Ashwin Lewis
Tasker is an Android application that allows users to create custom tasks and automate workflows on their devices. While Tasker offers a wide range of functionality, one common issue that users encounter is the inability to trigger tasks when the phone goes to sleep. This can be due to various factors, such as the phone's sleep mode settings, battery optimisation, or the specific configuration of Tasker profiles and tasks. In this discussion, we will explore the challenges of using Tasker with a sleeping phone and share solutions and workarounds suggested by the Tasker community on Reddit.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Tasker not working when the phone is asleep | Tasker doesn't work when the phone is locked |
| Possible solutions | Set 'Reliable alarms' to "Always" in Tasker preferences |
| Exclude Tasker from battery optimisation in Samsung settings | |
| Start the task with an Alert > Popup Action with a 1-second timeout | |
| Use Sleep as Android with Mi Band 2 for tasker integration | |
| Use Tools & Mi Band with Sleep as Android | |
| Set up a bedtime profile with conditions: screen off, proximity sensor covered, device face up, charging, etc. | |
| Create an application profile for the app and set the display timeout to a high value |
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What You'll Learn
Tasker doesn't work with Sleep as Android
Sleep as Android is a sleep tracking and sleep cycle app for Android phones. It comes with a Tasker plugin that provides quite a few events. However, Sleep as Android cannot call Tasker when in the background. In fact, no app can do much in the background in Android 10 without one of the following permissions on the app.
There are several possible workarounds to this issue. One user suggests using Tools & Mi Band along with Sleep as Android, which seems to interface with Tasker. Another user suggests using Macrodroid as an alternative to Tasker, which they have found to work well for sleep tracking.
Another workaround is to give Sleep as Android the first permission. However, this does not always work, and some users have reported that even with this permission, Sleep as Android still does not start sleep tracking. In this case, a possible solution is to use the notification dropdown to start tracking.
Additionally, some users have reported that upgrading to Android 10 has caused issues with launching sleep tracking. It is not clear if this issue is specific to Sleep as Android or if it affects other apps as well.
It is important to note that even with workarounds and permissions, there may be some functionality that is not possible. For example, one user reported that even with Mi Band Tools integration, they still had to manually start sleep tracking in Sleep as Android.
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Tasker doesn't work with wireless charging
There are several ways to get Tasker to work with wireless charging. One user on Reddit reported that they had their phone set up so that when it was charging wirelessly, it would close the current app and turn on WiFi. Another user had their wireless charging set up to trigger night mode: muting sounds, enabling overnight auto-replies, and disabling Bluetooth.
Some users have reported issues with getting Tasker to work with wireless charging. One user with a Nexus 4 and stock Android 4.2.2 wanted to know if they could set Tasker to do something when it starts charging but only when it is wireless. Another user reported that their phone wouldn't wake up to run Tasker in the morning until they physically unlocked the phone.
To get around this issue, the user was advised to go into Tasker and, under preferences, set 'Reliable alarms' to "Always". They were also advised to exclude Tasker from battery optimisation in their Samsung settings under Apps. Another user suggested starting the Task with an Alert > Popup Action, with a 1-second timeout so it then immediately moves on with the rest of the Task.
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Tasker doesn't work with wired charging
If Tasker doesn't work with wired charging, there are several things you can try. Firstly, check your phone settings. In Tasker, under preferences, set 'Reliable alarms' to "Always". Also, in your phone settings, exclude Tasker from battery optimisation. This should help ensure that Tasker functions correctly even when your phone is in sleep mode.
If the issue persists, you could try using a wireless charging stand instead of wired charging. Tasker can be set up to detect when your phone is on a wireless charger and can then be programmed to activate certain tasks when this occurs. For example, you can use the "Power Connected" activation factor, which is in the same section as "Battery Level", to trigger a task when your phone is connected to a power source. Additionally, Tasker can read raw sensor data, such as the gyroscope, to define the phone's orientation in 3D space and recognise when it is on a charging stand.
Another option is to use a separate application in conjunction with Tasker. For example, "Sleep as Android" is an application that comes with a Tasker plugin and provides various events that can be used to trigger tasks. Alternatively, you can use the Mi Band with the Tools & Mi Band application, which also interfaces with Tasker.
Finally, if you are trying to trigger a task when your phone is asleep and charging, you can try setting up a profile with specific conditions, such as the screen being off, the proximity sensor being covered, and the device being face up or down. This should allow you to trigger tasks when your phone is wired charging and asleep.
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Tasker doesn't work with apps running in the background
If Tasker doesn't work with apps running in the background, there could be several reasons and solutions. Firstly, it is important to determine which method Tasker is using to detect app changes on your device. One common issue is that Tasker may not work properly if installed on an SD card, as Android gives apps very little time to perform cleanup during shutdown, which can be problematic for slower devices. Disabling or temporarily uninstalling interfering apps can help pinpoint the issue.
Upgrading to a newer Android version, such as Android 10, may also cause compatibility issues with Tasker. Users have reported that tasks run fine when the Tasker app is open or when triggered manually, but fail to work in the background. This could be due to changes in the Android operating system that prevent background apps from functioning properly.
Another potential solution is to ensure that all necessary permissions for Tasker have been granted. This includes unrestricted background run, full permissions, modify system settings allowed, and unrestricted battery usage. Excluding Tasker from battery optimisation in your phone settings may also help.
Additionally, specific tasks that involve launching other apps may not work as expected. For example, a task to turn on Bluetooth and then open the Maps app may successfully turn on Bluetooth but fail to open the Maps app. This suggests that the problem lies with Tasker's ability to launch other apps, rather than with the other apps themselves.
For more complex tasks, such as triggering an action when you start to sleep, additional apps and devices may be required. For instance, Sleep as Android, along with Mi Band and Tools & Mi Band, can offer tasker integration and provide various events to trigger Tasker during sleep.
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Tasker doesn't work with the screen locked
If Tasker doesn't work with the screen locked, there could be several reasons. One possible cause is that you are running a non-standard Android ROM that lacks the necessary Google Maps library. This usually occurs when Tasker is installed on an SD card, which can cause issues due to the limited time Android gives apps to perform cleanup during shutdown, especially on slower devices.
Another factor could be the specific settings on your device. For example, ensuring that "Reliable alarms" are set to "Always" in Tasker preferences and excluding Tasker from battery optimisation in your phone's settings can help. Additionally, certain tasks may require the screen to be woken up, so consider starting your Task with an Alert > Popup Action with a short timeout to prompt the device to proceed with the rest of the Task.
If you're trying to use Tasker with other applications, such as Sleep as Android or Mi Band, there might be compatibility issues or limitations. While these apps offer Tasker integration, they might not support all the desired functions.
It's also worth noting that some tasks may not run with the screen off due to specific conditions or settings. For instance, a task to turn on Wi-Fi when you're near your home network might not work as expected if the phone screen is off, resulting in the continued use of mobile data.
Lastly, if you're trying to use Tasker to detect the locked state of your device, you may need to perform a UIQuery first to ensure that AutoInput is triggered to check the screen state.
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Frequently asked questions
This may be because you have not set 'Reliable alarms' to "Always" in Tasker under preferences.
To ensure Tasker works when your phone goes to sleep, you can set a bedtime profile with conditions such as screen off, proximity sensor covered, device face up, and time of day. You can also exclude Tasker from battery optimisation in your phone settings.
You can create an application profile for the app you want to use and set the display timeout for as long as you want. Then, add an exit task to return to your normal settings once the application is closed.
You can set up a sleep profile that activates at a fixed time and switches off your Wi-Fi and mobile data. You can then use Tasker to start playing music at a specific time in the morning to wake you up.
