About [root] Recently
Recently aims to restore sanity, by limiting which apps are shown. In its aggressive 'running tasks only' configuration, it will show you only apps that are actually running right now. Because Android can be fairly aggressive itself with killing off apps, apps you have used just a minute ago may disappear from the list in this setup, and configuring Recently to remove entries that have not actually run the past few days may be the better option.
Aside from listing only running apps or apps that have run in a certain timeframe, Recently also allows you to limit by number of entries shown. Note that actually running apps will always be shown, regardless of this setting - only entries from apps that aren't actually running are ever removed.
Advanced
A number of more advanced options are available as well, such as showing a 'Clear All' button in the recents view (doesn't work on all devices), limiting the number of Google Searches that show up (originating from the Google search bar and Google Now), and hiding the Settings app.
Additionally, you can force remove tasks and documents that are running but have not been accessed longer than the configured age limit. This is a rather extreme measure that will result in tasks being killed, do not use it lightly.
Pro
Purchasing the Pro version supports my developments and will allow you to start Recently automatically at boot.
Future
This app is built specifically for Android 5.0 through 7.x. Future versions of Android may work differently, the recents/overview screen may be changed by Google, etc. At some point, this app may stop working because of this.
FAQ
Aren't task killers bad?
No tasks are killed by Recently by default - it only removes entries from the recents list that are not actually running at time of removal. Some of the advanced options can cause tasks to be killed however, but these are clearly marked. Task killing can ultimately be bad for performance and battery life, so be sure you know what you're doing and why.
What resources does this use?
Virtually none. There are no wakelocks at all. Battery impact should be less than 1% worst case.
Nothing happens?
(1) Make sure you have enabled the switch in the top right of the settings screen
(2) Make sure you aren't using a custom kernel that disables logging
(3) Make sure you give it a minute or so after first enabling it
When I press the back and the multitasking button really quickly, my last used app that is now closed is still listed
The delay in this case is about a second after the app close animation finishes
I just pressed the back button on an app, and I'm in 'running apps only' mode, but the app is still listed
Not all apps actually close when you press the back button. Most do, but some don't.
Nothing is happening at all, and I'm finding an 'unexpected EOF' error in logcat
Sometimes the app can't access logs. This is usually because multiple apps are trying to read from logcat at the same time. The app will keep trying periodically. Rebooting usually gets rid of this problem.
I can't get it to work
This may or may not be related, but Recently requires SuperSU if SELinux is in Enforcing mode. Another root solution will work if SELinux is in Permissive mode.
Discussion / support
The discussion and support thread can be found here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=3050998
[root] Recently 1.40 Update
Requires Android: Android 5.0+
Architecture: arm64-v8a, armeabi, armeabi-v7a, mips, mips64, x86, x86_64
Screen DPI: 120-640dpi
SHA1: 273fa87bd3f04ef9b705654e78ce6a77a89f94dd
Size: 1.47 MB
What's New:
Requires Android: Android 5.0+
Architecture: arm64-v8a, armeabi, armeabi-v7a, mips, mips64, x86, x86_64
Screen DPI: 160-640dpi
SHA1: 362bc98e6c60f30c8c49cf8a3a76c9ce48f719bb
Size: 1.25 MB
What's New:
- Minor adjustments to running app detection
v1.36:
- (C) 2016
- Fixed breakage on 32-bit devices
v1.35:
- Fixed some M-related background crashes
- Fixed some 64-bit related background crashes
v1.30:
- Basic M compatibility - SuperSU or permissive SELinux required
- Made the clear all button FABulous
v1.20:
- Fix background process not killing anything on some new firmwares
v1.17:
- Further reduced SU calls
v1.16:
- Fix periodic root popup
Requires Android: Android 5.0+
Architecture: arm64-v8a, armeabi, armeabi-v7a, mips, mips64, x86, x86_64
Screen DPI: 160-640dpi
SHA1: aae931673aea83df59669198018e73c297035641
Size: 1.25 MB
What's New:
- (C) 2016
- Fixed breakage on 32-bit devices
v1.35:
- Fixed some M-related background crashes
- Fixed some 64-bit related background crashes
v1.30:
- Basic M compatibility - SuperSU or permissive SELinux required
- Made the clear all button FABulous
v1.20:
- Fix background process not killing anything on some new firmwares
v1.17:
- Further reduced SU calls
v1.16:
- Fix periodic root popup
Requires Android: Android 5.0+
Architecture: arm64-v8a, armeabi, armeabi-v7a, mips, mips64, x86, x86_64
Screen DPI: 160-640dpi
SHA1: 8a9484ffdf4988f1dcc5c1ea0809783ced5daecf
Size: 1.25 MB
What's New:
- Fixed some M-related background crashes
- Fixed some 64-bit related background crashes
v1.30:
- Basic M compatibility - SuperSU or permissive SELinux required
- Made the clear all button FABulous
v1.20:
- Fix background process not killing anything on some new firmwares
v1.17:
- Further reduced SU calls
v1.16:
- Fix periodic root popup
Package Name:
Update Date:
2017-02-09
Latest Version:
1.40
Need Update:
Requirements:
Android 5.0+
Report: