How do we use runOnUiThread in Android?


Before getting into example, we should know what is runOnUiThread() in android. Sometimes Main thread performs some heavy operations. if user wants to add some extra operations on UI, it will get load and provides ANR. Using runOnUiThread going to do back ground operations on worker thread and update the result on main thread.

This example demonstrate about How do we use runOnUiThread in Android.

Step 1 − Create a new project in Android Studio, go to File ⇒ New Project and fill all required details to create a new project.

Step 2 − Add the following code to res/layout/activity_main.xml.

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<LinearLayout xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
   android:id="@+id/parent"
   xmlns:tools="http://schemas.android.com/tools"
   android:layout_width="match_parent"
   android:layout_height="match_parent"
   tools:context=".MainActivity"
   android:gravity="center"
   android:orientation="vertical">
   <Button
      android:id="@+id/runOn"
      android:text="Run"
      android:layout_width="wrap_content"
      android:layout_height="wrap_content" />
   <TextView
      android:id="@+id/text"
      android:textSize="20sp"
      android:layout_width="wrap_content"
      android:layout_height="wrap_content" />
</LinearLayout>

In the above code, we have taken one button and text view, when you click on button , it will update text view.

Step 3 − Add the following code to src/MainActivity.java

package com.example.andy.myapplication;
import android.os.Build;
import android.os.Bundle;
import android.support.annotation.RequiresApi;
import android.support.v7.app.AppCompatActivity;
import android.view.View;
import android.widget.Button;
import android.widget.TextView;

public class MainActivity extends AppCompatActivity {
   int i = 0;
   @RequiresApi(api = Build.VERSION_CODES.JELLY_BEAN)
   @Override
   protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
      super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
      setContentView(R.layout.activity_main);
      final TextView textView = findViewById(R.id.text);
      final Button runOn = findViewById(R.id.runOn);
      runOn.setOnClickListener(new View.OnClickListener() {
         @Override
         public void onClick(View v) {
            new Thread() {
               public void run() {
                  while (i++ < 1000) {
                     try {
                        runOnUiThread(new Runnable() {
                           @Override
                           public void run() {
                              textView.setText("#" + i);
                           }
                        });
                        Thread.sleep(300);
                     } catch (InterruptedException e) {
                        e.printStackTrace();
                     }
                  }
               }
            }.start();
         }
      });
   }
}

In the above code, when user click on button. It will update text view using runOnUiThread() as shown below -

new Thread() {
   public void run() {
      while (i++ < 1000) {
         try {
            runOnUiThread(new Runnable() {
               @Override
               public void run() {
                  textView.setText("#" + i);
               }
            });
            Thread.sleep(300);
         } catch (InterruptedException e) {
            e.printStackTrace();
         }
      }
   }
}.start();

Let's try to run your application. I assume you have connected your actual Android Mobile device with your computer. To run the app from android studio, open one of your project's activity files and click Run  icon from the toolbar. Select your mobile device as an option and then check your mobile device which will display your default screen −

In the above result, it shown initial screen. when user click on run button it will update text view as shown below -

Click here to download the project code

Updated on: 30-Jul-2019

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