Develop Bugs

task killer - is it really needed?

Hi,
I read that one of the ways to decrease battery drain is to install task manager that can kill processes. Also, I heard that task killer would drain battery itself.
So, what would you suggest?

I used to believe they were necessary but after conducting some research i have found that they are not needed as the Android OS automatically handles the closing of apps over time... and they do not save battery life.
See this detailed article for more info:
http://www.droid-den.com/android-guides/android-guide-should-i-use-a-task-killer
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App

A minfree manager might be usefull though. It lets you change the way android handles memory and task-killing.
Sent from my Evil Lair using Doomsday Device

About the processes which cannot be killed

I am using advanced task killer to manage process. But some process can not be killed. Are these processes not killed or just respawned quickly. How to really kill them. Thanks.
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA App

yeah i wonder how to remove/uninstall apps such as stocks which i do not even touch at all.

The best method is to uninstall your task killer. They are junk and will only slow your phone down. Every time you kill those process, they have to restart which uses more cpu and battery than just leaving them in memory in the first place.
Please google about android task managers and you will find some good explanations as to why you shouldn't use them.
Sent from my super slick Android device.

iroquois said:
yeah i wonder how to remove/uninstall apps such as stocks which i do not even touch at all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need root and some form of s-off. Then you can either delete with root explorer, titanium backup, out adb.
Sent from my super slick Android device.

Like dr.m0x said, those task killers and other optimizer are the worst thing out there on the market.
Android handles these things just fine. If your RAM gets low it will kill tasks on its own. And if your RAM isn't low - then why kill tasks? Free RAM doesn't help at all.
Also background apps almost never use battery/CPU power. If you don't believe it check the battery usage history. And most background tasks have a CPU usage of a couple of seconds.
About removing stock apps, a nice and clean way is to use ROM Cleaner (download in the dev section). It removes apps from the ROM before you flash it.

Thanks, I think I got what I want
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA App

[Q] Cyanogenmod7 and task killers?

Quick question, using a task killer with Cmod7 has the same effects as using it with froyo (faster battery draining, instability etc.) or it's safe to use? I noticed that running apps (those in the background and useless) makes my wildfire lag, but when i close some of them (that really shouldn't have any reason to stay open) it starts again to run smoothly...
So, should i or should i not install a task killer?

I personally use a task killer, I don't set it to autokill and just use it to help manually kill apps that I don't need in the background.
I couldn't cope without one.
Sent from my HTC Wildfire using XDA Premium App

I don't use one, I have 180+ free MB on my wildfire on CM7 (not using that many apps or widgets).
I would not advice to use one, but if your wildfire lags than you can perhaps indeed close an app now or then (as I did when i was back on stock ROM and it bacame laggy sometimes). Make sure it's an app that is not used by any other program (like a game or so) and that doesn't matter if closed or not

what you must understand is that Android does not use memory (RAM) like a PC does, keeping apps "open" in the background is actually a good thing, as they can be opened a lot quicker, and "full" memory does not slow the phone down as Android has pretty good task managing abilities of it's own, and does not need any help or intervention. Using task killers will only slow down your phone, cause issues, and give you worse battery life. The best thing you can do to your phone is to not install a task killer.

I understand how it works, but disagree slightly with what your saying..........
I have always used advanced task killer pro, like I said not set to auto kill.
I have never had any issues with battery or my system slowing because of it and I have used it on just about every rom there is, the reason I use it is after a while I'd say a few hours using my phone it starts to slow because of all the apps laying dormant in the background and I don't feel the built on model deals with them like I personally would. So instead of using the built in android task manager which does take a while if there's a lot of apps there that don't need to be using task killer is much quicker to close all the useless ones. I think if it was set to autokill it may cause problems with some apps and battery but used wisely it keeps my system flowing nice and smooth.
Sent from my HTC Wildfire using XDA Premium App

Well, thnx guys for the replays, I guess I'll not install a task killer, but in doubt, I'll continue to kill obsolete and not necessary processes when lagging..

[Q] Rooting made my phone working slower

Hello everyone!
Not so long time ago I've finally rooted my phone - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=24858619&postcount=18
Unfortunately there's a next problem... Before I rooted my Desire Z, phone was working smoothly and there was practically no lag. But now my phone is working much slowly than before, even when I'm using Advanced Task Killer to reduce active applications. It lags when I'm browsing applications, when I'm opening them (now after choosing application to run my phone is not responding for about 10 seconds, before there was not problems like this) and some other situations.
What is a cause of this problem and how to make my phone running like before rooting, or faster?
Thanks for advance.

TheReduxPL said:
Hello everyone!
I'm using Advanced Task Killer to reduce active applications.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't do that.

TheReduxPL said:
Hello everyone!
Not so long time ago I've finally rooted my phone - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=24858619&postcount=18
Unfortunately there's a next problem... Before I rooted my Desire Z, phone was working smoothly and there was practically no lag. But now my phone is working much slowly than before, even when I'm using Advanced Task Killer to reduce active applications. It lags when I'm browsing applications, when I'm opening them (now after choosing application to run my phone is not responding for about 10 seconds, before there was not problems like this) and some other situations.
What is a cause of this problem and how to make my phone running like before rooting, or faster?
Thanks for advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which rom are you running? Using task killer will just make things worse, 90% of the apps you see in the backround need to be running.

like the last two posts say, dont use a task killer, they cause more harm than good. if you must use watchdog (free in the market)
ok so we need more info, your rooted. what guide did you follow.
power off. then hold down volume down button when powering on - write down everything you see here.
then do you have a custom recovery? did you flash a custom rom? did you do a full wipe?
these are all things we need to know if you want useful help

I would suggest using the V6 Supercharger script(http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=991276). Moreover, you may wish to shift to a different ROM. I would recommend the following:
AOSP: ILWT (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1242480)
Sense: Android Revolution (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1493404)
ICS AOSP: Andromadus Audacity (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1349864)
ICS Sense: Most have certain problems and thus I suggest you hold a certain amount of patience if you wish to Flash a ICS Sense ROM.
Also, you may wish to note some recent non-ICS ROMs already possess built-in RAM optimizations.

Just gaining root won't slow your system down.
Did you flash a different ROM or anything?
And don't use task killers, they are actually more trouble than they're worth. Android already manages applications just fine.
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA

You guys are saying that task managers are bad but im using sense4 and that has a stock task manager. Is it bad to use that as well? It usually frees up a lot of ram
Sent from my HTC Desire Z using XDA

Freeing up ram dosent always equal a good thing. Ram on an android device is not the same as on your pc. Android holds important apps and recentely used ones in ram so we can open apps faster, multitask, not loose important info ie messages.
The system itself will regulate what apps to keep in ram and when to close them down. I suggest watchdog as a task killer because it allows you to see if an app in ram is actually taking up cpu or not. Blindly killing apps often leads to undesireable affects as well as potentially faster battery drain and slower speeds as these "killed" apps try to reopen or are shut down when they should be open.
Do a google search you will find plenty of info on why not to use task killers and why it is ok sometimes
If this won't convince you know that cyanogen won't even look at a log cat to fix an issue if there is a task killer present
Sent from my HTC Vision using xda premium

OriginalGabriel said:
Just gaining root won't slow your system down.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1 to this. Root is just a change in file permissions, it doesn't "do" anything extra that would slow the system down.
Task Killer on the other hand, may be the problem in itself. Task killers aren't needed in Android. Android manages tasks by itself. Killing tasks may actually be slowing the system down. Killing a task before its done just causes it to respawn, sucking up CPU cycles.
http://geekfor.me/faq/you-shouldnt-be-using-a-task-killer-with-android/
---------- Post added at 01:29 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:28 PM ----------
redpoint73 said:
+1 to this. Root is just a change in file permissions, it doesn't "do" anything extra that would slow the system down.
Task Killer on the other hand, may be the problem in itself. Task killers aren't needed in Android. Android manages tasks by itself. Killing tasks may actually be slowing the system down. Killing a task before its done just causes it to respawn, sucking up CPU cycles.
http://geekfor.me/faq/you-shouldnt-be-using-a-task-killer-with-android/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Or the issue can be some other change the OP made after rooting. The OP hasn't given much info (stock ROM or otherwise, or other mods) so its impossible to say what may be slowing the phone down.

But when I was using Advanced Task Killer in my previous Android Version (2.3.3; before rooting) I was experiencing a very big performance jump. I've only done these things I've added in my first post. Also I want to maximally increase my phone's battery life.
Which ROM should I use to increase performance and battery life? Cyanogenmod?

TheReduxPL said:
But when I was using Advanced Task Killer in my previous Android Version (2.3.3; before rooting) I was experiencing a very big performance jump. I've only done these things I've added in my first post. Also I want to maximally increase my phone's battery life.
Which ROM should I use to increase performance and battery life? Cyanogenmod?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ilwt or elitemod have been the best i have found for battery life so far

Or glite gslim

Thanks for recommendations, but do Cyanogenmod have other features than that mentioned in cyanogenmod.com?

TheReduxPL said:
Thanks for recommendations, but do Cyanogenmod have other features than that mentioned in cyanogenmod.com?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, there are heaps and heaps of interface, performance and other awesome things in it. I'd highly recommend it, i've been using CM 7.2 for about a week now and it's absolutely fantastic. I'd highly recommend it.
It's not just the features that are listed on their site, it's the speed and stability of it that makes it GREAT to use. Battery life is great too.

[INFO] Why You Shouldn’t Use a Task Killer On Android

So i saw many posts on which people have asked as to which task killer should be used !
and then i stumble upon this site which provided me the details,
*I HAVE NOT WRITTEN THIS*
sources-by Chris Hoffman
http://www.howtogeek.com/127388/htg-explains-why-you-shouldnt-use-a-task-killer-on-android/
Android Doesn’t Manage Processes Like Windows
Most Android users are familiar with Windows. On Windows, many programs running at one time – whether they’re windows on your desktop or applications in your system tray – can decrease your computer’s performance. Closing applications when you’re not using them can help speed up your Windows computer.
However, Android isn’t Windows and doesn’t manage processes like Windows does. Unlike on Windows, where there’s an obvious way to close applications, there’s no obvious way to “close” an Android application. This is by design and isn’t a problem. When you leave an Android app, going back to your home screen or switching to another app, the app stays “running” in the background. In most cases, the app will be paused in the background, taking up no CPU or network resources. Some apps will continue using CPU and network resources in the background, of course – for example, music players, file-downloading programs, or apps that sync in the background.
When you go back to an app you were recently using, Android “unpauses” that app and you resume where you left off. This is fast because the app is still stored in your RAM and ready to be used again.
Why Task Killers Are Bad
Proponents of task killers notice that Android is using a lot of RAM – in fact, Android stores a lot of apps in its memory, filling up the RAM! However, that isn’t a bad thing. Apps stored in your RAM can be quickly switched to without Android having to load them from its slower storage.
In summary, you shouldn’t use a task killer – if you have a misbehaving app wasting resources in the background, you should identify it and uninstall it. But don’t just remove apps from your phone or tablet’s RAM – that doesn’t help speed anything up.
Empty RAM is useless. Full RAM is RAM that is being put to good use for caching apps. If Android needs more memory, it will force-quit an app that you haven’t used in a while – this all happens automatically, without installing any task killers.
Task killers think they know better than Android. They run in the background, automatically quitting apps and removing them from Android’s memory. They may also allow you to force-quit apps on your own, but you shouldn’t have to do this.
Task killers aren’t just useless – they can reduce performance. If a task killer removes an app from your RAM and you open that app again, the app will be slower to load as Android is forced to load it from your device’s storage. This will also use more battery power than if you just left the app in your RAM in the first place. Some apps will automatically restart after the task killer quits them, using more CPU and battery resources.
Whether RAM is empty or full, it takes the same amount of battery power – decreasing the amount of apps stored in RAM won’t improve your battery power or offer more CPU cycles.
hope u understood!
words of wisdom by fellow-mates
go into settings - apps and see how many running apps you have. now go to cached apps and see there, how many apps there are. you see? nearly 50% of those apps discovered by you in the processes are apps that you didn't opened ever but they are still opened and running. why? because that's how linux manages its resources. instead of having free ram for no use (what's the point of having 14gb of ram when you only use 1gb), linux fills all the ram blocks with useful apps or apps that you are running frequently so that when you call that app, it will bring it on the screen almost instantly. this my friend, is called multitasking.
and no, you are wrong. if you use a task killer killing the apps every 10 minutes, the cycles the whole system does - opening again apps and caching them, task killer closing them - results in much more functions done by CPU => more battery spent. even if you say that the battery life its the same, you are wrong. when using a task killer IT MIGHT drain your battery with 0.1% per hour. it's not that much, but IT EXIST.
oh and yeah, one thing: android has its own task killer. that's why you don't need one app to kill your other apps. because android its doing it by itself. if you don't believe me, strip down one kernel, open the init.rc file and find the values for task killer.

I understand this response, but I don't believe it. Task killers has always helped me in every matter. Even on a computer it helps greatly.
Conclusion: I noticed the same battery life using a Task Killer, than not using a task killer.
Sent from my HTC One V using Tapatalk 2

Curiousn00b said:
I understand this response, but I don't believe it. Task killers has always helped me in every matter. Even on a computer it helps greatly.
Conclusion: I noticed the same battery life using a Task Killer, than not using a task killer.
Sent from my HTC One V using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you don't have to believe it. those are real facts. go into settings - apps and see how many running apps you have. now go to cached apps and see there, how many apps there are. you see? nearly 50% of those apps discovered by you in the processes are apps that you didn't opened ever but they are still opened and running. why? because that's how linux manages its resources. instead of having free ram for no use (what's the point of having 14gb of ram when you only use 1gb), linux fills all the ram blocks with useful apps or apps that you are running frequently so that when you call that app, it will bring it on the screen almost instantly. this my friend, is called multitasking.
and no, you are wrong. if you use a task killer killing the apps every 10 minutes, the cycles the whole system does - opening again apps and caching them, task killer closing them - results in much more functions done by CPU => more battery spent. even if you say that the battery life its the same, you are wrong. when using a task killer IT MIGHT drain your battery with 0.1% per hour. it's not that much, but IT EXIST.
oh and yeah, one thing: android has its own task killer. that's why you don't need one app to kill your other apps. because android its doing it by itself. if you don't believe me, strip down one kernel, open the init.rc file and find the values for task killer.
salve.

1ceb0x said:
you don't have to believe it. those are real facts. go into settings - apps and see how many running apps you have. now go to cached apps and see there, how many apps there are. you see? nearly 50% of those apps discovered by you in the processes are apps that you didn't opened ever but they are still opened and running. why? because that's how linux manages its resources. instead of having free ram for no use (what's the point of having 14gb of ram when you only use 1gb), linux fills all the ram blocks with useful apps or apps that you are running frequently so that when you call that app, it will bring it on the screen almost instantly. this my friend, is called multitasking.
and no, you are wrong. if you use a task killer killing the apps every 10 minutes, the cycles the whole system does - opening again apps and caching them, task killer closing them - results in much more functions done by CPU => more battery spent. even if you say that the battery life its the same, you are wrong. when using a task killer IT MIGHT drain your battery with 0.1% per hour. it's not that much, but IT EXIST.
oh and yeah, one thing: android has its own task killer. that's why you don't need one app to kill your other apps. because android its doing it by itself. if you don't believe me, strip down one kernel, open the init.rc file and find the values for task killer.
salve.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I hope u don't mind if I take some of ur message and put it in the op
Sent from my One V using xda app-developers app

That's great.. I liked the article. I qm giving you a thanks for it
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cybervibin said:
I hope u don't mind if I take some of ur message and put it in the op
Sent from my One V using xda app-developers app
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Click to collapse
sure. no problem mate

soham_sss said:
That's great.. I liked the article. I qm giving you a thanks for it
Sent from my One V using xda app-developers app
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Click to collapse
Thank you
1ceb0x said:
sure. no problem mate
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Click to collapse
Sent from my One V using xda app-developers app

task killers were great before 1.6 but useless after that

Lloir said:
task killers were great before 1.6 but useless after that
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Click to collapse
+1 android has devloped a long way since!

cybervibin said:
Thank you
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you're welcome!

I'm using task menager when is needed, and also I'm using custom system memory tweaks, it makes my phone running faster and smoother some apps knows to stuck and they keep the phone from entering deep sleep, and that drains the battery, so if you know what are you doing use task menager and customize when what apps the system should kill
Sent from my HTC One V

I have a task killer installed, but only use it manually, ie. if there's a stubborn app that's crashed/frozen/etc and just won't close and is eating the battery

donJim said:
I'm using task menager when is needed, and also I'm using custom system memory tweaks, it makes my phone running faster and smoother some apps knows to stuck and they keep the phone from entering deep sleep, and that drains the battery, so if you know what are you doing use task menager and customize when what apps the system should kill
Sent from my HTC One V
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Use auto run manager the answer to most of ur problems
qzfive said:
I have a task killer installed, but only use it manually, ie. if there's a stubborn app that's crashed/frozen/etc and just won't close and is eating the battery
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent from my One V using xda app-developers app

yayyy so task killer only kills my battery

you got that right!

Good to know. Thanks