Background Apps and Process List

Powerfader · 2024-09-26T18:50:02.152Z

On my S24 I like and use an app called Hibernator.
Hibernator: Force Stop Apps - Apps on Google Play
However, there is a proceedure in settings to close all background apps called “Deep Sleep”.

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Miki · 2024-09-26T19:04:09.143Z

PF is 100% Correct. It does not “Force close” the app it just uses the “Close all background apps” setting in the shield options. From there he is also correct that you still have to go
Settings>Device Preferences>Storage>Cached Data
to clear all the closed apps cache. So the TDUK App is indeed quicker and much simpler. I guess you have to determine whether simply Closing the background apps or Force closing them makes a difference. For me the apps still remain showing in the settings>Apps>Recently opened apps whether I close or force close them.

Powerfader · 2024-09-26T19:07:53.430Z

Miki:

For me the apps still remain showing in the settings>Apps>Recently opened apps whether I close or force close them.

That’s because the Recently Used Apps page have very little to do with what is actually running in the background. That page is just a useful tool to easily and quickly access an app you were using to use once again.

Miki · 2024-09-26T19:13:24.637Z

I know that thanks. The debate rages whether apps are actually running in the background or not. Using the Shield “Close all background apps” seems to do exactly that for me. I clear cache and can check back a short time later to see if that has changed in a specific app I closed using the “Close all background apps”, and it hasn’t. So that would indicate to me that the app isn’t in fact running and has been closed, but I’m no expert.

Powerfader · 2024-09-26T19:26:30.013Z

Ah, I see what you are talking about. However, the background may be stagnant, but the foreground is still apparently active.

To each there own. I’ll stick with what it easiest for me. Closing apps and clearing cache should not be something I need to give much thought to.

Miki · 2024-09-26T19:30:36.609Z

Exactly PF. I think we sometimes overthink things. As long as there is no negative impact to our devices then we are G2G.

TechDoctorUK · 2024-09-26T23:20:46.488Z

Hi all,

Let me jump in here …

Firstly, that video was over 3 years old and understating of background apps / process was very limited (apologies)

I did a lot of research on background apps, foreground apps, recent apps when I made my app killer.

The summary is:

Double tapping home shows you your recent apps, which can be called foreground apps.
The foreground apps can be swiped away but this does NOT force stop the background app.
The correct way to manually force stop an app is to look at the app properties and selecting “Force Stop”
The correct way to see all background apps running is to use the free “Background apps and process list” app. Unfortunately this only allows you to stop an app 1 at a time, which was the whole point of creating the TDUK app killer.
The TDUK APP killer ONLY targets background apps.
You will notice the number of background running apps will always show the same number in the TDUK App killer & the Background APPS & Process list app - the both look at the same place

I hope that clears things up.

Thanks

Knowledgethree · 2024-09-26T23:52:09.949Z

You need to get app killer working

MikeN · 2024-09-27T06:35:00.008Z

As I understand it, having lots of apps open can slow down the device. Choosing to close these apps, should speed up a slowing device.
The only time you want to “force close” an app, is when it has stopped working.
Learning all the time, thank you.

Miki · 2024-09-27T11:36:39.035Z

Well the supposed experts are also devided on that. I have read that most modern streaming OSs have a switch that puts background apps into deep sleep so they aren’t actually using CPU cycles, and only do so when you decide to open the app up. This supposedly improves app load times as it is essentially loaded just not running until you activate it. It also is suppose to improve battery life on say tabs and phones. Now I have experimented with my Shield Pro and opened about 8 apps and left them alone, only opening them when I am going to use them. So 8 apps isn’t a lot these days, but honestly I haven’t noticed any difference no matter whether I close them or force close them. I have cleared cache but never notice any cache increase for individual apps unless I actually use them, indicating to me that when I do close them and leave them in the background they are not doing anything and are in a deep sleep state. If I were so inclined, and this actually mattered these days, I would get some tool that monitors and analyzes CPU usage, storage, etc. and record the results. But honestly, I’m more interested in what @PapaS is going to buy next.

MarkxG · 2024-09-27T11:54:57.305Z

@Miki I have no idea about this App opening and closing you speak of or what you just wrote. Waaaayyyyy over my head my friend. How do you have multiple apps open at the same time? I use KODI and when I want to use another App on the same Box I need to close KODI first, go back to my Home screen then choose another app. I have been streaming since 2016 but have no idea what background apps and process is? Also I never ever clean my boxes. No issues.

But I do know that @PapaS likes all the boxes!

Miki · 2024-09-27T12:07:24.303Z

Lol. All good @MarkxG . They are running in the “background” and not in the foreground so you won’t actually see them until you activate them with say a widget or shortcut. But as I said, this is kind of a non starter these days. Easiest way I could explain is that it’s like having a huge library of books and you are reading 10 different ones, so you have them off the shelf and on your desktop where you can quickly reach for any one you want, get the info you want, then close it but leave it on your desk for future use. And good morning Mark.

MarkxG · 2024-09-27T12:12:47.407Z

Ahhhh got it @Miki . I do this on my iphone quite often. I close down all the instances I have open but didn’t know this was a thing on streaming boxes. I guess the fact I don’t do it sort of proves the point it’s not important. Have a great day my friend. I need to watch Troy’s video today on the Google streamer to see why the extra gig of RAM is worth $50 more than the ONN 4K Pro!

Miki · 2024-09-27T12:24:42.758Z

I watched it all. Not sure you’ll find an answer there my friend.

Powerfader · 2024-09-27T13:48:25.013Z

Yup, I exclusively use the TDUK App Killer and the TDUK Cache Cleaner for the mere convenience of completing the process.

Yes, I can go into all apps and force close one at a time and then go to cached data in my Shield’s setting and clear all cash. Having these 2 apps on my homepage makes this process much more expedient and prompts me to remember to do it.

Like I said previously, closing apps and clearing cache should not be something I need to give much thought to.

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Miki · 2024-09-27T14:01:31.514Z

Closing apps daily and clearing cache isn’t something i ever do anymore. I do check things about once a week and using the Shield Pro built in settings is pretty easy. But, like PF, it isn’t something I am concerned about anymore.

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Powerfader · 2024-09-27T14:12:42.167Z

I ran a bunch of experiments last night and you are spot on. If you exit out an app properly. Then this essentially close the apps background. The foreground will stay exactly as it was when you exited out.

Example I used was with Syncler+ when I exited it and wrote down the cache (6.14Mb) and then checked back every half hour. The cache was still at 6,14Mb. There was no change in the cache total after several hours of checking.

Btw, this was not utilizing any method for closing apps, i.e. TDUK App Killer or the Shield method for closing all background apps.

So, my question is, is any of this really necessary any longer? When you close down your device doesn’t that also close out all running apps whether it’s foreground or background? Also, doesn’t restarting (reboot) your device also clear any cache that may be stored?

Miki · 2024-09-27T15:26:27.061Z

That’s kinda the point I was getting at and tx PF. My research indicated that the modern OSs actually put background apps into deep sleep, resulting in no additional cache increases and in fact your question is spot on. From my experiments, if not force closing an app, then even restarting will not remove it, and it will still be in the background but rebooting will clear all stacks and flush the RAM, clear the cache, and thus remove background “sleeping” apps. Kinda a lengthy answer to your question but my conclusion is, closing background apps daily, or multiple times daily for some, doesn’t do a whole hell of a lot, and that’s why I just do this on a weekly or even biweekly schedule now.

MikeN · 2024-09-28T05:28:25.697Z

Cache only needs clearing if the app is having an issue with the data stored - normally this data is used to restart app where it finished when last used.
Also I normally leave Formuler in standby mode - for quick starting with the last app streaming the channel watched and do a complete shut down / restart once a week to refresh apps making a new connection with service provider / wifi connection.

Gumboil · 2024-09-30T00:26:51.633Z

I don’t know a lot about Android so maybe I am missing something. About every week I restart my Android box on my assumption that it will clear the cache and only load necessary background processes on restart.
Some weeks I forget but tbe performance of the box doesn’t seem to be degraded at all. It seems easier than using separate apps …. If my assumption is correct.

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