Question Battery Saver

[AndroidNewby]

I once had - on a phone a long time ago - a battery saver that worked by going round and doing a force stop on all non system apps. Does anyone know if it still exists and, if so, what's it called, please.
Thanks

 

[Laura Knotek]

Welcome to Android Central. Which phone was this?

 

[AndroidNewby]

Welcome to Android Central. Which phone was this?

I think is was my Motorola G.
AndroidNewby

 

[spARTacus]

I think Android nowadays will essentially do that on its own, based on whether or not an app is set as allowed or denied from working in the background for battery usage and optimization.

 

[B. Diddy]

There used to be a whole bunch of "phone cleaner" or "RAM booster" apps like CleanMaster (ugh) that would claim to improve performance and battery life by killing background tasks. This would usually do the opposite, because Android is designed to keep RAM mostly full, so that the system can quickly switch between apps. Apps that are paused in the background do not use battery (unless they're designed to do something in the background, like a music app that's actively streaming). If you're constantly killing background apps, the system will keep trying to open those apps (or something else, based on usage patterns) in the background to prepare for usage -- it takes a bit of time and energy to reopen an app into RAM. So in the long run, the phone may end up a little more sluggish and use more battery.

 

[AndroidNewby]

There used to be a whole bunch of "phone cleaner" or "RAM booster" apps like CleanMaster (ugh) that would claim to improve performance and battery life by killing background tasks. This would usually do the opposite, because Android is designed to keep RAM mostly full, so that the system can quickly switch between apps. Apps that are paused in the background do not use battery (unless they're designed to do something in the background, like a music app that's actively streaming). If you're constantly killing background apps, the system will keep trying to open those apps (or something else, based on usage patterns) in the background to prepare for usage -- it takes a bit of time and energy to reopen an app into RAM. So in the long run, the phone may end up a little more sluggish and use more battery.

Well, thanks. I did not know that. I think I'll stop worrying about the amount of apps running on the phone.
Many thanks
AndroidNewby

 

[spARTacus]

...because Android is designed to keep RAM mostly full, so that the system can quickly switch between apps. Apps that are paused in the background do not use battery (unless they're designed to do something in the background, like a music app that's actively streaming). If you're constantly killing background apps, the system will keep trying to open those apps (or something else, based on usage patterns) in the background to prepare for usage...

I have observed certain apps or process restart after force stopping them. However, not sure I've ever witnessed the device on its own starting apps that I periodically use. I understand the concept of it taking less time to switch to an app if the app might be only paused, as opposed to starting from scratch. However, what do you mean when you say the system will keep trying to open apps or other apps based on usage patterns, and what do you mean when you say Android is designed to keep RAM mainly full?

 

[B. Diddy]

I have observed certain apps or process restart after force stopping them. However, not sure I've ever witnessed the device on its own starting apps that I periodically use. I understand the concept of it taking less time to switch to an app if the app might be only paused, as opposed to starting from scratch. However, what do you mean when you say the system will keep trying to open apps or other apps based on usage patterns, and what do you mean when you say Android is designed to keep RAM mainly full?

I'll refer to AC's venerable Jerry Hildenbrand: https://www.androidcentral.com/ram-what-it-how-its-used-and-why-you-shouldnt-care. Specifically, this passage:

"Windows keeps RAM open and free for an app that needs it. Linux keeps an app in memory until the memory is needed elsewhere. The company that built your phone decides how it gets freed. Apps and their processes are given priority based on what they do, how they do it, and when they were last on the screen. When you want to open a new app, the apps with lower priorities get closed, so the new app has the RAM it needs.

As you use your phone, you'll use many of the same apps more than others. These apps will tend to stay resident in RAM and be running, so they are available instantly. Having that RAM free instead of having the app(s) already resident in the RAM means the app would need to restart the processes that allow you to interact with them, and that's slower and uses more battery power than keeping them resident in RAM."

 

[spARTacus]

Ok, that makes sense (Android not clearing apps from RAM unless/until needed). Thanks very much.