How to capture app switch key using onKeyDown in Android?

Question

I am trying to capture app switch key and home key on android 3.1 and 4.0 but it doesn't seem like its working.

here is what I am doing

@Override
public boolean onKeyDown(int keyCode, KeyEvent event)
{
   if (KeyCode == KeyEvent.KEYCODE.KEYCODE_APP_SWITCH && event.getRepeatCount() == 0)
    { 
        Log.d ("onkeydown","app switch key");
    }
   else if (KeyCode == KeyEvent.KEYCODE.KEYCODE_HOME && event.getRepeatCount() == 0)
    { 
        Log.d ("onkeydown","home key");
    }
    //EDIT:
    return super.onKeyDown(keyCode, event);
}

My log.d statement is not printed. Is it possible to capture these 2 keys?

updated code with correct return statement

score 2 · Accepted Answer · answered Dec 20 '11 at 18:06

2

Um.

Well, no, you can't.

public static final int KEYCODE_HOME

Since: API Level 1

Key code constant: Home key.

This key is handled by the framework and is never delivered to applications.

http://developer.android.com/reference/android/view/KeyEvent.html

answered Dec 20 '11 at 18:06

BRPocock

13,638
3
31
50

how about KEYCODE_APP_SWITCH. Why this one is not captured? – Abid Dec 20 '11 at 18:13
I would *assume* that the Home Activity or the OS framework have trapped that key, and you cannot receive the event. It would rather defeat the purpose of having such a key, after all. – BRPocock Dec 20 '11 at 18:24
Its annoying...onkeydown is not even called with app_switch is pressed :( – Abid Dec 20 '11 at 18:48

score 1 · Answer 2 · edited May 23 '17 at 10:27

1

It can be achieved using reflection.

It is under class android.os.ServiceManager having an aidl com.android.internal.statusbar.IStatusBarService and it contains toggleRecentApps method

And also try this method here

edited May 23 '17 at 10:27

Community

1
1

answered Aug 07 '15 at 07:49

Zar E Ahmer

33,936
20
234
300

score 0 · Answer 3 · answered Dec 20 '11 at 18:13

The super.onKeyDown(keyCode, event) is missing, i think you should try this:

@Override
public boolean onKeyDown(int keyCode, KeyEvent event)
{
super.onKeyDown(keyCode, event);

   if (KeyCode == KeyEvent.KEYCODE.KEYCODE_APP_SWITCH && event.getRepeatCount() == 0)
    { 
        Log.d ("onkeydown","app switch key");
    }
   else if (KeyCode == KeyEvent.KEYCODE.KEYCODE_HOME && event.getRepeatCount() == 0)
    { 
        Log.d ("onkeydown","home key");
    }
    return true;
}

Doing the same using switch statement:

@Override
    public boolean onKeyDown(int keyCode, KeyEvent event) {
    super.onKeyDown(keyCode, event);
        switch(keyCode)
        {
            case KeyEvent.KEYCODE_CAMERA:
             Toast.makeText(ListViewActivity.this, "Pressed Camera Button", Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show();
                return true;
            case KeyEvent.KEYCODE_1:
             Toast.makeText(ListViewActivity.this, "Pressed 1", Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show();
                return true;
            case KeyEvent.KEYCODE_HOME:
             Toast.makeText(ListViewActivity.this, "Pressed Home Button", Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show();
                return true;

            case KeyEvent.KEYCODE_BACK:
             Toast.makeText(ListViewActivity.this, "Pressed Back Button", Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show();
                finish();
                return true;
        }

        return false;
    }

I tried super.onKeyDown(keyCode, event). Same result. Here is something interesting when I am pressing app switch key onkeydown is not invoked. I have a breakpoint...hmm — Abid, Dec 20 '11 at 18:21
Can you provide more sample code, you may be missing thing, i guess. — Yaqub Ahmad, Dec 20 '11 at 18:24
No I just updated original post with correct return statement...that is my sample code — Abid, Dec 20 '11 at 18:30

How to capture app switch key using onKeyDown in Android?

3 Answers3

Linked