Demystifying the Android Activity Lifecycle: From Creation to Termination

Computer Bits Daily
2 min readOct 11, 2023

If you’re an Android app developer or an aspiring one, you’ve undoubtedly heard about the Android Activity Lifecycle. This concept is like the heartbeat of your Android app, dictating how it behaves throughout its lifetime. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll take you through the Android Activity Lifecycle, demystify its intricacies, and equip you with the knowledge to make your apps shine.

Mobile Application Development — Android Tutorial and Notes

Understanding the Android Activity Lifecycle

The Android Activity Lifecycle is a crucial aspect of Android app development. It’s all about understanding the states or phases an activity goes through, from its birth to its inevitable destruction. Each stage offers an opportunity to execute specific code and manage various aspects of your application.

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The Key Lifecycle States/Methods

onCreate():

This method is the first to be called when an activity is created. It’s like setting up the stage for your app. Here, you initialize essential components and set the user interface.

onStart():

When your activity becomes visible but isn’t yet fully interactive, the onStart() method is invoked. It’s the perfect place for preparing your activity for user interactions.

onResume():

This method is called just before the activity comes to the foreground. It’s the moment to start animations, audio playback, or any other interactive features.

onPause():

If your activity is about to lose focus but still remains visible, onPause() is called. Here, you halt or pause operations that shouldn’t continue when the activity is not in the foreground.

onStop():

When your activity is no longer visible to the user, onStop() is invoked. It’s an excellent opportunity to release resources that are no longer needed.

onRestart():

The onRestart() method is called when the activity is being restarted from the stopped state, without creating it anew. It’s an excellent place to refresh your UI or data.

onDestroy():

This is the final call, indicating the activity’s imminent destruction. It’s essential for cleaning up resources, closing connections, and ensuring a graceful exit.

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Computer Bits Daily
Computer Bits Daily

Written by Computer Bits Daily

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