How to set a timer in android

Question

What is the proper way to set a timer in android in order to kick off a task (a function that I create which does not change the UI)? Use this the Java way: http://docs.ora

Answer 1

Here we go.. We will need two classes. I am posting a code which changes mobile audio profile after each 5 seconds (5000 mili seconds) ...

Our 1st Class

public class ChangeProfileActivityMain extends Activity {

    @Override
    protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
        // TODO Auto-generated method stub
        super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);

        Timer timer = new Timer();
        TimerTask updateProfile = new CustomTimerTask(ChangeProfileActivityMain.this);
        timer.scheduleAtFixedRate(updateProfile, 0, 5000);
    }

}

Our 2nd Class

public class CustomTimerTask extends TimerTask {

    private AudioManager audioManager;
    private Context context;
    private Handler mHandler = new Handler();

    // Write Custom Constructor to pass Context
    public CustomTimerTask(Context con) {
        this.context = con;
    }

    @Override
    public void run() {
        // TODO Auto-generated method stub

        // your code starts here.
        // I have used Thread and Handler as we can not show Toast without starting new thread when we are inside a thread.
        // As TimePicker has run() thread running., So We must show Toast through Handler.post in a new Thread. Thats how it works in Android..
        new Thread(new Runnable() {
            @Override
            public void run() {
                audioManager = (AudioManager) context.getApplicationContext().getSystemService(Context.AUDIO_SERVICE);
                mHandler.post(new Runnable() {
                    @Override
                    public void run() {
                        if(audioManager.getRingerMode() == AudioManager.RINGER_MODE_SILENT) {
                            audioManager.setRingerMode(AudioManager.RINGER_MODE_NORMAL);
                            Toast.makeText(context, "Ringer Mode set to Normal", Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show();
                        } else {
                            audioManager.setRingerMode(AudioManager.RINGER_MODE_SILENT);
                            Toast.makeText(context, "Ringer Mode set to Silent", Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show();
                        }
                    }
                });
            }
        }).start();

    }

}

Answer 2

I am using a handler and runnable to create a timer. I wrapper this in an abstract class. Just derive/implement it and you are good to go:

 public static abstract class SimpleTimer {
    abstract void onTimer();

    private Runnable runnableCode = null;
    private Handler handler = new Handler();

    void startDelayed(final int intervalMS, int delayMS) {
        runnableCode = new Runnable() {
            @Override
            public void run() {
                handler.postDelayed(runnableCode, intervalMS);
                onTimer();
            }
        };
        handler.postDelayed(runnableCode, delayMS);
    }

    void start(final int intervalMS) {
        startDelayed(intervalMS, 0);
    }

    void stop() {
        handler.removeCallbacks(runnableCode);
    }
}

Note that the handler.postDelayed is called before the code to be executed - this will make the timer more closed timed as "expected". However in cases were the timer runs to frequently and the task (onTimer()) is long - there might be overlaps. If you want to start counting intervalMS after the task is done, move the onTimer() call a line above.

Answer 3

As I have seen it, java.util.Timer is the most used for implementing a timer.

For a repeating task:

new Timer().scheduleAtFixedRate(task, after, interval);

For a single run of a task:

new Timer().schedule(task, after);

task being the method to be executed
after the time to initial execution
(interval the time for repeating the execution)

Answer 4

this example start the timer unitl destroyed in Kotlin

private lateinit var timerTask: TimerTask

 timerTask = object : TimerTask() {
        override fun run() {
            Log.d("KTZ", "$minutes:$seconds");
            timeRecordingLiveData.postValue("$minutes:$seconds")
            seconds += 1;
            if (seconds == 60) {
                Log.d("KTZ", "$minutes:$seconds");
                timeRecordingLiveData.postValue("$minutes:$seconds")
                seconds = 0;
                minutes += 1;
            }
        }

    }

Cancel the timertask in onDestroy()

timerTask.cancel()

Answer 5

yes java's timer can be used, but as the question asks for better way (for mobile). Which is explained Here.

---

For the sake of StackOverflow:

Since Timer creates a new thread it may be considered heavy,

if all you need is to get is a call back while the activity is running a Handler can be used in conjunction with a

Runnable:

private final int interval = 1000; // 1 Second
private Handler handler = new Handler();
private Runnable runnable = new Runnable(){
    public void run() {
        Toast.makeText(MyActivity.this, "C'Mom no hands!", Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show();
    }
};
...
handler.postAtTime(runnable, System.currentTimeMillis()+interval);
handler.postDelayed(runnable, interval);

or a Message

private final int EVENT1 = 1; 
private Handler handler = new Handler() {
    @Override
    public void handleMessage(Message msg) {
        switch (msg.what) {         
        case Event1:
            Toast.makeText(MyActivity.this, "Event 1", Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show();
            break;

        default:
            Toast.makeText(MyActivity.this, "Unhandled", Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show();
            break;
        }
    }
};

...

Message msg = handler.obtainMessage(EVENT1);
handler.sendMessageAtTime(msg, System.currentTimeMillis()+interval);
handler.sendMessageDelayed(msg, interval);

on a side note this approach can be used, if you want to run a piece of code in the UI thread from an another thread.

if you need to get a call back even if your activity is not running then, you can use an AlarmManager

Answer 6

I'm an Android newbie but here is the timer class I created based on the answers above. It works for my app but I welcome any suggestions.

Usage example:

...{
public Handler uiHandler = new Handler();

  private Runnable runMethod = new Runnable()
    {
        public void run()
        {
              // do something
        }
    };

    timer = new UITimer(handler, runMethod, timeoutSeconds*1000);       
        timer.start();
}...

public class UITimer
{
    private Handler handler;
    private Runnable runMethod;
    private int intervalMs;
    private boolean enabled = false;
    private boolean oneTime = false;

    public UITimer(Handler handler, Runnable runMethod, int intervalMs)
    {
        this.handler = handler;
        this.runMethod = runMethod;
        this.intervalMs = intervalMs;
    }

    public UITimer(Handler handler, Runnable runMethod, int intervalMs, boolean oneTime)
    {
        this(handler, runMethod, intervalMs);
        this.oneTime = oneTime;
    }

    public void start()
    {
        if (enabled)
            return;

        if (intervalMs < 1)
        {
            Log.e("timer start", "Invalid interval:" + intervalMs);
            return;
        }

        enabled = true;
        handler.postDelayed(timer_tick, intervalMs);        
    }

    public void stop()
    {
        if (!enabled)
            return;

        enabled = false;
        handler.removeCallbacks(runMethod);
        handler.removeCallbacks(timer_tick);
    }

    public boolean isEnabled()
    {
        return enabled;
    }

    private Runnable timer_tick = new Runnable()
    {
        public void run()
        {
            if (!enabled)
                return;

            handler.post(runMethod);

            if (oneTime)
            {
                enabled = false;
                return;
            }

            handler.postDelayed(timer_tick, intervalMs);
        }
    }; 
}