Should You Use a Task Killer?

[lekky]

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.

Android Guide: Should I Use a Task Killer - Droid Den

 

[ck4794]

i find it's comparable to religion, there are those who believe and put their faith in it, and there are those who think its voodoo, and then there's the pagans with their damn iphones

 

[PinkMirrorKirby]

Great Info, I never thought of that!

 

[REYES]

I actually just downloaded a task manager because I was wondering if and why stuff was running in the BG. After reading your article I understand why and it makes sense not to use one. Uninstalled.

Thanks for the info.

 

[turbosol16]

I use to use one all the time and finally decided to try using my N1 without a task killer. The reason I used it was while doing research on Android most of the pundits were saying you need a task killer and in most top 10 app lists a task killer is listed. Well what do you know after I stopped using one the phone seems to work just as well if not better without one. I now recommend to my friends that they stop using it for a week and see for themselves if it is needed or not.

 

[uzee]

ok im convinced.

Apart from killing tasks the other reason i use task mangers were to uninstall apps.

So could anyoe recommend good/effective uinstaller apps?

 

[Selespeed]

Great article lekky, i'm on my third android phone now and after a little research when getting the first phone realised task killers are not needed.
I can see why people will install them..........get their first android phone, open market, top free apps, third app in list is ATK.....

 

[Benclayton]

I like to explain to people how Android's own task management works and let them decide, a lot of them end up uninstalling them when the phrase "every time you open an app is like the FIRST time opening an app" comes up.

 

[Frisco]

After testing Advanced Task Killer on my 2.1 OTA Eris a few months ago, having read the controversy about it, I came away feeling reminded of when my aunt told me about a house cleaning agency she'd hired to come to her place twice per week.

"It took over a month for me to realize I'd made a big mistake. First it was just a few of my medications out of the bottle, then it was your uncle's prized, favorite pocket knife, then it was my ruby broach, then I called the police."

 

[lekky]

ok im convinced.

Apart from killing tasks the other reason i use task mangers were to uninstall apps.

So could anyoe recommend good/effective uinstaller apps?

well you can uninstall them via the market, but other than that there is about 100 apps called uninstaller the one i have is made by rhythm software.

If you have a home screen replacement like launcher pro or adw, you can simply drag an apps icon over the app launcher icon on the dock, then hold it there a second to uninstall

 

[aminaked]

I just uninstall from the market app. Why not?

 

[rambo47]

I was under several of the misconceptions you debunked in your blog. Great explanations, easily understood by the layman (read: noob).

 

[PinkMirrorKirby]

ok im convinced.

Apart from killing tasks the other reason i use task mangers were to uninstall apps.

So could anyoe recommend good/effective uinstaller apps?

Uninstall Tool does the trick, and fast too!

 

[lekky]

I was under several of the misconceptions you debunked in your blog. Great explanations, easily understood by the layman (read: noob).

Thanks, i thought it would be beneficial to actually explain things, rather than just say they should or shouldn't be used. If explained well enough then people should be able to see themselves that they are not recommended.

Now, how do we get this info to all those that are unwittingly using task killers after been fed incorrect information from people, thats the real question!

 

[PinkMirrorKirby]

I've been using Task Killers until I saw your article, you saved me.

Now my Android seems to have much better battery life than before.

 

[Nickelking]

I uninstall via appbrain app, it's fast becoming my most used app/site.

 

[Szadzik]

So does 'use' mean auto-kill tasks or does it mean 'have installed'. If one has a task killer installed to watch performance etc., I assume that is not bad? If that is the case, you should be a bit more specific with the title and the whole article. Otherwise, people are misinformed again.

 

[lekky]

So does 'use' mean auto-kill tasks or does it mean 'have installed'. If one has a task killer installed to watch performance etc., I assume that is not bad? If that is the case, you should be a bit more specific with the title and the whole article. Otherwise, people are misinformed again.

I'm not sure the title or the article as a whole really needs to be any more specific tbh.. I think the point already gets through?

I mention when people should monitor app memory usage in the article and even recommend an app to do so in such cases.

 

[Jerry786]

WOW....I dont know whether to uninstall Advanced task killer now... It does speed up my Pulse mini but i dont know if there is any need for it on my HTC Wildfire...

Anyone?

 

[kevin@teslacoilsw]

I just wanted to add another negative for task killers. They're a pain for developers. We get bug reports saying that our program stops working. I feel snarky repling and saying Are you using a task killer? If you want the program to work, don't kill it... but often it is the cause of the problem they're having. I've actually added code to one of my apps to detect ATK and warn the user about using it. It has helped reduce the number of emails I've gotten.

And on the other side I get furious emails about how one of my apps restarts all the time (Why in the world would it need to start by itself! Even after I've killed with Uber Task Murder 5.0!) and I have to explain that task killers don't work (Especially not on Froyo) and Android just restarts things automatically because it sees something got messed up.

 

[Veetus]

Can we use SystemPanel Lite in replacement of our app killing software?

 

[Szadzik]

I'm not sure the title or the article as a whole really needs to be any more specific tbh.. I think the point already gets through?

I mention when people should monitor app memory usage in the article and even recommend an app to do so in such cases.

What I mean is specifying that the fact that one has a task killer installed does not mean they use it to kill tasks as usually these apps have more features than just killing tasks and there is nothing wrong with using it to unsinstall apps, monitor stuff etc., etc.

 

[goodm0urning]

i uninstalled my TK instantle after i read your essay, thank you!

 

[Selespeed]

Can we use SystemPanel Lite in replacement of our app killing software?

You can use whatever apps you like, after all it's your phone......
The purpose of this thread (and lekky's article) is to highlight how android manages processes and apps without the need for task killers so people can make their own choice.

 

[Stealthman]

I've read all the articles about not using task killers however when I use one I get double the battery life and better performance on my phone so as good as the theories look on paper my real world results tell me otherwise.