Tasker (application)

Tasker is an Android application originally developed by a developer known as "Pent", and later purchased by João Dias. It enables performing user-defined actions based on contexts (application, time, date, location, event, gesture) in user-defined profiles, activated by click- or timer-based home screen widgets. It is expandable via AutoApps plugins from the developer and third-party apps. The app is available from Google Play; a 7-day free trial version which does not allow restoring backups can be downloaded as an APK on the app's website.

Developers can add Tasker integration to their Android apps using a Kotlin library.

History
Tasker was created back in 2009 by an app developer called "Pent" also known as the German company "Crafty Apps EU". 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 Programme 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 also known as the Portugal company "Kitxoo" or "Joaoapps".

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: Tasker also supports third-party actions from apps such as the discontinued SleepBot.
 * Toggle each phone setting (such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Auto-brightness, etc.) on or off
 * Launch or "kill" a specific app
 * 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
 * Get the GPS location of the phone
 * Call a number specified
 * Create, read and modify Tasker variables
 * Run JavaScript code
 * Integration with Google Drive
 * Text-to-speech
 * Screen capturing
 * HTTP Server (beta)

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.

Alpha Apps
Alpha Apps are discontinued developer plugins that are previously unlockable via an AutoApps subscription. As of June 27, 2024, Alpha Apps are no longer offered in the subscription, and some of the plugins were made free in Tasker's website as APK downloads.

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.