Android Stop App

Overview

Stops the Android app running on a connected device by using adb shell am force-stop. This cleanly terminates all app processes, clearing memory while preserving app data.

When to Use

Invoke this skill when the user:

• •Asks to "stop the Android app"
• •Wants to "kill the app"
• •Says "terminate the Android app on device"
• •Mentions shutting down or closing the Android app
• •Needs to stop before deploying new version

Prerequisites

• •Android device connected via USB
• •USB debugging enabled
• •ADB installed (brew install android-platform-tools)
• •Device authorized
• •App must be running on the device

Instructions

1. •

   Navigate to the Android app directory:

   bash

   cd path/to/android/app
   

2. •

   Run the stop script:

   bash

   ./stop-app.sh
   

3. •

   The script will:

   • •Use adb shell am force-stop to terminate the app
   • •Report success
4. •

   Inform the user:

   • •The app has been stopped
   • •Safe to call even if app isn't running
   • •Uses force-stop for clean shutdown (not kill)

Expected Output

🛑 Stopping NoobTest on device...
✅ App stopped

How It Works

The script uses:

• •adb shell am force-stop com.miso.noobtest

This Android framework command:

• •Stops all processes associated with the package
• •Clears app from memory
• •Preserves app data and settings
• •Clean shutdown (not emergency kill)

force-stop vs kill

force-stop (recommended):

• •Android framework command
• •Clean shutdown
• •Preserves app data
• •Safe for development

kill (not recommended):

• •OS-level signal
• •Abrupt termination
• •May leave resources in inconsistent state
• •Only use if force-stop fails

Common Use Cases

Before deploying new version:

./stop-app.sh
./install-device.sh

Pairing with restart:

./stop-app.sh
# Make configuration changes
./restart-app.sh

Clean state testing:

./stop-app.sh
# Clear app data manually if needed
adb shell pm clear com.miso.noobtest
# Then install fresh

Common Issues

"no devices found":

• •Check USB connection
• •Ensure USB debugging enabled
• •Verify authorized: adb devices
• •Try: adb kill-server && adb start-server

"adb: command not found":

• •Install Android platform tools: brew install android-platform-tools
• •Check PATH includes adb

App still running after force-stop:

• •Rare, but check with: adb shell pidof com.miso.noobtest
• •If still running, restart device
• •Or use: adb shell pm clear com.miso.noobtest (nukes app data too)

Safety

This script is safe to call repeatedly:

• •Won't error if app isn't running
• •Uses clean shutdown method
• •Reports status clearly
• •No risk to app data or installation

Package Name

The script is configured for the specific app's package name (e.g., com.miso.noobtest for Firefly/NoobTest). Package name is defined in build.gradle.kts under applicationId.

Data Preservation

force-stop does NOT clear:

• •App installation
• •App data (SharedPreferences, databases, files)
• •App permissions
• •User settings

To fully clear app state, use:

adb shell pm clear com.miso.noobtest

But this will require reinstallation and setup.