Unable to use Plug-in Action with MetaCtrl's Autosync

[Philippe Couton]

MetaCtrl's Autosync provides an automation API that allows it to be controlled by apps like Tasker or Automate. When I try to configure a Plug-in Action block for this, the Plug-in field remains empty: if I click "Pick plug-in," nothing appears.

Note that in Autosync, the automation option is optional, and I have enabled it.

That said, the Autosync documentation on this subject states verbatim:

"You have to tell the automation apps where to send the constructed Intent to. In Tasker, you create a new action. When asked, choose the action category System, then Send Intent. In addition to the action name and extras described above, you need to tell Tasker to use:
    Package: com.ttxapps.autosync
    Class: com.ttxapps.autosync.Automation
    Target: Broadcast Receiver"

cf. https://metactrl.com/autosync/automation/

If I understand correctly, this needs to be done in Automate before I can use Autosync's automation. Unfortunately, I haven't found how to send an Intent in Automate.

Can you help me get Automate working with Autosync?

[Philippe Couton]

Hello,

While investigating this issue, I discovered that some Community examples use the "Send Broadcast" block to control Autosync. If I understand correctly, this is how we should send an Intent to another app.

I configured this block as recommended in the Autosync help:

• Package: com.ttxapps.autosync
• Class: com.ttxapps.autosync.Automation
• Action: ="syncNow"

All other fields were left blank.

With that, absolutely nothing happens, as if the Intent was not sent.

Can anyone confirm if this is the correct way to send an Intent to another app?

Thanks in advance,
Regards,
Phil

[Henrik "The Developer" Lindqvist]

According to their documentation you probably need an "secret" extra as well:

• Extras= { "secret": "secret code from Autosync settings goes here" }

[Philippe Couton]

True, but with the correct secret set in Extras, nothing happens in Automate. It is also the same if no secret is defined in Automate and I leave the Extras field empty.

[Henrik "The Developer" Lindqvist]

Nothing should happen in Automate, it just silently sends the broadcast.

Ensure you've configured the AutoSync app. Maybe you also need to specify the "folderPairs", e.g.:

• Extras= { "secret": "secret code from Autosync settings goes here", "folderPairs": "*" }

[Philippe Couton]

I tried adding the pair, without success.

You said that nothing happens in Automate (except sending the broadcast), that's true, but this should trigger some actions in Autosync, which does not occurs. So, IMHO, either :

• the broadcast is not sent by Automate (is there a way to check there is no problem doing this?)
• the broadcast is not received or not understood by Autosync (I'm waiting an answer from the Autosync developer to see if there is some log generated when this one receives a broadcast message).

A piece of information that might be useful for solving this problem : my phone is under Android 12.

[Henrik "The Developer" Lindqvist]

If the flow log say "Broadcast send" then the broadcast is sent, otherwise ensure the blocks are connected.

I cannot say why it doesn't work, try contacting AutoSync support.

[Philippe Couton]

One last question.

In the "Broadcast Send" block, there is an "Action" field. After configuring the appropriate package and class, this field appears as a dropdown list offering several actions, but the Autosync ones are missing. I therefore have to manually enter the desired action as text (e.g., "syncNow"), and after entering the action name, the dropdown list displays nothing.

Is this the expected behavior?

[Henrik "The Developer" Lindqvist]

Indeed, that's the expected way of doing it. To use an action that's not listed, simply click the fx button then write in a string literal with the action, i.e. wrapped in quotes.

[Philippe Couton]

So, I did it the right way after all.
Thanks for your help anyway...