Toggle wifi hotspot not working in Android 8

[Tim Watts]

https://stackoverflow.com/questions/45984345/how-to-turn-on-off-wifi-hotspot-programmatically-in-android-8-0-oreo

Apparantly there's a new API

[João Dias]

Unfortunately that's starting the hotspot in local only mode (it's calling startLocalOnlyHotspot)

On Thu, Apr 19, 2018 at 2:07 PM, Tim Watts <t...@dionic.net> wrote:

https://stackoverflow.com/questions/45984345/how-to-turn-on-off-wifi-hotspot-programmatically-in-android-8-0-oreo

Apparantly there's a new API

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[Tim Watts]

On 19/04/18 14:48, João Dias wrote:
> Unfortunately that's starting the hotspot in local only mode (it's

> calling *startLocalOnlyHotspot*)
>

Oh... Pity.

Sometimes I really hate Android changing APIs randomly...

Cheers and thanks for the reply!

Tim


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Tim Watts

[Tim Watts]

Wait - update:

Macrodroid can turn the hotspot on and off on my Android 8 phone.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.arlosoft.macrodroid&rdid=com.arlosoft.macrodroid

I allowed it to have "System" perm, did not use the "legacy method". It
said it uses a private API that may or may not work.

It does work on Samsung Note 8 + Android 8.0.0 (native/manufacturer UK
firmware).

Kludge, yes - but there is a way that Tasker can get this functionality.

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Tim Watts

[João Dias]

What do you mean exactly by having the "System perm"?

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Tim Watts

[Tim Watts]

On 20/04/18 11:41, João Dias wrote:
> What do you mean exactly by having the "System perm"?

I think it just asked for "System Permissions" (noted as the ability to
affect system settings like bluetooth and wifi).

When I looked in the app info just now, and listed all perms, it
actually has enabled a lot.

I suspect one of:

"have full network access"
"change network connectivity"
"Connect and disconnect from Wi-Fi"

may be the relevant perm bit?

But I do not know what the "private api" is - clearly something that's
perhaps special to Samsung rather than generic android?

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Tim Watts

[João Dias]

Do you maybe mean the "Write Settings" permission?

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Tim Watts

[Tim Watts]

On 20/04/18 19:17, João Dias wrote:
> Do you maybe mean the "Write Settings" permission?

Not sure - the problem is the message is displayed I suspect in a user
friendly way and not in a way that means much to a developer.

I think trying to find the correct API would be the best next step. Any
permissions required would become obvious.

All I wanted to point out was:

Toggle Wifi Hotspoy stopped working in Tasker (and a lot of other
automation/shortcut apps) in Andorid 8. Lots of people noticed.

But MacroDroid does retain the ability to toggle the hotspot - using (as
their app explains) a "private, not particularly portable API".


Which means - at least for some subset of devices (possibly Samsungs or
at least some Samsungs as that's what I'm using [Note 8 specifically]) -
Tasker could regain the ability to toggle the Hotspot.




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Tim Watts

[João Dias]

Thanks for the details. Does that require root at all?

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Tim Watts

[Tim Watts]

On 20/04/18 19:31, João Dias wrote:
> Thanks for the details. Does that require root at all?

No root - it's a complete pure Samsung firmware:

kernel 4.4.13-13094738-QB17523867
Build R16NW.N950FXXU3CRCB

Phone SM-N950F

Android 8.0.0


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Tim Watts

[João Dias]

Thanks, will try it out! 

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Tim Watts

[João Dias]

Good news, was able to get it to work! :) Thanks for the help!

[Tim Watts]

On 23/04/18 16:07, João Dias wrote:
> Good news, was able to get it to work! :) Thanks for the help!

Thank you for a really nice piece of software :)

Look forward to trying this when it hits the Play Store :)


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Tim Watts