Extending android built in apps - android

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.

Related

Is it possible to build Android Automotive apps using common UI layouts like those for mobile phones?

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.

How can I organize already installed Android apps in groups (folders)?

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.

Way(s) to make Android app only close-able by password?

For a POS system is there a way or ways to make an application harder to close?
The desire is to have employees be able to use the device and the application, but not use other applications.
The implementation does not necessarily require a password. So far the answers I have seen on similar questions suggest this is not possible. Except in Lollipop per this question : How to make an app unclosable?
Are there any options for older APIs?
Or am I just out of luck?
That is not possible as a feature of the API since the Android system is in control of what is executed or stopped. And that could mean that your app gets stopped for a number of reasons.
To achieve what you are asking for you will need to create your own distribution of the system. I have no experience of doing that but it basically means creating a rom and distribute it.
That would of course be an option if the device running the POS app is only used for that particular task.

Create a code that installs an application and runs only that application

I need a device that runs only one custom application and does not allow the Users to access any other features. Building a complete device would involve a lot of time and money for sure(only if this can be done with android). This can usually done for each android device seperately. It could be better if there could be simply a piece of code that can be simply executed on the device that installs the application and at the same time restricts the device as per requirement.
Could someone advice me a way to implement in the Android devices. Is it something possible :(
Would also like to know if the same is possible with iOS..
Thanks..
If you want to be absolutely sure that users cannot do anything but accessing one specific app, the only way to do this is to create a custom ROM that allows to install your app only.

How to execute apk inside another apk

i'm developing an app that runs in some tablets. these tablets are rooted and the user that uses that can't go out the single app that tablet run. If i want to use an external app inside my app is possible? Like an emulator inside my app.. Thanks!
Technically to run android application inside android application you need and android emulator on your Android device, which needs lots of CPU, and is neither implemented now, nor a good solution for any problem that you may be facing. Theoretically it's possible but technically - very complicated and to my mind useless.
You should try to find a more elegant solution rather than this. The simplest thing you can do is to make incapsulated switching mechanism between your restricted apps or think about solution how this apps can be integrated.

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