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How can I programmatically hide app icon after the installation in android , then access thru secret code like *#*#numbers*#*#?

I am new to android programming and I want my app to hide application icon after installation. I will use the code for my thesis. Thank you.

First, you have to make a receiver like this..
public class MyReceiver extends BroadcastReceiver {
#Override
public void onReceive(Context context, Intent intent) {
String phoneNubmer = intent.getStringExtra(Intent.EXTRA_PHONE_NUMBER);
if (LAUNCHER_NUMBER.equals("**11**")) {
PackageManager p = context.getPackageManager();
ComponentName componentName = new ComponentName(context, MainActivity.class);
p.setComponentEnabledSetting(componentName, PackageManager.COMPONENT_ENABLED_STATE_DISABLED, PackageManager.DONT_KILL_APP);
} else if (LAUNCHER_NUMBER.equals("**22**")) {
ComponentName componentToEnable = new ComponentName(getApplicationContext(), MainActivity.class);
PackageManager pm = getApplicationContext().getPackageManager();
pm.setComponentEnabledSetting(componentToEnable, PackageManager.COMPONENT_ENABLED_STATE_ENABLED, PackageManager.DONT_KILL_APP);
}
}
}
Add this Permission to manifest.
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.PROCESS_OUTGOING_CALLS" />
Register it to manifest file.
<receiver android:name=".MyReceiver" >
<intent-filter>
<action android:name="android.intent.action.NEW_OUTGOING_CALL" />
</intent-filter>
</receiver>
Enjoy Coding...

Hide icon of installed app in android

i cant hide the Installed app in android .. i used below code..
disableDrawerIcon("com.androglobe.androrec");
public void disableDrawerIcon(String component) {
try {
PackageManager pm = this.getPackageManager();
Intent mainIntent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_MAIN, null);
mainIntent.addCategory(Intent.CATEGORY_LAUNCHER);
List<ResolveInfo> appList = pm.queryIntentActivities(mainIntent, 0);
Collections.sort(appList, new ResolveInfo.DisplayNameComparator(pm));
ComponentName componentName = null;
for (ResolveInfo temp : appList) {
if (temp.activityInfo.packageName.equals(component)) {
componentName = new ComponentName(component,
temp.activityInfo.name);
Log.v(TAG, ""+temp.activityInfo.name);
}
}
if (componentName != null) {
pm.setComponentEnabledSetting(componentName,
PackageManager.COMPONENT_ENABLED_STATE_DISABLED,
PackageManager.DONT_KILL_APP);
Log.v(TAG, "Icon disabled");
}
} catch(Exception e) {
e.printStackTrace();
Log.v(TAG, "ERROR");
}
}
So please help me....
thanks in advance...

If you don't want to have a launcher icon on your app just don't put the "LAUNCHER" category in any activity of the "AndroidManifest.xml" file. The category looks like this:
<category android:name="android.intent.category.LAUNCHER" />

Remove
<intent-filter>
<action android:name="android.intent.action.MAIN" />
<category android:name="android.intent.category.LAUNCHER" />
</intent-filter>
From your manifest for all activities.

How to remove icon programatically (Android)

By remove the below intent-filter in AndroidManifest.xml, it can remove the icon after install.
<intent-filter>
<action android:name="android.intent.action.MAIN" />
<category android:name="android.intent.category.LAUNCHER" />
</intent-filter>
But i have try the below when on Boot than remove the Icon, but the icon still remain after reboot. I have add the permission, and this reboot receiver is work.
public class BootBroadcastReceiver extends BroadcastReceiver {
#Override
public void onReceive(Context context, Intent intent) {
PackageManager p = context.getApplicationContext().getPackageManager();
ComponentName componentName = new ComponentName("com.example.removeicon","com.example.removeicon.LauncherActivity");
p.setComponentEnabledSetting(componentName,PackageManager.COMPONENT_ENABLED_STATE_DISABLED, PackageManager.DONT_KILL_APP);
}
}
Or Put the Boot on service and AndroidManifest.xml intent-filter is not remove, the service is run and work.
package com.example.removeicon;
#Override
public int onStartCommand(Intent intent, int flags, int startId) {
PackageManager p = getPackageManager();
ComponentName componentName = new ComponentName("com.example.removeicon","com.example.removeicon.LauncherActivity");
p.setComponentEnabledSetting(componentName,PackageManager.COMPONENT_ENABLED_STATE_DISABLED, PackageManager.DONT_KILL_APP);
startService();
}

PackageManager p = getPackageManager();
ComponentName componentName = new ComponentName("com.example.removeicon","com.example.removeicon.LauncherActivity");
p.setComponentEnabledSetting(componentName,
PackageManager.COMPONENT_ENABLED_STATE_DISABLED, PackageManager.DONT_KILL_APP);
Note that the icon may not be gone until the next reboot.

try this below code, this one worked for me
PackageManager p = ctx.getPackageManager();
p.setComponentEnabledSetting(((Activity)ctx).getComponentName(),
PackageManager.COMPONENT_ENABLED_STATE_DISABLED, PackageManager.DONT_KILL_APP);

Hide application icon

I am doing an Android application. I want to hide the application icon in the emulator and I want to start my application by pressing some numbers, for instance 456#. Is there a way to do this?

To Hide app icon from launcher programatically you can do this
PackageManager packageManager = context.getPackageManager();
ComponentName componentName = new ComponentName(context,
LauncherActivity.class);
packageManager.setComponentEnabledSetting(componentName, PackageManager.COMPONENT_ENABLED_STATE_DISABLED,
PackageManager.DONT_KILL_APP);
To launch app by pressing number
first add folowing permission in mainfest file
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.PROCESS_OUTGOING_CALLS"/>
Then register receiver
<receiver android:name=".LaunchAppViaDialReceiver">
<intent-filter>
<action android:name="android.intent.action.NEW_OUTGOING_CALL"/>
</intent-filter>
</receiver>
Then create a receiver class
public class LaunchAppViaDialReceiver extends BroadcastReceiver {
#Override
public void onReceive(Context context, Intent intent) {
// TODO Auto-generated method stub
Bundle bundle = intent.getExtras();
if (null == bundle)
return;
String phoneNubmer = intent.getStringExtra(Intent.EXTRA_PHONE_NUMBER);
//here change the number to your desired number
if (phoneNubmer.equals("12345")) {
setResultData(null);
Gaurdian.changeStealthMode(context,
PackageManager.COMPONENT_ENABLED_STATE_ENABLED);
Intent appIntent = new Intent(context, LauncherActivity.class);
appIntent.addFlags(Intent.FLAG_ACTIVITY_NEW_TASK);
context.startActivity(appIntent);
}
}

If you want to hide the app icon it's a good idea to show the icon first and let the user know how to start the app once the icon is gone. First create an activity-alias in the manifest and move your intent filter there. This way you can disable the icon without disabling the activity.
<activity
android:name=".MainActivity"
android:label="#string/app_name" >
</activity>
<activity-alias
android:name=".Launcher"
android:targetActivity=".MainActivity">
<intent-filter>
<action android:name="android.intent.action.MAIN" />
<category android:name="android.intent.category.LAUNCHER" />
</intent-filter>
</activity-alias>
Get the component name of the launcher alias using your package name:
private static final ComponentName LAUNCHER_COMPONENT_NAME = new ComponentName(
"your.package.name", "your.package.name.Launcher");
You can check if it's already disabled...
private boolean isLauncherIconVisible() {
int enabledSetting = getPackageManager()
.getComponentEnabledSetting(LAUNCHER_COMPONENT_NAME);
return enabledSetting != PackageManager.COMPONENT_ENABLED_STATE_DISABLED;
}
...and disable it when appropriate after giving the user information:
private void hideLauncherIcon() {
AlertDialog.Builder builder = new AlertDialog.Builder(this);
builder.setTitle("Important!");
builder.setMessage("To launch the app again, dial phone number 12345.");
builder.setPositiveButton(android.R.string.ok, new DialogInterface.OnClickListener() {
public void onClick(DialogInterface dialog, int which) {
getPackageManager().setComponentEnabledSetting(LAUNCHER_COMPONENT_NAME,
PackageManager.COMPONENT_ENABLED_STATE_DISABLED,
PackageManager.DONT_KILL_APP);
}
});
builder.setIcon(android.R.drawable.ic_dialog_alert);
builder.show();
}
To launch from the dialer create a broadcast receiver:
public class LaunchViaDialReceiver extends BroadcastReceiver {
private static final String LAUNCHER_NUMBER = "12345";
#Override
public void onReceive(Context context, Intent intent) {
String phoneNubmer = intent.getStringExtra(Intent.EXTRA_PHONE_NUMBER);
if (LAUNCHER_NUMBER.equals(phoneNubmer)) {
setResultData(null);
Intent appIntent = new Intent(context, MainActivity.class);
appIntent.addFlags(Intent.FLAG_ACTIVITY_NEW_TASK);
context.startActivity(appIntent);
}
}
}
Add it to the manifest:
<receiver android:name=".LaunchViaDialReceiver" >
<intent-filter>
<action android:name="android.intent.action.NEW_OUTGOING_CALL" />
</intent-filter>
</receiver>
And add the permission to the manifest:
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.PROCESS_OUTGOING_CALLS" />

The answer to the first part of your question, try this code:
PackageManager pm = getApplicationContext().getPackageManager();
pm.setComponentEnabledSetting(getComponentName(), PackageManager.COMPONENT_ENABLED_STATE_DISABLED, PackageManager.DONT_KILL_APP);
Your application will not be visible, but the user can still find it in the Settings >> Applications >> Manage Application
This answer may also be helpful for you.
Please do not forget to post your answer here, if you have already achieved the functionality(pressing some number & opening our application).

Note that the solution:
PackageManager pm = getApplicationContext().getPackageManager();
pm.setComponentEnabledSetting(getComponentName(), PackageManager.COMPONENT_ENABLED_STATE_DISABLED, PackageManager.DONT_KILL_APP);
will make the app NOT upgradeable from google play as the OS will not find the package after this component disabling and will not able to re-install it, unless the app is not manullay uninstalled (which is not a user friendly behaviour)

public class MainActivity extends Activity {
#Override
protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
setContentView(R.layout.activity_main);
hideapplication();
}
private void hideapplication() {
// TODO Auto-generated method stub
PackageManager pm = getApplicationContext().getPackageManager();
pm.setComponentEnabledSetting(getComponentName(), PackageManager.COMPONENT_ENABLED_STATE_DISABLED, PackageManager.DONT_KILL_APP);
}
}

Android - how to unregister a receiver created in the manifest?

I know about using registerReceiver and unregisterReceiver in Java code for dealing with receivers, but let's say I have the following in my manifest:
<receiver android:name=".headsetHook">
<intent-filter android:priority="99999999999">
<action android:name="android.intent.action.ACTION_HEADSET_PLUG" />
</intent-filter>
</receiver>
Is there a way I could unregister this somewhere in Java code? Could I give it an id attribute or something and then get it and unregister it? I ask because I want my app to do something only on the first time this action happens, then unregister it and re-register it later in Java.
Hope I made that clear, thanks for any help.

You can use the PackageManager to enable/disable a BroadcastReceiver in declared in the Manifest. The Broadcast Receiver will get fired only when it is enabled.
Use this to create a Component
ComponentName component = new ComponentName(context, MyReceiver.class);
Check if the Component is enabled or disabled
int status = context.getPackageManager().getComponentEnabledSetting(component);
if(status == PackageManager.COMPONENT_ENABLED_STATE_ENABLED) {
Log.d("receiver is enabled");
} else if(status == PackageManager.COMPONENT_ENABLED_STATE_DISABLED) {
Log.d("receiver is disabled");
}
Enable/Disable the component(Broadcast Receiver in your case)
//Disable
context.getPackageManager().setComponentEnabledSetting(component, PackageManager.COMPONENT_ENABLED_STATE_DISABLED , PackageManager.DONT_KILL_APP);
//Enable
context.getPackageManager().setComponentEnabledSetting(component, PackageManager.COMPONENT_ENABLED_STATE_ENABLED , PackageManager.DONT_KILL_APP);

Based on Varun's answer I've created this utilitarian method
private void unregisterReceiverFromManifest(Class<? extends BroadcastReceiver> clazz, final Context context) {
final ComponentName component = new ComponentName(context, clazz);
final int status = context.getPackageManager().getComponentEnabledSetting(component);
if(status == PackageManager.COMPONENT_ENABLED_STATE_ENABLED) {
context.getPackageManager()
.setComponentEnabledSetting(component, PackageManager.COMPONENT_ENABLED_STATE_DISABLED,
PackageManager.DONT_KILL_APP);
}
}