Develop Reference

Android Button click Handler

I have a button(in say Activity 1), which when clicked should start a service (eg Service 1). But there must be a delay of 5 seconds before the service starts. I achieved this using SystemClock.sleep(5000) in the onStartCommand of the service. This worked properly.
Now I want to add the functionality that if the button is clicked again(even before the 5 seconds end), the service WILL NOT BE STARTED.
Any ideas how to do this?
(Edit : Please read the entire question before marking it as a duplicate. Thanks)

You can use handler with post delayed to achieve your goal. Make your button disable and enable it after five seconds along with starting your service. You can implement the following code:
button.setOnClickListener(new View.OnClickListener() {
#Override
public void onClick(View view) {
button.setEnabled(false);
new Handler().postDelayed(new Runnable() {
#Override
public void run() {
//start your service here
button.setEnabled(true);
}
}, 5000);
}
});
Above code will disable your button for 5 second and will start your service after 5 second.

I'd use a util class similar to the following. Pass it in a runnable and a delay in ms and you can call stop() on it to cancel before it has run. You can also call restart() if you want to restart your timer. I use it for things like auto showing/hiding controls on an immersive view.
public class DelayableRunnable{
int mDelay = 0;
Handler mHandler = new Handler();
Runnable mRunnable;
boolean mIsRunning = false;
public DelayableRunnable(Runnable runnable, int delay){
mRunnable = runnable;
mDelay = delay;
}
public void setNewDelay(int delay){
mDelay = delay;
}
public void start(){
if(mIsRunning) {
stop();
}
mHandler.postDelayed(mRunnable, mDelay);
mIsRunning = true;
}
public void stop(){
mHandler.removeCallbacks(mRunnable);
mIsRunning = false;
}
public void restart(){
stop();
start();
}
}

You can use Handler.postDelayed function for delayed actions in Android enviroment (better than plan java methods)
final Handler handler = new Handler(); // or use existed one your_view.getHandler()
handler.postDelayed(new Runnable() {
#Override
public void run() {
//start your service
}
}, 5000 /* 5s * 1000ms */);
Or simpler use you view function (work same as above):
your_view.postDelayed(new Runnable() {
#Override
public void run() {
//start your service
}
}, 5000 /* 5s * 1000ms */);

A facility for threads to schedule tasks for future execution in a background thread. Tasks may be scheduled for one-time execution, or for repeated execution at regular intervals void schedule (TimerTask task,long delay) Schedules the specified task for execution after the specified delay.
new Timer().schedule(new TimerTask() {
#Override
public void run() {
alertDialog.dismiss();
startActivity(new Intent(****.this,*********.class));
}
},5000);

How to close a window/activity after a certain amount of time

am writing an android application, it allow someone add two numbers and input the answer. but I want this numbers to display for only 5 seconds and then a new number show up, if they input the correct or wrong answer, the timer reset and display new numbers..
i have written the code that does the random numbers and other just the timer am unable to do
someone help please

Using a Handler and Runnable should work for you but don't use an Anonymous runnable as they can cause memory leaks. Instead extend runnable into a static class and use removeCallbacks in onDestroy.
Also you can use WeakReference as onDestroy is not guaranteed to be called so a WeakReference will allow GC to free up the memory if your activity gets killed
public class BarActivity extends AppCompatActivity {
private Handler mHandler;
private FooRunnable mRunnable;
private void finishActivityAfterDelay(int milliSeconds) {
mHandler = new Handler();
mRunnable = new FooRunnable(this);
mHandler.postDelayed(mRunnable, 5000); // 5 seconds
}
#Override
protected void onDestroy() {
mHandler.removeCallbacks(mRunnable);
super.onDestroy();
}
private static class FooRunnable implements Runnable {
private WeakReference<AppCompatActivity> mWeakActivity;
public FooRunnable(AppCompatActivity activity) {
mWeakActivity = new WeakReference<>(activity);
}
#Override
public void run() {
AppCompatActivity activity = mWeakActivity.get();
if (activity != null) activity.finish();
}
}
}

You can use android.os.Handler class to do so,
Like
private Handler handler = new Handler(); // Create Handler
Runnable runnable = new Runnable() {
#Override
public void run() {
// Perform action here...
}
};
handler.postDelayed(runnable, 3 * 1000); // action will be performed after 3 seconds.

CountDownTimer timer = new CountDownTimer(30000/*modify value as per need*/, 1000) {
public void onTick(long millisUntilFinished) {
//millisUntilFinised is the remaining time
}
public void onFinish() {
//timer finished .Do what you need to do next here
}
};
use timer.start();where you had to start the timer.

Android Timer update UI between multiple tasks

I have tried multiple ways to have a single persistent timer update the ui in multiple activities, and nothing seems to work. I have tried an AsyncTask, a Handler, and a CountDownTimer. The code below does not execute the first Log.i statement.... Is there a better way to start the timer (which must be called from another class) in Main (which is the only persistent class)?
public static void MainLawTimer()
{
MainActivity.lawTimer = new CountDownTimer(MainActivity.timeLeft, 1000)
{
public void onTick(long millisUntilFinished)
{
Log.i("aaa","Timer running. Time left: "+MainActivity.timeLeft);
MainActivity.timeLeft--;
if(MainActivity.timeLeft<=0)
{
//do stuff
}
else
{
//call method in another class
}
}
public void onFinish()
{ }
}.start();
}
To clarify my problem:
When I run the code the Log.i("aaa","Timer running") statement is never shown in the log, and the CountDownTimer never seems to start. MainLawTimer is called from another class only (not within the same class.

For CountDownTimer
http://developer.android.com/reference/android/os/CountDownTimer.html
You can use a Handler
Handler m_handler;
Runnable m_handlerTask ;
int timeleft=100;
m_handler = new Handler();
#Override
public void run() {
if(timeleft>=0)
{
// do stuff
Log.i("timeleft",""+timeleft);
timeleft--;
}
else
{
m_handler.removeCallbacks(m_handlerTask); // cancel run
}
m_handler.postDelayed(m_handlerTask, 1000);
}
};
m_handlerTask.run();
Timer
int timeleft=100;
Timer _t = new Timer();
_t.scheduleAtFixedRate( new TimerTask() {
#Override
public void run() {
runOnUiThread(new Runnable() //run on ui thread
{
public void run()
{
Log.i("timeleft",""+timeleft);
//update ui
}
});
if(timeleft>==0)
{
timeleft--;
}
else
{
_t.cancel();
}
}
}, 1000, 1000 );
You can use a AsyncTask or a Timer or a CountDownTimer.

Thank you all for your help, I discovered the error in my code... timeLeft was in seconds rather then milliseconds. Since timeLeft was under 1000 (the wait period) the timer never started.

Repeat a task with a time delay?

I have a variable in my code say it is "status".
I want to display some text in the application depending on this variable value. This has to be done with a specific time delay.
It's like,
Check status variable value
Display some text
Wait for 10 seconds
Check status variable value
Display some text
Wait for 15 seconds
and so on. The time delay may vary and it is set once the text is displayed.
I have tried Thread.sleep(time delay) and it failed. Any better way to get this done?

You should use Handler's postDelayed function for this purpose. It will run your code with specified delay on the main UI thread, so you will be able to update UI controls.
private int mInterval = 5000; // 5 seconds by default, can be changed later
private Handler mHandler;
#Override
protected void onCreate(Bundle bundle) {
// your code here
mHandler = new Handler();
startRepeatingTask();
}
#Override
public void onDestroy() {
super.onDestroy();
stopRepeatingTask();
}
Runnable mStatusChecker = new Runnable() {
#Override
public void run() {
try {
updateStatus(); //this function can change value of mInterval.
} finally {
// 100% guarantee that this always happens, even if
// your update method throws an exception
mHandler.postDelayed(mStatusChecker, mInterval);
}
}
};
void startRepeatingTask() {
mStatusChecker.run();
}
void stopRepeatingTask() {
mHandler.removeCallbacks(mStatusChecker);
}

To anyone interested, here's a class I created using inazaruk's code that creates everything needed (I called it UIUpdater because I use it to periodically update the UI, but you can call it anything you like):
import android.os.Handler;
/**
* A class used to perform periodical updates,
* specified inside a runnable object. An update interval
* may be specified (otherwise, the class will perform the
* update every 2 seconds).
*
* #author Carlos Simões
*/
public class UIUpdater {
// Create a Handler that uses the Main Looper to run in
private Handler mHandler = new Handler(Looper.getMainLooper());
private Runnable mStatusChecker;
private int UPDATE_INTERVAL = 2000;
/**
* Creates an UIUpdater object, that can be used to
* perform UIUpdates on a specified time interval.
*
* #param uiUpdater A runnable containing the update routine.
*/
public UIUpdater(final Runnable uiUpdater) {
mStatusChecker = new Runnable() {
#Override
public void run() {
// Run the passed runnable
uiUpdater.run();
// Re-run it after the update interval
mHandler.postDelayed(this, UPDATE_INTERVAL);
}
};
}
/**
* The same as the default constructor, but specifying the
* intended update interval.
*
* #param uiUpdater A runnable containing the update routine.
* #param interval The interval over which the routine
* should run (milliseconds).
*/
public UIUpdater(Runnable uiUpdater, int interval){
UPDATE_INTERVAL = interval;
this(uiUpdater);
}
/**
* Starts the periodical update routine (mStatusChecker
* adds the callback to the handler).
*/
public synchronized void startUpdates(){
mStatusChecker.run();
}
/**
* Stops the periodical update routine from running,
* by removing the callback.
*/
public synchronized void stopUpdates(){
mHandler.removeCallbacks(mStatusChecker);
}
}
You can then create a UIUpdater object inside your class and use it like so:
...
mUIUpdater = new UIUpdater(new Runnable() {
#Override
public void run() {
// do stuff ...
}
});
// Start updates
mUIUpdater.startUpdates();
// Stop updates
mUIUpdater.stopUpdates();
...
If you want to use this as an activity updater, put the start call inside the onResume() method and the stop call inside the onPause(), so the updates start and stop according to the activity visibility.

I think the new hotness is to use a ScheduledThreadPoolExecutor. Like so:
private final ScheduledThreadPoolExecutor executor_ =
new ScheduledThreadPoolExecutor(1);
this.executor_.scheduleWithFixedDelay(new Runnable() {
#Override
public void run() {
update();
}
}, 0L, kPeriod, kTimeUnit);

There are 3 ways to do it:
Use ScheduledThreadPoolExecutor
A bit of overkill since you don't need a pool of Thread
//----------------------SCHEDULER-------------------------
private final ScheduledThreadPoolExecutor executor_ =
new ScheduledThreadPoolExecutor(1);
ScheduledFuture<?> schedulerFuture;
public void startScheduler() {
schedulerFuture= executor_.scheduleWithFixedDelay(new Runnable() {
#Override
public void run() {
//DO YOUR THINGS
pageIndexSwitcher.setVisibility(View.GONE);
}
}, 0L, 5*MILLI_SEC, TimeUnit.MILLISECONDS);
}
public void stopScheduler() {
pageIndexSwitcher.setVisibility(View.VISIBLE);
schedulerFuture.cancel(false);
startScheduler();
}
Use Timer Task
Old Android Style
//----------------------TIMER TASK-------------------------
private Timer carousalTimer;
private void startTimer() {
carousalTimer = new Timer(); // At this line a new Thread will be created
carousalTimer.scheduleAtFixedRate(new TimerTask() {
#Override
public void run() {
//DO YOUR THINGS
pageIndexSwitcher.setVisibility(INVISIBLE);
}
}, 0, 5 * MILLI_SEC); // delay
}
void stopTimer() {
carousalTimer.cancel();
}
Use Handler and Runnable
Modern Android Style
//----------------------HANDLER-------------------------
private Handler taskHandler = new android.os.Handler();
private Runnable repeatativeTaskRunnable = new Runnable() {
public void run() {
//DO YOUR THINGS
}
};
void startHandler() {
taskHandler.postDelayed(repeatativeTaskRunnable, 5 * MILLI_SEC);
}
void stopHandler() {
taskHandler.removeCallbacks(repeatativeTaskRunnable);
}
Non-Leaky Handler with Activity / Context
Declare an inner Handler class which does not leak Memory in your Activity/Fragment class
/**
* Instances of static inner classes do not hold an implicit
* reference to their outer class.
*/
private static class NonLeakyHandler extends Handler {
private final WeakReference<FlashActivity> mActivity;
public NonLeakyHandler(FlashActivity activity) {
mActivity = new WeakReference<FlashActivity>(activity);
}
#Override
public void handleMessage(Message msg) {
FlashActivity activity = mActivity.get();
if (activity != null) {
// ...
}
}
}
Declare a runnable which will perform your repetitive task in your Activity/Fragment class
private Runnable repeatativeTaskRunnable = new Runnable() {
public void run() {
new Handler(getMainLooper()).post(new Runnable() {
#Override
public void run() {
//DO YOUR THINGS
}
};
Initialize Handler object in your Activity/Fragment (here FlashActivity is my activity class)
//Task Handler
private Handler taskHandler = new NonLeakyHandler(FlashActivity.this);
To repeat a task after fix time interval
taskHandler.postDelayed(repeatativeTaskRunnable , DELAY_MILLIS);
To stop the repetition of task
taskHandler .removeCallbacks(repeatativeTaskRunnable );
UPDATE: In Kotlin:
//update interval for widget
override val UPDATE_INTERVAL = 1000L
//Handler to repeat update
private val updateWidgetHandler = Handler()
//runnable to update widget
private var updateWidgetRunnable: Runnable = Runnable {
run {
//Update UI
updateWidget()
// Re-run it after the update interval
updateWidgetHandler.postDelayed(updateWidgetRunnable, UPDATE_INTERVAL)
}
}
// SATART updating in foreground
override fun onResume() {
super.onResume()
updateWidgetHandler.postDelayed(updateWidgetRunnable, UPDATE_INTERVAL)
}
// REMOVE callback if app in background
override fun onPause() {
super.onPause()
updateWidgetHandler.removeCallbacks(updateWidgetRunnable);
}

Timer works fine. Here, I use Timer to search text after 1.5s and update UI. Hope that helps.
private Timer _timer = new Timer();
_timer.schedule(new TimerTask() {
#Override
public void run() {
// use runOnUiThread(Runnable action)
runOnUiThread(new Runnable() {
#Override
public void run() {
search();
}
});
}
}, timeInterval);

Using kotlin and its Coroutine its quite easy, first declare a job in your class (better in your viewModel) like this:
private var repeatableJob: Job? = null
then when you want to create and start it do this:
repeatableJob = viewModelScope.launch {
while (isActive) {
delay(5_000)
loadAlbums(iImageAPI, titleHeader, true)
}
}
repeatableJob?.start()
and if you want to finish it:
repeatableJob?.cancel()
PS: viewModelScope is only available in view models, you can use other Coroutine scopes such as withContext(Dispatchers.IO)
More information: Here

Timer is another way to do your work but be quiet sure to add runOnUiThread if you are working with UI.
import java.text.SimpleDateFormat;
import java.util.Calendar;
import java.util.Timer;
import java.util.TimerTask;
import android.os.Bundle;
import android.view.View;
import android.view.View.OnClickListener;
import android.widget.Button;
import android.widget.CheckBox;
import android.widget.TextView;
import android.app.Activity;
public class MainActivity extends Activity {
CheckBox optSingleShot;
Button btnStart, btnCancel;
TextView textCounter;
Timer timer;
MyTimerTask myTimerTask;
#Override
protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
setContentView(R.layout.activity_main);
optSingleShot = (CheckBox)findViewById(R.id.singleshot);
btnStart = (Button)findViewById(R.id.start);
btnCancel = (Button)findViewById(R.id.cancel);
textCounter = (TextView)findViewById(R.id.counter);
btnStart.setOnClickListener(new OnClickListener(){
#Override
public void onClick(View arg0) {
if(timer != null){
timer.cancel();
}
//re-schedule timer here
//otherwise, IllegalStateException of
//"TimerTask is scheduled already"
//will be thrown
timer = new Timer();
myTimerTask = new MyTimerTask();
if(optSingleShot.isChecked()){
//singleshot delay 1000 ms
timer.schedule(myTimerTask, 1000);
}else{
//delay 1000ms, repeat in 5000ms
timer.schedule(myTimerTask, 1000, 5000);
}
}});
btnCancel.setOnClickListener(new OnClickListener(){
#Override
public void onClick(View v) {
if (timer!=null){
timer.cancel();
timer = null;
}
}
});
}
class MyTimerTask extends TimerTask {
#Override
public void run() {
Calendar calendar = Calendar.getInstance();
SimpleDateFormat simpleDateFormat =
new SimpleDateFormat("dd:MMMM:yyyy HH:mm:ss a");
final String strDate = simpleDateFormat.format(calendar.getTime());
runOnUiThread(new Runnable(){
#Override
public void run() {
textCounter.setText(strDate);
}});
}
}
}
and xml is...
<LinearLayout xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
xmlns:tools="http://schemas.android.com/tools"
android:layout_width="match_parent"
android:layout_height="match_parent"
android:paddingBottom="#dimen/activity_vertical_margin"
android:paddingLeft="#dimen/activity_horizontal_margin"
android:paddingRight="#dimen/activity_horizontal_margin"
android:paddingTop="#dimen/activity_vertical_margin"
android:orientation="vertical"
tools:context=".MainActivity" >
<TextView
android:layout_width="wrap_content"
android:layout_height="wrap_content"
android:layout_gravity="center_horizontal"
android:autoLink="web"
android:text="http://android-er.blogspot.com/"
android:textStyle="bold" />
<CheckBox
android:id="#+id/singleshot"
android:layout_width="wrap_content"
android:layout_height="wrap_content"
android:text="Single Shot"/>
Another Way to use CountDownTimer
new CountDownTimer(30000, 1000) {
public void onTick(long millisUntilFinished) {
mTextField.setText("seconds remaining: " + millisUntilFinished / 1000);
}
public void onFinish() {
mTextField.setText("done!");
}
}.start();
Schedule a countdown until a time in the future, with regular notifications on intervals along the way. Example of showing a 30 second countdown in a text field:
For Details

Try following example it works !!!
Use [Handler] in onCreate() method which makes use of postDelayed() method that Causes the Runnable to be added to the message queue, to be run after the specified amount of time elapses that is 0 in given example. 1
Refer this code :
public void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState)
{
super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
setContentView(R.layout.main);
//------------------
//------------------
android.os.Handler customHandler = new android.os.Handler();
customHandler.postDelayed(updateTimerThread, 0);
}
private Runnable updateTimerThread = new Runnable()
{
public void run()
{
//write here whaterver you want to repeat
customHandler.postDelayed(this, 1000);
}
};

You can use a Handler to post runnable code. This technique is outlined very nicely here: https://guides.codepath.com/android/Repeating-Periodic-Tasks

Based on the above post concerning the ScheduledThreadPoolExecutor, I came up with a utility that suited my needs (wanted to fire a method every 3 seconds):
class MyActivity {
private ScheduledThreadPoolExecutor mDialogDaemon;
private void initDebugButtons() {
Button btnSpawnDialogs = (Button)findViewById(R.id.btn_spawn_dialogs);
btnSpawnDialogs.setVisibility(View.VISIBLE);
btnSpawnDialogs.setOnClickListener(new OnClickListener() {
#Override
public void onClick(View view) {
spawnDialogs();
}
});
}
private void spawnDialogs() {
if (mDialogDaemon != null) {
mDialogDaemon.shutdown();
mDialogDaemon = null;
}
mDialogDaemon = new ScheduledThreadPoolExecutor(1);
// This process will execute immediately, then execute every 3 seconds.
mDialogDaemon.scheduleAtFixedRate(new Runnable() {
#Override
public void run() {
runOnUiThread(new Runnable() {
#Override
public void run() {
// Do something worthwhile
}
});
}
}, 0L, 3000L, TimeUnit.MILLISECONDS);
}
}

In my case, I had to execute a process if one of these conditions were true: if a previous process was completed or if 5 seconds had already passed. So, I did the following and worked pretty well:
private Runnable mStatusChecker;
private Handler mHandler;
class {
method() {
mStatusChecker = new Runnable() {
int times = 0;
#Override
public void run() {
if (times < 5) {
if (process1.isRead()) {
executeProcess2();
} else {
times++;
mHandler.postDelayed(mStatusChecker, 1000);
}
} else {
executeProcess2();
}
}
};
mHandler = new Handler();
startRepeatingTask();
}
void startRepeatingTask() {
mStatusChecker.run();
}
void stopRepeatingTask() {
mHandler.removeCallbacks(mStatusChecker);
}
}
If process1 is read, it executes process2. If not, it increments the variable times, and make the Handler be executed after one second. It maintains a loop until process1 is read or times is 5. When times is 5, it means that 5 seconds passed and in each second, the if clause of process1.isRead() is executed.

For people using Kotlin, inazaruk's answer will not work, the IDE will require the variable to be initialized, so instead of using the postDelayed inside the Runnable, we'll use it in an separate method.
Initialize your Runnable like this :
private var myRunnable = Runnable {
//Do some work
//Magic happens here ↓
runDelayedHandler(1000) }
Initialize your runDelayedHandler method like this :
private fun runDelayedHandler(timeToWait : Long) {
if (!keepRunning) {
//Stop your handler
handler.removeCallbacksAndMessages(null)
//Do something here, this acts like onHandlerStop
}
else {
//Keep it running
handler.postDelayed(myRunnable, timeToWait)
}
}
As you can see, this approach will make you able to control the lifetime of the task, keeping track of keepRunning and changing it during the lifetime of the application will do the job for you.

How to set a timer in android

What is the proper way to set a timer in android in order to kick off a task (a function that I create which does not change the UI)?
Use this the Java way:
http://docs.oracle.com/javase/1.5.0/docs/api/java/util/Timer.html
Or there is a better way in android (android's handler)?

yes java's timer can be used, but as the question asks for better way (for mobile). Which is explained Here.
For the sake of StackOverflow:
Since Timer creates a new thread it may be considered heavy,
if all you need is to get is a call back while the activity is running a Handler can be used in conjunction with a
Runnable:
private final int interval = 1000; // 1 Second
private Handler handler = new Handler();
private Runnable runnable = new Runnable(){
public void run() {
Toast.makeText(MyActivity.this, "C'Mom no hands!", Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show();
}
};
...
handler.postAtTime(runnable, System.currentTimeMillis()+interval);
handler.postDelayed(runnable, interval);
or a Message
private final int EVENT1 = 1;
private Handler handler = new Handler() {
#Override
public void handleMessage(Message msg) {
switch (msg.what) {
case Event1:
Toast.makeText(MyActivity.this, "Event 1", Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show();
break;
default:
Toast.makeText(MyActivity.this, "Unhandled", Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show();
break;
}
}
};
...
Message msg = handler.obtainMessage(EVENT1);
handler.sendMessageAtTime(msg, System.currentTimeMillis()+interval);
handler.sendMessageDelayed(msg, interval);
on a side note this approach can be used, if you want to run a piece of code in the UI thread from an another thread.
WARNING: Handler's timer (or whatever controls delays) gets paused whenever the CPU goes to deep-sleep, but will continue once CPU wakes up (from where it was paused).
if you need to get a call back even if your activity is not running then, you can use an AlarmManager.

Standard Java way to use timers via java.util.Timer and java.util.TimerTask works fine in Android, but you should be aware that this method creates a new thread.
You may consider using the very convenient Handler class (android.os.Handler) and send messages to the handler via sendMessageAtTime(android.os.Message, long) or sendMessageDelayed(android.os.Message, long). Once you receive a message, you can run desired tasks. Second option would be to create a Runnable object and schedule it via Handler's functions postAtTime(java.lang.Runnable, long) or postDelayed(java.lang.Runnable, long).

As I have seen it, java.util.Timer is the most used for implementing a timer.
For a repeating task:
new Timer().scheduleAtFixedRate(task, after, interval);
For a single run of a task:
new Timer().schedule(task, after);
task being the method to be executed
after the time to initial execution
(interval the time for repeating the execution)

I hope this one is helpful and may take less efforts to implement,
Android CountDownTimer class
e.g.
new CountDownTimer(30000, 1000) {
public void onTick(long millisUntilFinished) {
mTextField.setText("seconds remaining: " + millisUntilFinished / 1000);
}
public void onFinish() {
mTextField.setText("done!");
}
}.start();

Probably Timerconcept
new CountDownTimer(40000, 1000) { //40000 milli seconds is total time, 1000 milli seconds is time interval
public void onTick(long millisUntilFinished) {
}
public void onFinish() {
}
}.start();
or
Method 2 ::
Program the timer
Add a new variable of int named time. Set it to 0.
Add the following code to onCreate function in MainActivity.java.
//Declare the timer
Timer t = new Timer();
//Set the schedule function and rate
t.scheduleAtFixedRate(new TimerTask() {
#Override
public void run() {
//Called each time when 1000 milliseconds (1 second) (the period parameter)
}
},
//Set how long before to start calling the TimerTask (in milliseconds)
0,
//Set the amount of time between each execution (in milliseconds)
1000);
Go into the run method and add the following code.
//We must use this function in order to change the text view text
runOnUiThread(new Runnable() {
#Override
public void run() {
TextView tv = (TextView) findViewById(R.id.main_timer_text);
tv.setText(String.valueOf(time));
time += 1;
}
});

It is situational.
The Android documentation suggests that you should use AlarmManager to register an Intent that will fire at the specified time if your application may not be running.
Otherwise, you should use Handler.
Note: The Alarm Manager is intended
for cases where you want to have your
application code run at a specific
time, even if your application is not
currently running. For normal timing
operations (ticks, timeouts, etc) it
is easier and much more efficient to
use Handler.

Here we go.. We will need two classes. I am posting a code which changes mobile audio profile after each 5 seconds (5000 mili seconds) ...
Our 1st Class
public class ChangeProfileActivityMain extends Activity {
#Override
protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
// TODO Auto-generated method stub
super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
Timer timer = new Timer();
TimerTask updateProfile = new CustomTimerTask(ChangeProfileActivityMain.this);
timer.scheduleAtFixedRate(updateProfile, 0, 5000);
}
}
Our 2nd Class
public class CustomTimerTask extends TimerTask {
private AudioManager audioManager;
private Context context;
private Handler mHandler = new Handler();
// Write Custom Constructor to pass Context
public CustomTimerTask(Context con) {
this.context = con;
}
#Override
public void run() {
// TODO Auto-generated method stub
// your code starts here.
// I have used Thread and Handler as we can not show Toast without starting new thread when we are inside a thread.
// As TimePicker has run() thread running., So We must show Toast through Handler.post in a new Thread. Thats how it works in Android..
new Thread(new Runnable() {
#Override
public void run() {
audioManager = (AudioManager) context.getApplicationContext().getSystemService(Context.AUDIO_SERVICE);
mHandler.post(new Runnable() {
#Override
public void run() {
if(audioManager.getRingerMode() == AudioManager.RINGER_MODE_SILENT) {
audioManager.setRingerMode(AudioManager.RINGER_MODE_NORMAL);
Toast.makeText(context, "Ringer Mode set to Normal", Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show();
} else {
audioManager.setRingerMode(AudioManager.RINGER_MODE_SILENT);
Toast.makeText(context, "Ringer Mode set to Silent", Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show();
}
}
});
}
}).start();
}
}

I'm an Android newbie but here is the timer class I created based on the answers above. It works for my app but I welcome any suggestions.
Usage example:
...{
public Handler uiHandler = new Handler();
private Runnable runMethod = new Runnable()
{
public void run()
{
// do something
}
};
timer = new UITimer(handler, runMethod, timeoutSeconds*1000);
timer.start();
}...
public class UITimer
{
private Handler handler;
private Runnable runMethod;
private int intervalMs;
private boolean enabled = false;
private boolean oneTime = false;
public UITimer(Handler handler, Runnable runMethod, int intervalMs)
{
this.handler = handler;
this.runMethod = runMethod;
this.intervalMs = intervalMs;
}
public UITimer(Handler handler, Runnable runMethod, int intervalMs, boolean oneTime)
{
this(handler, runMethod, intervalMs);
this.oneTime = oneTime;
}
public void start()
{
if (enabled)
return;
if (intervalMs < 1)
{
Log.e("timer start", "Invalid interval:" + intervalMs);
return;
}
enabled = true;
handler.postDelayed(timer_tick, intervalMs);
}
public void stop()
{
if (!enabled)
return;
enabled = false;
handler.removeCallbacks(runMethod);
handler.removeCallbacks(timer_tick);
}
public boolean isEnabled()
{
return enabled;
}
private Runnable timer_tick = new Runnable()
{
public void run()
{
if (!enabled)
return;
handler.post(runMethod);
if (oneTime)
{
enabled = false;
return;
}
handler.postDelayed(timer_tick, intervalMs);
}
};
}

I am using a handler and runnable to create a timer. I wrapper this in an abstract class. Just derive/implement it and you are good to go:
public static abstract class SimpleTimer {
abstract void onTimer();
private Runnable runnableCode = null;
private Handler handler = new Handler();
void startDelayed(final int intervalMS, int delayMS) {
runnableCode = new Runnable() {
#Override
public void run() {
handler.postDelayed(runnableCode, intervalMS);
onTimer();
}
};
handler.postDelayed(runnableCode, delayMS);
}
void start(final int intervalMS) {
startDelayed(intervalMS, 0);
}
void stop() {
handler.removeCallbacks(runnableCode);
}
}
Note that the handler.postDelayed is called before the code to be executed - this will make the timer more closed timed as "expected". However in cases were the timer runs to frequently and the task (onTimer()) is long - there might be overlaps. If you want to start counting intervalMS after the task is done, move the onTimer() call a line above.

I believe the way to do this on the android is that you need a background service to be running. In that background application, create the timer. When the timer "ticks" (set the interval for how long you want to wait), launch your activity which you want to start.
http://developer.android.com/guide/topics/fundamentals.html (<-- this article explains the relationship between activities, services, intents and other core fundamentals of Android development)

I used to use (Timer, TimerTask) as well as Handler to kick off (time-consuming) tasks periodically. Now I've switched the whole to RxJava. RxJava provides Observable.timer which is simpler, less error-prone, hassle-free to use.
public class BetterTimerFragment extends Fragment {
public static final String TAG = "BetterTimer";
private TextView timeView;
private Subscription timerSubscription;
#Override
public View onCreateView(LayoutInflater inflater,
#Nullable ViewGroup container,
#Nullable Bundle savedInstanceState) {
return inflater.inflate(R.layout.fragment_timer, container, false);
}
#Override
public void onViewCreated(View view, #Nullable Bundle savedInstanceState) {
super.onViewCreated(view, savedInstanceState);
timeView = (TextView) view.findViewById(R.id.timeView);
}
#Override
public void onResume() {
super.onResume();
// Right after the app is visible to users, delay 2 seconds
// then kick off a (heavy) task every 10 seconds.
timerSubscription = Observable.timer(2, 10, TimeUnit.SECONDS)
.map(new Func1<Long, String>() {
#Override
public String call(Long unused) {
// TODO: Probably do time-consuming work here.
// This runs on a different thread than the main thread.
return "Time: " + System.currentTimeMillis();
}
})
.observeOn(AndroidSchedulers.mainThread())
.subscribe(new Action1<String>() {
#Override
public void call(String timeText) {
// The result will then be propagated back to the main thread.
timeView.setText(timeText);
}
}, new Action1<Throwable>() {
#Override
public void call(Throwable throwable) {
Log.e(TAG, throwable.getMessage(), throwable);
}
});
}
#Override
public void onPause() {
super.onPause();
// Don't kick off tasks when the app gets invisible.
timerSubscription.unsubscribe();
}
}

For timing operation you should use Handler.
If you need to run a background service the AlarmManager is the way to go.

this example start the timer unitl destroyed in Kotlin
private lateinit var timerTask: TimerTask
timerTask = object : TimerTask() {
override fun run() {
Log.d("KTZ", "$minutes:$seconds");
timeRecordingLiveData.postValue("$minutes:$seconds")
seconds += 1;
if (seconds == 60) {
Log.d("KTZ", "$minutes:$seconds");
timeRecordingLiveData.postValue("$minutes:$seconds")
seconds = 0;
minutes += 1;
}
}
}
Cancel the timertask in onDestroy()
timerTask.cancel()