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So as some of you may know there is an app for android called Tasker and it is by far the most powerful app out to date.
"Tasker is an application for Android which performs Tasks (sets of Actions) based on Contexts (application, time, date, location, event, gesture) in user-defined Profiles, or in clickable or timer home screen widgets.
This simple concept profoundly extends your control of your Android device and it's capabilities, without the need for 'root' or a special home screen"
As powerful and amazing as this app is, it's pretty hard to use unless your very tech savvy and I have been searching the Net for some how-to guides but their doesn't seem to be much out there. So I wanted to create this thread and have people post their own little tips/mods that they have set-up with Tasker so that newbies such as my-self can have a place to go if they need help getting Tasker to perform certain functions.
I just download the app last night and haven't had much time to mess with it yet, but once I get the hang of it I will start posting what I'm doing.
Anybody that uses Tasker please feel free to add on to the thread and lets make this the ultimate "How-to" guide for people trying to unlock the full potential of this amazing app.
How long did it take you to develop this app?
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
firemedic1343 said:
How long did it take you to develop this app?
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
@OP, one that I made that I find useful scans the SD card for new media whenever it's mounted.
PROFILE:
Event - Card Mounted (Priority: Normal, Card Title: <blank>, Frequency: 1)
Task - Media -> Scan Card
Task - Alert -> Flash (Text: Scanning for new media..., Long: <unchecked>, If: <unchecked>)
This one turns off the lockscreen when using Music or Pandora (you have to make two separate profiles!)
PROFILE:
Application - Music/Pandora
Task - Display -> Keyguard (Set: Off, If: <unchecked>)
I also spent a lot of time developing a task that would turn airplane mode on for 45 minutes, turn it off for 15 minutes, then turn it back on and repeat until stopped. Everything works except Tasker stops all timers when the phone sleeps, so unless I want to put a partial wake-lock on it (which would defeat the whole battery-saving purpose of the profile in the first place), it doesn't work
Gregalous said:
@OP, one that I made that I find useful scans the SD card for new media whenever it's mounted.
PROFILE:
Event - Card Mounted (Priority: Normal, Card Title: <blank>, Frequency: 1)
Task - Media -> Scan Card
Task - Alert -> Flash (Text: Scanning for new media..., Long: <unchecked>, If: <unchecked>)
This one turns off the lockscreen when using Music or Pandora (you have to make two separate profiles!)
PROFILE:
Application - Music/Pandora
Task - Display -> Keyguard (Set: Off, If: <unchecked>)
I also spent a lot of time developing a task that would turn airplane mode on for 45 minutes, turn it off for 15 minutes, then turn it back on and repeat until stopped. Everything works except Tasker stops all timers when the phone sleeps, so unless I want to put a partial wake-lock on it (which would defeat the whole battery-saving purpose of the profile in the first place), it doesn't work
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Click to collapse
Both setups seem very useful, ima check them out. Thanks for the input!
About the one you can't get to work. I'm pretty sure I actually saw something similar to it the other day on another website, not 100% sure though. I think it was a profile that allowed you to basically turn off all of you're data and have it come back on for a short period of time to gather texts and stuff...
Ima going to look for it for you to see if i can find it...
In the mean time I found a few useful profiles here http://lifehacker.com/5606284/three-handy-tasker-profiles-from-our-readers
I would post them but theres actually quite a bit if you look in the comments and the post itself.
Once I think of something "original" i'll post it
You also might want to check the official Tasker pages. There is also a Wiki with step-throughs (link on left side of main page).
http://tasker.dinglisch.net/
This is the only app I have been able to find that will let you remotely turn the GPS on. IMO that alone was worth the money, now I don't have to waste time writing an app for it.
I've been working on something to activate the GPS and send the phone's location, available wifi networks, etc, over a text message. Haven't figure out how to make it update the GPS location or turn on 3G yet though. Anyone know anything about android bridge scripts and if they would be able to do this?
Vegasden said:
You also might want to check the official Tasker pages. There is also a Wiki with step-throughs (link on left side of main page).
http://tasker.dinglisch.net/
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Click to collapse
Wow. thanks a lot for the link. i have been looking for some sort of wiki or help for tasker for a while now but apparently I wasn't looking in rite places.
Thanks again.
Also, Mobile Defense, if installed in system apps allows you to remotely turn on gps and track your phone, however, they have temporarily closed down the beta. I've always had it on my android phones and it's pretty amazing. Much better than lookout for tracking your device.
tasker is a great app. i use it on a dialy basis. save so much battery life
SiL3nTKiLL said:
tasker is a great app. i use it on a dialy basis. save so much battery life
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Click to collapse
What works for you? Some example scripts please please. thanks.
Here is more info on tasker setup.
I tried some of these and they worked great.
http://lifehacker.com/5601133/push-...d-to-awesome-heights-with-these-tasker-setups
http://lifehacker.com/5599116/how-to-turn-your-android-phone-into-a-fully+automated-superphone
maps to start gps and gps logger
hi everyone,
i'd like to start maps, and have:
- Gps turned on
and
-an app called GpsLogger to start.
The problem i get is that, once Gps is turned on and GpsLogger is opened, if i get back to Maps by long-pressing the home button the whole automation starts again, leading me to GpsLogger again..
Could anyone help please?
Thanks!
I downloaded Tasker the other day to accomplish one thing only. I wanted my wife to be able to get through to me whenever she called me. I work shift work so my phone is set to Silent at odd times when I am resting, so the various dings and rings don't interrupt my sleep. Fearful of her not being able to get a hold of me in an emergency, I set this up:
Profile: Priority Call (named by me)
Context: Incoming Call - Very simply, I used the magnifying glass to select her contact from my phone, and it input her name in the box.
Task: Silent Mode - Mode set to OFF
This profile checks all incoming calls and then turns Silent Mode OFF and allows the call to ring through. When the call is done, the phone returns to Silent Mode. NOTE: I also had to set up a separate task to turn the phone to silent in the first place. For some reason, Tasker would not recognize the phone as being in "Silent Mode" if I used the volume down button to put it in silent mode. So I just added a shortcut to the Tasker task of putting the phone to silent on my homescreen. Now when I go to bed, I hit the shortcut and I am able to be undisturbed until I wake again, unless my wife calls. I could see this being very useful for people with teenagers that are out or babysitters with children.
This task can also be useful if you sleep at defined hours, because you can set the phone to automatically turn to silent at X hour, and turn silent mode off at X hour. Just some ideas.
I am now searching for ways to completely automate the phone by making it turn on my GPS and Bluetooth when I am away from home, as well as turn these off and turn my wifi on when I am at home. Several attempts with no knowledge of this app have been unsuccessful so far. More to follow.
Robert
OnDutyTactical said:
I downloaded Tasker the other day to accomplish one thing only. I wanted my wife to be able to get through to me whenever she called me. I work shift work so my phone is set to Silent at odd times when I am resting, so the various dings and rings don't interrupt my sleep. Fearful of her not being able to get a hold of me in an emergency, I set this up:
Profile: Priority Call (named by me)
Context: Incoming Call - Very simply, I used the magnifying glass to select her contact from my phone, and it input her name in the box.
Task: Silent Mode - Mode set to OFF
This profile checks all incoming calls and then turns Silent Mode OFF and allows the call to ring through. When the call is done, the phone returns to Silent Mode. NOTE: I also had to set up a separate task to turn the phone to silent in the first place. For some reason, Tasker would not recognize the phone as being in "Silent Mode" if I used the volume down button to put it in silent mode. So I just added a shortcut to the Tasker task of putting the phone to silent on my homescreen. Now when I go to bed, I hit the shortcut and I am able to be undisturbed until I wake again, unless my wife calls. I could see this being very useful for people with teenagers that are out or babysitters with children.
This task can also be useful if you sleep at defined hours, because you can set the phone to automatically turn to silent at X hour, and turn silent mode off at X hour. Just some ideas.
I am now searching for ways to completely automate the phone by making it turn on my GPS and Bluetooth when I am away from home, as well as turn these off and turn my wifi on when I am at home. Several attempts with no knowledge of this app have been unsuccessful so far. More to follow.
Robert
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here you go...
These two pages on the Tasker Wiki will show you how to do a lot of what you want, and even find stuff you didn't know you needed.
http://tasker.wikidot.com/profile-index
http://tasker.wikidot.com/step-throughs
Sorry if this has already been asked but is there a way to disable or mute notifications between certain times? Or at least email? This way the phone doesnt go off when I am asleep.
I use Sound Manager. Gives you the option to set the volume levels for media, system, notifications, etc and to set schedules for any of these. I use it to set my notification volume down low after 2:00am and to come back up to high volume around 8:00am and so far has worked just fine.
Tasker works great for this
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
Tasker probably can do that but its a ready complicated learning curve imo
Tasker rocks..definitely worth it...
I have the same thing..here is how to set it up in Tasker...
From 23:00 Til 07:00
Silent Mode On
That's it...
I also have it setup for an exception that if one of two people call me from work then it overrides and rings...
I have done a ton of stuff with Tasker -- like turning phone to vibrate during meetings, turning on gps automatically when I run certain programs (and then turn it off again when I close them), Play a sound when the plug becomes disconnected while charging, change the screen turnoff time when phone is charging, etc..
If you can't tell I love it.
Another plug for Tasker. It is awesome. The MacGyver part of my signature is brought to you in part by Tasker. And the letter A, for Awesome.
If Tasker seems hard to get into, check out their site for info: http://tasker.dinglisch.net/
A really nice use I have for it is automatically adjusting my screen brightness when plugged/unplugged.
fldude99 said:
Tasker probably can do that but its a ready complicated learning curve imo
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Click to collapse
Tasker does have a bit of a learning curve and if it's just simply turning off notifications, there are probably simpler solutions. But I love Tasker to bits. I have it set so between my usual bedtime hours, the phone goes silent, Screen Filter activates and dims it way down and Orientation turns off so I can lay down and read without it turning into landscape. I seem to always be finding new things to add and tinker.
Also recently added a function where the screen timeout goes away when Maps is activated. Got tired of losing the lock because it takes so darn long to get it back!
I use Volume Toggle - it is free (ad supported) and it has a bunch of different profiles you can customize.
It has a companion program "Volume Timer" (also free) that lets you set days and times for each profile.
I used to use Sound Manager but it decided to stop working, even after re-installing it still decided to quit after using it awhile.
I now use AudioGuru, it works great for scheduling volume settings for anything on your phone (System, Alarm, Ringer, Notifications, etc). Very easy to use and hasn't failed me yet. Recommended.
I use Silent Time Lite. It is free from the App Store and is very simple to use.
Sweet Dreams is available on the market and works great. Easy to use.
Thanks all, Tasker looks like it rocks. I will get it loaded. I like the "if bluetooth connected then read outloud the text messages", this way whenever I am in my car, it will read the tm! thats sweet.
Hi all.
I would like to know if there is an app to switch on/off your windows phone automatically. I miss it when i changed from Blackberry to WP. For example i often forget to switch off my phone at night so this app would be very useful for me.
Thanks
ilboy said:
Hi all.
I would like to know if there is an app to switch on/off your windows phone automatically. I miss it when i changed from Blackberry to WP. For example i often forget to switch off my phone at night so this app would be very useful for me.
Thanks
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Click to collapse
I guess it is not a problem to write the aplication witch is able to turn of your phone. But how the hell could aplication turn ON the phone back, if it is tourtned off. For example try to turn on your PC with some kind of application. I guess you get the point.
Of course i get it, even if i'm not a developer. It would be great to have just an auto-switching off app. However, don't know how, blackberry has got it.
I would be really pleased if someone wrote this app to switch off the phone.
thanks again
I actually don't think blackberries turn off completely until the battery is either completely dead or removed. I know when a blackberry is "off" it still has the ability to turn back on when an alarm is going off so I would assume that it just goes into a low power standby state. However, when you turn off Windows Phone, it's off.
This should be posted @ [email protected] section.
I didn't do that because i must write 10 post before writing in that section
Actually, my PC will turn on at a given time, but I don't believe these phones can do the same. Also, if it does turn off at a certain time, you would not be able to have it plugged into a charger. When WP is plugged in, it automatically turns on. I believe that's a hardware design.
Reboot App Perhaps???
I DONT KNOW ABOUT A SHUT DOWN APP BUT HERE IS A REBOOT... PRE-MANGO
If you have pre-Mango (pre-7712+) you can use the attached .xap, its an app that was developed by someone here at the forums... I changed the icon for the start screen but that is all...
For shutdown, just hold the pwr button at this time... sorry... jejeje
I think what he's looking for (as I am) is a version of Phone Alarm or Pocket Phone Zen. They automatically turn things like WIFI, BT, Phone, etc. on or off at preset times. PA can also do that when plugged into a charger so BT will turn on when the phone's in the car holder for hands free. I haven't been able find anything in the Marketplace.
For restart phone on Mango try that app: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1333740
I use for shut off/on power button.
In Blackberry when you press the power button off it does not get really turned off. Its in sleep mode which actually just closes the user state but the kernel keeps ticking and thats the reason any app in background hooked to kernel can turn it on which is actually waking it up from sleep.
Moreover in sleep mode everything used to get shut off i.e call it airplane mode. So if somebody can make a WP app which can just turn on and turn off the airplane mode, it should work for you.
Have a look at Phone Alarm for WM 6.x It is able to do so much more. Things I would like to see in an app for WP7 are:
scheduled on/off of WIFI, BT, phone, GPS, data connection.
scheduled sync of email at longer intervals like every 6 hours (WP7 max is 2 -not everyone has a data flatrate.)
Scheduled and location based volume adjustment. (quiet at home, loud in the car, etc.)
BT, GPS auto-on if charging ("Car" profile if charging, see next point)
Profiles that can be changed with one click. (for example "Meeting" profile turns off sound, reduces display brightness, turns off WIFI, turns on BT etc.)
doesn't have to be cost free but does need to be bug free
Cheers
Hi.
Since coming from android I've been a frequent user of apps who lets the phone change it's settings due to specific triggers, like turning silent at night and loud in the morning, turning silent when a certain calendar happening occurs, turning of wifi when leaving home etc.
Is there anything like this for using along with windows phone?
Thanks in advance
Pemell
Actually, (some of) this is theoretically possible, but nobody has done it so far. It's also not going to be allowed on the Marketplace; you'd need to use some unofficial APIs.
For example, the DllImport Project already has shown the ability to control the phone's volume. Programmatically muting the phone at a certain time, for example one minute after a meeting is supposed to start, should be pretty easy.
The trick would be to make sure the phone also un-mutes it when the meeting ends. WP7 doesn't (officially) allow third-party software to run continuously in the background, and while you can schedule a time for the software to run, it make no guarantee ot to-the-minute accuracy. There are ways around the official restrictions, but most of them have serious battery-life considerations (although telling the process to sleep for the next 30 minutes * 60 seconds * 1000 miliseconds would probably work without draining battery). Additionally, I'm not sure how much access apps officially have to calendar data, although on interop-unlocked or full-unlocked phones there are varius ways to access that data.
For things other than volume control, like enabling or disabling WiFi (almost completely unneccessary on WP7, the WiFi power management is, if anything, too conservative already) you'd need to find the place in the OS that controls it. Probably just sending SetDevicePower to the Wifi driver would work to disable it, though I don't know if that would show up correctly in the UI.
Having some issues with tasker on the pixel 3. I had the pixel 1 with android pie and had no issues. I migrated my profile and the tasks work if i play them manually but don't seem to work automatically 99% of the time. They also show green as if they should be active. It seems to have something to do with having the screen off. I have battery optimization turned off for the app and I have messed around with a few other settings. Does anyone know the magic combination to get it working? Or any idea what else may be wrong?
Example screnario...I get into my car, bluetooth connects, i wait and pandora doesnt turn on. I unlock the phone and go into tasker, the profile is green as if it is active but Pandora isn't playing. I then open the task and hit the play button and everything works as it should.
I can live without most of my tasks but I really miss Pandora automatically playing and exiting when connected to my bluetooth.
EDIT: My other tasks are hard to verify they aren't working. It seems that they may be working some/most of the time but Pandora has yet to launch while the screen is off. I have smart lock enabled so the phone should unlock when connected to my bluetooth.
huviduc said:
Having some issues with tasker on the pixel 3. I had the pixel 1 with android pie and had no issues. I migrated my profile and the tasks work if i play them manually but don't seem to work automatically 99% of the time. They also show green as if they should be active. It seems to have something to do with having the screen off. I have battery optimization turned off for the app and I have messed around with a few other settings. Does anyone know the magic combination to get it working? Or any idea what else may be wrong?
Example screnario...I get into my car, bluetooth connects, i wait and pandora doesnt turn on. I unlock the phone and go into tasker, the profile is green as if it is active but Pandora isn't playing. I then open the task and hit the play button and everything works as it should.
I can live without most of my tasks but I really miss Pandora automatically playing and exiting when connected to my bluetooth.
EDIT: My other tasks are hard to verify they aren't working. It seems that they may be working some/most of the time but Pandora has yet to launch while the screen is off. I have smart lock enabled so the phone should unlock when connected to my bluetooth.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check to see if accessibility is enabled for Tasker. If memory serves me correctly it needs to be enabled in order to launch an app. I might be wrong about that but it can't hurt to try it. Android settings>accessibility
robocuff said:
Check to see if accessibility is enabled for Tasker. If memory serves me correctly it needs to be enabled in order to launch an app. I might be wrong about that but it can't hurt to try it. Android settings>accessibility
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Click to collapse
I checked and it wasn't enabled. Enabled it but unfortunately the same issue happens. If i have the screen on everything works perfectly fine, screen off nothing happens. I am using always on display if that matters, its the only difference from my pixel 1 setup but I don't see why it would matter.
I also tried clearing all app data, uninstalling, reinstalling and setting up the pandora profile from scratch. Its such a simple task, I don't see why it isn't working. Profile below, selected options in parenthesis.
BT Connected (bluetooth device name) -> Pandora (Launch App Pandora)
Did you select the BT device from the list by tapping the magnifying glass? I have found that if I pair a device the name is the same but the profile won't work until I remove and add it again. Also, some have different modes. For example, my Bose BT headphones pair as "Bose SoundSport" initially, but then connect as "LE Bose SoundSport" after that, so profile trigger has both listed.
Another test I would do is to change the task actions to see if it's actually triggering the profile or if it's an issue with the task. I usually just do Alert > Flash and watch the screen when the profile should be triggering. If the flash works, something isn't working with the launch app action.
Hope this helps.
Edit: I guess I didn't clarify, the task I have with my Bose headphones launches Spotify and starts music (media control > next). It also sets the media volume to a comfortable level. The criteria for this profile is a variable (based on calendar to see if I'm at work or not) and BT connection.
I forgot it was there, but I use Secure Settings to wake the CPU when the task triggers. Not sure if this is still needed or not. I think it was needed at one point to launch with the screen off or something, but I haven't really changed this task for a few years other than updating the BT device name as described above.
fury683 said:
Did you select the BT device from the list by tapping the magnifying glass? I have found that if I pair a device the name is the same but the profile won't work until I remove and add it again. Also, some have different modes. For example, my Bose BT headphones pair as "Bose SoundSport" initially, but then connect as "LE Bose SoundSport" after that, so profile trigger has both listed.
Another test I would do is to change the task actions to see if it's actually triggering the profile or if it's an issue with the task. I usually just do Alert > Flash and watch the screen when the profile should be triggering. If the flash works, something isn't working with the launch app action.
Hope this helps.
Edit: I guess I didn't clarify, the task I have with my Bose headphones launches Spotify and starts music (media control > next). It also sets the media volume to a comfortable level. The criteria for this profile is a variable (based on calendar to see if I'm at work or not) and BT connection.
I forgot it was there, but I use Secure Settings to wake the CPU when the task triggers. Not sure if this is still needed or not. I think it was needed at one point to launch with the screen off or something, but I haven't really changed this task for a few years other than updating the BT device name as described above.
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Thanks for the input! I am heading out of town for a few days but I'll look into your suggestions when i return ( i wont have my car with me so i cant do any testing). I do think the profile works because it shows as green when i turn my screen on and open tasker. It also works perfectly fine if i have my screen on then start my car.
I think it may be working now (successfully tested one time) but I will need to use a bit more to be sure. The only thing I noticed is when reinstalling, i was prompted to allow the application to run in the background and chose yes. When the app was transferred from my old phone and I imported the backup, i dont recall ever getting this prompt. Not sure where this setting is found other than at the prompt. I will report back once i am home and can test some more.
okay so it doesn't appear to be working still. The task works fine when played manually, the profile runs the task successfully when the screen is on/off/locked. It does NOT work after phone has been idle for a while. I have battery optimization off for Tasker and when I check battery usage, I can see that tasker runs all day long. I have another task to dismiss email notifications at work and it works fine when the phone is idle.
Starting to test it with different actions like turning on the screen but I'm running out of ideas. Only other thought it Adaptive Battery....not very familiar with it.
huviduc said:
okay so it doesn't appear to be working still. The task works fine when played manually, the profile runs the task successfully when the screen is on/off/locked. It does NOT work after phone has been idle for a while. I have battery optimization off for Tasker and when I check battery usage, I can see that tasker runs all day long. I have another task to dismiss email notifications at work and it works fine when the phone is idle.
Starting to test it with different actions like turning on the screen but I'm running out of ideas. Only other thought it Adaptive Battery....not very familiar with it.
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Click to collapse
Can you verify if the task runs at all? In other words, does Tasker successfully see the BT connection and activate the profile and the only thing that fails is Pandora playing?
If the profile actually kicks in, then it sounds like the phone needs to 'wake up' more before the Pandora action works.
I have a morning profile (runs based on time of day) that I had to add a wake screen step to to have all the actions work (I don't actually remember which action wasn't working -- it may have been that it didn't seen to run at all). I currently use the old Secure Settings plugin to do the screen wake because when I tried which auto- app has a screen wake action it didn't work.
piccit said:
Can you verify if the task runs at all? In other words, does Tasker successfully see the BT connection and activate the profile and the only thing that fails is Pandora playing?
If the profile actually kicks in, then it sounds like the phone needs to 'wake up' more before the Pandora action works.
I have a morning profile (runs based on time of day) that I had to add a wake screen step to to have all the actions work (I don't actually remember which action wasn't working -- it may have been that it didn't seen to run at all). I currently use the old Secure Settings plugin to do the screen wake because when I tried which auto- app has a screen wake action it didn't work.
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Click to collapse
This leads me to believe the bit I added for Secure Settings to wake CPU is what makes it work any time? The profile I have is very similar; %ATWORK = TRUE && BT connected to Bose SoundSport. Secure Settings wakes CPU only 20 seconds, launches Spotify, waits 5 seconds, simulates media control "next" then sets the volume to 10.
Can't hurt to try..
i added a task to vibrate the phone after trying to launch pandora. The phone seems to vibrate every time but pandora will only start if the screen is on. Thought it may be lock screen related so i totally disabled it, same results. Ill mess around with the secure settings tip above, the fact that it vibrates every time makes me think its something else though. Attached some logs below. Each set contains all logs from profile active to profile inactive.
EDIT --> work around found. Removing log in case there are any personal details
DELETED
DELETED
Comparing the logs in notepad++, they seem to be almost identical (with the exceptions of some of the timing of logs, had to move them around to match them up). The only difference I can see is the following lines and what appears to be Pandora starting up and exiting when it works ( events surrounded by #NLI: tickerText. The first line says True when screen is on and the second line is missing when pandora failed to load.
31-10-2018 M: 11.17.12#M: user present: false
31-10-2018 M: 11.17.12#M: startUAAA: need alarm: false
oddly enough... installing Secure Settings and using it to launch the same Pandora activity seems to work (so far)