QUESTION: How do you turn off an application in Droid?

[sairndain]

Hi All

The "Droid" is my first "smart phone" device.

I had selected the "Maps" application from the main window of my new Droid phone. 

I used the "Maps" application a little... --But, when I was finished,  I could not determine how to turn it off.

I returned to "Home" (aka, the "desktop")  -- But, it wasn't clear to me whether the "Maps" application was still left running.

QUESTION:  How do you turn off an application in Droid?   (--Or, does simply returning to "Home" perform this function?)

Thanks for any help on this.

sd

(NOTE: When I called Motorola Android help line (1-800-734-5870), the "agent" asked me for my name, phone number, which I supplied.    --But, then, she claimed she would require the serial number of my Droid phone before she could answer my question.   I could see no legitimate reason for her requiring my Droid's serial number, and, so, I asked her why she needed this information.   She indicated that she could not "disclose" why she needed it.   -- So, I hung up) 

[kenyu73]

The android system is based on "focus". If you hit home, the application (Maps) looses focus and therefor is "paused" and stored away for quick access later. Its not technically "running" but it is using memory. Android will automatically delete applications from memory as the system needs to.Some people cant stand having this and install task killers from the App Market. It's not a great idea to delete running tasks as Android may have one application using parts of another application... ex: If you deleted GPS while maps was still "paused" in the background, Maps would probably become unstable and/or crash altogether.

If you press and hold "Home", you'll see a list of the last 6 applications that were ran.

[fezzik]

That is strange but there is an app called taskiller.  From what I have heard programs don't close until the memory is full or close to it so to keep the memory clean you need taskiller as sort of a taskmanager for android.  Otherwise just leave it.  That makes it faster to go back to it next time.  It keeps six programs in que. 

[sejac]

I have used advanced task manager on my G1 for about a year.  After switching today to the droid it re-downloaded it and it works the same.  I have been very pleased with the app and it gets the best ratings and is the most downloaded.

[supitsmike]

Advanced Task Manager is an excellent program to use to end all running programs. You can download the free version, which is great and perfect. It even includes a widget that you can just press to end all processes. If you ever find your phone performing just a tad bit sluggish, it's perfect. I always suggest this be the first app you download.

Honestly a great app.

Edit:Also, Memory For Lemmings is wonderful as well.

[MikeL]

Taskiller crashes every time I try to use it, so I installed the Advanced Task Manager mentioned below, which seems to run just fine.

Now if I can just figure out why my Droid won't go to sleep, and why it's running the battery down so darn fast...

[mostconsulting]

You can view the running services by going to Settings > Applications > Running Services.  You can also close the service if you wish by clicking on it and selecting stop to the messagbox popup.

[oresteez]

I was under the impression that unless I used Task Killer to end these programs (Facebook, Email, etc...) then they would drain my battery faster...

Is this not the case?

[dagamer34]

It depends on whether or not the apps constantly poll an internet server for data. If they do, then yes, it will decrease battery life.

[TheGreatOne]

I download an app called Hi Yahoo. It would still be running even if I signed off of yahoo. I had to turn off the phone in order for it to stop running.

Then I figured an easier way to stop the app. This is what you should try...

Settings-->Applications-->Manage applications-->Select the app you want to close-->Scroll down a bit-->Tap "Force stop"