I am writing an App (MyApp) in Tasker that would need to read the State of a Toggle Button in another App (AppB) that I haven't written. It's for reporting purposes. I am a seasoned programmer, but are new to Android. Please bear that in mind:-)
Tasker have support for Java code, and have access to the full SDK of my Android 4.3 Phone.
The app will run on Android 4.3+.
I am already using AutoInput that is perfectly capable of getting the ID of widgets (Buttons etc) in other Apps, and AutoInput is also capable of Pressing these Buttons (AutoInput Accessibility must be turned ON). AutoInput will have support for what I am asking later, but I badly need it now!
So the question is:
How can MyApp get the State of a Toggle Button (with ID "toggle") in AppB using Java?
I am afraid this will not be possible by easy means. The applications in Android are isolated and cannot ask for others' applications controls due to the security policy. Without the access to the AppB code and possibility to change it this will not be possible.
The AppB would have to share the state of the toggle to your app: either via content provider or simple intent each time the toggle is changed. This requires changes in AppB code which I assume is not possible in your case. I see no other way to get around this.
I am writing an App (MyApp) in Tasker that would need to read the
State of a Toggle Button in another App (AppB) that I haven't
written
In Android, by default each of the application runs in its own process and each app is Sand-Boxed.
Therefore, you cannot read the data from other application until it is shared explicitly by the particular application.
Related
I am a beginner in android development. I want to know that is it possible to know the app which is opened currently. I came to know that finding the apps which are running currently through Activity Manager (getRunningTasks()) is now removed from the Android studio. So I want to know is there any other way to know? I just want to know the app which is opened and running currently on the mobile but not the apps running in the background Could somebody please help me in this case?
You can use AccessibilityService to get event notification. But AccessibilityService are specifically for accessibility uses. If you use the service for other purposes, then the application will more likely to be downed/removed for PlayStore due to policies. Another viable option is UsageStatsManager, but with some limitations.
UsageStatsManager is not push event based system. You have to poll in few mills(depends upon the use-case)
Usage Access Permission grant/deny is not straight forward. You have to start Setting Activity with Settings#ACTION_USAGE_ACCESS_SETTINGS action and have to rely on the users understanding of how to grant permission(Since permission list may contain other applications).
Is there a way to open my application when a user opens a certain application?
For instance, I want to launch my application's floating button as soon as the user opens Instagram. Or even better is they open the "story" camera?
This is different from inexplicit intent, since, I don't have a way of interacting with Instagram, but is it still possible?
Do I need to check with the system to see which application are currently open or is there another way of doing this?
As NomadMaker says, in general this is difficult to do because it would be a security issue. In fact, an issue like this was published as the Strandhogg vulnerability. That said, some apps (like LastPass) use/abuse the AccessibilityService API to get this information. This would be an OK way to do this if you're making an app for yourself, but is discouraged if you plan to distribute the app.
I was wondering if anyone had a relatively simple solution for us.
We created an app to be used by our clients on android devices that we give them.
We would like the client to only be able to use our app and have limited access to everything else (i.e. settings, email etc.) What is the best way to achieve this without using 3rd party apps.
Thank you in advance!
This may not help but the L preview has a task locking feature included that may be of some insight, I'm not aware of how it functions as yet
Task locking
The L Developer Preview introduces a new task locking API that lets you temporarily restrict users from leaving your app or being interrupted by notifications. This could be used, for example, if you are developing an education app to support high stakes assessment requirements on Android. Once your app activates this mode, users will not be able to see notifications, access other apps, or return to the Home screen, until your app exits the mode.
http://developer.android.com/preview/api-overview.html
Hope this helped
Suppress the Title Bar & Make Your App a Launcher
Root Your Tablet
Modify System Files and Settings to hide the soft keys
On the next link you can find the complete solution for the Nexus 7 (2012)
http://thebitplague.wordpress.com/2013/04/05/kiosk-mode-on-the-nexus-7/
simple Answer is:
Lock Install button with modify system settings.
Create your own customized-ROM and apply your requirement to that ROM.
more info, visit XDADavelopers
I'm making an Android app that act as an IOT host (I use serial communication and send it to Arduino). Is there a way to always set Android to run this activity (never sleep & always inside the activity)? It is important for it to not leave the activity since all the control and db access is done through it. So far what I've found already available is kiosk app in which it act as a launcher with limited app and such but none of the lock the android to an activity.
Thanks for answers & comment!
If you're curious :) The reason I use Android is that it needs a control panel UI and connection to a database, using RPI and other stuff would just get it to be more expensive.
there a way to always set android to run this activity (never sleep & always inside the activity)?
Not really. You are somehow looking for kiosk mode, or you can make your app acting as launcher (but it all depends on use case - if your app is only one on the device then this is all fine, otherwise you would need to put a lot of efforts to jail user)
it is important for it to not leave the activity since all the control and db access is done through it.
It sounds like your app architecture is just designed wrong.
I know it's not the best practice, but it is a requested feature (e.g. for business apps). When the App gets installed, I need to automatically place it on the home screen. I saw a lot of code on the internet, but all of the code only works on button click when the app starts. But I need to place a shortcut on the homescreen immediately after the app is installed and before the app starts. Is there a way I can achieve this?
PS: To make the question more clear: The app will be distributed without Google Play Store, so that's not an option.
Thanks for your help!
Best regards,
Robin
You can't run any code in your application before the user starts your application for first time during to restrictions since Android 3.1. Check this for more information
That's an optional feature of the Market app, not of the apps themselves. When designing an application , it does not receive a broadcast about itself being installed.
the first time the app launched can create it.
You can achieve that by creating a method in your main activity and call this method from oncreate and create a boolean variable andsave it in shared preferences