GRIPE: Applications that don't heed the "don't run on startup" options

[Se7enLC]

Skype
Slacker
Fring
TiKL

When I exit, I want you to STOP RUNNING. And when I don't tell you it's ok to run on startup, DON'T. In fact, I'm pretty sure the only way to kill these apps is to uninstall them. W T F

 

[brando56894]

download an app called "autostarts" it will allow you to change what apps/services start when certain things happen (boot up, "login", when droid is connected to pc, etc..) its a great app.

 

[BayouFlyFisher]

I know this response is not totally 100% on-target, but I bet the thread will be going to killing tasks/apps. So with that in mind:

This was written by Martin030908 and I think it's the best explanation of what is going on that I've read:

Android was designed from the ground up as an operating system (OS) for mobile devices. Its built-in application and memory-management systems were engineered with battery life as one of the most critical concerns.

The Android OS does not work like a desktop operating system. On a desktop OS, like Windows, Mac OS X, or Ubuntu Linux, the user is responsible for closing programs in order to keep a reasonable amount of memory available. On Android, this is not the case. The OS itself automatically removes programs from memory as memory is needed. The OS may also preload applications into memory which it thinks might soon be needed.

Having lots of available empty memory is not a good thing. It takes the same amount of power to hold "nothing" in memory as it does to hold actual data. So, like every other operating system in use today, Android does its best to keep as much important/likely-to-be-used information in memory as possible. Generally speaking, you should only "End" applications if you see one which is not working correctly.

And then there's this: http://www.droidforums.net/forum/droid-applications/65483-task-killers-answer-google-developers.html

So, stop worrying about what's "Running". It isn't really running, it's suspended in ram unless that ram is needed for something current.
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[aminaked]

With all due respect to the anti-task killer crowd (I'm anti-task killer too), I have to agree 100% with the OP that some apps make themselves at home on android and it can be annoying.

Slacker, for example, plays music. I don't need it running in the background 24x7, contacting home, downloading songs, etc., etc. Just play the music when I want, then go away. Pandora manages to do this and Slacker doesn't. I uninstalled Slacker.

I know, sometimes, like in the case of an email client, there's a completely legitimate reason for running on boot. That's understandable, but other times it comes down to control of my phone. It's about knowing what's phoning home and what's killing my battery (even just a little). I want control over my phone and I'm picky about what runs. I tolerate stock apps that run on boot, but I will not tolerate it in software I install myself. When dolphin (a browser) updated a few months ago, it ran on boot. There's no reason for my browser to do that. I uninstalled and complained to the dev. The problem was rectified with the next update. If it bothers you (and maybe it should, at least a little) then complain to devs via email and in the market comments.

What else besides complaining?
- Just root it.
- Just uninstall it.
- Use the autostarts app.

 

[erikfig]

With all due respect to the anti-task killer crowd (I'm anti-task killer too), I have to agree 100% with the OP that some apps make themselves at home on android and it can be annoying.

Slacker, for example, plays music. I don't need it running in the background 24x7, contacting home, downloading songs, etc., etc. Just play the music when I want, then go away. Pandora manages to do this and Slacker doesn't. I uninstalled Slacker.

I know, sometimes, like in the case of an email client, there's a completely legitimate reason for running on boot. That's understandable, but other times it comes down to control of my phone. It's about knowing what's phoning home and what's killing my battery (even just a little). I want control over my phone and I'm picky about what runs. I tolerate stock apps that run on boot, but I will not tolerate it in software I install myself. When dolphin (a browser) updated a few months ago, it ran on boot. There's no reason for my browser to do that. I uninstalled and complained to the dev. The problem was rectified with the next update. If it bothers you (and maybe it should, at least a little) then complain to devs via email and in the market comments.

What else besides complaining?
- Just root it.
- Just uninstall it.
- Use the autostarts app.

Agreed........

 

[hapster]

I agree, too. I've also noticed since manually installing the 2.2 update that a lot more apps are getting preloaded now than under 2.1. How does the OS decide which apps to preload? I don't use the stock Messaging app, but when I reboot, there it is. I'll check later, and it's not. Then again later, and there it is again. I see other apps I never use doing the same thing.

Or, apps that I only need at certain times, like EasyTether. Why does it insist on running at startup, when I only need it if my phone is plugged into my laptop AND I have need to tether. That seems pretty obvious to me. If I don't need you, don't run.

I'll give "autostarts" a try and see how well it does.

Don't get me wrong. I love my Droid. You won't catch me owning an iPhail or any other smartphone.

 

[Rsswga]

tikl push to talk app. will not work if its not running all the time..if you don't use it get rid of it..I love that app

 

[hapster]

tikl push to talk app. will not work if its not running all the time..if you don't use it get rid of it..I love that app

It's a cool app, but I only have use for it at certain times. Otherwise, it's yet another app that I don't need running all the time. YMMV

 

[Taegost]

Actually, I have noticed that the stock apps that I don't use that load into memory do affect my performance, specifically that it keeps swapping my launcher out of memory. I generally kill them after startup and it works fine.
Of course, I also have the exact opposite issue... I want eBuddy to launch startup, it's set to do so.. But does not!

My Droid Does Tapatalk...

 

[LifeIsABeach]

tikl push to talk app. will not work if its not running all the time..if you don't use it get rid of it..I love that app

It's a cool app, but I only have use for it at certain times. Otherwise, it's yet another app that I don't need running all the time. YMMV

Apps started up are not running. They are just sitting in memory waiting for you to use them.

 

[SixStringTheory]

Well unless it starts a service that IS running all the time. Most apps would just use a receiver if it's just waiting for some external trigger to do some task. But for something like a PPT app maybe it does need to run a service at all times?

 

[dragonflyr]

hunted a while to figure out how to prevent various autostarting apps.
finally pieced together info and was successful.

this worked for me (moto droid 2.2 rooted):

download root explorer - install

use root explorer to RENAME app extension: example

1-open root explorer, allow superuser access
2-navigate to /system/app ... select MOUNT R/W.
3-find, for example, com.amazon.mp3.apk and RENAME to com.amazon.mp3.apk.bak

do this for the apps you want to prevent from constantly auto starting .. email, corp cal, amazonmp3. whatever. just be careful and don't go crazy whackin' stuff.

worked perfect for me. after a couple hours I am still running LEAN and fast .. nothing starting that I don't want.

hope that helps.

 

[hapster]

Apps started up are not running. They are just sitting in memory waiting for you to use them.

If TiKL is loaded, at least some part of it remains active to monitor for incoming calls. Otherwise, it would be useless. But when I have no need for it -- I only use it to chat with a few coworkers while at work -- the only way to unload it is to kill it.

Sent from my Droid