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howto:howto-app_timer_widget-tasker_integration [2026/07/04 21:10] – ↷ Links adapted because of a move operation dorepshowto:howto-app_timer_widget-tasker_integration [2026/07/19 12:00] (current) – ↷ Links adapted because of a move operation doreps
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-<WRAP center notice centeralign> +====== Total Launcher-Tasker Integration: Automate Actions Based on Time Since Last App Opened ======
-**⚠️ v4.0 UI Transition Notice - In Process:** +
-//The release of Total Launcher v4.0 has introduced significant user interface changes. Please note that this  +
-page does not yet reflect these updates. The new layout paths, folds, and visual maps are currently being  +
-compiled and will be deployed shortly.// +
-</WRAP>+
  
- +Tracking exactly how long it has been since a specific application was opened is a powerful way to level up Android customization and automation. Whether building an advanced home screen layout or managing daily habits, this Total Launcher-Tasker integration tutorial will show exactly how to calculate the time gap between app launches. By configuring a simple profile to capture a timestamp variable, it will generate the exact data needed to trigger custom dynamic actions. Here is how to set up the background time-logging process.
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- +
-===== How To: Monitor Time Since App Last Opened - Tasker Integration =====+
  
   * <wrap em>Step 1: Log into Tasker</wrap>   * <wrap em>Step 1: Log into Tasker</wrap>
  
-​//Create a profile that saves the current time into a variable (''%SoMe'') every time the user opens the target application.//+​//Create a profile that saves the current time to a variable ('%SoMe') every time the user opens the target application.//
  
-  - Once in Tasker, tap the Profiles tab to open the Profile dialog and then tap the + button (bottom right) to create a new profile. It will be automatically names, but the name can be edited later.+  - Once in Tasker, tap the Profiles tab to open the Profile dialog and then tap the + button (bottom right) to create a new profile. It will be automatically named, but the name can be edited later.
   - From the drop-down dialog, select Application.   - From the drop-down dialog, select Application.
-  - Scroll through the application listing to find and select the app or apps to monitor (in this example a select of %%WhatsApp%% is made) which will highlight the app. This listing only includes apps which are on the user device.+  - Scroll through the application listing to find and select the app or apps to monitor (in this example, a selection of %%Telegram%% is made), which will highlight the app. This listing includes only apps installed on the user's device.
   - Tap the back arrow (top left).   - Tap the back arrow (top left).
   - Tasker will now show a dialog drop-down of all existing Tasker actions.    - Tasker will now show a dialog drop-down of all existing Tasker actions. 
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   - ​Tap the back arrow (top left) to save this task.   - ​Tap the back arrow (top left) to save this task.
   - ​Tap the back arrow again to exit the profile setup.   - ​Tap the back arrow again to exit the profile setup.
-    - The profile now shows its name with an * (*%%WhatsApp%%) +    - The profile now shows its name with an * (*%%Telegram%%) 
-      - This can be changed to any user desired meaningful name. That will not be done here, but this is how to do it: +      - This can be changed to any user-desired meaningful name. That will not be done here, but this is how to do it: 
-        - Tap and hold the existing name (*%%WhatsApp%%) to highlight it. +        - Tap and hold the existing name (*%%Telegram%%) to highlight it. 
-        - A menu at the top of the dialog opens. The first selection is {{howto:howto-icon-a_cap_boxed.webp?25}}. Select it.+        - A menu at the top of the dialog opens. The first selection is {{howto:howto-icon-a_cap_boxed-v4.webp?25}}. Select it.
           - In the input dialog, enter the desired name and tap the checkmark.           - In the input dialog, enter the desired name and tap the checkmark.
  
-​//A profile has been created that updates the ''%SoMe'' variable with the current time (in seconds) every time %%WhatsApp%% is opened.//+​//A profile has been created that updates the ''%SoMe'' variable with the current time (in seconds) every time %%Telegram%% is opened.//
  
   * <wrap em>​Step 2: In Tasker, Calculate Time & Send to Total Launcher</wrap>   * <wrap em>​Step 2: In Tasker, Calculate Time & Send to Total Launcher</wrap>
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   - ​Remain in Tasker in the Profiles tab and tap +.   - ​Remain in Tasker in the Profiles tab and tap +.
-  - ​From the drop-down dialog select Event+  - ​From the drop-down dialog, select Event
     - Select System     - Select System
     - Select Tick     - Select Tick
-      - ​Set the Interval (ms) to ''60000'' (which is 60,000 milliseconds, or 1 minute) which will be the update frequency.+      - ​Set the Interval (ms) to ''60000'' (which is 60,000 milliseconds, or 1 minute), which will be the update frequency.
     - Tap the back arrow     - Tap the back arrow
   - Tasker will now show a drop-down dialog which lists all existing tasks.    - Tasker will now show a drop-down dialog which lists all existing tasks. 
     - Tap New Task     - Tap New Task
     - Name the task ''LastChecked'' and tap the checkmark.     - Name the task ''LastChecked'' and tap the checkmark.
-  - In the Task Edit dialog add two actions to this task:+  - In the Task Edit dialog, add two actions to this task:
     - ​Action 1 (Calculate Time):     - ​Action 1 (Calculate Time):
       - ​Tap + to add the first action.       - ​Tap + to add the first action.
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       - ​Tap the Configuration item's pencil icon to configure it.       - ​Tap the Configuration item's pencil icon to configure it.
       - In the Send Variable dialog        - In the Send Variable dialog 
-        - Tasker variable enter: %LastChecked +        - Tasker variable: enter: %LastChecked 
-        - Variable name in Total Launcher enter: taskerLastChecked+        - Variable name in Total Launcher: taskerLastChecked
         - Tap OK         - Tap OK
       - Tap the back arrow to save the action.       - Tap the back arrow to save the action.
   - ​Now back in the main Tasker screen, tap the back arrow again to save the entire task profile.   - ​Now back in the main Tasker screen, tap the back arrow again to save the entire task profile.
-    - Again, if desired the profile named *Tick 60000 can be renamed it desired (see above step ...)+    - Again, if desired, the profile named *Tick 60000 can be renamed (see above step ...)
  
-​//Tasker is now fully set up. The object will not display the timer results (only the static text) until the targeted app is first opened. Once that occurs then every 60 seconds it calculates the minutes since the app last opened and sends that number to a Total Launcher variable named taskerLastChecked.//+​//Tasker is now fully set up. The object will not display the timer results (only the static text) until the target app is opened for the first time. Once that occurs, then every 60 seconds it calculates the minutes since the app last opened and sends that number to a Total Launcher variable named taskerLastChecked.//
  
   * ​<wrap em>Step 3: In Total Launcher, Display the Data</wrap>   * ​<wrap em>Step 3: In Total Launcher, Display the Data</wrap>
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 //​Tasker is now sending the data, but Total Launcher needs an object to receive it. Create the “widget” in Total Launcher to "catch" and display it.// //​Tasker is now sending the data, but Total Launcher needs an object to receive it. Create the “widget” in Total Launcher to "catch" and display it.//
  
-  - ​On the Total Launcher home page l​ong-press an empty space or pinch to enter edit mode. +  - ​On the Total Launcher home page, long-press an empty space or pinch to enter edit mode. 
-    - A page/screen other than Home can be selected by scrolling left or right to the desired page and then performing the above step. However, this intent of this project is to observe how much time has lapsed since last opening an app and the home page is the most logical location since the typical user as called it "home"+    - A page/screen other than Home can be selected by scrolling left or right to the desired page and then performing the above step. However, the intent of this project is to observe how much time has lapsed since last opening an app, and the home page is the most logical location since the typical user has called it "home"
   - Tap the + button (top right).   - Tap the + button (top right).
   - In the Add dialog    - In the Add dialog 
     - Select Graphic     - Select Graphic
-    - In the Graphic dialog choose Text. This will create a text-based object.+    - In the Graphic dialog, choose Text. This will create a text-based object.
   - The Action On Tap dialog opens. Select Nothing or Default.   - The Action On Tap dialog opens. Select Nothing or Default.
   - The new object on the page is now selected​.    - The new object on the page is now selected​. 
-    - Move it and resize it as desired. **(See here for a complete description on how to accomplish this)** +    - Move it and resize it as desired. [[section:section-basic_editing#object_moving]] 
-  - With the text box still selected, tap the cog wheel icon {{ui:ui-icon_option-v4.webp?25}} (top 3rd from the left) to open its options.+  - With the text box still selected, tap the cogwheel icon {{ui:ui-icon_option-v4.webp?25}} (top 3rd from the left) to open its options.
   - Select Text   - Select Text
-    - In the Text dialog, scroll to the bottom of list and select Variable. Tap OK. +    - In the Text dialog, scroll to the bottom of the list and select Variable. Tap OK. 
-  - In the Edit dialog tap the list item Text field +  - In the Edit dialog, tap the list item Text field 
-    - In the input dialog remove the default text +    - In the input dialog, remove the default text 
-    - then type in the text to be displayed on the screen widget. Use the exact variable name which was set in Tasker (Step 2.4.b.IV.B)+    - Then type in the text to be displayed on the screen widget. Use the exact variable name which was set in Tasker (Step 2.4.b.IV.B)
     * //​An example would be:// ''Last checked: <taskerLastChecked> mins ago''     * //​An example would be:// ''Last checked: <taskerLastChecked> mins ago''
   - Tap OK and exit the Edit dialog by swiping right to left   - Tap OK and exit the Edit dialog by swiping right to left
   - Now on the home page with the new "widget" selected   - Now on the home page with the new "widget" selected
-    - Insure the entire text object contents are visible. If not: +    - Ensure the entire text object contents are visible. If not: 
-      - Tap the Options icon (cog) in the top menu+      - Tap the Options icon in the top menu
       - Select Font size       - Select Font size
         - Change size by changing the number or using the slider, then tap OK         - Change size by changing the number or using the slider, then tap OK
         - Exit the Edit dialog by swiping right to left         - Exit the Edit dialog by swiping right to left
-    - The initial display of the object will require at least the 60000ms (1 minute) to properly display and may require some additional adjustments for:+    - The initial display of the object will require at least 60000 ms (1 minute) to properly display and may require some additional adjustments for:
       - single or multi-line format (object sizing)       - single or multi-line format (object sizing)
       - centering within the object boundaries (alignment)       - centering within the object boundaries (alignment)