View recently opened USED apps on Android (History)

As you probably know, Android allows you to easily view open and recently used applications from the multitasking button, something very useful when you want to know if they used your cell phone O what did they see. However, there is also a hidden option in this system to see what time they were used and even the time of use of the applications.

Latest open applications on Android

To see recently used apps on Android or the last open applications, just touch the box button at the bottom of the screen (or below it). Yes, there in the bottom bar or navigation bar.

The last application opened and used is the one that appears in the foreground (Gmail, in the illustration above). If you slide your finger down you can see the rest of the previously used applications, in chronological order.

Unfortunately, you cannot disable this feature of recently used apps. What you can do is delete all the apps in that list so as not to leave evidence of what was used lately. On that same screen you will find the button «Close All“Or simply a button on a” garbage can “, which will remove all”recent screens»There shown.

Recently used apps (time and usage time)

As I said, Android has a hidden screen or “window” (technically known as “activity”) that allows you to see the usage statistics of the applications. However, accessing this screen usually requires an additional application, as I will explain below.

On this screen you will not only be able to see the history of open applications as we saw above, but even the last time they were used and for how long.

How to view application usage statistics

To access the usage statistics, the simplest thing is to use the application Activity Launcher, available on Google Play. You just have to open the application, touch on «Settings», «Usage statistics» and you will enter the history of applications used or opened. Optionally you can add a desktop shortcut to that screen in case you want to consult it frequently.

Another alternative to access this hidden list of used apps is to install the application Nova Launcher, also available on the Play Store, which in addition to helping us to see the latest open applications and their use, is one of the best home screens that you can install on your device. However, the process, although very similar to the previous one, requires a few additional steps.

Once said Launcher is installed, press the start button of your Android, select “Nova Launcher” and choose the “Always” option. This will set it as the default home screen (you can undo this later). Then do the following steps.

1. On the home screen, long press on an empty area.
2. Tap on “Widgets”.
3. Look for “Activities.” Hold your finger down on this item and release it when you see the home screen.
4. A long list will automatically appear, where you must choose “Settings” (or “Configure”).
5. Among all the options that will be displayed, touch the one that says “Usage statistics” (usageStatsActivity). A shortcut will be created on the home screen called precisely “Usage statistics”.
6. Tap on this shortcut to see recently used applications.

As seen in the image, you will be able to see information about the last time and how long each application was used. At the top you have the option to sort the list by time of use, last use and application name.

It is important to clarify that this screen can include information on the use of applications in the background, or some function of an app operating discreetly. For example, applications that have only generated a notification may appear here. Perhaps with this you can find an answer to certain inconsistencies that you may find in the information.

In addition, it must be taken into account that this information is reset irregularly by Android (commonly every day). In other words, you will only be able to see the last and time and usage time of recently used applications. Don’t expect to see information from apps used a week or a month ago. If an app doesn’t appear, it simply means that it hasn’t been used (not opened) in the last few hours.

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