Android 8: Can't change ringer mode to non-silent when ringer mode is silent

Question

I wrote an Android application, that changes the ringer mode from any mode to normal, if a BroadcastReceiver receives a notification.

It's working fine on Android < 8.

It also works for my Android 8 device, if ringer mode != silent when the broadcast receiver reacts.

• ringer mode != silent & change it to any ringer mode
  • works on all devices
• ringer mode == silent & change it to silent mode
  • works fine on all devices
• ringer mode == silent & change it to non-silent mode
  • works only on older devices with Android < 8

When changing from silent to non-silent on Android 8, I get an exception saying Boradcast already finished?!

This behavior is only on my Android 8 device, older devices work fine.

Can someone help on this strange behavior? Thank you!

Answer 1

I found the solution for the issue: It's caused by the "Do not disturb" mode in newer Android versions.

To disable this silent-mode you have to

1. add permission to AndroidManifest:

   uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_NOTIFICATION_POLICY"

2. Ask the user to allow to leave this do-not-disturb mode by the following intent:

   Intent intent = new Intent(android.provider.Settings.ACTION_NOTIFICATION_POLICY_ACCESS_SETTINGS); startActivity(intent);

See also this question/answer: In Android 7 (API level 24) my app is not allowed to mute phone (set ringer mode to silent)