Develop Reference

How to send a custom broadcast action to receivers in manifest?

MyReceiver.java
public class MyReceiver extends BroadcastReceiver {
#Override
public void onReceive(final Context context, final Intent intent) {
Log.i("MyReceiver", "MyAction received!");
}
}
In AndroidManifest.xml (under the application tag)
<receiver android:name=".MyReceiver">
<intent-filter>
<action android:name="MyAction" />
</intent-filter>
</receiver>
MainActivity.Java
public class MainActivity extends AppCompatActivity {
#Override
protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
sendBroadcast(new Intent("MyAction"));
}
}
MyReceiver.onReceive method is never triggered.
Did I miss something?

I use Android 8.
Then you have to use an explicit Intent, one that identifies the receiver, such as:
sendBroadcast(new Intent(this, MyReceiver.class).setAction("MyAction"));
See Broacast limitations in Android 8 release docs.

In Android 8 onwords
We need to provide the explicite class for handling i.e setcomponent param along with action
Example :
private void triggerBroadCast(String firstFavApp, String secondFavApp) {
Intent intent = new Intent("FavAppsUpdated");
intent.addFlags(Intent.FLAG_INCLUDE_STOPPED_PACKAGES);
intent.putExtra("FIRST_FAV_APP", firstFavApp);
intent.putExtra("SECOND_FAV_APP", secondFavApp);
intent.setComponent(new
ComponentName("com.android.systemui",
"com.android.systemui.statusbar.phone.FavAppsChanged"));
Log.i(TAG, "Trigger Fav Apps" + firstFavApp + " " + secondFavApp);
favouriteContract.getAppContext().sendBroadcast(intent);
}
Below Android 8
Only action is enough for receiving Broadcast
void broadCastParkingStates(Context context) {
Intent intent = new Intent("ReverseCameraStates");
intent.addFlags(Intent.FLAG_INCLUDE_STOPPED_PACKAGES);
intent.putExtra("PARKING_GUIDE", ReverseCameraPreference.getParkingGuide(context));
intent.putExtra("PARKING_SENSOR", ReverseCameraPreference.getParkingSensor(context));
intent.putExtra("TRAJECTORY", ReverseCameraPreference.getTrajectory(context));
Log.i("BootCompletedReceiver", "Sending Reverse Camera settings states BaordCast");
Log.i("BootCompletedReceiver", "States Parking:Sensor:Trajectory="
+ intent.getExtras().getBoolean("PARKING_GUIDE")
+ ":" + intent.getExtras().getBoolean("PARKING_SENSOR")
+ ":" + intent.getExtras().getBoolean("TRAJECTORY")
);
context.sendBroadcast(intent);
}

If you have multiple receivers, you can send broadcast to all the receivers using only custom action defined in manifest for that you need to add the following flag while sending broadcast
Note: I have used adb to test it on Android 10, you can add it in application
FLAG_RECEIVER_INCLUDE_BACKGROUND = 0x01000000
adb shell am broadcast -a MyAction -f 0x01000000

In Kotlin:
val intent = Intent(this, MyBroadCastReceiver::class.java)
intent.addCategory(Intent.CATEGORY_DEFAULT)
intent.action = "my.custom.broadcast"
sendBroadcast(intent)

Change the MainActivity's code as follows:
Intent intent = new Intent(this, MyReceiver.class);
intent.setAction("MyAction");
sendBroadcast(intent);

The string itself does not matter, just need to be the same in all places and unique, I use fully qualified name of the constant.
<receiver android:name="com.mypackage.receivers.MyBroadcastReceiver">
<intent-filter>
<action android:name="com.mypackage.receivers.MyBroadcastReceiver.ACTION_CUSTOM"/>
</intent-filter>
</receiver>
The receiver:
package com.mypackage.receivers;
public class MyBroadcastReceiver extends BroadcastReceiver {
public static final String ACTION_CUSTOM = "com.mypackage.receivers.MyBroadcastReceiver.ACTION_CUSTOM";
#Override
public void onReceive(Context context, Intent intent) {
if (ACTION_CUSTOM.equals(intent.getAction())) {
// do custom action
}
}
}
To broadcast the intent:
sendBroadcast(new Intent(MyBroadcastReceiver.ACTION_CUSTOM));

Missing 'extras' data in intent

I am sending intent from "activity" to a receiver in "service" (and pass the data). My code has activity and service (that has reciever). Receiver is declared as follows
<receiver android:name="xxx"
android:enabled="true" >
<intent-filter>
<action android:name="android.intent.action.PHONE_STATE" />
<!-- protected intents meant for os and not for us <action android:name="android.intent.action.ACTION_NEW_OUTGOING_CALL" android:priority="0" /> -->
</intent-filter>
</receiver>
Activity is defined as follows
<activity
android:name=".MainActivity"
android:label="#string/app_name"
android:launchMode="singleTask"
android:screenOrientation="portrait" >
<intent-filter>
<action android:name="android.intent.action.MAIN" />
<category android:name="android.intent.category.LAUNCHER" />
</intent-filter>
</activity>
I reviewed
Use an intent to send data to my activity
Intent I am invoking is the call intent and passing the destination call number, with the following code
Log.e(TAG,"Calling "+number);
Intent callIntent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_CALL); //ACTION_NEW_OUTGOING_CALL is deprecated in API 21, hence ACTION_CALL
callIntent.putExtra("PHONE_NUMBER",number);
number = "tel:"+number;
callIntent.setData(Uri.parse(number));
startActivity(callIntent);
Above code successfully makes a telephone call from my app. I also have a receiver to intercept the calls and the reciever intercepts the above call just fine. However 'extras' of above intent is missing in the receiver; I always get "PHONE_NUMBER" as null in the following code
#Override
public void onReceive(Context context, Intent intent) {
//blah blah..
savedNumber = intent.getExtras().getString("PHONE_NUMBER");
if(savedNumber == null)
savedNumber = intent.getStringExtra("PHONE_NUMBER");
Log.e(TAG, " savedNumber = "+savedNumber);
}
What is my mistake and why is that I get the intent in the reciever but the 'extras' is missing (as you may have noticed, I tried to get it both ways from intent)

Try this:
Intent intent = context.getIntent();
savedNumber = intent.getStringExtra("PHONE_NUMBER");

getIntent() is method of Activity class. You can see in the onReceive() method has an intent argument, you get string from this.
String number = null;
number = intent.getStringExtra("PHONE_NUMBER");
But i read on this article: How to pass Extra to BroadcastReceiver, when initiating ACTION_CALL
Only the Android system itself can broadcast the NEW_OUTGOING_CALL Intent.
You can't add your own extras to this Intent. You'll need to come up with another way to do whatever it is you are trying to accomplish.

Start service like this-
Intent callIntent=new Intent(this, Service.class);
callIntent.putExtra("phonenumber",number);
this.startService(callIntent);
Then retrieve data from the service;
data=(String) intent.getExtras().get("phonenumber");
You can access your parameter from either the onHandleIntent or onStartCommand Intent parameter.
Service
protected void onStartCommand (Intent intent, int flags, int startId) {
data=(String) intent.getExtras().get("data");
}
IntentService
protected void onHandleIntent(Intent intent) {
data=(String) intent.getExtras().get("data");
}
It depends on which type of service you are running.

How to Send BroadCast from one app to another app

I have App A and App B. In App A I want to send broadcast to App B.
This is the code for App A:
final Intent intent = new Intent();
intent.setAction("com.pkg.perform.Ruby");
intent.putExtra("KeyName", "code1id");
intent.setComponent(new ComponentName("com.pkg.AppB", "com.pkg.AppB.MainActivity"));
sendBroadcast(intent);
And in App B - In MainActivity, I have MyBroadCastReceiver Class.
public class MainActivity extends Activity {
private MyBroadcastReceiver MyReceiver;
#Override
protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
setContentView(R.layout.activity_main);
// Receive broadcast from External App
IntentFilter intentFilter = new IntentFilter("com.pkg.perform.Ruby");
MyReceiver = new MyBroadcastReceiver();
if(intentFilter != null)
{
registerReceiver(MyReceiver, intentFilter);
}
}
public class MyBroadcastReceiver extends BroadcastReceiver
{
#Override
public void onReceive(Context context, Intent intent) {
Toast.makeText(MainActivity.this, "Data Received from External App", Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show();
}
}
#Override
protected void onDestroy() {
super.onDestroy();
if(MyReceiver != null)
unregisterReceiver(MyReceiver);
}
}
I am getting the error - Receiver is not registered.

First thing first declare the receiver in app B in the manifest file like this:
<receiver android:name=".MyBroadcastReceiver"
android:enabled="true"
android:exported="true">
<intent-filter>
<action android:name="com.pkg.perform.Ruby" />
</intent-filter>
</receiver>
when sending the broadcast add FLAG_INCLUDE_STOPPED_PACKAGES flag to the intent [src] because when you broadcast from app A to app B , app B might not be running, this flag insures that the broadcast reachs out even apps not running:
FLAG_INCLUDE_STOPPED_PACKAGES flag is added to the intent before it
is sent to indicate that the intent is to be allowed to start a
component of a stopped application.
intent.addFlags(Intent.FLAG_INCLUDE_STOPPED_PACKAGES);
In your case it will be like this:
final Intent intent=new Intent();
intent.setAction("com.pkg.perform.Ruby");
intent.putExtra("KeyName","code1id");
intent.addFlags(Intent.FLAG_INCLUDE_STOPPED_PACKAGES);
intent.setComponent(
new ComponentName("com.pkg.AppB","com.pkg.AppB.MyBroadcastReceiver"));
sendBroadcast(intent);

In App A: Send the broadcast here.
final Intent i= new Intent();
i.putExtra("data", "Some data");
i.setAction("com.pkg.perform.Ruby");
i.addFlags(Intent.FLAG_INCLUDE_STOPPED_PACKAGES);
getApplicationContext().sendBroadcast(i);
In App B manifest
<receiver android:name=".MyBroadcastReceiver"
android:enabled="true"
android:exported="true">
<intent-filter>
<action android:name="com.pkg.perform.Ruby" />
</intent-filter>
</receiver>
In App B MainActivity: register the receiver oncreate(), and unregister onDestroy()
public class MainActivity extends AppCompatActivity
{
private MyBroadcastReceiver MyReceiver;
#Override
protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState)
{
super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
setContentView(R.layout.activity_main);
MyReceiver = new MyBroadcastReceiver();
IntentFilter intentFilter = new IntentFilter("com.pkg.perform.Ruby");
if(intentFilter != null)
{
registerReceiver(MyReceiver, intentFilter);
}
}
#Override
protected void onDestroy()
{
super.onDestroy();
if(MyReceiver != null)
unregisterReceiver(MyReceiver);
}
}
In App B BroadcastReceiver
public class MyBroadcastReceiver extends BroadcastReceiver
{
#Override
public void onReceive(Context context, Intent intent)
{
String data = intent.getStringExtra("data");
Log.i("BR" ,"Data received: " + data);
}
}

There may be two cases :
Your appB is not running, hence the activity is not instantiated, and so the receiver is not registered.
Your activity is destroyed, means that you have unregistered your receiver that you registered via registerReceiver() in onCreate()
Solution :
Register your broadcast receiver in manifest.
Inside manifest of appB :
<receiver android:name=".MyBroadcastReceiver">
<intent-filter>
<action android:name="com.pkg.perform.Ruby" />
</intent-filter>
</receiver>
And comment out the line in appA
intent.setComponent(new ComponentName("com.pkg.AppB","com.pkg.AppB.MainActivity"));
Write the logic in MyBroadcastReceiver to display relevant data/launch new activity

MyReceiver is class not object. Create
myReceiver = new MyReceiver();
and put...........
registerReceiver(myReceiver,intentFilter);

If this helps some one and it works for me
In App A in activity or in a content provider-
Intent intent = new Intent("Updated");
intent.addFlags(Intent.FLAG_INCLUDE_STOPPED_PACKAGES);
intent.setComponent (new
ComponentName "com.exam.appA",
"com.exam.appA.DbaseChanged"));
getContext().sendBroadcast(intent);
In App B in the manifest
<receiver
android:name=".DbaseChanged"
android:enabled="true"
android:exported="true">
<intent-filter>
<action android:name="Updated" />
</intent-filter>
</receiver>
In App B Broadcast receiver class-
public class DbaseChanged extends BroadcastReceiver {
#Override
public void onReceive(Context context, Intent
intent) {
String act = intent.getAction();
if(act != null && act.equals("Updated") )
{
Toast.makeText(context, act ,
Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show();
}
}
}

I needed to call setPackage("package_name") to ensure explicitness when I registered the broadcast receiver in the Manifest. I was then able to receive the data even if the app was closed completely.
// sending app sends broadcast
Intent intent = new Intent(ACTION_RECOMMEND);
intent.putExtra(LISTEN_RECOMMENDATION, "Triggered - Jhene Aiko");
intent.putExtra(WATCH_RECOMMENDATION, "Goblin - Kim Go-eun");
intent.setPackage("com.example.package.receiverapp");
sendBroadcast(intent);
//receiving app manifest registers receiver
<receiver
android:name=".ManifestRegisteredBroadcastReceiver"
android:exported="true">
<intent-filter>
<action android:name="com.random.action.RECOMMEND" />
</intent-filter>
</receiver>
I didn't need to add intent.setPackage(package_name) when registering the receiver via an activity, but this also meant that I couldn't get the data if the activity was destroyed (app closed, app in background for long period)

Pass a string from an Android Java activity to a broadcast receiver

I have spent the last couple of hours looking through other questions on this topic and none that I found were able to give me any answers.
What is the best way to pass a string from an activity to a broadcast receiver in the background?
Here is my main activity
public class AppActivity extends DroidGap {
SmsReceiver mSmsReceiver = new SmsReceiver();
public void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
ScrollView scroll;
scroll = new ScrollView(this);
Bundle bundle = getIntent().getExtras();
final String ownAddress = bundle.getString("variable");
registerReceiver(mSmsReceiver, new IntentFilter("MyReceiver"));
Intent intent = new Intent("MyReceiver");
intent.putExtra("passAddress", ownAddress);
sendBroadcast(intent);
Log.v("Example", "ownAddress: " + ownAddress);
}
}
Here is my broadcast receiver
public class AppReceiver extends BroadcastReceiver {
public void onReceive(Context context, Intent intent) {
final String ownAddress = intent.getStringExtra("passAddress");
Toast test = Toast.makeText(context,""+ownAddress,Toast.LENGTH_LONG);
test.show();
Log.v("Example", "ownAddress: " + ownAddress);
}
}
Here is the manifest for my receiver
<service android:name=".MyService" android:enabled="true"/>
<receiver android:name="AppReceiver">
<intent-filter android:priority="2147483647">
<action android:name="android.provider.Telephony.SMS_SENT"/>
<action android:name="android.intent.action.BOOT_COMPLETED" />
</intent-filter>
<receiver>
<service android:name=".MyServiceSentReceived" android:enabled="true"/>
<receiver android:name="AppReceiver">
<intent-filter android:priority="2147483645">
<action android:name="android.provider.Telephony.SMS_RECEIVED"/>
<action android:name="android.intent.action.BOOT_COMPLETED" />
</intent-filter>
</receiver>
When the broadcast receiver logs an event the app crashes. I need to have it run behind the scenes and pull a string from my main activity.
Can anyone help me with this or point me in the right direction?

Addition from comments and chat
Your String ownAddress will always be null unless the Intent has an String with the key passAddress in the the Bundle extras. Anytime your Receiver catches an Intent (whether from SMS_SENT, SMS_RECEIVED, or BOOT_COMPLETED) ownAddress will be null because the OS doesn't provide a String extra named passAddress. Hope that clears things up.
Original Answer
I haven't used DroidGap but this is what you want for a regular Android Activity.
Activity:
public class AppActivity extends Activity {
AppReceiver mAppReceiver = new AppReceiver();
public void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
registerReceiver(mAppReceiver, new IntentFilter("MyReceiver"));
String string = "Pass me.";
Intent intent = new Intent("MyReceiver");
intent.putExtra("string", string);
sendBroadcast(intent);
}
}
Receiver:
public class AppReceiver extends BroadcastReceiver {
public void onReceive(Context context, Intent intent) {
Toast.makeText(context, intent.getStringExtra("string"), Toast.LENGTH_LONG).show();
}
}
Don't forget to unregister the receiver in onDestroy(), like this:
#Override
protected void onDestroy() {
unregisterReceiver(mAppReceiver);
super.onDestroy();
}

Pass a value from activity to broadcastreceiver and start a service from the broadcast receiver

I have an activity. It contains a button whose text changes dynamically. I would like to pass this text to my broadcast receiver which receives the sms. Now my broadcast receiver should receive the text and based on the text it should start or stop a service. How to do this?

if your BroadcastReceiver is defined in a separate class file, then you may simply broadcast the value to that receiver. Once the value is received, do the magic for service by using receiver's context
Update:
in your activity:
Intent in = new Intent("my.action.string");
in.putExtra("state", "activated");
sendBroadcast(in);
in your receiver:
#Override
public void onReceive(Context context, Intent intent) {
String action = intent.getAction();
Log.i("Receiver", "Broadcast received: " + action);
if(action.equals("my.action.string")){
String state = intent.getExtras().getString("state");
//do your stuff
}
}
in manifest xml:
<receiver android:name=".YourBroadcastReceiver" android:enabled="true">
<intent-filter>
<action android:name="android.provider.Telephony.SMS_RECEIVED" />
<action android:name="my.action.string" />
<!-- and some more actions if you want -->
</intent-filter>
</receiver>

You can have your activity send an intent to the receiver, and pass the text as an extra
Intent i= new Intent(this, YourReceiver.class);
i.putExtra("txt", "the string value");
startActivity(i)
And then in your receiver, start the service using the startService function