Large amount of RAM being used after Jelly Bean update

npw2k6
Newbie

I have noticed that a huge amount of my phones RAM usage has gone up since I received the new update. Performance seems to be fine, but out of 1.5 gigs of RAM, it is using 1.3 or so all the time. Is this normal?

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demmo86rt
Champion - Level 3

Yes, that is completely normal. Android loads apps into RAM that it thinks you will be using. This is for faster load times and is a multitasking feature. If a different app tries to load and more RAM is needed, an app will be kicked out as needed.

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Tidbits
Legend

It's cached not running. Like Demmo says the cache gets dumped when you need more ram. Cached apps do not use your battery. Ram is ram and it uses the same power whether it is empty or not. Processes is what you need to look for when you are worried about battery life.

Good rule of thumb use the back button(caches the app) when exiting apps and never the home button(allows the app to run in the background and use processes). This

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maya0630
Contributor - Level 3

I was wondering if hitting the back button is enough or if you also have to close them from the task manager. I saw a video where they closed the apps by long pressing the home button and hitting "remove all". That seems to be a bit much.

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Tidbits
Legend

That would remove all the cached apps.

Going into task manager and clearing ram will stop all running and wipe cache. As soon as you get out of it things start to load like your launcher, widgets, and some apps android knows it should keep as cached (your most used apps for example).

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maya0630
Contributor - Level 3

But just hitting the back button does close the app completely, right?

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Tidbits
Legend

I it should almost 100% of the time. It will be cached but not be running. If the developer wrote a poor app it might not close. Usually I have the apps I have written to have to tap back twice to make sure no accidental presses and gives confirmation to the user you are closing the app.

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maya0630
Contributor - Level 3

I have noticed the double tapping on some of the apps I use too. I kind of like that.

Thank you.

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