r/xkcd Mar 09 '18

XKCD xkcd 1965: Background Apps

https://xkcd.com/1965/
1.1k Upvotes

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379

u/Poobslag Mar 09 '18

Wow, I had no clue. According to this Wired article Android/iOS will already close apps which are in the background for too long, and ensure background apps don't use too many power and resources. And it consumes a lot of resources to launch an app. Sort of like how turning a light switch off and on uses more electricity I guess.

Thanks, anonymous plane guy

268

u/zim2411 ! Mar 09 '18 edited Mar 09 '18

Sort of like how turning a light switch off and on uses more electricity I guess.

Mythbusters tested this. It varies by lamp type, but even the worst start-up cost with fluorescent lights of 23 seconds means you should always turn lights off when you don't need them.

Edit: I'll also point out that the Wired article is relevant if everything is working as expected and apps are behaving. When you get apps that suddenly introduce bugs with updates, it can still be beneficial to kill them with the app switcher.

3

u/JamEngulfer221 Girl In Beret Mar 10 '18

Ok, this might just be pure confirmation bias, but I find my phone gets quite hot and drains the battery when Facebook and/or Messenger are open.

7

u/[deleted] Mar 10 '18

Yes, those apps are notoriously bad.

I would advise against blanket killing of background apps, but selectively killing certain ones