Help Task Killers! Must read for new Android Users

[SirSlayer]

Is this the same as a app killer? BB installed "advanced app killer" for me and told me to use that as much as possible. Is that good?

Well I have had Sprint Reps tell me the same thing. I stop them in mid speech and ask them how they could recommend such a thing. I would un-install it. Read the articles in the beginning. They will hurt your OS over time.

 

[sikclown]

Well I have had Sprint Reps tell me the same thing. I stop them in mid speech and ask them how they could recommend such a thing. I would un-install it. Read the articles in the beginning. They will hurt your OS over time.

Everytime I hear someone recommend a Task Killer a little bit of my faith in humanities intelligence dies

 

[SirSlayer]

Everytime I hear someone recommend a Task Killer a little bit of my faith in humanities intelligence dies

LOL you an me both man!

 

[VGPOP]

What made you think that this app was the reason why you had forced close?

I've been using same app literally since it came out, and no force whatsoever. You might want to check other options.

 

[SirSlayer]

What made you think that this app was the reason why you had forced close?

I've been using same app literally since it came out, and no force whatsoever. You might want to check other options.

Good for you. No one is telling you can't use one. Its just Android doesn't need it. So many people get the idea that you have to have one. Reps demand that you need one. This is not WINDOWS. This OS is smarter then that. So in essence, when one of your apps starts choking all the time or your OS starts lagging, don't come crying to us. Reset your phone, don't install a task killer, and see how much nicer your phone runs without it.

 

[itslukelol]

The app. would cause my phone do reset when opening some apps. Had to hard reset my phone and wipe the data in order to fix.

 

[AHWagner]

^there's a stickied thread about that..

 

[Chad.Mobley11]

The app. would cause my phone do reset when opening some apps. Had to hard reset my phone and wipe the data in order to fix.

same here.

 

[Sassy_Lina]

I hear you. That's why I only kill third party stuff.

Sent from my Evo

 

[SirSlayer]

^there's a stickied thread about that..

I think the post just got added to the stickied thread! lol welcome.

 

[Biggest Fro]

Lesson learned: Don't use a Task Killer on Android.

 

[DaDoc04]

thanks for all the great info...

*deletes task killer*

 

[custangro]

I use the task killer...never experienced any problems...then again...I'm not trigger happy

 

[wkendrvr]

Ok, there is room on both sides of the fence...

Third party stuff does not need to be running 24/7 unless you want it to.

Additionally, tweaking the memory management i.e. using

automemorymanager

will make a HUGE difference in battery life. (this is from experience on a Samsung Moment) Before ATK and AMM battery would DIE within 8 hrs. I was able to go DAYS (yes DAYS) between charges after using both apps.

So, think what you want, but I am speaking from actual 'Droid experience, you NEED to tweek the memory/running programs if you want any kind of battery life.

 

[v01rider]

Task Killers are quite the hot button issues on Android phones. Personally I'm going to conduct my own tests revolving around battery life, with and without task killers, and doing what's best for me.

+1. personally, after rooting and installing systempanel and underclocking while asleep coupled with advanced task killer, my battery should be lasting longer. this afternoon is the start of my 24hr monitor of battery with both installed and rooted. i will post back after my conclusion.

 

[tcoots]

TasKiller did NOT work well. It kills system tasks as well as other apps which was bad and made me have to system restore to get back to day 1. However, Advanced Task Killer works great. It already filters out the system tasks and only gives me apps I started.

 

[Shadow_Rider]

Very interesting read indeed!

I would think that ATKs are like Window's Task Manager. When you kill an app, it's like ending a process in WTM. I've had a lot of success with WTM when tasks just hangs up. Instead of rebooting, i would just launch WTM and end the process.

The main question now, is how would I know which process (task) to turn off when I need to - in an Android environment... Looks like I'll be learning the hard way... LOL!

What I would REALLY like to see developed....is an app similar to what WinPatrol is for Windows operating systems. It's a PC software program that allows the user to determine which programs "start up" with the computer when it is rebooted. It does other things...but that's one of it's big functions.

For example....when I reboot my phone...I have apps like "the MP3 Store" that "start up" with the phone. Even though I've never even used the app! There are others...like Reds News, Cowboys, News (sports related)...that I rarely access, like every other week for a few minutes...but they are constantly on, unless I "kill" them with Advanced Task Killer.

Sounds like Task Manager (another app) MAY possibly do what I'm asking...but I'm not sure. Has anyone used Task Manager, and can verify if it will prevent unwanted apps from automatically starting up when the phone is turned on...as well as shut down apps that are not in use?

 

[SirSlayer]

What I would REALLY like to see developed....is an app similar to what WinPatrol is for Windows operating systems. It's a PC software program that allows the user to determine which programs "start up" with the computer when it is rebooted. It does other things...but that's one of it's big functions.

For example....when I reboot my phone...I have apps like "the MP3 Store" that "start up" with the phone. Even though I've never even used the app! There are others...like Reds News, Cowboys, News (sports related)...that I rarely access, like every other week for a few minutes...but they are constantly on, unless I "kill" them with Advanced Task Killer.

Sounds like Task Manager (another app) MAY possibly do what I'm asking...but I'm not sure. Has anyone used Task Manager, and can verify if it will prevent unwanted apps from automatically starting up when the phone is turned on...as well as shut down apps that are not in use?

I have to say I think I have mentioned this before. Quite simply: You can't think of the Android OS to be like Windows. Just because a application has files loaded into memory doesn't mean they are "running" like you think. The files loaded are for faster access to the application when the application is called on. What is used would be memory. If Android needs the memory it will unload the most unused application according to the priority. So with most of the Task Killers out there if they show you the CPU %, you will notice that the apps that are loaded and not being used at 0%, meaning its not "running"....at all. If you look at your battery usage, the application is not listed. Therefore the application is only taking up memory unless the OS needs the memory then it will kill it automatically.

Folks coming from Windows back ground, me included, need to realize this. I have been running my new EVO stock, I get great battery life and never have used a task killer. Its just not needed. I have seen posts about issues with the phone on the forums and most of the time the screen shoots posted my them I see the little ATK guy on there. My first response is UNINSTALL ATK or any other task killer, run without for awhile and watch how your phone improves in performance.

 

[custangro]

Although I have ATK installed; this topic is interesting enough to where I am going to try it out for a while.

I am going to "live without it" for a week

-C

 

[adboll]

So, being a new Android user, along with reading much of this thread, I decided to continue trying ATK out, but with it throttled way back. Here is my approach for what it is worth:

1. Turn off autostart feature (it is an app in itself and drains batt to some unknown to me extent - just remember to manually hit the widget every now and then)

2. USE THE IGNORE list for killing apps (this will allows you to leave useful apps running - my ATK was killing email notifications originally)

Here is what I have ignored (you are more than welcome to chose others - afterall it is your phone)
a. News
b. Voicemail
c. Messages
d. fring (app for instant messaging)
e. Calendar
f. Mail
g. Gmail

3. After my initial test of these settings, battery life seems to be better so far, but I still get the added benefit of MANUALLY killing all apps other than the ones listed above. Seems this hybrid approach to using/not using ATK might be a way to go.

I am by no means an expert on Android, just a new user making deductions on own observations coupled with advice from these forums. Thanks for all the advice btw!

 

[SirSlayer]

So, being a new Android user, along with reading much of this thread, I decided to continue trying ATK out, but with it throttled way back. Here is my approach for what it is worth:

1. Turn off autostart feature (it is an app in itself and drains batt to some unknown to me extent - just remember to manually hit the widget every now and then)

2. USE THE IGNORE list for killing apps (this will allows you to leave useful apps running - my ATK was killing email notifications originally)

Here is what I have ignored (you are more than welcome to chose others - afterall it is your phone)
a. News
b. Voicemail
c. Messages
d. fring (app for instant messaging)
e. Calendar
f. Mail
g. Gmail

3. After my initial test of these settings, battery life seems to be better so far, but I still get the added benefit of MANUALLY killing all apps other than the ones listed above. Seems this hybrid approach to using/not using ATK might be a way to go.

I am by no means an expert on Android, just a new user making deductions on own observations coupled with advice from these forums. Thanks for all the advice btw!

You could install Astro File Manager.....has no Auto kill functions and a kill when needed feature with it, and isn't loaded until needed. Plus gives you all kinds of other options like well...file management.

 

[EVOtravis]

the sprint sales rep insisted i install ATK before i left the store. me being an android noob i downloaded it. s

so far i'm not sure how to interpret what the app is actually doing. i can open ATK, kill all the apps, go to the home screen, directly back into ATK and they'll be a bunch of apps already there waiting to be killed.

can anyone explain this to me?

 

[SirSlayer]

the sprint sales rep insisted i install ATK before i left the store. me being an android noob i downloaded it. s

so far i'm not sure how to interpret what the app is actually doing. i can open ATK, kill all the apps, go to the home screen, directly back into ATK and they'll be a bunch of apps already there waiting to be killed.

can anyone explain this to me?

Read Post #93 and uninstall that crap from them market in the download part. Then enjoy your phone and don't worry about apps running or not. Unnecessary stress. lol

 

[Upright]

Just to add my 2cents I un-installed ATK today and noticed vastly improved battery life. I was able to use my EVO (with heavy use) for 7hrs 47mins before it hit the battery 15% red caution area. Hope this helps.

 

[tomhagen]

Is SystemPanelLite considered a 'Task Killer' ? and for those that think that Task Killers are harmful... would SystemPanelLite fall into that category? (even with minimal usage, like monitoring?)