Unlock the Secrets of Quick Settings: How to startActivityAndCollapse(PendingIntent) on Android 14’s Locked Screen

Are you tired of navigating through multiple screens just to perform a simple task on your Android device? Do you want to take advantage of the quick settings feature on Android 14 to streamline your workflow? Look no further! In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into the world of PendingIntent and show you how to startActivityAndCollapse from the quick settings on the locked screen of Android 14.

What is PendingIntent?

A PendingIntent is a token that holds a reference to a target intent and the permission to use it. It’s like a “promise” to perform an action in the future, and it’s essential for scenarios where you need to delegate the execution of an intent to another app or service. In the context of quick settings, PendingIntent allows you to define an action that will be triggered when the user interacts with your tile.

Why Use startActivityAndCollapse?

The startActivityAndCollapse method is a convenient way to start an activity from a PendingIntent and collapse the quick settings panel simultaneously. This approach provides a seamless user experience, as the user can quickly perform an action without leaving the locked screen.

Step 1: Create a PendingIntent

To create a PendingIntent, you’ll need to define the intent that you want to trigger when the user interacts with your quick settings tile. You can do this using the following code:

Intent intent = new Intent(context, YourActivity.class);
PendingIntent pendingIntent = PendingIntent.getActivity(context, 0, intent, 0);

In this example, we’re creating an intent that will start the YourActivity activity, and then wrapping it in a PendingIntent using the getActivity method.

Step 2: Add a Tile to the Quick Settings

To add a tile to the quick settings, you’ll need to create a TileService that will provide the tile’s metadata and handle user interactions. Here’s an example implementation:

public class YourTileService extends TileService {
    @Override
    public void onTileAdded() {
        super.onTileAdded();
        // Create a tile with a label and an icon
        Tile tile = new Tile.Builder(this, YourTile.class).setLabel("Your Tile")
                .setIcon(Icon.createWithResource(this, R.drawable.your_icon))
                .build();
        getTileHost().addTile(tile);
    }

    @Override
    public void onClick(Tile tile) {
        // Handle the tile click event
        tile.set PendingIntent(pendingIntent);
    }
}

In this example, we’re creating a tile with a label and an icon, and adding it to the quick settings using the addTile method. We’re also overriding the onClick method to handle the tile click event and set the PendingIntent.

Step 3: Use startActivityAndCollapse

Now that you have a PendingIntent and a tile in the quick settings, you can use the startActivityAndCollapse method to start the activity and collapse the quick settings panel. Here’s an example implementation:

public class YourTileService extends TileService {
    @Override
    public void onClick(Tile tile) {
        // Start the activity and collapse the quick settings
        startActivityAndCollapse(pendingIntent);
    }
}

When the user clicks the tile, the startActivityAndCollapse method will start the activity associated with the PendingIntent and collapse the quick settings panel.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If you encounter any issues while implementing startActivityAndCollapse, here are some common solutions to try:

• Make sure you have the necessary permissions to start the activity from the quick settings.

• Verify that the PendingIntent is correctly defined and wrapped around the intent.

• Ensure that the TileService is properly registered in the AndroidManifest.xml file.

• Check that the activity being started is correctly declared in the AndroidManifest.xml file.

Best Practices for Using startActivityAndCollapse

To ensure a seamless user experience, follow these best practices when using startActivityAndCollapse:

1. Use startActivityAndCollapse only when necessary, as it can disrupt the user’s workflow.

2. Make sure the activity being started is relevant to the quick settings tile and provides value to the user.

3. Avoid using startActivityAndCollapse for complex tasks that require user input, as it may lead to confusion.

4. Test your implementation thoroughly to ensure it works as expected on different Android versions and devices.

Android Version	Supported
Android 14+	Yes
Android 13-	No

As you can see, startActivityAndCollapse is only supported on Android 14 and later versions.

Conclusion

In this article, we’ve explored the world of PendingIntent and shown you how to startActivityAndCollapse from the quick settings on the locked screen of Android 14. By following these steps and best practices, you can create a seamless user experience that simplifies workflows and increases productivity. Remember to troubleshoot common issues and test your implementation thoroughly to ensure it works as expected.

Unlock the full potential of quick settings and take your Android app to the next level!

Frequently Asked Question

Get ready to unlock the secrets of starting an activity from quick settings on a locked screen in Android 14!