Develop Reference

Android app terminates after certain time when minimized

I have this app which parses SMS and then converts them into Audio. My app users usually minimize the app and runs it all the time. But my app is getting terminated after sometime. How can i make sure my app will run till a user "terminates" it. Since the core functionality of the app is to convert SMS to audio, i need it running all the time.How can i do this ?
My current MainActivity.java
public class MainActivity extends AppCompatActivity {
TextView txtGateway, txtTime, txtAmount;
Speakerbox speakerbox;
#Override
protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
setContentView(R.layout.activity_main);
//textView = findViewById(R.id.txt_message);
speakerbox = new Speakerbox(getApplication());
txtAmount = findViewById(R.id.tv_amount);
txtGateway = findViewById(R.id.tv_gateway);
txtTime = findViewById(R.id.tv_time);
requestSmsPermission();
}
#Override
public void onResume() {
LocalBroadcastManager.getInstance(this).registerReceiver(receiver, new IntentFilter("otp"));
super.onResume();
}
#Override
public void onPause() {
LocalBroadcastManager.getInstance(this).registerReceiver(receiver, new IntentFilter("otp"));
super.onPause();
}
private BroadcastReceiver receiver = new BroadcastReceiver() {
#Override
public void onReceive(Context context, Intent intent) {
if (intent.getAction().equalsIgnoreCase("otp")) {
final String message = intent.getStringExtra("message");
String gateway = intent.getStringExtra("gateway");
String time = intent.getStringExtra("time");
String amount = intent.getStringExtra("amount");
speakerbox.play(message);
txtGateway.setText(gateway);
txtTime.setText(time);
txtAmount.setText(amount);
// message is the fetching OTP
}
}
};
/**
* Requesting multiple permissions (storage and location) at once
* This uses multiple permission model from dexter
* On permanent denial opens settings dialog
*/
private void requestSmsPermission() {
Dexter.withActivity(this)
.withPermissions(
Manifest.permission.RECEIVE_SMS,
Manifest.permission.READ_SMS,
Manifest.permission.SEND_SMS,
Manifest.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE)
.withListener(new MultiplePermissionsListener() {
#Override
public void onPermissionsChecked(MultiplePermissionsReport report) {
// check if all permissions are granted
if (report.areAllPermissionsGranted()) {
// Toast.makeText(getApplicationContext(), "All permissions are granted!", Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show();
}
// check for permanent denial of any permission
if (report.isAnyPermissionPermanentlyDenied()) {
// show alert dialog navigating to Settings
showSettingsDialog();
}
}
#Override
public void onPermissionRationaleShouldBeShown(List<PermissionRequest> permissions, PermissionToken token) {
token.continuePermissionRequest();
}
}).
withErrorListener(new PermissionRequestErrorListener() {
#Override
public void onError(DexterError error) {
Toast.makeText(getApplicationContext(), "Error occurred! ", Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show();
}
})
.onSameThread()
.check();
}
/**
* Showing Alert Dialog with Settings option
* Navigates user to app settings
* NOTE: Keep proper title and message depending on your app
*/
private void showSettingsDialog() {
AlertDialog.Builder builder = new AlertDialog.Builder(MainActivity.this);
builder.setTitle("Need Permissions");
builder.setMessage("This app needs permission to use this feature. You can grant them in app settings.");
builder.setPositiveButton("GOTO SETTINGS", new DialogInterface.OnClickListener() {
#Override
public void onClick(DialogInterface dialog, int which) {
dialog.cancel();
openSettings();
}
});
builder.setNegativeButton("Cancel", new DialogInterface.OnClickListener() {
#Override
public void onClick(DialogInterface dialog, int which) {
dialog.cancel();
}
});
builder.show();
}
// navigating user to app settings
private void openSettings() {
Intent intent = new Intent(Settings.ACTION_APPLICATION_DETAILS_SETTINGS);
Uri uri = Uri.fromParts("package", getPackageName(), null);
intent.setData(uri);
startActivityForResult(intent, 101);
}
}

Use a foreground service to ensure that your app is not killed by Android. On newer version of Android, app's background process gets killed after sometime. Having a foreground service will ensure that your app stays active. Keep the service on background thread and not on the main thread.
Read more at:
https://developer.android.com/guide/components/services
and
https://androidwave.com/foreground-service-android-example/

Activities are used for user facing parts of your application. Use service instead. Most likely, your application is getting terminated by os due to low memory situation.

Use service for the core functionality if you want to run all the time in background.If user is not using your app actively yet app is taking RAM memory then OS will terminate the app to avoid out of memory.

Network Service Discovery not woking when app returns from AirPlane mode to Wifi during the running app

I am having a problem related to Network Service Discovery.
When I start the app with wifi connected, NSD Works Totally fine discovering the service and smoothly resolving them.
But the problem arises when we connect wifi, after disabling wifi or switching the wifi from airplane mode.
It just gets stuck on DiscoveryStarted and never proceeds from there, although it establishes the connection to the wifi router after turning off airplane mode.
In code I have also ensured that the discovery will only start when the wifi connection is ensured but, no luck.
Right now I have to kill the app in order for NSD to work properly.
I am using NSD Helper from Google Gist:
https://android.googlesource.com/platform/development/+/master/samples/training/NsdChat/src/com/example/android/nsdchat/NsdHelper.java
NsdHelper helper;
BroadcastReceiver wifiReciever = new BroadcastReceiver() {
#Override
public void onReceive(Context context, Intent intent) {
final String action = intent.getAction();
if (action.equals(WifiManager.SUPPLICANT_CONNECTION_CHANGE_ACTION)) {
if (intent.getBooleanExtra(WifiManager.EXTRA_SUPPLICANT_CONNECTED, false)) {
//do stuff
helper.stopDiscovery();
helper = new NsdHelper(context);
helper.discoverServices();
} else {
// wifi connection was lost
helper.stopDiscovery();
}
}
}
};
#Nullable
#Override
public IBinder onBind(Intent intent) {
return null;
}
#Override
public void onCreate() {
super.onCreate();
//startDiscovery();
// helper = new NsdHelper(this);
// helper.discoverServices();
IntentFilter intentFilter = new IntentFilter();
intentFilter.addAction(WifiManager.SUPPLICANT_CONNECTION_CHANGE_ACTION);
registerReceiver(wifiReciever, intentFilter);
Toast.makeText(this,"Service Started",Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show();
}
#Override
public void onDestroy() {
// if(service!= null)
// {
// service.stop();
// helper.stopDiscovery();
// }
unregisterReceiver(wifiReciever);
//
Toast.makeText(this,"Service destroyed",Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show();
super.onDestroy();
}

Android Service only runs whilst debugging

Background
I am creating a service that syncs a local Realm database (stored on phone) with an online database. The database stores users and measurements.
I initialise the service by calling 'startService(new Intent(this, SyncService.class));' during the splash activity's onCreate() method, and specify in the manifest that the service should run for the length of the application.
The service has a broadcast receiver. When the receiver detects a network change from 'not connected' to 'connected', it fires a method called syncDatabases().
This method finds all measurements recorded locally after the timestamp of the last API callback, and sends them to the database. The API responds to a request by returning the object + a unique ID.
When a measurement is made whilst the device is offline, it is stored locally. When an internet connection is made, the syncDatabases() method should be called in order to update the online server with the local measurements.
My steps...
Steps when debugging the project:
With wifi I open the app and with an external device make a new measurement. This appears on both the app and in the database. I then turn wifi off and make another measurement - this appears on the device.
I attach the debugger.
I turn back on wifi and this triggers the services' receivers' onReceive() method. I step through this and it all works according to plan. I reach the syncDatabases() method, and from there I receive the callback from the API, and it then updates the Realm database with the new ID value.
The problem...
If I don't attach the debugger, nothing happens. The new measurements aren't pushed to the database, and none of my Log.e calls are printed.
Why is this happening? And is there an alternative solution / fix for this problem?
Code
Service class
public class SyncService extends Service {
private static final String TAG = "SYNCSERVICE";
private boolean mConnected = false;
private BroadcastReceiver mReceiver = new BroadcastReceiver() {
#Override
public void onReceive(Context context, Intent intent) {
if (intent.getExtras() != null) {
final ConnectivityManager connectivityManager = (ConnectivityManager) context.getSystemService(Context.CONNECTIVITY_SERVICE);
final NetworkInfo netInfo = connectivityManager.getActiveNetworkInfo();
if (netInfo != null) {
switch (netInfo.getState()) {
case CONNECTED:
if (!mConnected) {
Log.e("NETWORK", "Network " + netInfo.getTypeName() + " now connected");
syncDatabases();
mConnected = true;
}
break;
default:
mConnected = false;
break;
}
} else mConnected = false;
}
}
};
#Override
public void onCreate() {
super.onCreate();
initReceiver();
ConnectivityManager connectivityManager = (ConnectivityManager) getApplicationContext().getSystemService(Context.CONNECTIVITY_SERVICE);
if (connectivityManager.getActiveNetworkInfo() != null) {
mConnected = true;
}
android.util.Log.e(TAG, "onCreate: SyncService created");
}
#Override
public void onDestroy() {
super.onDestroy();
unInitReceiver();
android.util.Log.e(TAG, "onDestroy: SyncService destroyed");
}
#Nullable
#Override
public IBinder onBind(Intent intent) {
android.util.Log.e(TAG, "onBind: SyncService bound");
return null;
}
#Override
public boolean onUnbind(Intent intent) {
android.util.Log.e(TAG, "onUnbind: SyncService unbound");
return super.onUnbind(intent);
}
#Override
public void onRebind(Intent intent) {
super.onRebind(intent);
android.util.Log.e(TAG, "onRebind: SyncService rebound");
}
private void initReceiver() {
IntentFilter filters = new IntentFilter();
filters.addAction("android.net.wifi.WIFI_STATE_CHANGED");
filters.addAction("android.net.wifi.STATE_CHANGE");
registerReceiver(mReceiver, filters);
}
private void unInitReceiver() {
unregisterReceiver(mReceiver);
}
public void syncDatabases() {
RealmResults<UserDB> users = RealmDB.getInstance(getApplicationContext()).where(UserDB.class).findAll();
if (users.size() > 0) {
int userId = users.get(0).getmUserID();
Log.e("MESSAGE", PreferenceUtils.getInstance().getLastSyncDate());
Date lastSync = null;
SimpleDateFormat sdf = new SimpleDateFormat("EEE MMM dd HH:mm:ss zzz yyyy", Locale.getDefault());
try {
lastSync = sdf.parse(PreferenceUtils.getInstance().getLastSyncDate());
}
catch (ParseException e) {
e.printStackTrace();
try {
lastSync = BaseFragment.FORMAT.parse(PreferenceUtils.getInstance().getLastSyncDate());
}
catch (ParseException e1) {
e1.printStackTrace();
}
}
if (lastSync != null) {
Date lastSyncOffset = new Date(lastSync.getTime() + 1000);
/** Get all local results which have been made after the last sync date
 **/
RealmResults<MeasurementDB> newLocalMeasurements = RealmDB.getInstance(getApplicationContext())
.where(MeasurementDB.class).equalTo("user_ID", userId)
.greaterThan("dateCreated", lastSyncOffset)
.findAll();
/** For each measurement made after the last sync, add it to the server
 **/
for (MeasurementDB measurement : newLocalMeasurements) {
TemperatureListener mListener = new TemperatureListener(measurement);
ApiRequest.getInstance(getApplicationContext()).registerNewMeasurement(measurement.getAverage(),
measurement.getDateCreated().toString(), mListener, mListener);
}
}
}
}
/**
* Temperature listener receives the local copy of the temperature item. onResponse can then
* directly mutate the object instead of searching local db
*/
private class TemperatureListener implements Response.Listener<Measurement>, Response.ErrorListener {
private MeasurementDB measurement;
public TemperatureListener(MeasurementDB measurement) {
this.measurement = measurement;
}
#Override
public void onErrorResponse(VolleyError error) {
Log.e("OnResponse", "Failure");
}
#Override
public void onResponse(Measurement response) {
Log.e("OnResponse", "Success");
/** Update our local measurement's ID value (supplied by server)
 **/
RealmDB.getInstance(getApplicationContext()).beginTransaction();
measurement.setMeasurement_ID(response.getmMeasurementId());
RealmDB.getInstance(getApplicationContext()).commitTransaction();
/** Update the last sync date
 **/
PreferenceUtils.getInstance().setLastSyncDate(response.getmDateCreated());
}
}
}
Initialisation of Service in splash activity
#Override
protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
setContentView(R.layout.activity_splash);
new Handler().postDelayed(new Runnable() {
#Override
public void run() {
mTimedOut = true;
finishActivity();
}
}, DURATION);
/** Will sync application / cloud databases in background of app when network connected. **/
startService(new Intent(this, SyncService.class));
doApiWork();
}
Manifest entry
Stop with task to kill the service at the same time as the app.
Exported 'false' stops other apps from using the service.
<service
android:name=".network.SyncService"
android:stopWithTask="true"
android:enabled="true"
android:exported="false"/>
EDIT
I removed the service and left a receiver class, registered in the manifest, which triggers methods on another class when needed. However the receiver is only triggered in debug mode.

Sending intents from service to activity only when activity is running

I have a service and application. There is communication between them by sending intents on specific situations. In activity I register and unregister broadcast receiver to collect this intents. Intents from service are sending when particular callback method is executed. Is there a possibility to send this intents only when activity is in the foreground? Because when this is hide there is no need to gather this intents (it helpful only to show some situations in real time)? I figure out that in activity could be static field that indicates about such situation, but I don't know how to get access to activity from service and additionally I found information that this is vary bad design practise.. Thank for any suggestions!

Declare this in your Activity:
public static boolean isRunning;
Then in your onPause to set isRunning = false;
and in onResume set it to isRunning = true;
Then from your Service you can simply call ActivityName.isRunning to know if it is in foreground or not!

you can use a static variable within the activity.
class MyActivity extends Activity {
static boolean active = false;
#Override
public void onStart() {
super.onStart();
active = true;
}
#Override
public void onStop() {
super.onStop();
active = false;
}
}
Add just check in service as
if(MyActivity.active)
{
//send broadcast.
}
OR
go with this to check status of activity is it active or not
public boolean isRunning(Context ctx) {
ActivityManager activityManager = (ActivityManager) ctx.getSystemService(Context.ACTIVITY_SERVICE);
List<RunningTaskInfo> tasks = activityManager.getRunningTasks(Integer.MAX_VALUE);
for (RunningTaskInfo task : tasks) {
if (ctx.getPackageName().equalsIgnoreCase(task.baseActivity.getPackageName()))
return true;
}
return false;
}

I'd have a local boolean variable in service:
protected boolean mIsAppRunning;
Call startService() with true/false extra when app resumes/stops:
#Override
protected void onResume() {
super.onResume();
Intent service = new Intent("my.service.ACTION");
service.putExtra("IS_MY_ACTIVITY_RUNNING", true);
startService(service);
}
#Override
protected void onPause() {
Intent service = new Intent("my.service.ACTION");
service.putExtra("IS_MY_ACTIVITY_RUNNING", false);
startService(service);
}
Check that extra in service's onStartCommand() and assign its value to mIsAppRunning:
#Override
public int onStartCommand(Intent intent, int flags, int startId) {
if (intent != null) {
mIsAppRunning = intent.getBooleanExtra("IS_MY_ACTIVITY_RUNNING", false);
}
return START_STICKY;
}
If you design the logic in the service a little carefully, you may even get rid of the local variable, mIsAppRunning, and call the required methods depending on the intent extra value.
Hope this helps.

How to create and start a dream service atomatically android

I am trying to start a dream service. Currently, this is my code:
#SuppressLint("NewApi")
public class DreamLockService extends DreamService {
private static final String TAG = "DreamLockService";
public Utility utilObj = new Utility();
//private Button btnExit;
private Button btnlogin;
private EditText lgPass;
#Override
public void onAttachedToWindow() {
super.onAttachedToWindow();
// Exit dream upon user touch
setInteractive(true);
// Hide system UI
setFullscreen(true);
// Set the dream layout
setContentView(R.layout.lockservice);
//setClickListener();
Toast.makeText(this, "Lock Service Created", Toast.LENGTH_LONG).show();
}
//Use this for initial setup, such as calling setContentView().
#Override
public void onDreamingStarted() {
super.onDreamingStarted();
// Exit dream upon user touch
setInteractive(true);
// Hide system UI
setFullscreen(true);
// Set the dream layout
setContentView(R.layout.lockservice);
Toast.makeText(this, "Lock Service Created", Toast.LENGTH_LONG).show();
}
//Your dream has started, so you should begin animations or other behaviors here.
public void onDreamingStopped()
{
super.onDreamingStopped();
}
//Use this to stop the things you started in onDreamingStarted().
public void onDetachedFromWindow()
{
super.onDetachedFromWindow();
}
}
I was unable to start the dream service from another activity. This is what I used:
Intent tempLock = new Intent(MainActivity.this, DreamLockService.class);
//DreamLockService test = new DreamLockService();
startService(tempLock);
I don't understand why it didn't work. How can a dream service be started from another activity?

To start a Dream service from our own app, please try this.
IBinder binder = ServiceManager.getService("dreams");
Parcel data = Parcel.obtain();
data.writeInterfaceToken("android.service.dreams.IDreamManager");
Parcel reply = Parcel.obtain();
try {
if (binder != null)
binder.transact(1, data,reply, Binder.FLAG_ONEWAY);
else
Log.e("TAG", "dreams service is not running");
} catch (RemoteException e) {
e.printStackTrace();
}
To use this, your app should be system app and should have dream permissions in the Manifest file and enable dream setting in Settings.
I tried this and it is working.

You can start the currently selected screen saver using this code:
Intent intent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_MAIN);
intent.setClassName("com.android.systemui", "com.android.systemui.Somnambulator");
intent.setFlags(Intent.FLAG_ACTIVITY_SINGLE_TOP);
startActivity(intent);
Just need to make sure that your dream service is set and enabled.

Did you include it in your manifest and have an <intent-filter> that matches your action?
If it's ok, then try with:
startService(new Intent(this, DreamLockService.class));
An excellent Services tutorial: http://www.vogella.com/articles/AndroidServices/article.html#scheduleservice_startauto
UPDATE:
As it seems you are not sure if your service is running, you can use this solution found here:
private boolean isMyServiceRunning() {
ActivityManager manager = (ActivityManager) getSystemService(Context.ACTIVITY_SERVICE);
for (RunningServiceInfo service : manager.getRunningServices(Integer.MAX_VALUE)) {
if (MyService.class.getName().equals(service.service.getClassName())) {
return true;
}
}
return false;
}