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Android vendors, don’t kill my app

dontkillmyapp.com

11–20 of 414 posts

Re: Android vendors, don’t kill my app

#11

I haven't followed the scene closely, but isn't it the same behavior as Apple? Can you even do background tasks in iOS?

The apps are not allowed to do background process. But can register a callback to be called when is in background. But there is no guarantee it will be called for sure.

Re: Android vendors, don’t kill my app

#13

I haven't followed the scene closely, but isn't it the same behavior as Apple? Can you even do background tasks in iOS?

Apple is actually more aggressive in terms of what's allowed in the background AFAIR.

But they have an arguably better push notification system which seems to use less battery and work better with sleeping apps.

Re: Android vendors, don’t kill my app

#14

tl;dr The author would like to run his app in the background without notifying the user about it, because otherwise the author would just add add an ongoing notification, which would allow the app to run in the background forever on all platforms.

I'm not sure this is the case, the website talks about propietary "battery savers", not about the standard Android one. I find it completely possible that they kill apps regardless of ongoing notifications.

Re: Android vendors, don’t kill my app

#15

I haven't followed the scene closely, but isn't it the same behavior as Apple? Can you even do background tasks in iOS?

In iOS, you have a few narrow cases where you're allowed to run in the background; some of which are specified to only maybe run.

In Android, you're technically allowed to run whenever you feel like it, but starting with Android 6, Google started limits, but I don't think apps get much feedback about when they might run, or if they can access the network when they do run. And the multitude of OEMs that are all dieing to make their product stick out means it's really a crapshoot; some oems were trying to do this before Google's release of the feature, some enable Google's version, but very aggressively, etc.

I understand the intent of these features, but there really needs to be a better way. Some apps do real, useful, work in the background, and it's not great for users when that can't happen. Many apps should probably only run when they're in the foreground. Either way, the app should be informed, so it can do the best it can, including informing users why it's not working and being able to direct users to where they can fix it, if desired.

Re: Android vendors, don’t kill my app

#16

I haven't followed the scene closely, but isn't it the same behavior as Apple? Can you even do background tasks in iOS?

As a developer, you are aware of the limitations so that you can work with them. E.g. when your app is closing down you have X ms to wrap your work up. But you can also request a longer task, or request the app to work in the background in certain scenarios. And as there is only 'one iOS', it will always work as 'agreed on'.

It seems like in Android the developer just assumes their app will be able to run in the background, except some versions just decides to kill it based on their own agendas.

Re: Android vendors, don’t kill my app

#17

I haven't followed the scene closely, but isn't it the same behavior as Apple? Can you even do background tasks in iOS?

You can, for certain classes of application, and for certain types of tasks (like background downloads). It’s entirely managed by the OS, and is often reduced or suspended entirely under Low Power mode. But Apple allows for other kinds of wake notifications and is usually pretty good with Push Notifications due to carrier partnerships. That said, Apple does intentionally make certain apps a lot harder: https://stackoverflow.com/questions/35388086/is-there-a-way-... And... well, it rarely allows apps that duplicate built-in functionality on the App Store. So most iOS users stick to default apps. But at least one app takes advantage of Apple allowing the microphone in the background to create a “smart” alarm clock which Apple has featured as the App of the Day: Sleep Cycle alarm clock http://www.sleepcycle.com

Re: Android vendors, don’t kill my app

#18
Only issue I have on my OnePlus 3T is Slack. I'm constantly missing or getting late notifications. And I tried fixing the issues with their support, but it didn't lead anywhere. They tried their best, but I can't blame the phone vendor because I have a dozen more apps with notifications, services and whatnot running quite well.

I've been out of Android app development for some time, but I hang out with a few Android developers, they usually have most of the issues with Samsung, they say that there are often some quirks that have to overcome. That mostly corresponds to my outdated experience.

Re: Android vendors, don’t kill my app

#19
post #7
post #3

I actually like the move to kill background tasks. Don't get me wrong I think they're great when they're needed. But if I only installed the app because the mobile site is crippled I don't want it to destroy my battery polling for content changes when I only open the app once in a blue moon.

Killing background tasks is great and Android does that automatically to save battery usage. But these manufacturers have implemented their own functionality on top of Android which cripples even critical messaging applications like WhatsApp, Slack, Gmail by not delivering Instant Messages notifications instantly.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 Pro even kills Google Maps navigation after few minutes (with screen on). I have to use MAPS.ME, it doesn't kill it.

Re: Android vendors, don’t kill my app

#20
post #7
post #3

I actually like the move to kill background tasks. Don't get me wrong I think they're great when they're needed. But if I only installed the app because the mobile site is crippled I don't want it to destroy my battery polling for content changes when I only open the app once in a blue moon.

Killing background tasks is great and Android does that automatically to save battery usage. But these manufacturers have implemented their own functionality on top of Android which cripples even critical messaging applications like WhatsApp, Slack, Gmail by not delivering Instant Messages notifications instantly.

I don't want Slack or Gmail to deliver notifications instantly. I'd love to have functionality that saves battery by delaying them.
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