15+ Best Tasker Profiles for Beginners

Our modern-day, tech-driven lives are pretty hectic – and that’s putting it lightly. It comes as no surprise that we’re constantly looking for ways to save time.

Smart phones are great gadgets that help us do just that. Whether it’s setting our morning alarms or finding directions to that new sushi place everyone is talking about, smart phones make it simple, fast, and easy.

Even so, using our phones can be cumbersome at times. Constantly having to input a lock code or open our phone to set it on silent can be annoying and time-consuming. However, compromising our security and privacy simply isn’t an option.

So what can we do to make using our devices faster and more efficient?

Tasker Makes It Easy

Thankfully, there are apps that will help make these little processes even easier. One such app is Tasker. Tasker is a context-based automation app for Android. In layman’s terms, Tasker will automatically perform actions on your device based on commands you set.

If you’re new to Tasker and want to try it out, a seven-day trial of Tasker is available on the Google Play Store. The paid app only costs $2.99 – well worth it when you consider how much time this app will save you.

It may seem complex at first, but once you get the hang of it, the possibilities are endless. Plus, we’re here to help you figure things out. Read on to discover tips and tricks for using the app as well as 15 best and most useful Tasker profiles.

Tips and Tricks to Getting the Most Out of Tasker

Android programming can be understandably intimidating for beginners. But don’t worry – you can simplify the process by being proactive.

• Join online Tasker communities. If you’re already on Reddit or Google+, you’re in luck. Both sites have forums especially dedicated to Tasker. The Google+ Tasker community offers several valuable subsections, including favorite profiles and help requests.
• Familiarize yourself with the lingo before you dive in. Tasker uses some pretty complicated jargon that might appear too technical for newcomers at first. But don’t worry – we’ve explained them briefly for you here.
  • Profile: A profile is the conditions you set for a task. Tasks won’t run unless they meet the conditions you set for them. Think about a profile like this: If this happens, then this will happen.
  • Task: A task is merely an automated action that will occur when the conditions of the profile for the task are met.
  • Exit task: This is simply a task that will trigger immediately whenever the profile’s conditions are no longer being met.
  • Variable: A variable is a value that has the ability to change. An example of a variable might be the date or the time.
  • Scene: A scene is nothing more than a user interface that you design. With Tasker, you’re able to make your own unique layout of icons, menus, and more.
• Take your time, and be patient. Instant gratification is not included with this app. Using it will take some getting used to. Some functions are reserved for more advanced programmers, but don’t let that scare you off. Once you’ve learned your way around, you can make Tasker do almost anything you want it to. (And yes, we do mean anything.)

The Best Tasker Profiles

Now that you’ve had a brief introduction to Tasker, it’s time to put your newfound knowledge to the test and make some profiles to run on your device. Here are the 15 best and most useful Tasker profiles. We’ve even included the steps you need to take to set them up.

1. Disable screen timeout while using reading apps. Tired of your screen turning off or going blank while you’re trying to read a book on your phone or tablet? Have no fear – Tasker will prevent the screen from timing out while you’re reading.

How to set the command:

• Create a new task and name it. (Give it an appropriate name so you won’t lose it, like “Prevent screen timeout” or something similar.)
• Click the “+” button. Choose “Display”, then “Display Timeout”.
• Set the time limit you’d like to prevent timeout and then save.
• Then, select “Profile”. Afterwards, click the “+” and tap “Applications”.
• Select the applications you’d like to prevent screen timeout for.

2. Launch music player automatically whenever you plug your headphones in. This will save you a few seconds when you want to listen to music. Pretty straightforward, right?

How to set the command:

• Make a new profile. Click “State” and then “Hardware”. Then choose the “headset plugged” option.
• Make a new task and give it an appropriate name.
• Afterwards, choose “Launch application”.
• Pick your favorite music player or app, and you’re done!

3. Set your phone to “silent” simply by turning your device upside down. A bit of a quirky command, isn’t it? But if you think about it, it’s actually really useful. If you’re in a meeting or in class and can’t afford to fumble with your phone to manually set it to silent, let Tasker do it for you.

How to set the command:

• Click “Profile”, then choose the following in order:
  • “State”
  • “Sensor”
  • “Orientation”
• Select “Face down” from the menu that comes up.
• Make a new task. Click the “+” and then “audio”. Under silent mode, click “On” or “Vibrate”, whichever you prefer.

4. Set up automatic screen rotation for certain apps. Going onto your settings screen to change your screen mode can be annoying, so let Tasker do it for you. This is especially useful when you’re using YouTube and want to watch a video on full screen mode. It also works well with other apps that work best in landscape mode.

How to set the command:

• Make a new profile. Click application and select the app you want for automatic screen rotation.
• Make a new task. Click “+”, then “Display”.
• Turn on “Display Autorotate”.

5. Disable the Android lock screen in trusted locations. If you’re by yourself where there’s no chance of anyone looking at your device, there’s no reason to keep unlocking your phone every time you want to check it.

When you set up this task, your security lock screen will stay disabled as long as you’re connected to a “trusted location” that you set in Tasker. This is typically a home or work Wi-Fi-connection. Then, once you disconnect from the network, the lock screen will automatically enable itself again.
However, you’ll need the Secure Settings Plugin from the Google Play Store. Additionally, this command only applies to rooted Android users that use a pattern lock screen.
How to set the command:
Entry Task:

• Make an entry task and name it appropriately (Lockscreen OFF or something similar. [The naming is important because you will set another lockscreen task after this one.]) Click the “+” button.
• Choose options in the following order:
  • “Plugin”
  • “Secure Settings”
  • “Root Actions”
• Then, choose “Pattern lock OFF”.

Exit Task:

• Make an entry task and name it appropriately (this one should be Lockscreen ON or something similar).
• Choose options in the following order:
  • “Plugin”
  • “Secure Settings”
  • “Root Actions”
• Then, choose “Pattern lock” ON.

Profile:

• Make a new profile.
• Select the next options in the following order:
  • “State”
  • “Net”
  • “Wi-Fi connected”
• Input the SSID of your home or work network.
• Link this to the “Lockscreen OFF” task you just made.
• Press and hold the profile to add the exit task.
• Choose the exit task you just created: “Lockscreen ON”

6. Automatically activate battery saving mode when your battery is low. Setting up this task will help you save some precious battery juice.

How to set the command:

• Go to “Profile”, then click “State”.
• Choose “Battery Level” and set the percentage range you’d like for the task. (For example, you can set the task to run when battery level is from 0-20%.)
• Make a new task and click “+”. Choose “Net”.
• Disable Bluetooth and set Wi-Fi, mobile data, and auto-sync to off. (You don’t have to disable any of these if you don’t want to; it all depends on your preferences.)

7. Set up a quiet or night mode during certain times of the day. There’s no point in keeping your ringer on at night, at work, or during other times when you don’t want to be disturbed. Tasker can set your ringer to silent while you sleep and turn it on automatically in the morning.

How to set the command:

• Make a new profile. Select “Time”. Pick the time period that works best for you.
• Make a new task and select “+”.
• Choose “Audio” and set Silent mode to “ON” or “vibrate”, whichever you prefer.
• Choose “Net” and set auto-sync and Wi-Fi to OFF.

8. Create a sleep timer for your music player. Do you listen to music while you’re drifting off to sleep? Are you guilty of leaving your music player running all night long? Feel guilty no more – Tasker can end audio after a certain time for you.

How to set the command:

• Make a new task and select “+”.
• Choose options in the following order:
  • “Media”
  • “Media Controls”
  • Under “cmd”, select “Stop”
• Press the grid icon toward the bottom right of the screen and choose your default music player app.
• In order for the action to run, you will need to trigger it. To do this, navigate to your widgets menu (on your device, not in Tasker). Search for the widget “task timer” and drag it to your home screen.
• The widget will ask you to link to a task. Select the task you just created – it should be named “Sleep Timer”.

9. Launch your favorite apps in sequence. Do you have a morning routine? Like to check your emails first thing before catching up on the news? Automate your routine and set up those apps to launch one after the other with Tasker.

How to set the command:

• Make a new profile. Choose “Applications” and set the first app you want to open.
• Make a new task and select “+”. Choose “App” and then “Launch App”. Now, select the second app you want to open. (It will automatically launch after you close the first app.)
• Press and hold the second app name, then select “Move to Exit”.

10. Automatically lower your screen brightness at certain times. We spend a lot of our time looking at screens. Studies show this isn’t doing our eyesight any favors. Let Tasker automatically turn your brightness down at night to prevent eyestrain and headaches.

How to set the command:

• Make a new profile. Choose “Time” and set the time period you want for decreased brightness.
• Make a new task and select “+”. Scroll down to “Display”. Then choose “Display Brightness” and set your preferred brightness.

11. Create a guest mode if you let other people use your phone. Do you have kids who love playing with your device? Do you also store private information on certain apps that they shouldn’t be able to access?

Prevent kids or other guests from opening certain apps with Tasker. When they try to launch the application, it will automatically close and redirect them to the home screen.
How to set the command:

• Make a new profile. Scroll down to “Applications” and choose the apps you want to stay private.
• Make a new task and select “+”. Choose the “App” option, then select “Go Home”.

12. Lock your phone by physically shaking it. Wanna make things even easier for yourself? Tasker’s got you covered. Now you can lock your screen with a simple shake.

How to set the command:

• Make a new profile. Scroll down to “Events”, then select “Sensor.”
• Choose “Shake”. Here, you’ll be able to set the sensitivity, axis, and duration you want.
• Make a new task, then select “+”. Choose “Display” and then “System Lock”.

13. Create a lock for apps on your device. You can add an extra layer of protection in addition to your guest mode for your apps. Tasker makes it even easier for you to keep your information safe from prying eyes by letting you set a lock code for certain apps.

How to set the command:

• Make a new profile. Scroll down to “Application” and choose the apps you’d like to have a lock code.
• Make a new task and select “+”. Scroll down to “Display”, then choose “Lock”.
• Enter your new passcode.
• Now, whenever you open the app, it will ask you to input your lock code before it will launch.

14. Set up an automatic text message when your battery is low. We rely on our phones for constant communication. Still, even with battery saver mode set, our devices can still die when we least need them to. You can command Tasker to send a text message to certain people to let them know they won’t be able to reach you for a while.

How to set the command:

• Make a new profile. Select “State”, then “Power”.
• Select “Battery Level”. Set the battery range anywhere between 0-5%.
• Make a new task and select “+”. Choose “Phone”, then “Send SMS”. Type in the desired phone number and personalized message you want to send.

15. Change your device background automatically. In order to do this, all your wallpapers must be in the same folder. If they aren’t, be sure to move them to the same folder before attempting this task.

How to set the command:

• Make a new profile. Choose “Time” and set the time period you want for the automatic background changes.
• Make a new task and select “+”. Choose “Variable” and then select “Variable Randomize”.
• Give the variable a name. Input a minimum value of 1. The maximum value will be the total number of images you have.
• Select the “+” again. Choose “Display” and then “Set Wallpaper”. Input the path to your image followed by the name of your variable. (A typical path looks like this: sdcard/wallpaper/pic_[name of your variable]”.
• Return back to the profile.
• Press and hold the profile to add a new context.
• Now, scroll down to “Display” and then select and turn on “Display State”.

And there you have it. Tasker’s got all those pesky little phone actions taken care of for you. You’ll never have to worry about your phone going off in the middle of the night or your kids accidentally deleting your important files ever again.

Now that you’re more comfortable with using Tasker, try creating some unique tasks for yourself. Don’t forget to share them with us in the comments section!