Tasker stands as a leading automation tool for Android. While it presents a moderate learning curve, it boasts extensive customization options for your device when utilized effectively. Despite Tasker’s inherent potency, its functionality can be further augmented through various plugins. Among these, AutoTools emerges as one of the most invaluable. Offering a myriad of enhancements to Tasker, the following discourse delves into its key features.
Integrating AutoTools with Tasker
- Download AutoTools (30-day trial, with full functionality through in-app purchases) from the Play Store and proceed with installation on your device.
- Open Tasker and go to its “Tasks” tab. Add a new task by tapping the plus icon at the bottom-right.
- To add an action for this task, tap the plus icon again and select “Plugin”.
- From the list of installed Tasker plugins, select AutoTools.
- Choose an action from the list of available options.
Now that you’ve learned to integrate AutoTools with Tasker, explore its myriad customization options. While delving into each option exceeds our article’s scope, let’s highlight some possibilities.
AutoTools Customization Options
The AutoTools plugin offers various actions such as App Shortcuts, Connectivity, Flashlight, and Launcher. Each action provides extensive customization options, expanding the range of possibilities. For example, utilize “Web Screens” to emulate Samsung devices’ edge shortcuts, employ “Secure Settings” to automatically activate GPS when launching Google Maps, and utilize “Launcher” to switch between launchers based on location. However, this list merely scratches the surface; AutoTools presents numerous other capabilities. As an illustration, let’s delve into obtaining edge shortcuts on any Android device.
Acquire Samsung Devices-Like Edge Gestures
Samsung excels in utilizing remarkable displays on their devices. The Galaxy S6 Edge introduced edge screens, capitalizing on them by integrating swipe shortcuts. The acclaim for this feature led to AutoTools incorporating it for any Android smartphone. To set it up, follow these steps:
1. Create a Swipe Screen
- Choose “Web Screen” from AutoTool’s list. Then tap the edit icon beside “Configuration”.
- On the subsequent screen, select “Import Preset”. Scroll down to “Swipe” and tap “Import”. This action switches the preset to Swipe.
- To confirm, tap on “Screen Preset” and ensure that “Swipe” is selected. Scroll to the bottom until you locate “Commands” under “Screen Variables” and tap on it.
- On the next screen, tap “Commands Prefix” and clear the field. Ensure nothing is typed there, then tap “OK”. Repeat for all commands – “Swipe Left”, “Swipe Right”, “Swipe Up”, and “Swipe Down”.
- Tap “Swipe Left” again, but this time, enter “applauncher” in the input field, then tap “OK”.
- Return to the “Task Edit” page by tapping the back button three times from the Commands screen. Then, initiate the task by tapping the Play button at the bottom-left. A thin purple line will appear on the right side of the screen.
Create App Launcher
- Go to Tasker’s home screen and access the “Profiles” tab. Add a new profile by tapping the plus icon at the bottom-right. Choose “Event” and then “Plugin” from the options.
- Select “AutoApps” from the list of Tasker plugins on your device. Tap the edit icon next to “Configuration”.
Upon the ensuing screen, designate the filter as “applauncher,” ensuring precise naming. Confirm by selecting “OK.” Ensure the setting labeled “Exact” is checked.Return to Tasker’s profile tab and initiate a “New Task.” Naming this task is discretionary; simply validate by tapping the check mark.Transition to the “Task Edit” page. Add an action by selecting the plus icon at the screen’s bottom-right, then opt for “Plugin.”Choose “AutoLaunch” and proceed by tapping “Query.”
- Again, edit “Configuration” and tap the check mark on the top-right.
- Return to “Task Edit” and tap the plus icon at the bottom-right. Choose the category “Plugin”.
- Select the “AutoTools” plugin, then scroll down and choose “Web Screen”.
- Now edit “Configuration” and tap “Screen Preset”.
- This time, tap “Card List”, and select “Overlay” for “Display Mode”.
- Go to “Window Settings”, tap “Width”, type “100”, then confirm with “OK”.
Repeat the previous step by entering “fill” in the “Height” field and selecting “Gravity” as “Bottom Right.”In the same window, opt for “Animation” and choose “Slide In From Right.”Return and choose “Cards,” then select “Card Titles.”Clear the field and click “OK.”3. Finalize the LauncherNavigate to “Command Options” and enable both “Close On Command” and “Wait for Command.”Next, return to “Cards,” choose “Card Titles,” and click the tags icon. Select “%allabels().”
- For “Card Images”, choose “%alicons()”; for “Card Commands”, opt for “%alpackages()”. You might need to locate files during this step. If prompted, select “No”.
Next, navigate back and access “Layout” to implement the following adjustments:
“Max Card Widths” –> 90%
“Min Card Widths” –> 90%
“Max Image Heights” –> 75
“Title Text Size” –> 10
“Card Padding” –> 0
“Card Alignment” –> Center
Then, return to the “Task Edit” page, and tap on the plus button followed by Plugin –> AutoLaunch –> AutoLaunch. Finally, modify the “Configuration”.
Upon completion, you’ll notice an edge menu resembling that of Samsung smartphones like the S6 Edge, S7 Edge, and Galaxy S8.
Customize Your Phone Using AutoTools with Tasker
Android’s versatility lies in its customization features, which are further expanded by Tasker. With plugins such as AutoTools, the customization possibilities are endless. Armed with the knowledge of how to utilize AutoTools, you can tailor your Android device to your exact preferences. Should you require detailed guidance on any specific options, please don’t hesitate to ask in the comments section below—I’m here to assist you.
Pritam Chopra is a seasoned IT professional and a passionate blogger hailing from the dynamic realm of technology. With an insatiable curiosity for all things tech-related, Pritam has dedicated himself to exploring and unraveling the intricacies of the digital world.
