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[Q] sliding out recent apps

I've read that it's not necessary to use a task manager and kill processes/programmes as Android manages itself fine.
But what about sliding out the recent apps list? What does it do and is it good/bad doing it?
Don't know if it matters but I've got Android 4.4.4.

trey77 said:
I've read that it's not necessary to use a task manager and kill processes/programmes as Android manages itself fine.
But what about sliding out the recent apps list? What does it do and is it good/bad doing it?
Don't know if it matters but I've got Android 4.4.4.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The recent apps is a way of multitasking on Android devices, this new feature was introduced in Honeycomb and was later improved in newer Android versions.
The purpose of this said feature as said before is to help a user multitask. So if you're browsing the internet and have a specific page up. A minute or so later you get a message so you open the messaging app and make a reply. But now you want to go back to the same app you were one earlier without having to restart, reload or wait for the content to appear.
When sliding a specific app (task) from the recent apps menu, you're basically killing the app. (Removing it from the multitasking menu, it reduces ram consumption as the process for that app has now been shut down or limited. For example if you kill a messaging app, it runs a background service so you can receive messages. When you have the app open or running in the background it opens a new process, when you slide the app away you're removing the background process for it but you're not disabling the server process. (So you will still get messages).
In short form, when you slide an app away from the recent menu, you're killing the apps process. This is good when you don't need or you are not using the app. So if you have you don't need to multitask with a specific app, remove it from the menu and it'll restore ram so it speeds up your device.
Hopefully I helped, if there was something you didn't quite understand. Let me know and I'll try and explain it furthermore.
Krish
Sent from my T-Mobile G1

TheArc said:
Hopefully I helped, if there was something you didn't quite understand. Let me know and I'll try and explain it furthermore.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Everything clear, thanks!

How to disable user app in EMUI 5.0.1 without uninstalling?

Hi Guys....
I am running EMUI 5.0.1 on Honor 8. I can't find a way to disable - freeze apps as it was possible in previous Android versions (Until Android 6 at least). The only thing I can find is the option to disable apps after screen lock.
But this is not what I want, and also does not close background services of the app. For example, there is a health tracking app that is running continuously on the background... I want to stop it without uninstalling it... Isn't there a way?
PS: I have seen the ADB method to stop background apps, but I can't believe that such a useful feature was disabled from recent android versions... Also please note that the system apps that came installed on the phone (like Youtube, Browser, etc..) DO have the disable option in app Info.... The user Apps have only force stop and uninstall...

You can make it a system app by for example usibg lucjy patcher if you have root (I think). Just don't use it for illegal purposes.

I can understand there are workarounds, like rooting the phone... I want to know if there is an official no superuser way, like there was in previous version of Android

mitsos1os said:
I can understand there are workarounds, like rooting the phone... I want to know if there is an official no superuser way, like there was in previous version of Android
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Greenify can hibernate them so they won't run in the background

Works for me: https://www.xda-developers.com/uninstall-carrier-oem-bloatware-without-root-access/ and the video
Sent from my Redmi 4X using XDA Labs

@marv_in_lbc I do not want to uninstall the apps.... And also not talking about system apps... I want to disable them and without the use of 3rd party app... All I am asking if this is doable as it was in previous android versions...
I am not even sure if Huawei has just disabled this option in their firmware, but this must't be the case, since the option is available but only for system apps. From my previous experience this was available in all apps in previous android versions.

(I missed this the first time I read your post, but that Health app that's always running -- this method stops that as the Health app is one that I "removed" using this method.)
Watch the video.
The title is a little misleading as the apps are not actually uninstalled, but rather removed from use from the primary user - in effect, freezing them. But, for all intents & purposes, the app is uninstalled. When you look for the app in the app drawer, it will not show up. When you start your phone, the app(s) will not start. The app(s) will still be technically installed, just not available for use by the primary user (user 0).
That method worked with my Honor 8, Xiaomi Redmi 4x, Moto X Pure, Moto E & an old ZTE phone.
Sent from my Honor 8 using XDA Labs
---------- Post added at 11:52 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:27 AM ----------
mitsos1os said:
@marv_in_lbc I do not want to uninstall the apps.... And also not talking about system apps... I want to disable them and without the use of 3rd party app... All I am asking if this is doable as it was in previous android versions...
I am not even sure if Huawei has just disabled this option in their firmware, but this must't be the case, since the option is available but only for system apps. From my previous experience this was available in all apps in previous android versions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Depends upon the OEM. System apps include apps like YouTube & Email, but also vendor apps like Huawei Health. Some will allow you to disable, while a few others will allow complete uninstalling - it depends upon the OEM (and in some cases, the carrier, at least in the US)
A system app that can't be disabled or uninstalled usually can only be removed if the device is rooted. The method shown in the video doesn't require root & persists after reboots - like the app is actually uninstalled.
The video explains it all.
Sent from my Honor 8 using XDA Labs

Alternative SMS apps stop working, only native SMS app stay alive, why?

Hello,
I don't have any problems to receive SMS with the native application.
With other apps (QKSMS, Chomp, etc), it works for a moment, but after the night for example the SMS do not arrive anymore.
If I launch the app, it works for a few hours, but the previously sent SMS are definitely lost.
It's like if the system kills the SMS service as long as it's not the native one. But I thought this was Android to manage SMS reception, not the apps... I find nothing on the Web. Do you have any idea of a solution?
(I don't think it's specific but this happens on my tablet Lenovo Tab4 with Android 7.1 rooted.)

Try removing the SMS app you are using from battery optimization. Settings -> battery -> 3-dot menu (I think that's the location on 7).

Thanks, but already tried. I guess these apps are not designed to stay in memory, just receveid a notification from the system.
I don't understand why it seems that I'm the only one with this problem!

Open the problem app, then go home. Open the recents menu, does the app have a padlock icon? If so, lock it. That should prevent the OS from killing the app.

It seems to work. But I still may can close the app by inadvertence, this is not a real solution. Why am I the only one who must do this? :'(
Thanks for your time, I think it's that or using the default app, no other choice.

Daxorp said:
It seems to work. But I still may can close the app by inadvertence, this is not a real solution. Why am I the only one who must do this? :'(
Thanks for your time, I think it's that or using the default app, no other choice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's all about battery life. The aggressive methods of killing apps varies from manufacturer and device. Huawei, Samsung, OnePlus and Xiaomi are extremely aggressive at killing off apps. Android 9/10 is more aggressive than 7.

OK, it may be Lenovo the guilty.
I write too fast. It does not work also by locking the app in the recents menu.
So I'm forced to use native application.
Thanks again
PS: I will try by putting a widget of QKSMS, it seems to help...

Question App to view and disable services and receivers.

On my note 9 I had a fantastic app that would let me disable specific services, broadcast receivers, activities or the entire app.
I can't remember what it was called but it's definitely not package disabler pro.
Also this app didn't require adb or root.
Any help would be appreciated.

Maybe this https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.rrivenllc.shieldx

daoskar said:
Maybe this https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.rrivenllc.shieldx
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately not.
The UI was very simple. White background like package disabler but when you clicked it app it would show tabs for each section (services receivers etc) and you could individually disable parts of the app without disabling the app itself.
I feel like an idiot for not backing it up. I found it like a week before I switched to a note 10+

Well I found the app but it doesn't do what I need anymore because the dev was "sick of dealing with Samsung".
It was ccswe. Do does anyone know an alternative that can disable broadcast receivers, services etc without root? I know it's possible and there must be a working app out there.

d0x360 said:
Well I found the app but it doesn't do what I need anymore because the dev was "sick of dealing with Samsung".
It was ccswe. Do does anyone know an alternative that can disable broadcast receivers, services etc without root? I know it's possible and there must be a working app out there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Would NetGuard be what you're looking for? There's an XDA post about it

Are you rooted?

Ice box is another good app to use to freeze system services

Keep Apps closed (and avoid Boot) on Android 12

Hey guys, is there any efficient app which really closes any app - or avoid them to boot during the startup of the smartphone?
For example, Booking.com or Instagram — I absolutely don't need any notifications from them, and I want to keep those apps absolutely closed. Even the native "restricted background activity" on Android 12 seems not to be working, nor Servicely / Naptime / Greenify (I have root).
Any other suggestions?
Thanks

pulseg11 said:
Hey guys, is there any efficient app which really closes any app - or avoid them to boot during the startup of the smartphone?
For example, Booking.com or Instagram — I absolutely don't need any notifications from them, and I want to keep those apps absolutely closed. Even the native "restricted background activity" on Android 12 seems not to be working, nor Servicely / Naptime / Greenify (I have root).
Any other suggestions?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So basically a startup manager. That would be pretty nifty.
Best I can suggest is disable notifications on those apps; with notifications disabled, I think Android system doesn't allow the processes to keep running. I could be wrong.
There's also some Developer Options that help reduce what you have running at any given time, although they're more of a global policy and not app specific.

V0latyle said:
So basically a startup manager. That would be pretty nifty.
Best I can suggest is disable notifications on those apps; with notifications disabled, I think Android system doesn't allow the processes to keep running. I could be wrong.
There's also some Developer Options that help reduce what you have running at any given time, although they're more of a global policy and not app specific.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep — I've disabled the notifications already of Instagram, but still appears to be having some background activity.
Startup manager - yeah, do you know any to suggest?

pulseg11 said:
Yep — I've disabled the notifications already of Instagram, but still appears to be having some background activity.
Startup manager - yeah, do you know any to suggest?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I mean, there's dozens of task managers out there, but honestly they're not really worth the trouble and don't do anything significant for battery life. With the exception of Magisk and a systemless ad blocker, I'm pretty much bone stock on my Pixel 5 with no management apps whatsoever, and I could probably go 2 days on standby.

pulseg11 said:
Yep — I've disabled the notifications already of Instagram, but still appears to be having some background activity.
Startup manager - yeah, do you know any to suggest?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you can disable it with app2sd pro , luckypatcher , my android tool , terminal .

@pulseg11
look inside here:
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