Android App Life Cycle: What Happens When the User Rotates the Device?

What states of the life cycle does an app go through when the user rotates the device?

What happens to the app during rotation on an Android device?

Explanation:

When a user rotates the device while running an app, the app goes through several states of the life cycle. Here is a step-by-step explanation:

  1. onPause(): The app pauses and enters this state when the device is rotated. This method is called to save any necessary data or state before the rotation occurs.
  2. onStop(): After onPause(), the app enters the onStop() state, where it is no longer visible to the user. This happens when the device is rotated and the app is pushed to the background.
  3. onDestroy(): If the user doesn't return to the app after rotation, it may eventually enter the onDestroy() state. This occurs when the system decides to free up memory by terminating the app.
  4. onCreate(): When the user rotates the device back to the original orientation, the onCreate() method is called. The app starts from scratch, initializing its components and UI elements.
  5. onStart() and onResume(): After onCreate(), the app enters the onStart() and onResume() states. Here, the app becomes visible to the user again, and any necessary data or state is restored.

Running an app on an Android device can be a seamless experience, even when the user rotates the device. The Android app life cycle manages the transitions and states of the app to ensure a smooth user experience.

When a user rotates the device, the app goes through a series of states starting from onPause() to onStop(), onDestroy(), onCreate(), and finally onStart() and onResume(). These states help the app to handle the rotation event gracefully, saving important data and reinitializing components as needed.

It's important to note that while the specific states and methods called during rotation can vary based on the app's implementation, the general flow outlined above is common in most Android apps. By understanding the app life cycle during rotation, developers can create more robust and user-friendly apps for Android devices.

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