I want to create folders or application groups on the Home Screen of an Android tablet for already installed apps.
The apps APK will be provided by someone external (I can't modify them). I need to create a script, a small app, or something similar that when executed look for the specific installed apps in the connected android device and then creates apps groups on the home screen.
For example, if I have 8 applications installed on the android device then I need to create 4 groups of 2 apps in each folder.
I'm totally new to Android developments although I have some experience with Java, any insight of where to start looking will be welcome.
The device Android version is 10.
I also was looking for an existing solution like this APK Installer, but it doesn't have the option to create the folder/groups.
I need to create a script, a small app, or something similar that when executed look for the specific installed apps in the connected android device and then creates apps groups on the home screen.
Android, the operating system, has no concept of "app groups". That is a feature of a launcher app. Some launcher apps may have APIs to allow third party apps to manipulate app groups, but the details would vary by launcher. On the whole, I expect very few launchers to have such an API. And, if you were expecting to be able to do this for arbitrary devies using arbitrary launcher apps... sorry, but that is not possible.
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I am planning to develop a Flutter App which will be installed on a dedicated device which I want to sell to customers (B2C). This device will be used only with the developed app and thus represents a kind of customized end user device, which hasn't to provide any other functions. For example, the user should see a customized boot screen and then my app should open. The user should not be able to access the Android system apps (Config, System Bars, Home Screen, Home Button/Navigation).
In doing so, I have the following problems:
What options do I have to update the app automatically?
I have read that there should be something like the Managed Google Play Store, but would this even be the right use case for this or should I rather write my own service which is responsible for updating my app?
How can I make sure that the user only uses my app and not other apps or the system menu? The following link (https://developer.android.com/work/dpc/dedicated-devices) describes how I put certain apps into "Lock Task Mode", but that is mentioned more in the context of Enterprise Mobility Management, not for customized consumer devices. Is this even the right way to go for my requirement, or should I rather look into the AOSP project (https://source.android.com/)? That would certainly add an additional hurdle. My preference would be to be able to use any Android tablet for my App.
In order to sell my dedicated device, I will need to customize/install a variety of devices, which begs the question of how do I effectively solve this? Do I need to flash the devices to do this? Is there possibly another effective method such as customized installation scripts via adb? This question is certainly closely related to the previous question.
I'm talking about the usual ConstraintLayout or LinearLayout from Android development for mobile phones. Is it possible or allowed to create and install an app built like this on the Android Automotive OS (not Android Auto)?
If the answer is yes, do you have any documentation regarding this or project examples/samples?
Publishing the app on the Automotive Store is not important for me, Google wouldn't allow this anyway. I just want to be able to create a very custom app for me or a possible OEM.
I know there's an Android for Cars Library but it's not even working for AAOS at this moment, only for Android Auto.
Yes, you can create and install normal Android apps that use common layouts on the AAOS Emulator. You may not be able to upload these apps on the store but an OEM probably can install any apps it wants.
Check the 'A Better Routeplanner' app, it was uploaded by Polestar on the AAOS store and it probably uses the UI layouts you mentioned considering how custom and similar it is to the mobile version.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.polestar.abrp.production.android
It depends on the user specific case, i.e. Is it going to be using navigation or radio for example.
As Google says here https://developer.android.com/work/guide.html
As an Android developer, you can deploy devices and apps to employees
and keep your corporate data secure.
And also here https://developer.android.com/work/index.html
Android in the Enterprise Develop apps for the enterprise that take
advantage of the security and management features built into Android.
But this set of webpages does not provide detailed step by step explanation whaht is ENTERPRISE PROFILE CONFIGURATION and HOW TO USE IT?
Let's say I need to install couple of enterprise applications and prevent them to be uninstalled via enterprose profile for instance.
Is it possible to do?
After 3 hours of investigation I found only one light and elegant way to archive my goal.
CUSTOM ANDROID LAUNCHER DEVELOPMENT
This custom launcher could contains
One screen only with predefined icons.
No icons to see all apps or settings.
Button to add/remove apps to main screen which is protected by internal launcher password (Only admin knows password or it can be
server-side AUTH).
So employers take this preconfigured smartphone and do what they must according their work task while are restricted by launcher possibilities. Also they cannot uninstall it at all.
Is it possible to have one app icon with a home screen that provides access to multiple apps (without icons) developed and deployed independently, or does that contradict the android app paradigm altogether?
My product managers basically want me to copy a web app that has multiple sub-features which we deploy separately, each with its own api, and do it in android. What i think i'm learning is Android can be organized with modules in the solution but is not built to be deployed separately, and breaking the web app down into multiple independent android apps that don't have icons but are called by another app is not usual for some reason.
The only thing that puts an icon on the home screen is the LAUNCHER category intent in the Manifest. You can always start other apps on the phone given you know their package names.
That being said, if the apps are developed and deployed independently, then it does seem against some paradigm to require the end users to install multiple apps just to get the full functionality of what you are independently developing.
I have been messing around with android programming for the last couple of months,
now after developing a couple of apps I would like to extend exisiting android app so that I can change their menues add more features etc.
for that I have two questions:
1. Can i upload such a "driver" to the android market as an app? even after it gets installed all it do is add more features to the android OS?
2. where can I get more info about how and what should I read\learn for my purpose?
Tnx in advance.
if you want to make certain expansions to system apps, well... it's difficult. You will have to do that by editing the system app and adding new smali code for functionality. The problem is, that it will work only on your phone, on or phones with the exact system. For example, if you want to add new functionality to Phone.apk from a samsung phone, the resulting app will work only on samsung phones that have an identical Phone.apk. Besides, the phone must be rooted and the installation can't be done from Play... because it can't replace a system app.
One other thing to consider, for replacing functionality inside apps is Xposed Framework
You can read more about that, there.
In conclusion, it's not easy or pleasant to waste your time expanding system apps. You can try to develop new mods for CM for example.