[root] Recently
![[root] Recently](https://cdn.androidblip.com/icns/ff/0/eu_chainfire_recently____2503935.png)
Free App
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About [root] Recently
With Android 5.0 Lollipop's release, the recents view (multitask button) became overview, and instead of showing you only actually running apps, it also shows you apps that have ran in the past. Over time, this screen ends up listing pretty much every app you have ever run, becomes completely useless, and wastes a perfectly good (soft-)button.
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
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
All Application Badges
Users love it
Free
downl.
downl.
Android
5.0+
5.0+
Bug
buster
buster
Android app
App History & Updates
What's Changed
Fixed Nougat compatibility
Fixed Nougat compatibility
Version update [root] Recently was updated to version 1.40
More downloads [root] Recently reached 100 000 - 500 000 downloads
Version update [root] Recently was updated to version 1.37
More downloads [root] Recently reached 50 000 - 100 000 downloads
What are users saying about [root] Recently
C
by C####:
by C####:
Fantastic! Android should have included these options for advanced users. Ends the frustration with Android's recents. Was considering patching AOSP until found this app again!
U
by U####:
by U####:
Great application for root users. I hate when the recents panel shows non running applications. So dumb, but this fixes that!
C
by C####:
by C####:
Simply awesome. But one problem if I exit from some app by pressing back button it still runs in background but doesn't show in recent tab ex Ixigo Trains.
C
by C####:
by C####:
Nice Quicker access to Clear All. In Nougat it's annoying to have to scroll up hundreds of apps just to get to the clear all button. Wasn't like that in Marshmallow.
M
by M####:
by M####:
Doesn't work on Lineage (7.1,jfflte). Confirmed to be dead apps still show in recents list. But, the clear all button does show and does clear the list.
R
by R####:
by R####:
Doesn't work with stock LG (rooted).
C
by C####:
by C####:
Thanks for the updated. Now works perfectly on Nougat
U
by U####:
by U####:
The Legend Chainfire Thank you master for this wonderful app. No doubts at all
C
by C####:
by C####:
Thank you for the Nougat update! :D
C
by C####:
by C####:
Can't get it to work on pixel sailfish , 5 stars when it is though
W
by W####:
by W####:
Chainfire, our best developer, thank you :)
C
by C####:
by C####:
Thanks for the freeload button!
C
by C####:
by C####:
This is one of the best apps I have...hats off to the dev
K
by K####:
by K####:
No need of it
J
by J####:
by J####:
Now works perfectly on nougat
V
by V####:
by V####:
Freeload!
X
by X####:
by X####:
Not useful
J
by J####:
by J####:
excellent idea, great functionality
C
by C####:
by C####:
Nice quality of life app.
C
by C####:
by C####:
Does what it is supposed to do reliably
C
by C####:
by C####:
Amazing app! Very useful...
R
by R####:
by R####:
It's just awesome.
C
by C####:
by C####:
Perfect!
T
by T####:
by T####:
Awesome
C
by C####:
by C####:
This is exactly what i have been looking for! I feel that sometimes developers at Google can really idiots. It only takes one of using android to notice that the default behaviour is total rubbish. So, thank you for making this app
S
by S####:
by S####:
The idea behind this app is great, but even with it running I find apps from the recents menu reloading. This makes sense, as many apps actually are still running, but they're in the background. So this app technically does what it says it does, but it's useless to me because of background processes.
C
by C####:
by C####:
This app is very good. The issue of recent pages in 5.0 version is solved by this app. I do software from care but it can't solved. But this app is working.... Its very good... Plz install it.. i give it 5stars
C
by C####:
by C####:
This app really should not be necessary, but due to Google's arrogance, it is. Great job, give the icon a colour / transparency setting and it would be perfect.
C
by C####:
by C####:
Have been LOVING this app!! Great stuff by Chainfire, as always. But was sad when I learned today that it's not working with Nougat....:(
C
by C####:
by C####:
Thank you, Chainfire! The only missing feature is to remove the app icon from app drawler. I know I can easily solve this with Nova Launcher, but I'd rather stick to OnePlus Launcher
S
by S####:
by S####:
Another app wants accessability service such as nova launcher or greenify.
C
by C####:
by C####:
Set all the filters to "running apps only". After a week I must conclude that this app doesn't work at all on my Xperia Z1 Compact with Android 5.1.1; none of the entries will auto clear.
C
by C####:
by C####:
Does its job and does it well. Seemed to stop working when I updated to a newer build of SlimLP.
A
by A####:
by A####:
I am very happy with it as it did what it said ! I am using aqua power plus with its stock rom as i like its ui but they did not provided a button to clear all recent apps but this app provided it Thanks to its dovelopers!
M
by M####:
by M####:
I really hate the cluttered of stacking recent apps, why Google take away clear all button? Luckily i have this app
E
by E####:
by E####:
Only thing needs attention - the app stops everytime that floating button is used.
O
by O####:
by O####:
It should state in its descriptions that this app only supports Pacific phones because there's nothing about the ALCATEL ONE TOUCH FIERCE XL listed on XDA forum or this app.
C
by C####:
by C####:
It now works on Marshmallow!!!!!!!!! EPIC!!!!! I love it. However, I would like the option to change the look of the button to not have the gray circle around it, and just be plain three lines like the one found in the clear recent notification
C
by C####:
by C####:
Thank you much for creating this app. It works like a charm!
by C####:
Marvelous