Android: how to get a long running service to start an activity

Question

I need a service to start at boot that periodically checks some database for newly posted data. If there is new data(that fits the correct parameters) I need to then start an activity to display this. I plan on having a notification in-between this to allow the user the choice of dismissing the new data, if they are uninterested or in the middle of some other task. I have some php on a server that I am using to query the database, it works but it is in an activity. I have read a lot on here about alarmManagers and broadcast receivers. I think I need a broadcast receiver that starts on boot, that will start the service that will check for updates, then start the activity if there are.

Thanks a lot

score 2 · Accepted Answer · edited May 23 '17 at 10:34

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To get a start with broadcast receiver take a look here for example.

Get the service implemented. Take a look at IntentService. It offloads the work into a worker thread, so you don't need to care about that yourself.

Schedule the service to start itself periodically using AlarmManager. Don't forget about wake lock to wake the device if needed.

It is usually not a good idea to start any activities without user consent. Show a notification in the notification bar that some new data is available. When user taps on the notification you start the activity to show the data.

There is more to that you just have to start step by step and make it happen :)

edited May 23 '17 at 10:34

Community

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answered Jul 20 '11 at 01:58

denis.solonenko

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thank you. So I do need a broadcast receiver to initially start the service at boot right? – Mike Casa Jul 20 '11 at 02:06
@Mike Casa yep, on BOOT_COMPLETED – denis.solonenko Jul 20 '11 at 02:32

score 1 · Answer 2 · edited May 23 '17 at 11:55

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Are you asking how to start the service at boot, or start an activity from the service?

For the later android start activity from service , and for the former Android -Starting Service at Boot Time

edited May 23 '17 at 11:55

Community

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answered Jul 20 '11 at 01:58

Idistic

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can I have the service, broadcast receiver and activity in the same project? – Mike Casa Jul 20 '11 at 03:05
Yes you can have an activity and service in the same project, that's pretty common – Idistic Jul 20 '11 at 03:15

Android: how to get a long running service to start an activity

2 Answers2