Discuss Task Managers/Killers Here!

[cheebahawk1]

Hey guys,

Just wanted to get an idea of how safe "task killer apps" are for Android.


With Android offering true multitasking (unlike my iPhone), I assume that "task killer apps" are important to ensure that you are not killing your battery by running apps that you dont need.

The web seems pretty split on whether "task killer apps" are good for the Android OS and wanted to get the opinion of experienced users.

Thanks!

 

[Yourdogsdead]

You won't damage your phone if you use a task killer. If you use it wrong though it can mess you your experience with it. I would recommend you try it with both. First with the task killer, then without it. Compare the two experiences and see which one you like the best.

 

[Cory Streater]

Check out this article. I personally recommend that you stay away from them, as they are unnecessary with Android's built in memory management abilities, and typically when people do use them the forums fill up with questions from people wondering why things no longer work properly.

 

[Genisis]

Sorry for plugging another site...but here's another article on why you shouldnt use task killers from a developer. He goes in depth and really explains why you shouldnt.
FAQ: Why You Shouldn’t Be Using a Task Killer with Android ? Geek For Me – Android CDMA Sprint Hero

 

[RayStinkle]

the only reason to have a task manager is to see whats going on. but you do not need to use it to auto kill apps, android does that on its own. however i do suggest only using system panel, its the only task manager that shows the correct info for the android OS, so use it.

 

[Adam Sawyer]

If you use a task manager THE RIGHT WAY, then they can be very useful. However, using one to just shut down every application (including system ones) can actually make your battery drain faster.

 

[Duvi]

Like Cory, I choose to stay away from them. First week I got my N1, I didn't use a Task Killer. After many suggestions, I tried it and it really seemed to make my device go downhill from there.

My experience has been better without it now, but it seems at times like if I didn't try it at all, my experience would be a lot better with the device.

 

[fry8]

So I shouldn't use a task killer, just let android do its job? Will battery life suffer as well as speed? I don't know why google doesn't give the ability to just close the damn app.

 

[Duvi]

So I shouldn't use a task killer, just let android do its job? Will battery life suffer as well as speed? I don't know why google doesn't give the ability to just close the damn app.

They do.

Settings > Applications > Manage Applications > Click the app > Force Stop

 

[GolpherZX]

I put one on my Hero right away because I heard that needed it (only because of a bug though in my opinion). After trying a whole bunch of custom ROMs I am to the point that I have a task killer installed, however it is not active and I hardly ever touch it. When I get the EVO I most likely will NOT install one until there is an unusual amount of battery drain on my phone. They aren't necessary....but you may want one if you want complete control over processes.

 

[apollooff320]

LOL at not using a task killer. Guess what ppl android ****ing opens up apps all by itself. Or what about when you reboot your phone and 20+ apps are all open and lagging up your phone and killing the battery? I guess you guys wouldn't know this since you don't use a task killer to see whats running. My phone runs smooth as butter with my task killer. You just have to know how to use it and it's not rocket science.

 

[FractalSphere]

I'm coming from Windows Mobile (shudder)

Came from WinMo on a Propel Pro and got the EVO this morning super-early. OMG I love Android! ;-)

So I'm used to going into Task Manager (regularly!!) and either stopping all tasks or just power cycling the phone periodically. I can't see power cycling every so often (weekly?) as a bad thing even for Android, but I've started many apps and just dumped back out to the menu today and am wondering if there is a similar thing like task manager in Android to cleanly clear up memory on the phone?


Thanks!
Rich

 

[techgeek32#WN]

Don't use a task manager

Hi,

Many Android power users will tell you to NOT use a task manager like in Windows Mobile. Android is designed to manage your running apps for you. You can certainly reboot if things should slow down but with the speed of the EVO you shouldn't have to worry about it slowing down. I have owned 2 previous Android devices and they always worked better when I didn't use a task manager.

Froyo 2.2 will do a much better job of this as well, but I have had my EVO for almost two weeks and have never had to stop any running programs or even reboot because the device was slowing down.

 

[dougsyo]

WinMo was my first smartphone - a Samsung BJ2.

A friend gave me his Fuze (Touch Pro) when he got a Tilt2 (Touch Pro 2). I decided I liked the touch screen, so I ended up getting a Tilt2 of my own - probably the best WinMo phone out there.

The combination of the demise of WM6.x, Android being a powerful contender, and the price savings from moving to Sprint made it worth switching. I admit I miss the physical keyboard, but the touch screen is working pretty well, and I was impressed with the ability of the voice feature as well.

The Sprint store in Boardman (Youngstown) OH was surprisingly un-busy, they had a lot of staff on, and as a bonus, they gave me $95 trade-in for my Tilt2 - more than I could have probably gotten on Craigslist.

Doug

 

[mikeDCMDVA]

Best Tasks to keep killed

Lets start a list?

 

[Cory Streater]

Best advice I can provide is to leave them alone, and let Android manage them. Check out the FAQ sticky as well. That said, please feel free to continue with the discussion

 

[Cliffs71]

I've found 'maps' to the be the thing I have to keep the closest eye on. Backing out doesn't 'kill' it and it just runs quietly in the background, draining battery unnecessarily.

While some will tell you Android will manage on its own, leaving maps unattended and at the mercy of Android will annihilate your battery.

 

[MrLogan13]

Yet on the same note, task killers are known to make the OS unstable. Let Android manage your memory.

 

[cbfinger]

Yet on the same note, task killers are known to make the OS unstable. Let Android manage your memory.

I am new to android are there ways that you can make the os auto kill apps faster. like i dont want maps always running cuz i never use them, and what about game that i am done playing i dont want them running using up resource is there anyway to make the os kill apps faster

 

[sYnOnYx]

I thought by using a task manager, it could save on battery life ?

Ive been using one on my EVO since yesterday with no issue...