Removing my app from the task list programmatically when it goes to background (API <=20)

Question

I'm trying to remove my app from recents (the app list you get when you press the "square" button, just to avoid misunderstandings). I found the piece of code below to do that and it's working well. The problem is the app has minimum SDK = 19, so it won't work on older devices. I can't find anyway to do that around the internet. does anybody know a way?

EDIT: I'm aware that I can do that using a new activity and closing it immediately but I would like to avoid that

EDIT2: this must be done programatically as it depends on user's preferences

//remove the app from recents. TODO-background doesn't remove if app list button is pressed instead of home
if(android.os.Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= 21) {
    ActivityManager am = (ActivityManager) getSystemService(Context.ACTIVITY_SERVICE);
    if (am != null) {
        List<ActivityManager.AppTask> tasks = am.getAppTasks();
        if (tasks != null && tasks.size() > 0) {
            tasks.get(0).setExcludeFromRecents(true);
        }
    }
} else {
    //TODO-background need to find a way for API 19 and 20
}

PS if someone knows a way to also solve the first TODO issue, it'd welcome (I'll eventually open another question)

try this one Add new activity https://stackoverflow.com/questions/13385289/remove-app-from-recent-apps-programmatically — PPD, Apr 26 '18 at 13:20
yeah I saw that before, but I would like to avoid doing that — jack_the_beast, Apr 26 '18 at 13:26
Have you tried setting `android:noHistory` flag for your activity? — Sagar, Apr 26 '18 at 13:26

score 0 · Answer 1 · edited Dec 22 '18 at 08:49

0

String nameOfProcess = "com.accurate.compass.directionfinder.map";
    ActivityManager  manager = (ActivityManager)getActivity().getSystemService(Context.ACTIVITY_SERVICE);
    List<ActivityManager.RunningAppProcessInfo> listOfProcesses = manager.getRunningAppProcesses();
    for (ActivityManager.RunningAppProcessInfo process : listOfProcesses)
    {
        if (process.processName.contains(nameOfProcess))
        {
            // Ends the app
            manager.restartPackage(process.processName);
            break;
        }
    }

edited Dec 22 '18 at 08:49

Axbor Axrorov

2,720
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answered Dec 22 '18 at 08:05

S.J Hashmi

73
9

not working for other app – Android Dev Dec 07 '22 at 12:31

score -1 · Answer 2 · answered Apr 26 '18 at 15:05

If you just want it not to be shown in recents, you should use a simple one line code : exclude from recents

From your manifest file search where is your Application activity tag is :

<application
    android:allowBackup="true"
    android:icon="@mipmap/ic_launcher"
    android:label="@string/app_name"
    android:roundIcon="@mipmap/my_launcher_round"
    android:supportsRtl="true"
    android:theme="@style/AppTheme">
    <activity android:name=".MainActivity" 
              android:excludeFromRecents= "true" >

Note in above code android:excludeFromRecents= "true" is just what you want if you do not want your app to be shown in recents when closed.

It works from API 11 to API 27. Hope it helps

Why you can not do that, please elaborate more so that i can or someone else can throw the light on it. — , Apr 26 '18 at 15:09
if I do that or not depends on user's preferences, so it can change anytime. I've updated my question — jack_the_beast, Apr 26 '18 at 15:11

Removing my app from the task list programmatically when it goes to background (API <=20)

2 Answers2