I have 2 activities. In child activity i have put something like that in onPause():

if (isFinishing()) {
 final Intent intent = new Intent();
 intent.putExtra(SOME_DATA, value);

 setResult(RESULT_OK, intent);
 Log.i("test", "Result set to RESULT_OK");
}

In parent activity i check resultCode when child activity is destroyed, and this is what i have noticed:

1. If i destroy child activity by some action (in some condition i invoke finish()), then resultCode is RESULT_OK
2. But when i destroy by pressing return key (i works only in emulator so its ESC) who kills activity, then resultCode read in parent onActivityResult method equals 0 (RESULT_CANCELD).

"test" log read in each case is the same.