Is there an alternative for getRunningTask API

Question

I was using getRunningTask API in one of my application to find the Foreground application. This API has been deprecated since Lollipop. After this deprecation, I preferred getRunningAppProcess API along with Importance_Foreground. I also ruled out REASON_SERVICE and REASON_PROVIDER from this list. I filtered out the system applications based on a logic, which worked perfectly. The problem is that, If Application A is on foreground, I get Application B as a spike. So, this approach is currently questionable. Is there any other alternative to the getRunningTask API?? Or am I missing any simple thing in the current approach. Please help guys.

This would really depend on your purpose for the information. If it's a legitimate one there are probably alternatives, but they would depend on what exactly you are trying to accomplish. — Chris Stratton, Nov 03 '14 at 13:20
Possible duplicate of [Android: How can I get the current foreground activity (from a service)?](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/3873659/android-how-can-i-get-the-current-foreground-activity-from-a-service) — Sam, Feb 17 '19 at 10:21
I'm voting to close this since there are way too many questions about this on StackOverflow, and the original question already covers the techniques in this question. — Sam, Feb 17 '19 at 10:22

score 30 · Answer 1 · edited May 23 '17 at 12:30

30

Based on the answer to this question

String getTopPackage(){
    long ts = System.currentTimeMillis();
    UsageStatsManager mUsageStatsManager = (UsageStatsManager)getSystemService("usagestats");
    List<UsageStats> usageStats = mUsageStatsManager.queryUsageStats(UsageStatsManager.INTERVAL_BEST, ts-1000, ts);
    if (usageStats == null || usageStats.size() == 0) {
        return NONE_PKG;
    }
    Collections.sort(usageStats, mRecentComp);
    return usageStats.get(0).getPackageName();
}

This is the mRecentComp:

static class RecentUseComparator implements Comparator<UsageStats> {

    @Override
    public int compare(UsageStats lhs, UsageStats rhs) {
        return (lhs.getLastTimeUsed() > rhs.getLastTimeUsed()) ? -1 : (lhs.getLastTimeUsed() == rhs.getLastTimeUsed()) ? 0 : 1;
    }
}

This permission is needed:

<uses-permission xmlns:tools="http://schemas.android.com/tools"
    android:name="android.permission.PACKAGE_USAGE_STATS"
    tools:ignore="ProtectedPermissions" />

And you will need user authorization to request the stats, use this to direct the user to the settings page:

Intent intent = new Intent(Settings.ACTION_USAGE_ACCESS_SETTINGS);
startActivity(intent);

And you can check if you already have permission like this:

public static boolean needPermissionForBlocking(Context context) {
    try {
        PackageManager packageManager = context.getPackageManager();
        ApplicationInfo applicationInfo = packageManager.getApplicationInfo(context.getPackageName(), 0);
        AppOpsManager appOpsManager = (AppOpsManager) context.getSystemService(Context.APP_OPS_SERVICE);
        int mode = appOpsManager.checkOpNoThrow(AppOpsManager.OPSTR_GET_USAGE_STATS, applicationInfo.uid, applicationInfo.packageName);
        return  (mode != AppOpsManager.MODE_ALLOWED);
    } catch (PackageManager.NameNotFoundException e) {
        return true;
    }
}

edited May 23 '17 at 12:30

Community

1
1

answered Dec 04 '14 at 21:21

Gaston Ferrari

409
4
8

Thanks. All of the things mentioned works like a charm. But one more thing, can I use any kind of Content Observer on this to know when the user turns it off or on? I'll accept the answer soon after I get response for this. – madhu Dec 15 '14 at 05:27
I guess you could try this http://stackoverflow.com/questions/6896746/android-is-there-a-broadcast-action-for-volume-changes. – Gaston Ferrari Dec 15 '14 at 17:25
If that doesn't work you could use the needPermission function in my answer to check if it's on. – Gaston Ferrari Dec 15 '14 at 17:26
i tried the way u mentioned @gaston but the list always is empty. The permission in manifest, setting enabled from user , its all done but the list is still empty. Device used is Nexus 7 and android version is 5.0.1 – binaryKarmic Jan 02 '15 at 09:32
2

on changing "ts-1000" to "ts-4000" the list started to fill up – binaryKarmic Jan 02 '15 at 09:45
It's documented that there may not be a system activity to handle the `Settings.ACTION_USAGE_ACCESS_SETTINGS` intent. Samsung and LG are among the manufacturers who have removed this activity from their Lollipop builds, so this solution will never work on their devices. – Kevin Krumwiede Jul 02 '15 at 16:53
It's working on samsung for sure, I haven't tested it on an LG device. – Gaston Ferrari Jul 03 '15 at 17:27
thanks for 'tools:ignore="ProtectedPermissions"'. otherwise 'Permission is only granted to system apps' compile error occur. – jiashie Dec 01 '15 at 09:01
You need an interval of at least a day to get the lists. Use following code to get the list `List usageStats = mUsageStatsManager.queryUsageStats(UsageStatsManager.INTERVAL_BEST, ts - 86400000, ts);` 86400000 = (60*60*24*1000) – Nishant Jun 03 '16 at 05:15

score 3 · Answer 2 · edited May 23 '17 at 11:45

3

Get the list of RunningAppProcessInfo by ActivityManager.getRunningAppProcesses(). Choose the RuningAppProcessInfo with whose importance == RunningAppProcessInfo.IMPORTANCE_FOREGROUND and whose processState == ActivityManager.START_TASK_TO_FRONT. (The former is easy, the latter is difficult because the reflection is necessary)

See my answer for this question getRunningTasks doesn't work in Android L

edited May 23 '17 at 11:45

Community

1
1

answered Feb 02 '15 at 12:22

KNaito

3,930
2
19
21

2

Doesn't work in Android M pre-release, unfortunately. – Sam Jun 05 '15 at 23:08
Yes, it is. We should find new approach. – KNaito Jun 06 '15 at 00:55

Is there an alternative for getRunningTask API

2 Answers2

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