Tasker (application)

Tasker is an Android automation application which enables performing user-defined actions based on contexts (application, time, date, location, event, state) in user-defined profiles, activated by click- or timer-based home screen widgets. It was originally developed by a developer known as "Pent", and later purchased by João Dias. It is expandable via AutoApps, a collection of paid plugins from the same developer. It can also be extended by third-party apps through the "Tasker/Locale" plugin interface, which was originally developed for the discontinued Locale automation app.

The app is available from Google Play; a 7-day free trial version can be downloaded as an APK on the app's website.

Tasker

Original author(s)	Crafty Apps Ltd
Developer(s)	Kitxoo, Unipessoal Lda (João Dias)
Initial release	2009
Stable release	6.3.13 / July 23, 2024 (2024-07-23)
Preview release	6.4.9-beta / December 9, 2024 (2024-12-09)
Operating system	Android
Type	Automation, tools
License	Proprietary trialware
Website	tasker.joaoapps.com

History

Tasker was created back in 2009 by the German company "Crafty Apps EU" which developer is known online as Pent. It was inspired by Apt, a macro application developed by GlassWave in 2007 for devices running Palm OS. It is also created for the Android Developer Challenge 2, where the app came 3rd in the Productivity/Tools category. The app was released to the public in June 2010.

In November 2015, Tasker was removed from the Google Play Store for violating the Developer Program Policy regarding Dangerous Products for system interference. The issue appeared related to Doze and App Standby features, which were offered instead of a blanket permission to ignore battery optimizations. Google allows chat/voice apps to use the permission in Android to ignore the new battery optimization, features introduced with Doze Mode in Android 6.0 Marshmallow. The app was back in the Google Play Store as a "paid app" in 2016.

In March 2018, Tasker was purchased by João Dias which operates as the Portugal company "Kitxoo".

In July 2022, Tasky was introduced into Tasker.

Management

Tasker works manually as well as automatically. It monitors the phone for contexts and performs tasks based on them. A profile stands as combination of a context and a task.

Actions

Actions are basic functions that modify the device's settings or process data from a source such as a file on the user's phone or an HTTP request. Each task is composed of sequential actions. Some actions may require root access or ADB. Common actions:

• Toggle each phone setting (such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Auto-brightness, etc.) on or off
• Launch or "kill" a specific app (killing an app requires rooted device)
• Set the audio volume to a specified value
• Lock an application with a PIN code
• Read, write, copy, move, and delete a file on the user's device
• Basic image editing tools (such as cropping, filtering, and rotating)
• Basic media controls
• Play a sound or music file
• Get the GPS location of the phone
• Call a specified phone number
• Create, read and modify Tasker variables
• Run JavaScript code
• Integration with Google Drive
• Text-to-speech
• Screen capturing
• HTTP client and server
• Show message or pop-up window
• Turn the screen on or off

App Factory

The Tasker App Factory is a separate application that allows Tasker projects to be exported as standalone apps. A user interface can be added using Show Scene action in Tasker. The resulting app can be distributed and installed on devices that do not have Tasker installed. However, any required plugins must be installed on the destination device, and it does not support files. App Factory is offered at no additional charge at the store. Further, apps produced by the App Factory can be licensed on the Play Store.

AutoApps

AutoApps is a separate application for Android that contains a suite of developer plugins. Each plugin adds conditions and/or actions to Tasker. In the app, the user can purchase separate plugins via the Google Play Store or subscribe for access to all plugins. Each plugin has a lite version that is free to use but restricts functionality (e.g. the lite version of AutoLaunch allows interaction with up to 20 apps). Some plugins also request the user to watch an advertisement to use for 24 hours.

List of AutoApps

Plugin name	Functionality added to Tasker
AutoAlarm	Reads information regarding the next alarm set in the system's built-in clock app
AutoApp for Arduino	Controls each pin in an Arduino device
AutoApp for Pebble	Adds Tasker functionality to a Pebble watch
AutoBarcode	Allows Tasks to launch via a QR code
AutoCast	Casts a webpage or media from a service such as Dropbox to a Chromecast.
AutoContacts	Reads contact info
AutoInput	Simulates UI interaction within the device via Android's Accessibility Service
AutoLaunch	Launches and queries apps by a specified info.
AutoLocation	Uses geofencing to read the device's current GPS location and the user's movement state
AutoNotification	Intercepts app notifications, creates formatted notifications, and auto-selects certain buttons in the notifications window.
AutoRemote	Sends notifications and commands across devices
AutoShare	Intercepts info on the file being shared
AutoSheets	Adds Google Sheets integration; allows Tasker to modify Google Sheets spreadsheets
AutoShortcut	Runs shortcuts from other Android apps
AutoTools	Adds additional varied Actions to Tasker (such as parsing HTML data from a website)
AutoVera	Controls Z-Wave devices through a Vera gateway
AutoWear	Adds Tasker functionality to a Wear OS smartwatch. It allows Tasker to simulate UI interactions within the smartwatch, add custom windows, and react to certain events such as when the smartwatch is shaken.
AutoWeb	Allows Tasker to use Web APIs like weather APIs
AutoVoice	Allows Tasks to be triggered via voice commands; supports Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant integration

TaskerNet

As of Tasker v5.5, Tasks, Profiles, and Projects can be uploaded to TaskerNet and shared. The system, which is hosted on Tasker servers, acts as a file sharing system for Tasker files.

See also

• MacroDroid, described as a simpler version of Tasker

External links

• Official website