Best Tasker plugins

Tasker is a mighty powerful app in its own right, but I'll confess, one of its best features is the plugins that help it do even more than it could on its own. (The best feature is — and always will be — the wonderful support community that gathers around this app.) Plugins come in many sizes and shapes, but a few stand head and shoulders above the rest.
We've covered some of these before, and others will be making their first appearance. Without further ado, let's get automating!
AutoVoice
This is the king of Tasker plugins, at least to me and my Moto X. AutoVoice can intercept Google Now commands and use them to carry out Tasker tasks. For a phone with Touchless Controls, this means that even without going to the trouble of activating AutoVoice's own continuous listening, my phone is always ready to receive commands. I've highlighted this use for shinier, newer phones before, but AutoVoice is also love by the users of older, less endowed phones. This is what we'll focus on today.
I was using AutoVoice back on my old Captivate Glide to emulate some of the Google Now goodness that ICS phone would never get. I used it to turn on and off my personal driving mode, I used it for voice dialing my family, and it was awesome. Now, on phones without 'Ok Google' functionality, users rely on the AutoVoice Recognize shortcut. There are many ways of triggering this, with a traditional shortcut on the home screen, or a gesture control in launchers like Nova. On my old Samsung, I hid Recognize in the capacitive Search button as the long-press action. And once Recognize popped up to listen, I would give my cue.
After getting my cue, it would match it to the profile and task I desired and execute. More in-depth instructions for AutoVoice are in both Tasker advanced use and Tasker tips and tricks. There is a free light version, but when you upgrade, you can either buy the pro version outright for $1.63 or you can subscribe to AutoApps and get all of Joao Dias's Auto plugins (including AutoNotification, which I'll be recapping a little later) for $1.20 a month and support him as he endeavours to keep making awesome plugins for users like us. Remember, support your devs!
Free - AutoVoice (opens in new tab)
$1.20/month - AutoApps (opens in new tab)
Secure Settings
A had some users gripe about my not mentioning Secure Settings before, and so I'll rectify that now. Secure Settings is the Tasker plugin many users swear by, especially rooted users, but make no mistake, this plugin is still highly useful for users who aren't into system modification. Secure Settings, as you might have guessed, gives users more control over settings, security, and several other advanced functions in Tasker. Using this plugin, I've seen users create their own anti-theft systems, complete with taking pictures of anyone who puts in a bad password and an alarm if someone tries to walk off with it.
Secure Settings is also a plugin that can help Tasker do a few things that it just can't do on its own, such as rebooting a phone or turning on/off GPS. It can also disable the PIN/password, so it's used in many a Tasker-based lock-bypass system, such as unlocking when connected to home Wi-Fi. The actions here are divided into three sections: regular actions, root actions, and Device Administrator actions, and while some of the actions are accessible for free, and the pro-upgrade IAP is only $1.50.
Free, $1.50 IAP - Secure Settings (opens in new tab)
Tasker App Factory
Now, Tasker App Factory is a different type of plugin. It doesn't help Tasker accomplish more in its tasks or profiles, it simply turns tasks into standalone Tasker apps, which can be given to any other phone, even phones without Tasker. Tasker App Factory lets me make a quick task that I can then put on my mother's Moto X, or my friend's S3. Before AutoVoice got the Google Now integration — without root, anyways — this was the other method I used to get tasks triggered by voice. I exported them as separate apps, and then used the 'open XXXX' command. That's free and dirty method of that, by the way.
Free - Tasker App Factory (opens in new tab)
Bluetooth Auto Connect
This simple plugin may be one of the most valuable to me, simply because it is one of the only ways to switch between bluetooth connections via automation. I have one-action tasks using Bluetooth Auto Connect's plugin to disconnect from my bedroom bluetooth in order to hook up to the Bose speaker in the bathroom, and I have another button once I get out to reconnect to it once I get home.
It's a simple plugin with a simple price.
You can also use Bluetooth AutoConnect to trigger modes upon connecting or diconnecting to a bluetooth device, allowing you to recreate the part of Moto Assist that triggers Driving mode based on your connection to the car's bluetooth. It's a simple plugin, and it comes at a simple price: free. If you're a heavy bluetooth users (like me) then this plugin is a great to keep in the Tasker toolbox.
Free - Bluetooth Auto Connect (opens in new tab)
Pushbullet
Pushbullet is a popular service that many of you know of already, it helps you push files and messages between devices, including iOS, Chrome, Windows, and coming soon to Macs. The Pushbullet plugin for Tasker lets you do fun things like forward texts to your tablet or computer and then you can push replies back the same way. Pushbullet can also push notifications to other people, such as when you get home or to work, and you can push notifications, to yourself or to other devices when a Tasker context is triggered. Nifty for folks that're moving from device to device all day, and even for those that aren't. Pushbullet is free and includes the plugin for Tasker. Pushbullet also works with IFTTT to do more with it once notifications arrive, and notifications are the focus of our last standout for Tasker plugins.
Free - Pushbullet (opens in new tab)
AutoNotification
AutoNotification is one of my more recent acquisitions, and while I got it for a very specific purpose, AutoNotification has much more to it than it seems. This plugin, also by Joao Dias and also available in AutoApps or standalone, can be used either to act based upon notifications, or it can be used in profiles and tasks to create intensely rich, expandable, actionable notifications.
My primary use for AutoNotification is the former, allowing Tasker to take advantage of the more energy-efficient mode-sensing in my Moto X yet still have more power modes triggered by it. When Driving kicks on in Moto Assist, a notification is created, triggering a profile in Tasker and executing my own Drive mode, as shown in Tasker advanced use. AutoNotification Intercept can crack up the media volume while a notification for Play Music is in your shade. It can allow you to automatically respond to texts hands-free while driving when combined with AutoVoice — y'know, for those not lucky enough to have Moto Assist. Like AutoVoice, there's a free version or test out, then you can either purchase the full version outright, or you can get it in AutoApps.
Free - AutoNotification (opens in new tab)
$1.20/month - AutoApps (opens in new tab)
So, which Tasker plugin do you use the most? Are you a Secure Settings master, or are you content with AutoVoice and Pushbullet? Share your favorite plugins — and the recipes that use them — in the comments.
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Ara Wagoner was a staff writer at Android Central. She themes phones and pokes YouTube Music with a stick. When she's not writing about cases, Chromebooks, or customization, she's wandering around Walt Disney World. If you see her without headphones, RUN. You can follow her on Twitter at @arawagco.
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Those are some potent plugins which I use myself. I also use the plugins for AutoHue to control my Hue lights. And I use the Zooper plugin frequently, to enhance the functionality of my Zooper widgets.
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They're trying to get me some Hue bulbs, so that article could be coming soon.
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I have a couple of them, few in the living room, few in the bedroom, 2 in my study. And they can be quite handy. When a light is turned on and I receive a message (viber, whatsapp, email) one light blinks. I also use tasker and a nfc tag to turn on my computer and the 2 desk lights. Make sure to get this plugin for Tasker: https://www.androidcentral.com/e?link=https2F2F...
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Thanks a lot for mentioning AutoHue! Means a lot. And if I may be so rude, I recently released WearTasker ( https://www.androidcentral.com/e?link=https2F2F... ), a simple way to launch Tasker tasks from your Android Wear device, please check that out too. Other than that nice Article for us automation fans, use most of these myself too! :D
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No problem, I love your plugin. Didn't know about Weartasker, but don't have smartwatch yet. Also didn't know you were Dutch, only saw that when you replied to a review I made on your app.
Holland holland boven alles ;) -
Don't forget about a AutoVera, that's another excellent plugin. I use it daily to control my entire home.
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Poor college grad. I don't have a lot of home automation gear. It probably should've gotten a shoutout, but AutoVera is part of a whole different automation discussion. Posted via the Android Central App
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You should have included Synker.
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I use Commandr, its similar to auto vice except its free.
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I just downloaded that app earlier. It looks pretty good Posted via Android Central App
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I've been using Secure Settings for things for a few years now. I also use Screen Filter to dim the screen for my automatically triggered bedtime profile. Makes it less harsh on the eyes, and lets my wife get to sleep easier. Was also using a couple Pebble specific plugins when I had one but it got stolen. :(
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Mind sharng how you set up Screen Filter? Whenever I reboot my phone it turns on and I have to manually turn it off, its 2 clicks away but kinda annoying knowing that there is possible a way not to be turned on. When working as it should is triggered by time, from 10:01pm to 7am its on and from 7:01am to 10pm is off.
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No idea about it activating after reboot... I have it set to dim to 39.9% (can't get it exactly 40) with soft keys off on my S3. In the deactivate profile I set it back to 100% with soft keys on. Pretty simple on my end. Do you have another event on boot that might be activating it?
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Negative, guess I will try harder this weekend. Thanks anyway! :)
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You might want to see if anyone can help you in the support forums (google groups). There a ton of resources there, and the posters over there are always pretty helpful, even if you're new to Tasker.
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Haven't had much time this past 3 weeks to go back into tasker and mess with it, but i'm automating my wifi and bluetooth connections, as well as setting the power saving modes on my Note 3 to toggle on when screen is off and toggle off when the screen is back on and i'm using the phone. What I'd like to set up if I can take the time to do so is that when the weather updates and it's raining, since my office has no windows i'd like to get a push notification to my Gear 2 and later on my Moto 360 that the hot/dry day just turned into a torrential downpour (as can happen often and quickly in TX). I heavily use my watch during the day and getting a notification there since my phone is often sitting on my desk for hours without use would be great. Just a heads up before leaving for lunch or home that it's wet out would complete most of the things I want to do with tasker.
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I've developed a few plugins for Tasker (https://play.google.com/store/search?q=kanetik&c=apps), and I'm always looking for ideas for plugins that don't exist yet, but people want. My focus is not on quantity of plugins, but quality - good UX/UI, and with the features that make the most sense. Anyone got anything they wish existed, but doesn't yet?
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Using Secure Settings for a one click task/event to force close many prefered not greenified apps once in a while was not a big succes. Slow and unstable. The free tasker plugin Taskill from Store however does that excellent and fast. Posted via Android Central App
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Thanks for the article! I always like learning more about what Tasker can do. Quick question though. The biggest reason I've wanted to use tasker, but the one thing that eluded all these years, is to control vibrations. I want to turn off notification vibrations when my phone is perfectly still, and facing up. It looks like the notification vibration toggle was disabled a few android versions ago. Is there a plug in that can replicate this feature? Thanks!
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Tasker is an amazingly capable program, but at the same time has incredibly stupid limitations. The inability to prioritize profiles is ludicrously limiting. Yes, there are workarounds involving dozens, or even hundreds of lines of tasker "code," but this is a function that should be built-in. If I'm leaving home in my car, I should be able to EASILY say the car profile has priority over the home one (or vice-versa). When I get to work, I should be able to EASILY tell the app not to switch to the work profile until I'm out of the car (disconnect from BT, for example). Handling those conditions is absurdly complicated in tasker. The other idiotic limitation is (as far as I can tell), the lack of OR logic in defining a profile. I want to turn my car profile on if I'm connect to BT in car 1, OR BT in car 2, or BT in car three, but not any other time. Again, there's no simple way to do this that I can figure out. Half of the reason Tasker is so complicated is that it has no built-in way to do the basic things people need to do. It's almost as if the Tasker makers and users view the need and ability to generate complex recipes as a badge of honor, keeping out the riff raff.
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if you long click on the profile you have priority settings right there. As far as you second paragraph, you could have it set by the name of the bluetooth device you wanted to connect to. Just have it setup so that if you connect to car 1, the other two are set to disconnect, same with the others. Its not complicated, just logical.
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I really like this plugin: https://www.androidcentral.com/e?link=https2F2F... and also the App, the features and the way everything works so well together is just excellent.
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Hi,
Can anyone of you help me figure out how to automate my phone to be playing video for credit on Textme using Tasker for every 40 seconds, I watched most of video and I could not help myself, so I'm begging you to try help me with it.
I'm looking forward to your reply.
Thank you