of the mods want to move this I'd appreciate it.
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Click to collapse
Done. Thank you
---Jay--- From the AOKP powered E4GT

u can also do the same thing with rom toolbox. just throwing that out there in case u oen it or was considering purchasing it.
sent from my BMF-D710

Esoteric68 said:
Every time I pull up my task manager to close out apps I find Google maps running even though I never opened it.
Is it triggered by another app, like Facebook possibly?
Er sorry, I thought I was in the Q&A forum. If one of the mods want to move this I'd appreciate it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You just discovered why I always delete Maps when I am setting up my phone and I just install it as needed. Autostarts or ROM Toolbox have the option to freeze it on start as well

jayharper08 said:
Done. Thank you
---Jay--- From the AOKP powered E4GT
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks Jay, I'll be more careful in the future

_MetalHead_ said:
Download Autostarts from the Play store. You can prevent anything and everything from running on its own. One of the best root apps out there. It will also show you what the triggers are that cause it to start up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome, thanks for the advice. I'll check it out.

veritasaequita said:
u can also do the same thing with rom toolbox. just throwing that out there in case u oen it or was considering purchasing it.
sent from my BMF-D710
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think I already have that lol I'll have to check to be sure. I have tons of apps I haven't reloaded because of all my ROM hopping!
I do have it, ROM toolbox Pro actually lol yay me!

JohnCorleone said:
You just discovered why I always delete Maps when I am setting up my phone and I just install it as needed. Autostarts or ROM Toolbox have the option to freeze it on start as well
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does deleting Maps affect navigational apps?

Esoteric68 said:
Does deleting Maps affect navigational apps?
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Click to collapse
It may depending on the app. It would be easier to just freeze apps that you don't need or use. If you get an error because of a dependency, it's usually far easier to defrost the app than to reinstall it (especially if it is categorized as a system app).

tdunham said:
It may depending on the app. It would be easier to just freeze apps that you don't need or use. If you get an error because of a dependency, it's usually far easier to defrost the app than to reinstall it (especially if it is categorized as a system app).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think I'd prefer that option although I realize re-installing Maps wouldn't exactly be a hassle. It isn't really eating up battery or getting in the way I just wondered why it was always there when I knew I hadn't manually opened it.
Thanks for chiming in, the more I learn the better I enjoy my phone.

Question This app was launched by Google Play services?

I've noticed idle battery drain on my phone and found out that it was caused by an app (it was the Shopee app), so I tried to prevent it from running in background, like limiting its permissions, turning off notifications both in app and phone settings, restricting background activity in Battery Saver.
But after sometime it happens again. I checked in App behavior and it says the app was started by Google Play services.
What does this mean and can I stop it permanently?

If you don't use it, why keep it !
Just uninstall it.

laid1995 said:
If you don't use it, why keep it !
Just uninstall it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have never said that I don't use it, can't you read? It's a shopping app and I only open it when I look for something to buy. Do you use your app 24/7???

Saphira209 said:
I have never said that I don't use it, can't you read? It's a shopping app and I only open it when I look for something to buy. Do you use your app 24/7???
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Click to collapse
Sorry, you not mentioning that u use it casually, so figured u don't use it. Still, I said "if" though.
Then try to uninstall and install it. Maybe it's the version you have.
If you have root. There are plenty of apps that can put it to sleep.

" rooting "

Hmmm, I know that Google Play Services can be launched by many apps to use any kind of sensors and APIs, but never heard of the opposite... maybe it's the case and is bad translated? In that case, try the BBS app and check what sensors are used

Saphira209 said:
I have never said that I don't use it, can't you read? It's a shopping app and I only open it when I look for something to buy. Do you use your app 24/7???
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Watch your tone. No one here is obliged to help you so you might as well start talking politely.

ApexPrime said:
Watch your tone. No one here is obliged to help you so you might as well start talking politely.
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Oh sorry if my words hurt you.
Now, I was asking about GP services and strange app behavior, I want to know if someone had any similar experience. If I could just uninstall then I wouldn't waste your precious time by making this thread would I? That's just throwing the problem away, not solving it.

Saphira209 said:
Oh sorry if my words hurt you.
Now, I was asking about GP services and strange app behavior, I want to know if someone had any similar experience. If I could just uninstall then I wouldn't waste your precious time by making this thread would I? That's just throwing the problem away, not solving it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are some apps that can disable other apps to auto-start without root, but may need adb commands if running on non-root device:
Brevent
Ice Box
SuperFreezZ App stopper

Saphira209 said:
Oh sorry if my words hurt you.
Now, I was asking about GP services and strange app behavior, I want to know if someone had any similar experience. If I could just uninstall then I wouldn't waste your precious time by making this thread would I? That's just throwing the problem away, not solving it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Trash app, trash behavior.
Yeah uninstalling pretty much gets rid of the cause. Wonder what else it's doing?
Solving? That's how it was designed to behave... badly. I would have ditched it the first day.
Or
Disable Google play Services when not needed.
Arguing with members trying to help you won't further you along

pl1992aw said:
There are some apps that can disable other apps to auto-start without root, but may need adb commands if running on non-root device:
Brevent
Ice Box
SuperFreezZ App stopper
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you, I do have magisk installed, I'll try Ice Box later and see how it works.
About the other 2, from their descriptions I think what they do is force closing unused apps automatically for you is that right? Would it be different from force closing manually? Because I did try to do that but GP services was still able to launch the app occasionally as reported in App behavior.
First time noticing play services could do this so I was really curious lol, idk if it was google services or the app developer can make it like that?

Saphira209 said:
Thank you, I do have magisk installed, I'll try Ice Box later and see how it works.
About the other 2, from their descriptions I think what they do is force closing unused apps automatically for you is that right? Would it be different from force closing manually? Because I did try to do that but GP services was still able to launch the app occasionally as reported in App behavior.
First time noticing play services could do this so I was really curious lol, idk if it was google services or the app developer can make it like that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Brevent prevent apps auto-start, and auto-hybernate/auto-close the app when inactive of the time set in the brevent settings.
SuperFreezZ is as you described.
The following is all just guessing:
The reason that you see GP service launch Shopee app is probably Shopee app designed it.
The culprit is more likely Shopee app. It might have designed to wakeup / auto-start when there is change of the system in some conditions, which has some links to GP service.