Develop Reference

Remember/Forget device function on android app

I am building an app which connects & then controls a device.
I am wanting to add a remember device function and forget device function so the user can stick to one device or switch.
I am new to android so any help on how to implement this would be great.

You can keep the information in SharedPreferences. If you are connecting to a Bluetooth device then you need to remember the Mac address of the device.
Store and retrieve the info using the following functions.
public static void addDataToSharedPrefsString(String key, String value,Context context) {
SharedPreferences.Editor sharedPreferences = PreferenceManager
.getDefaultSharedPreferences(
context).edit();
sharedPreferences.putString(key, value);
sharedPreferences.commit();
}
public static String getDataFromSharedPrefString(String key,Context context) {
SharedPreferences preferences = PreferenceManager
.getDefaultSharedPreferences(context);
String value = preferences.getString
(key, "");
return value;
}
Add to shared pref by
addDataToSharedPrefsString("macAddress", "MAC123q4e",context);
get the shared value by
getDataFromSharedPrefString("macAddress",context);
if you want to delete an existing item in shared pref, set the value null.
addDataToSharedPrefsString("key", null,context);
I hope this is your requirement and this solution would help you.

SharedPreferences always get default value in my existing app but when created new app its ok

SharedPreferences doesn't work correct in one existing apps. I tried many different ways but still not working. Always get default values app start again.
It's working when I use same code in created new app.
It's working all of other existing apps.
Do you know why?
String default_user = "Default_User";
SharedPreferences pref = this.getSharedPreferences("TEST_SHAREDPREF", MODE_PRIVATE);
String user = pref.getString("user", default_user);
Log.d("SHARED CHECK", user);
if (user.equals(default_user)) {
SharedPreferences.Editor edit = pref.edit();
edit.putString("user", "new_user");
boolean ok = edit.commit();
user = pref.getString("user", default_user);
Log.d("SHARED WRITE", user);
Toast.makeText(this, user + " Save process: " + ok, Toast.LENGTH_LONG).show();
} else {
Log.d("SHARED READ", user);
Toast.makeText(this, "READ SharedPrefs: " + user, Toast.LENGTH_LONG).show();
}
EDIT: log results
that block always return this for which is incorrect app and I don't know why
//first run
SHARED CHECK Default_User
SHARED WRITE new_user
//each time after first
SHARED CHECK Default_User
SHARED WRITE new_user
That block always return this for which are all apps
//first run
SHARED CHECK Default_User
SHARED WRITE new_user
//each time after first
SHARED CHECK new_user
SHARED READ new_user

When you call apply() or commit() the changes are first saved to the app's memory cache and then Android attempts to write those changes onto the disk. What is happening here is that your commit() call is failing on the disk but the changes are still made to the app's memory cache, as is visible in the source.
It is not enough to read the value from the SharedPreferences as that value might not reflect the true value that is on the disk but only that stored in the memory cache.
What you are failing to do is to check the boolean value returned from the commit() call, it is probably false for your problematic case. You could retry the commit() call a couple of times if false is returned.

Just use below method and check.
Create one Java class AppTypeDetails.java
import android.content.Context;
import android.content.SharedPreferences;
import android.preference.PreferenceManager;
public class AppTypeDetails {
private SharedPreferences sh;
private AppTypeDetails() {
}
private AppTypeDetails(Context mContext) {
sh = PreferenceManager.getDefaultSharedPreferences(mContext);
}
private static AppTypeDetails instance = null;
public synchronized static AppTypeDetails getInstance(Context mContext) {
if (instance == null) {
instance = new AppTypeDetails(mContext);
}
return instance;
}
// get user status
public String getUser() {
return sh.getString("user", "");
}
public void setUser(String user) {
sh.edit().putString("user", user).commit();
}
// Clear All Data
public void clear() {
sh.edit().clear().commit();
}
}
Now Set value to SharedPreferences.
AppTypeDetails.getInstance(MainActivity.this).setUser(<user name>);
Get Value form SharedPreferences.
String userName = AppTypeDetails.getInstance(MainActivity.this).getUser();
Now do any thing with the userName.
Always check
if(userName.trim().isEmpty())
{
// Do anything here.
}
because In SharedPreferences we set user name blank ("")
or
you can set user name null in SharedPreferences then you need check
if(userName != null){
//do anything here
}
For clear data from SharedPreferences.
AppTypeDetails.getInstance(MainActivity.this).setUser("");
or
AppTypeDetails.getInstance(MainActivity.this).clear();

One thing you could try is to get a new SharedPreference instance after committing and see what happens:
SharedPreferences pref = this.getSharedPreferences("test", MODE_PRIVATE);
String user = pref.getString("user", default_user);
if (user.equals(default_user)) {
pref.edit().putString("user", "new_user").commit();
SharedPreferences newPref = this.getSharedPreferences("test", MODE_PRIVATE);
user = newPref.getString("user", default_user);
}
Your editor is committing a new preference map into disk, but it is possible that the old SharedPreference instance is not notified of the change.

Instead of using edit.commit();, you should use edit.apply();. Apply
will update the preference object instantly and will save the new
values asynchronously, so allowing you to read the latest values.
Source - Also read detailed difference between commit() and apply() in this SO Post.
The "Source" post referenced above also states pretty much the same problem and switching to apply() seems to have resolved the issue there.
Problem statement in the referenced post:
The problem is that when I am accessing this values, it is not
returning updated values, it gives me a value of SharedPreferences.
But when I am confirming the data in XML file ,the data updated in
that.
PS: And the reason that the same code block is not working on this one app and working on all other apps could also be that you are either using the block at different places or updating the value somewhere else too.

Your code is right, the code works on any app very well, looks like that in some part of your app the shared preferences are been modified, the only way to find a solution is review all your code, because if this problem only happens on one app, it's somewhere on your app that the shared preferences are been modified, for good practices, you should have only one file class for the management of your preferences on that way you can comment or find usage for a method and you can find where the shared preferences was been modified.
BTW the best way to store an user, password, or any account info is using Account Manager.
For good practices you can see this sample PreferenceHelper class.
public class PreferencesHelper {
public static final String DEFAULT_STRING_VALUE = "default_value";
/**
* Returns Editor to modify values of SharedPreferences
* #param context Application context
* #return editor instance
*/
private static Editor getEditor(Context context){
return getPreferences(context).edit();
}
/**
* Returns SharedPreferences object
* #param context Application context
* #return shared preferences instance
*/
private static SharedPreferences getPreferences(Context context){
String name = "YourAppPreferences";
return context.getSharedPreferences(name,
Context.MODE_PRIVATE);
}
/**
* Save a string on SharedPreferences
* #param tag tag
* #param value value
* #param context Application context
*/
public static void putString(String tag, String value, Context context) {
Editor editor = getEditor(context);
editor.putString(tag, value);
editor.commit();
}
/**
* Get a string value from SharedPreferences
* #param tag tag
* #param context Application context
* #return String value
*/
public static String getString(String tag, Context context) {
SharedPreferences sharedPreferences = getPreferences(context);
return sharedPreferences.getString(tag, DEFAULT_STRING_VALUE);
}}

I used the below code pattern in one of my app and I always get the latest value stored in SharedPreferences. Below is the edited version for your problem:
public class AppPreference
implements
OnSharedPreferenceChangeListener {
private static final String USER = "User";
private static final String DEFAULT_USER = "Default_User";
private Context mContext;
private String mDefaultUser;
private SharedPreferences mPref;
private static AppPreference mInstance;
/**
* hide it.
*/
private AppPreference(Context context) {
mContext = context;
mPref = PreferenceManager.getDefaultSharedPreferences(context);
mPref.registerOnSharedPreferenceChangeListener(this);
reloadPreferences();
}
/**
* #param context
* #return single instance of shared preferences.
*/
public static AppPreference getInstance(Context context) {
return mInstance == null ?
(mInstance = new AppPreference(context)) :
mInstance;
}
/**
* #return value of default user
*/
public String getDefaultUser() {
return mDefaultUser;
}
/**
* Set value for default user
*/
public void setDefaultUser(String user) {
mDefaultUser = user;
mPref.edit().putString(USER, mDefaultUser).apply();
}
/**
* Reloads all values if preference values are changed.
*/
private void reloadPreferences() {
mDefaultUser = mPref.getString(USER, DEFAULT_USER);
// reload all your preferences value here
}
#Override
public void onSharedPreferenceChanged(SharedPreferences sharedPreferences, String key) {
reloadPreferences();
}
}
You can set the value as below in your activity:
AppPreference.getInstance(this).setDefaultUser("user_value");
To get the updated value for saved user, use below code:
String user = AppPreference.getInstance(this).getDefaultUser();
Hope this solution will fix the problem you are facing.

For saving and retrieving data from SharedPrefrence create a util type methods in your Utility class:
Below I have given code snippet for both the methods i.e for saving and retrieving SharedPrefrence data:
public class Utility {
public static void putStringValueInSharedPreference(Context context, String key, String value) {
SharedPreferences preferences = PreferenceManager.getDefaultSharedPreferences(context);
SharedPreferences.Editor editor = preferences.edit();
editor.putString(key, value);
editor.commit();
}
public static String getStringSharedPreference(Context context, String param) {
SharedPreferences preferences = PreferenceManager.getDefaultSharedPreferences(context);
return preferences.getString(param, "");
}
}
Now you just need to call Utility.putStringValueInSharedPreference(Activity_Context,KEY,VALUE); to put data in prefrence and Utility.getStringSharedPreference(Activity_Context,KEY); to get value from prefrence.
This methodology reduces chances of error; May this will be helpful for you.

I recommend controlling your preference check with another preference value.
String user = pref.getString("user", default_user);
In your preference check:
String getStatus = pref.getString("register", "nil");
if (getStatus.equals("true")) {
// move on code stuff
}
else{
// ask for preferences
}
In the part where the preference is added.
edit.putString("user", "new_user");
editor.putString("register", "true");
edit.commit;

Don't know if this is correct or not, but you can implement a Shared preference change listener and you can log in that and check if the shared preference is not called again in any other class, which is again setting the value to Default user.
I Mean you got to make sure that there is no other code resetting the value of user.

The code itself looks fine and you say it works in other apps. Since you have confirmed the XML file gets properly created, the only remaining option is that something happens to the file before you read it during app launch. If there is no other code in the app that handles any shared preferences, then something must wipe the file during the launch.
You should take careful look at launch configuration of this particular app and compare to other apps where this is working. Maybe there is some option that wipes user data when app is started. I know there is such an option at least for emulator (in Eclipse), but I am not sure if you are running this in emulator or device.
You should also try launching the app directly from the device instead of IDE. This tells if the problem is in the app itself or IDE configuration. And try moving this from onCreate (where I presume this is) to onResume and compare does it work when you resume to the app versus when you completely restart it.

Finally I solved that problem.
A method was added by one of other developers.
All files under data/data/packageName folder except libs folder were being deleted by this method.
I think they tried delete cache folder.
Removed this method and it solved.

Android: Unbale to save boolean in SharedPreferences

Hey guys I am unable to save a boolean value using SharedPreferences. The value is ALWAYS true for some reasons. Here is how I save the value:
public static void setSharedPreference(Context ctx, String keyValue, boolean value){
SharedPreferences sp = ctx.getSharedPreferences(Constants._preferencesName, Context.MODE_PRIVATE);
SharedPreferences.Editor editor = sp.edit();
editor.putBoolean(keyValue,value);
editor.commit();
}
And this is how I get it back:
public static boolean getBooleanPreference(Context ctx, String keyValue){
boolean prefValue;
SharedPreferences sp = ctx.getSharedPreferences(Constants._preferencesName, ctx.MODE_PRIVATE);
prefValue = sp.getBoolean(keyValue, false);
return prefValue;
}
What is wrong?!

Your code is syntactically correct, but I suspect you are passing different Context while saving than you are passing while reading from prefs. This will result in accessing different shared preferences storage. This is especially easy to step on if you are doing your writes and reads in different activities and decide to pass this as context. Unless there's a reason for doing so then you most likely want to reach your preferences from anywhere in your app then use always application context instead (getApplicationContext()).

Everything is correct in your code.
The ONLY possibility of a mistake is when you are calling these methods. Please use getApplicationContext() while putting and retrieving data.
And please do a "Clear data" for the app and start with a clean SharedPreference.

Android : How to store a generated ID and recall it the next app run?

Every time my app starts an ID is generated by my program. Since each time it generates a different ID , I want to save the ID somewhere before exiting the program so I can use it again when the program runs later.
Sample ID : 125469
Note : I rather to not save it in file but some else.

Even a better solution would be to use GreenDAO here are some examples
https://github.com/greenrobot/greenDAO
https://github.com/octa-george/Android-GreenDao-Sample
GreenDAO is a light & fast ORM solution for Android that maps objects to SQLite databases. Being highly optimized for Android, greenDAO offers great performance and consumes minimal memory.
You only need the greendao jar
public class MyDaoGenerator {
public static void main(String args[]) throws Exception {
Schema schema = new Schema(1, "ro.octa.greendaosample.dao");
createSchema(schema);
new DaoGenerator().generateAll(schema, "C:/GreenDaoSchema");
}
private static void createSchema(Schema schema) {
Entity user = schema.addEntity("DBUser");
user.addIdProperty().primaryKey().autoincrement();
user.addStringProperty("email").notNull().unique();
user.addStringProperty("password").notNull();
}
After a few lines of code you have the model generated for autoincrement id, email and password.

You can use SharedPreferences or you can use SQLite database for storing purposes.

You can do it like that:
private SharedPreferences prefs;
...
...
private void initializeFromPreference() {
prefs = PreferenceManager.getDefaultSharedPreferences(getApplicationContext());
myId = prefs.getInt("myId", myId );
}
...
...
public void onDestroy() {
SharedPreferences.Editor editor = prefs.edit();
editor.putInt("myId", myId );
editor.commit();
super.onDestroy();
}
i wouldnt use a database for a single value, Sharedpreferences is a good way to do so

You can Use SharedPreferences to store your id
SharedPreferences prefs=this.getSharedPreferences("yourPrefsKey", Context.MODE_PRIVATE);
Editor edit=prefs.edit();
//to store value
edit.putInt("Your Id Name", Id Value).commit();
//to get value
int id=prefs.getInt("Your Id Name", 0);

Here's the simple way, I can think of :)
public static SharedPreferences sharedpreferences;
sharedpreferences = getSharedPreferences("MyIds", Context.MODE_PRIVATE);
if (sharedpreferences.contains("id"))
{
String id = sharedpreferences.getString("id", "");
// *Use existing id and enjoy* ;)
}
else{
// *Generate New ID (yourID)*
Editor editor = sharedpreferences.edit();
editor.putString("id", yourID);
editor.commit();
}

android default values for shared preferences

I am trying to understand the SharedPreferences of Android. I am a beginner
and don't know a lot about it.
I have this class I implemented for my app Preferences
public class Preferences {
public static final String MY_PREF = "MyPreferences";
private SharedPreferences sharedPreferences;
private Editor editor;
public Preferences(Context context) {
this.sharedPreferences = context.getSharedPreferences(MY_PREF, 0);
this.editor = this.sharedPreferences.edit();
}
public void set(String key, String value) {
this.editor.putString(key, value);
this.editor.commit();
}
public String get(String key) {
return this.sharedPreferences.getString(key, null);
}
public void clear(String key) {
this.editor.remove(key);
this.editor.commit();
}
public void clear() {
this.editor.clear();
this.editor.commit();
}
}
The thing is that I would like to set default preferences. They would be set when the app is installed and could be modified after by the application and stay persistent.
I heard about a preferences.xml but I don't understand the process.
Could someone help me?
Thanks for you time

Simple, if you want a separate default value for each variable, you need to do it for each one, but on your method:
public String get(String key) {
return this.sharedPreferences.getString(key,"this is your default value");
}
If the variable was never accessed by the user or was never created, the system will set the default value as value and if you or the user changed this value, the default value is ignored. See http://developer.android.com/guide/topics/data/data-storage.html#pref
Directly from the Android Documentation:
The SharedPreferences class provides a general framework that allows
you to save and retrieve persistent key-value pairs of primitive data
types. You can use SharedPreferences to save any primitive data:
booleans, floats, ints, longs, and strings. This data will persist
across user sessions (even if your application is killed).

Could you use the default value parameter of the getX() method?
For example, to get a String called 'username', you could use this:
String username = prefs.getString("username_key", "DefaultUsername");
You can simply define your default values in your Preferences class.

You can store default values in string resource:
<string name="key_name">default_value</string>
and then get it as it follows:
int ResId = context.getResources().getIdentifier(key_name, "string", context.getPackageName()));
prefs.getString(key_name,context.getResources().getString(ResId);