Android: View the List of Recently Used Applications

Google’s Android operating system is ruling the roosts nowadays. This OS has become the most popular OS for mobile devices like smart phones and tablet computers.

When one uses their Android based smart phone or tablet for the first time, they take a bit of time to know how to go around among various features and screens. One of the features that people often look for is the list of recently used apps. This feature makes it easy to invoke an app which you often use.

Well, it depends on the device you’re using. Android, being an open source OS, is often customized by phone or tablet manufacturers to give the device a signature touch of their own. Some manufacturers, like Samsung, provides a button to the left of Home button which brings up the list in question.

Some other manufacturers program their device so that if you press and hold Home button –the list of recent applications is displayed.

If you are using Ice Cream Sandwich (ICS) version of Android, and none of the above methods work for you, you can install a free app from Google Play Store. Using this app you will be able to view and manage your recent apps.

Once you get this list, you can remove an item from it by swiping / dragging the app icons to the left hand side.

Please not that this list is indeed only of the apps that you have lately used. It is NOT the list of applications that are currently running in background. Learn how to view Android apps that are running at present and occupying RAM (memory).

I hope this little tip was useful for you. Do, let me know if you have any questions about it.