Connection Change Receiver doesn't work?

Question

First of all I'm using api 23 and not android N so android.net.conn.CONNECTIVITY_CHANGE should still work for me but it doesn't.

Manifest:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<manifest xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
    package="enis.example.com.connectivitytest">
    <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_NETWORK_STATE"/>

    <application
        android:allowBackup="true"
        android:icon="@mipmap/ic_launcher"
        android:label="@string/app_name"
        android:supportsRtl="true"
        android:theme="@style/AppTheme">

        <receiver android:name="com.connectivitytest.ConnectionChangeReceiver"
            android:label="NetworkConnection">
            <intent-filter>
                <action android:name="android.net.conn.CONNECTIVITY_CHANGE"/>
            </intent-filter>
        </receiver>
    </application>

</manifest>

ConnectionChangeReceiver

package com.connectivitytest;

import android.content.BroadcastReceiver;
import android.content.Context;
import android.content.Intent;
import android.net.ConnectivityManager;
import android.net.NetworkInfo;
import android.util.Log;
import android.widget.Toast;


public class ConnectionChangeReceiver extends BroadcastReceiver
{
    @Override
    public void onReceive(Context context, Intent intent )
    {
        ConnectivityManager connectivityManager = (ConnectivityManager) context.getSystemService( Context.CONNECTIVITY_SERVICE );
        NetworkInfo activeNetInfo = connectivityManager.getActiveNetworkInfo();
        NetworkInfo mobNetInfo = connectivityManager.getNetworkInfo(     ConnectivityManager.TYPE_MOBILE );
        if ( activeNetInfo != null )
        {
            Toast.makeText( context, "Active Network Type : " + activeNetInfo.getTypeName(), Toast.LENGTH_LONG ).show();
                Log.v("Active Network Type : ", activeNetInfo.getTypeName());

        }
       if( mobNetInfo != null )
        {
            Toast.makeText( context, "Mobile Network Type : " + mobNetInfo.getTypeName(), Toast.LENGTH_LONG ).show();

        }                Log.v("Mobile Network Type : ", activeNetInfo.getTypeName());



    }
}

there is no toast message whatsoever so I added the log message just to be clear but that didn't appear in the logcat either. I even tried the following code: https://gist.github.com/mjohnsullivan/1fec89187b1274dc256e but it's all the same, no error but nothing happens, no toast message nor log message

Answer 1

I mean the whole point of having a receiver is to do things in the background, and now I run an activity in the foreground ?

The user needs to run your activity once, to move your app out of the so-called "stopped state" that your app is placed into after being installed. Thereafter, your receiver will work as you intend, until:

• the user uninstalls your app, or
• the user goes into Settings, finds your app in the list, and clicks the "Force Stop" button

In that latter case, your app is returned to the stopped state, and your receiver will no longer work, until the user launches your activity again.

what if I don't need anything else except for the the tasks that should be ran when there is a network available ?

Most likely, there are aspects of your app's behavior that the user will want to configure. And, for that, the user will need a user interface.

What do I write in the activity to begin with ?

If nothing else, if you intend to ship in the Play Store, you will need your privacy policy.