Receiver for DownloadManager.ACTION_DOWNLOAD_COMPLETE in Manifest

Question

Is it possible to listen for DownloadManager.ACTION_DOWNLOAD_COMPLETE in Manifest.xml?

All the examples I found use registerReceiver(downloadCompleteReceiver,new IntentFilter(DownloadManager.ACTION_DOWNLOAD_COMPLETE)); from a class but I would like to receive it in Manifest.xml so I can listen when the app is closed. I can't find this action when I try to set the intent-filter for my receiver in Manifest.xml

Answer 1

As the official documentation states:

Beginning with Android 8.0 (API level 26), the system imposes additional restrictions on manifest-declared receivers.

If your app targets Android 8.0 or higher, you cannot use the manifest to declare a receiver for most implicit broadcasts (broadcasts that don't target your app specifically). You can still use a context-registered receiver when the user is actively using your app.

From Is android.intent.action.DOWNLOAD_COMPLETE an explicit broadcast? we learn that android.intent.action.DOWNLOAD_COMPLETE seems to be an explicit broadcast, therefore there should be no issue defining a <receiver> for it in the manifest, even if it's not autocompleted. So just add it with an action of android.intent.action.DOWNLOAD_COMPLETE.

<receiver 
    android:name=".your.DownloadCompleteReceiver"
    android:permission="android.permission.SEND_DOWNLOAD_COMPLETED_INTENTS"
    android:exported="true">
  <intent-filter>
     <action android:name="android.intent.action.DOWNLOAD_COMPLETE" />
  </intent-filter>
</receiver>