Heads up on an app that won't let the phone go to sleep.

[Topshelf]

Not sure if there's a thread somewhere that just lists apps that have caused peoples phones to not sleep, but I just wanted to give a quick heads up for two I have found so far.

First is Flickr, but that's pretty well documented at this point.

Today I noticed some very rapid battery drain and narrowed it down to Palmary Weather. I figured out that you must use the back key until the app exits for this to work correctly. If you just press the home key while in the app, it will keep the phone awake.

OK, I was just giving a quick heads up, but might as well keep a running list to make this easy. Just please make sure you've actually proven these apps have caused this issue or else we might have 1,000 listed. Also, this is not saying that the app is causing you an issue, just the obvious ones to look at when you do have a problem.

Known Problem Apps

- Flickr (if Facebook for HTC Sense is also setup to sync)
- Palmary Weather (updated:issue only occurs if you do not exit the app correctly...working fine now)
- Profile
- Slacker Radio (some do not have an issue if you hit Menu/Exit to close app...others still have issue)
- Google Listen (must be configured to only download while on Wi-Fi and while charging)
- Meebo
- Alice
- MyLock

 

[serpentine009]

I was planning on doing the same thing. I was talking to one of the moderators about putting in with the battery threads. Never got around to doing it. But if I can add to your list its PROFILE. I tested it, and it only seems to keep the phone awake when you have time enabled profile rules. If you manually switch profiles it will not interfere with the phone's sleep process.

 

[Fantasma]

Bump.

 

[Topshelf]

One other app I should add since I've seen a few people mention it is Slacker Radio. I'm not sure if it's just the widget or the program itself. But I remember reading that there's a certain way to exit the app or else causes the issue.

Please, if anyone else comes across one post it up. Could save someone a lot of hassle.

 

[Karuk]

Google Listen gave me SERIOUS battery issues. Had to use a task killer to properly exit the app.

 

[yojoe600]

when using slacker just hit menu and exit it when you are not using it

 

[woop]

You can add Meebo to that list.

 

[amarryat]

One other app I should add since I've seen a few people mention it is Slacker Radio. I'm not sure if it's just the widget or the program itself. But I remember reading that there's a certain way to exit the app or else causes the issue.

Please, if anyone else comes across one post it up. Could save someone a lot of hassle.

The application definitely has this bug - I don't use the widget, yet wind up with a rapidly dying battery after using it. Verified using Spare Parts.

 

[Echo17121]

Alice the concert finder caused my phone to never sleep. So I guess you can add that to the list.

 

[MrTissues]

Is there a way to easily figure out what apps don't let your phone got to sleep? I don't want a rogue app on my phone without me discovering it.

 

[Topshelf]

Dang, added Meebo and a few more posts came up. I'll try to keep updating the original post.

 

[woop]

Is there a way to easily figure out what apps don't let your phone got to sleep? I don't want a rogue app on my phone without me discovering it.

You can download Systempanel, and see what is "active." Do not worry about the background/cached apps as those, even though running, are not taking any cpu cycles to where it can affect the battery life.

 

[alison03]

this is a great thread. I'm kinda anal about my apps and download them slowly, one at a time to make sure it works on my phone flawlessly. (kinda like when you're only supposed to give a baby a new food every 3-4 days to make sure there isn't an allergy, and if there is, you know which food caused it lol). But yeah, this thread helps me avoid just the apps I want to be avoiding!

 

[Topshelf]

You can download Systempanel, and see what is "active." Do not worry about the background/cached apps as those, even though running, are not taking any cpu cycles to where it can affect the battery life.

I'm a huge fan of SystemPanel, it helped me find both of my problem apps, but just because something is listed under background doesn't mean it's not the problem. This is exactly what happened to me when I spent the better part of a day tracking down my Flickr issue. The coolest part of SP for me is that you can select that End All button, then choose the level of cutoff. So you can just end all the background apps in one shot, then do a quick sleep test. Narrows down your problem app much quicker.

 

[dibs ODDJOB]

Google Listen gave me SERIOUS battery issues. Had to use a task killer to properly exit the app.

I've been using Listen and have had zero issues.
Maybe check your refresh intervals, or check download only when plugged in or on wifi.

 

[howarmat]

Meebo has to though to function, there is nothing wrong with the app, most all the IM apps have to do this like nimbuzz etc. i wouldnt add it to the list

 

[jasonb1985]

i can confirm that Slacker continues to use CPU when not being used. i always have to kill it otherwise it keeps using cpu and will sometimes even randomly start playing music. it's to bad because i actually like the app.

 

[johnofcross]

If I can add to the list, I've had no luck with the MyLock app. Whenever I leave that app on from a phone reboot, uptime and awake time have always been the same. As much as how I liked that app, I've been on a lookout for a replacement app that will let the phone sleep.

 

[jasonb1985]

If I can add to the list, I've had no luck with the MyLock app. Whenever I leave that app on from a phone reboot, uptime and awake time have always been the same. As much as how I liked that app, I've been on a lookout for a replacement app that will let the phone sleep.

screen mode widget lite is your answer. it can do the same thing as mylock, but does it better.

 

[bustapsu]

i can confirm that Slacker continues to use CPU when not being used. i always have to kill it otherwise it keeps using cpu and will sometimes even randomly start playing music. it's to bad because i actually like the app.

Do you kill it just going to the "Running Services" window, or do you use a task killer app? I've killed the app in the "Running Services" window, and for whatever reason, Slacker would wake up my phone in the middle of the night and continue to drain the battery til I wake up. In fact, it took me a couple of days to figure out what app was actually draining my battery. It wasn't until I installed Spare Parts that I finally realized it was Slacker. I've since uninstalled Slacker.

 

[jasonb1985]

Do you kill it just going to the "Running Services" window, or do you use a task killer app? I've killed the app in the "Running Services" window, and for whatever reason, Slacker would wake up my phone in the middle of the night and continue to drain the battery til I wake up. In fact, it took me a couple of days to figure out what app was actually draining my battery. It wasn't until I installed Spare Parts that I finally realized it was Slacker. I've since uninstalled Slacker.

i use the Quick System Info app to kill it. it's not a task killer, but it has a task killer feature built into the app.

 

[Topshelf]

Meebo has to though to function, there is nothing wrong with the app, most all the IM apps have to do this like nimbuzz etc. i wouldnt add it to the list

Anyone have any thoughts on this? I'm kinda thinking I'll leave it up there and you can decide for yourself if you want to deal with it or any of the other IM apps.

 

[jasonb1985]

Slacker is now gone from my Phone. i like the app, but i can't take it starting on its own and using battery for no apparent reason. back to Pandora and droidlive(well i never left droidlive) for now.

 

[amarryat]

when using slacker just hit menu and exit it when you are not using it

That is the method I always use to exit, yet I still have the problem.

 

[Asterdroid]

This is somewhat related for Alice users. Gigbox is far better (in my opinion), and doesn't have any battery issues. Plus if you're a last.fm user, it will sync with your account.