Parshooter
Well-Known Member
If an app, say Google Search, is on my home screen, does that mean it's running? IE: if it is not on the home screen, is it off and therefore saving battery ?
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stef7
Android Expert
No. Think of the home screen as just a place to conveniently place icons for apps you use on a regular basis... So you don't have to go hunting for them in the App Drawer which contains icons for all of them.
As to if a program is running or not, that is a function of the OS and if it decides to start it, or you start it. It might pre-load it into memory in anticipation of you running it.
To see what is running on your phone, you can either download an App Manager, or use the built-in one: Menu | Settings | Applications | Manage Applications. With that you can see what has been downloaded, what is running, if it has been moved to the SD card, etc.
Hope that helps.
As to if a program is running or not, that is a function of the OS and if it decides to start it, or you start it. It might pre-load it into memory in anticipation of you running it.
To see what is running on your phone, you can either download an App Manager, or use the built-in one: Menu | Settings | Applications | Manage Applications. With that you can see what has been downloaded, what is running, if it has been moved to the SD card, etc.
Hope that helps.
MrB206
Android Expert
Widgets on your home screen will run and some will cause the app to run in cached memory, but keeping a shortcut on your home screen will not start the app or keep it in memory.
One thing to remember is Android is designed to keep frequently used apps in cached memory for faster access and some apps are 'self starters' when you reboot, so you will often see apps running or cached that you didn't use or want to use. Unlike Windows, having apps running or cached does NOT affect performance. Android is designed to kill active apps not in use if memory is needed for a requested app.
One thing to remember is Android is designed to keep frequently used apps in cached memory for faster access and some apps are 'self starters' when you reboot, so you will often see apps running or cached that you didn't use or want to use. Unlike Windows, having apps running or cached does NOT affect performance. Android is designed to kill active apps not in use if memory is needed for a requested app.