We all know the joys of true multitasking featured in the Android OS. The ability to have multiple apps open simultaneously is what we consider to be a must. This is particularly true in the age of dual-core (or soon-to-be quad-core) processors and 1GB+ RAM on a lot of high-end devices that are built to handle heavy workloads simultaneously, though older devices can handle their own when it comes to running multiple apps at the same time too. Android users must remember that while you should take advantage of being able to have multitasking and running several programs running at once, those programs will ultimately show your phone and even crash your device, no matter how high-end your phone might be. There’s a simple answer to keep the slowdown to a minimum and prevent your phone from crashing– using a task manager. Many of you are thinking, “great, no problem– I’ll download a third-party app to use now”. Well, not so fast young Jedi. Users should be aware that while you indeed can use a third-party task manager, they’re largely ineffective and often costs money to use in order to use full features. Here’s a more specific and cheaper solution, use your device’s built-in Task Manager. This Quick Tip guide will show Android owners how to effectively manage apps from their device.
How To Switch From One App To Another (on Any Android & UI)
Let’s begin with the basics. Start off by opening any one app and then pressing the Home button in order to have the app quietly running in the background. After going to the Home screen, you will then have the ability to open up any other app of your desire. You can open up as many apps as you want, so long as your phone’s memory can handle it. To switch from one app to another, just press and hold the Home button and a new screen will pop up, allowing you to freely switch from one app to another. You can see examples of this in the screenshots below. One screenshot is from a stock Android OS system, the second is from my own phone which uses a custom UI (Motorola Atrix 4G, Gingerbread 2.3.4 and MOTOBLUR).
How To Manage & Close Apps (Stock Android & HTC Sense UI Devices)
Now suppose you have one too many apps open and your device’s resources become low and your phone is now sluggish. No need to hit the panic button just yet folks, there’s a simple solution. Open up your phone’s Settings. Go to Applications and then Manage Applications. You will then be able to view the apps currently running and Force Stop any app you’re not using individually.
How To Manage & Close Apps (Motorola devices running Gingerbread 2.3 with MOTOBLUR)
If you’re on a Motorola device, you’re likely using the MOTOBLUR UI. To manage your apps, start by hitting the Menu button and select Manage Apps. Then point to Running and you will be able to see all the apps currently running– including the processes within MOTOBLUR itself. Simply select any one of the apps eating up the most of your memory and close it.
How To Manage & Close Apps (Samsung TouchWiz devices)
TouchWiz is a fan favorite among all the Android UI skins out there. The skin includes effective, though criminally under-underutilized tools to help your Samsung device run buttery smooth. TouchWiz devices include a built-in app called the Task Manager that’s really quite simple to use. To open the Task Manager app, simply press and hold the Home button until the app window appears. Once in, you’ll have the ability to view active apps and shutting down each app separately by tapping at the top right corner of the app’s icon and hitting the old X button. Check the screenshot below as an example.
There you have it gang. You now see there’s no need to purchase or download a third-party task manager when your device has some built-in features to help it run smoothly and at a optimal level. Here’s to keeping our devices running as smooth as possible and no lag.
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