suggestions to free up ram - Epic 4G General

idk what the deal is but i hardly ever have more than 100mb of ram free. it at times goes down to 45mb free. i cant even watch a youtube video, pause it to reply to a text, and go back to youtube without the whole video refreshing. any suggestions on what i can do to free up some ram? idk where all the 512mb went >.<
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App

I bought an app called Autostarts from the market and that helped a TON. Since every app seems to "need" to start when the phone boots. You need to be rooted to use it.
Autostarts is great because a lot of apps have several instances that will trigger it to run. Like receiving a text runs sprint nav, things like that. This app will allow you to stop it.
The built in task manager app is good too. If you do a level two kill on the RAM tab it'll free up a bunch. You need to re open your call blocker, and other third party stuff you do want running afterward though.

When you exit a program are you doing it using the home button or the back button because usin the home button doesn't close the app it just "minimizes" it....the back button will close it while leaving essential data in memory for a quick startup next time you open it....if you are exiting using the back button then I would ask how many apps you have installed and how many widgets you have running on your homescreen
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App

I have the same problem, and most of the app that run are the crapware from sprint. But things like email, Gmail, settings, etc are always running. If I close all running apps, they just open 30 seconds later.
Sent from The Chaotic Void.

dantichrist said:
I bought an app called Autostarts from the market and that helped a TON. Since every app seems to "need" to start when the phone boots. You need to be rooted to use it.
Autostarts is great because a lot of apps have several instances that will trigger it to run. Like receiving a text runs sprint nav, things like that. This app will allow you to stop it.
The built in task manager app is good too. If you do a level two kill on the RAM tab it'll free up a bunch. You need to re open your call blocker, and other third party stuff you do want running afterward though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks a ton for this. I downloaded that app and it seems to be helping.

Sh0wNuF said:
When you exit a program are you doing it using the home button or the back button because usin the home button doesn't close the app it just "minimizes" it....the back button will close it while leaving essential data in memory for a quick startup next time you open it....if you are exiting using the back button then I would ask how many apps you have installed and how many widgets you have running on your homescreen
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I always press the back button when exiting an app but whenever i leave an app by pressing the home button and go back to it i usually have to reload whatever i was doing.

I have a problem with this too. I can use ATK to kill things running in the background and that will bring me up above 100 usually. Then within a matter of a minute it goes down to the mid 50s again. I do use a few widgets though.

Inferno4213 said:
I have a problem with this too. I can use ATK to kill things running in the background and that will bring me up above 100 usually. Then within a matter of a minute it goes down to the mid 50s again. I do use a few widgets though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What widgets and if they do background updates (facebook, twitter, etc.) how often do they update?

you shouldn't really need an autokiller with froyo.. (which I've heard a thousand times), but in all honesty, I kill certain apps that I know to be potential memory hogs. But as far as just normal stuff running in the background, you're not really going to free up memory by killing those, because they're just going to load back up.. using more battery.
Here's the general idea: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garbage_collection_(computer_science)
But if you wanna check if, for example, if Youtube, a music player, launcher and angrybirds are all somehow really running in the background, (with froyo), I just hold the Home button, click Task Manager, and you see and can kill them there.
There's also a RAM Manager in there you can check out in there as well.

ksweat2292 said:
I always press the back button when exiting an app but whenever i leave an app by pressing the home button and go back to it i usually have to reload whatever i was doing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's because android killed the app to free up memory. In most cases android does a pretty good job in freeing up memory. For instance i know if i leave the xda app and do nothing it will stay open the next time i come back. But lets say i leave the xda app turn turn pandora on and brows the web, the phone will close xda to free up memory
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App

I typically keep about 140 mb of ram free. I use Startup Manager to keep progs from ever starting and Memory Booster to keep the bs from ever taking over my phone.
Sent from hell...

Related

When opening an app, the app only displays on the screen for a fraction of a second.

Occasionally, when opening an app, the app only displays on the screen for a fraction of a second, then disappears. It just kinda blinks on then off...
I can't figure out what is causing it to do this. It has happened to me with K-9, Facebook, Twitter, Maps...pretty much any app. Sometimes I try to open facebook, and it won't open, but twitter will....Some of the time you can get the program to open if you go home, then open and close the app drawer.....
Anyone else with a similar problem? I have reset the phone twice and it is still doing this...Other than this occasional problem, I love the Vibrant!
Do you have an app killer or startup controller? Mine did the same thing, and I quickly realized I was killing a service that the apps I was launching depended on.
Sent from my SGH-T959
^ pretty much exactly what I was going to post. What have you installed on your phone like this?
Mine has done this a few times, usually after an app force closes. For 30 seconds or so after if I try to reopen that app it will just shut off again, then after a bit, it's fine.
It's happened with the web browser more than once, and a couple other apps.
I get the same exact problem with no real reason. Whenever it happens I just go into the settings from the menu button. Settings opens fine and once I close it ever other app opens correctly again.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
LiquidCool1 said:
Do you have an app killer or startup controller? Mine did the same thing, and I quickly realized I was killing a service that the apps I was launching depended on.
Sent from my SGH-T959
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's what I thought at first.. I wiped the phone and it did it even after when I had no task or app killers installed...
vinnydakid said:
I get the same exact problem with no real reason. Whenever it happens I just go into the settings from the menu button. Settings opens fine and once I close it ever other app opens correctly again.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, that seems to help mine too...
Did you erase unneeded apps? There is a list around here somewhere of apps that can be safely deleted, without violating dependencies. I have a stock unit with the lag, the blue tint, etc. . . But I never had this problem without the startup manager.
Sent from my SGH-T959
LiquidCool1 said:
Did you erase unneeded apps? There is a list around here somewhere of apps that can be safely deleted, without violating dependencies. I have a stock unit with the lag, the blue tint, etc. . . But I never had this problem without the startup manager.
Sent from my SGH-T959
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes.. I took most of the bloatware off using root manager.
Startup auditor has a list of dependencies for each app that you have installed. Not much good for things that you have already deleted, but maybe the dev site can help? I know I saw a list somewhere of bloat that could be "safely deleted".
Sent from my SGH-T959
The only bloat I deleted was Telenav, so I doubt that's the cause of it.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
I've noticed this as well. However, If you hold down your home key, after it does the weird flash, and select the app from the pop up menu, it will open. Weird.
phantomzer0 said:
I've noticed this as well. However, If you hold down your home key, after it does the weird flash, and select the app from the pop up menu, it will open. Weird.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes that fixes it most of the time...
vinnydakid said:
The only bloat I deleted was Telenav, so I doubt that's the cause of it.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I seriously doubt that this has anything to do with deleting the bloatware apk's...
I haven't removed anything and mine does this as well. Usually after an app freezes or force closes.
Sent from my awesome Vibrant using XDA App

Task manager

again my thread was closed before I could reply. I am not using task killer to manage tasks. I always use taskiller manually. I like the ability to close things like pandora for music, from my main desktop as am doing other things. now it seems I have to run all over the place to close them. I find some stuff is in services, while others are in tasks... I find every time I get out of my car I have to manually shut down pandora from within pandora app.. because manually clicking the task killer button no longer works...
before this stride gets out of hand. it has nothing to do with auto task killing, or memory management..
sent from my frozen yogurt filled fascinate!
Long press the home button...
I have the task manager app on my home screen as well as the shortcut to running services to make sure the things I do not use are not using my battery.
bwheelies said:
I have the task manager app on my home screen as well as the shortcut to running services to make sure the things I do not use are not using my battery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is there a way to stop a service from restarting? I find some things get back in there.. vlingo is a big one. Sip droid does too. Would be nice to stop a service completely for good without having to uninstall completely..
sent from my frozen yogurt filled fascinate!
shortcut to task manager no need for widget
neh4pres said:
Is there a way to stop a service from restarting? I find some things get back in there.. vlingo is a big one. Sip droid does too. Would be nice to stop a service completely for good without having to uninstall completely..
sent from my frozen yogurt filled fascinate!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can use TB and freeze what you don't want running in the background. Kind of a pain but at least you can be sure of it's inactivity.
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA Premium App

Task killer.......

I did the grey blur Rom, loving it, but when it got rid of all the bloatware it got rid of my task killer. The one with auto end list. Anyone know how I can attain that again?
Sent from my MB860 using XDA App
^looking for that too, he means to Task Manager that was on the stock rom.
What for? Read up on task killers.
Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk
Gvndeb60 said:
What for? Read up on task killers.
Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use it to kill a few rogue apps that don't like to turn off and destroy my battery, like Navigon.
Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk
Gvndeb60 said:
What for? Read up on task killers.
Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
^ *sigh* There's still a need for it from time to time. That's why it was included in the original ROM, and even my Samsung has it too.
OP, you're stuck with "force stop" or you can download this:
https://market.android.com/details?id=biz.stachibana.FroyoTaskKiller
^ which basically does the same thing as "force stop" but it saves you a few steps to get there, plus it lets you know what apps are also running (which is nice to know in case you need to single out a rogue app on your phone).
It's not as good as the stock task killer, but it will stop any app and sniff out the rogue ones.
Hope that helps...
Ok, just looked and I am running Greyblur and it has the stock task killer still there. Also on the gingerblur thread or site they have a zip file of stick bloatware, could be there.
Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk
ccrows said:
^ *sigh* There's still a need for it from time to time. That's why it was included in the original ROM, and even my Samsung has it too.
OP, you're stuck with "force stop" or you can download this:
https://market.android.com/details?id=biz.stachibana.FroyoTaskKiller
^ which basically does the same thing as "force stop" but it saves you a few steps to get there, plus it lets you know what apps are also running (which is nice to know in case you need to single out a rogue app on your phone).
It's not as good as the stock task killer, but it will stop any app and sniff out the rogue ones.
Hope that helps...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Was asking a serious question, I have the same phone without the need so I was curious as to what apps are going nuts on their phones....as far as the read up on task killers comment, I was just giving general advise so they are not sweating it if they assumed they needed it.
Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk
Gvndeb60 said:
Was asking a serious question, I have the same phone without the need so I was curious as to what apps are going nuts on their phones....as far as the read up on task killers comment, I was just giving general advise so they are not sweating it if they assumed they needed it.
Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problem, I'm just tired of Task Killer topics that sometimes end up in flame wars...
Gvndeb60 said:
Was asking a serious question, I have the same phone without the need so I was curious as to what apps are going nuts on their phones....as far as the read up on task killers comment, I was just giving general advise so they are not sweating it if they assumed they needed it.
Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you download Autostarts or AutoRun Manager, you'll see apps that restart or start for such asinine reasons. After powering up or rebooting, many apps are set to startup even if you don't use them often. For example, the eBay app will start in the background for such system events as "Application Replaced" or "External apps available". So when I insert my microSD card and I have some .apks backed up on it by Astro, why should the eBay app start up in the background because the media scanner detected there are apks. Don't get me started on Google Maps, there are all sorts of crap that it starts for. I only want GoogleMaps running when I need it running, not when I install a new app or if I unistall an app or replace an app. While it might be great to have an instant lock on my location so I can instantly add to Latitude(which I don't use), it kinda sucks that I'll also be grabbing my charger sooner since it's running in the background.
Most good task managers will help kill those apps and have the option to put certain apps on an exclude to kill list, which gives you control of what is running and what is not. A good way to figure things out is to kill all your running apps in the task manager and see what will restart. You can put the ones you want and need running, such as widgets and apps that get updates, on an exclude to kill list...that helps with the whole "battery drains because app keeps having to restart" argument as to why task managers are "bad." I use Autostarts to prevent apps i don't want running from starting for useless reasons and Advanced Task Manager to force close ones when I don't need them any longer. However, there is a learning curve as to what you shutdown or prevent from running, as it may affect other apps.
illmatic416 said:
If you download Autostarts or AutoRun Manager, you'll see apps that restart or start for such asinine reasons. After powering up or rebooting, many apps are set to startup even if you don't use them often. For example, the eBay app will start in the background for such system events as "Application Replaced" or "External apps available". So when I insert my microSD card and I have some .apks backed up on it by Astro, why should the eBay app start up in the background because the media scanner detected there are apks. Don't get me started on Google Maps, there are all sorts of crap that it starts for. I only want GoogleMaps running when I need it running, not when I install a new app or if I unistall an app or replace an app. While it might be great to have an instant lock on my location so I can instantly add to Latitude(which I don't use), it kinda sucks that I'll also be grabbing my charger sooner since it's running in the background.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's the only thing that I miss about Eclair, you could truly lock that sh*t down... *sigh*

Messaging Application Remains Open

Well, I just got my new SGS II and noticed that on both the stock Bell firmware (KG3) and the most recent KH3 that the messaging app stays open (as per the Program Monitor widget). I have searched without finding any result. Anyone else notice this and / or have a fix?
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium
It does, unfortunately I noticed this too but it uses little resource. It is annoying to see the open applications count as "one" when you have finished!
DeHann said:
Well, I just got my new SGS II and noticed that on both the stock Bell firmware (KG3) and the most recent KH3 that the messaging app stays open (as per the Program Monitor widget). I have searched without finding any result. Anyone else notice this and / or have a fix?
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Apps like messaging and internet stay in the background even after you close it,because these apps are frequently used and they load faster the next time you use it,but dont worry the android OS will kill them eventually
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
I waited a long time and the Messaging application never actually closed.
I suspect it is a similar bug to the Contacts issue I had with Froyo where the application remained open. This was later fixed in Gingerbread...
Does anyone else see Messaging remain open in the Program Monitor widget?
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium
DeHann said:
I waited a long time and the Messaging application never actually closed.
I suspect it is a similar bug to the Contacts issue I had with Froyo where the application remained open. This was later fixed in Gingerbread...
Does anyone else see Messaging remain open in the Program Monitor widget?
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It stays open for me also, If and when the resources get low enough it should close but since we have so much ram i don't think it will ever close. It doesn't really bother me.
Stop using task killers. The android os does not work like windows that relies on free memory. It keeps apps in memory so that they can be instantly opened later. Some system processes will even be started again after you close them.
If a program is in memory but not used for a while it will be flagged to be removed if another app needs more memory. Just because an app is in memory does not mean it is using your CPU.
You are wasting more battery by killing things that you will use again or that the system will restart anyway. This phone has a lot of memory, let the phone use it!
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk
devilkin said:
Stop using task killers. The android os does not work like windows that relies on free memory. It keeps apps in memory so that they can be instantly opened later. Some system processes will even be started again after you close them.
If a program is in memory but not used for a while it will be flagged to be removed if another app needs more memory. Just because an app is in memory does not mean it is using your CPU.
You are wasting more battery by killing things that you will use again or that the system will restart anyway. This phone has a lot of memory, let the phone use it!
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thsnks for your reply; but, I am not using a task killer...
I am just wondering why the stock messaging application is displayed in the Program Monitor once exiting via the back button. Is it a known bug? Also, is there any way to fix it besides killing it or using another messaging app like Handcent?
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium
DeHann said:
Thsnks for your reply; but, I am not using a task killer...
I am just wondering why the stock messaging application is displayed in the Program Monitor once exiting via the back button. Is it a known bug? Also, is there any way to fix it besides killing it or using another messaging app like Handcent?
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Known bug, it's not a bug, it's a feature,
Your phone has almost 1 Gig of ram, why would you want to micro manage what apps use the ram, has your phone ever run out of ram, has your phone slowed down, does it lag, do you attribute this lag (if there is any) to the messaging app running in the background???
when I replaced my messaging app using stock sms app, then the bug/feature went away
achillies400 said:
Known bug, it's not a bug, it's a feature,
Your phone has almost 1 Gig of ram, why would you want to micro manage what apps use the ram, has your phone ever run out of ram, has your phone slowed down, does it lag, do you attribute this lag (if there is any) to the messaging app running in the background???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am not sure why, really. All I am looking for is to have the Program Monitor display 0 instead of a 1...
I am famous for leaving unused tasks open and like to monitor for them using that widget. If I understand correctly running tasks consume CPU which, in turn, drains the battery.
I have noticed that the messaging app is not in the Battery usage list; so, at this point it is an annoyance more than anything...
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium
kryptoner said:
when I replaced my messaging app using stock sms app, then the bug/feature went away
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting. Can you explain this in more detail?
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium
DeHann said:
Interesting. Can you explain this in more detail?
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I downloaded messaging Google stock app from here - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=16699746&postcount=1
then I put it in system/app folder using root explorer and installed it, i deleted old messaging app...
now whenever I exit messaging using back button and open task manager, I don't see messaging app in active tasks...
kryptoner said:
I downloaded messaging Google stock app from here - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=16699746&postcount=1
then I put it in system/app folder using root explorer and installed it, i deleted old messaging app...
now whenever I exit messaging using back button and open task manager, I don't see messaging app in active tasks...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. I tried it and you are right. I ended up reverting though. Going to look into it more if/when I find time.
Hopefully it is not the same in the next firmware release; but, for now, it is only an annoyance.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium
Advanced task killer
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bruflot said:
Advanced task killer
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, dont use task killers. If anything, it only eats more resources. Android keeps those apps open for a reason, when you open it next time its quicker and actually needs to use less resources. Free memory= useless memory, If there is an app which needs more memory (like a game) android will automatically kill "suspended" apps on background to free up memory. And when you finish playing it will restore those apps again. Killing it with force only causes the app to restart again and again and again and again.... Even windows does it (a little bit differently though).
And if you really want to have control over your processes in background, use watchdog which will warn you if theres an app eating resources in the background.
xeq544 said:
No, dont use task killers. If anything, it only eats more resources. Android keeps those apps open for a reason, when you open it next time its quicker and actually needs to use less resources. Free memory= useless memory, If there is an app which needs more memory (like a game) android will automatically kill "suspended" apps on background to free up memory. And when you finish playing it will restore those apps again. Killing it with force only causes the app to restart again and again and again and again.... Even windows does it (a little bit differently though).
And if you really want to have control over your processes in background, use watchdog which will warn you if theres an app eating resources in the background.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am running Watchdog app now & previously monitored the Battery Usage app and show no messaging application displayed. So, it is just an annoyance for me...
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium
kryptoner said:
I downloaded messaging Google stock app from here - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=16699746&postcount=1
then I put it in system/app folder using root explorer and installed it, i deleted old messaging app...
now whenever I exit messaging using back button and open task manager, I don't see messaging app in active tasks...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
copied the sms app in the system/app folder, but when i try to install it, it says couldn`t install application

Is this running application or recently used applications?

Sent from my SGP311 using xda app-developers app
guyenxda000 said:
Sent from my SGP311 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Recent applications but you can swipe to close them.
Those are the recently used apps, even if I force close them they are still there.
Sent from my HTC Sensation using xda app-developers app
Doefes said:
Those are the recently used apps, even if I force close them they are still there.
Sent from my HTC Sensation using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They would be mate, because they are your most recently used apps.
SWFlyerUK said:
They would be mate, because they are your most recently used apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok they are recently used apps based on the comments. not necessarily running apps. Because sometimes this list grow so big, if so many running apps memory would blow into pieces.
guyenxda000 said:
ok they are recently used apps based on the comments. not necessarily running apps. Because sometimes this list grow so big, if so many running apps memory would blow into pieces.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Run the Walkman app and play some music. Come out of the app and then close it. See if the music stops
SWFlyerUK said:
Run the Walkman app and play some music. Come out of the app and then close it. See if the music stops
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
how do you close it? Just by hitting the return key? I dont think you can say stop play has terminated the app. It appears that would depend on each application. i.e. spoitfy will keep playing when you run other apps but youtube will stop playing immediately as soon as i switch or sleep. But they would still be running in the background. I read somewhere that the android OS makes its ultimate decision to when to close the app based on current memory usage and other factors.
guyenxda000 said:
how do you close it? Just by hitting the return key? I dont think you can say stop play has terminated the app. It appears that would depend on each application. i.e. spoitfy will keep playing when you run other apps but youtube will stop playing immediately as soon as i switch or sleep. But they would still be running in the background. I read somewhere that the android OS makes its ultimate decision to when to close the app based on current memory usage and other factors.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, what I mean is, you can check to see whether swiping them away closes the app or just removes it from the recent apps tray.
If you open the Walkman app and start playing music, hit the home button (the music keeps playing obviously) open the recent apps tray and swipe away Walkman. If the music stops, the app has been closed. If it doesn't, it has just removed it as a recent app.
SWFlyerUK said:
No, what I mean is, you can check to see whether swiping them away closes the app or just removes it from the recent apps tray.
If you open the Walkman app and start playing music, hit the home button (the music keeps playing obviously) open the recent apps tray and swipe away Walkman. If the music stops, the app has been closed. If it doesn't, it has just removed it as a recent app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i see that d be a good experiment then :good:

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