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Mishaal Rahman

@MishaalRahman • 72,978 subscribers

Community engagement for Android @ Google

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This app uses AirDrop to send files from your Android phone to your Macbook! Yes, it actually uses AirDrop. That means you don't have to install ANYTHING on your Mac to send files from your Android phone! Here's a video of a Galaxy Z Flip 5 AirDropping a file to a Macbook running macOS Ventura 13.5.1. (Thanks to u/FragmentedChicken for testing this app for me and sharing the video!) A few months ago, Twitter user @Linus13499209 brought an app called WarpShare to my attention. WarpShare is an app made by the developers of MoKee, an AOSP-based custom ROM that was popular in China. Since MoKee wasn't as popular outside of China, it seems the existence of their WarpShare app slipped under the radar. I was skeptical about whether it would work at all. Grishka, the developer of NearDrop, an open source port of Google's Nearby Share to macOS, told me that they were under the assumption that AirDrop requires the use of AWDL (Apple Wireless Direct Link, Apple's proprietary WiFi-based protocol) to communicate both ways. However, it seems that AWDL is only required for your Android phone to be discoverable by your Mac (ie. to send files from your Mac to your Android phone) but not the other way around. Because of this, though, WarpShare only supports sending files from Android to Mac but not vice versa. Your Mac also needs to have AirDrop discoverability set to "everyone" for this to work, as "contacts-only" requires Apple-signed certificates. Plus, it also doesn't support sending files from Android to iPhones or iPads, even when "everyone" mode is enabled. Still, if you find other Android --> Mac file sharing options to be lackluster, give WarpShare a try! The fact that it works at all is incredible, which is why I'm sharing this news here. If you want to download WarpShare on your Android device, you'll need to compile the app from its source code. If you're a Patron/X subscriber, however, I will share my compiled APK with you. WarpShare source code:

This app uses AirDrop to send files from your Android phone to your Macbook! Yes, it actually uses AirDrop. That means you don't have to install ANYTHING on your Mac to send files from your Android phone! Here's a video of a Galaxy Z Flip 5 AirDropping a file to a Macbook running macOS Ventura 13.5.1. (Thanks to u/FragmentedChicken for testing this app for me and sharing the video!) A few months ago, Twitter user @Linus13499209 brought an app called WarpShare to my attention. WarpShare is an app made by the developers of MoKee, an AOSP-based custom ROM that was popular in China. Since MoKee wasn't as popular outside of China, it seems the existence of their WarpShare app slipped under the radar. I was skeptical about whether it would work at all. Grishka, the developer of NearDrop, an open source port of Google's Nearby Share to macOS, told me that they were under the assumption that AirDrop requires the use of AWDL (Apple Wireless Direct Link, Apple's proprietary WiFi-based protocol) to communicate both ways. However, it seems that AWDL is only required for your Android phone to be discoverable by your Mac (ie. to send files from your Mac to your Android phone) but not the other way around. Because of this, though, WarpShare only supports sending files from Android to Mac but not vice versa. Your Mac also needs to have AirDrop discoverability set to "everyone" for this to work, as "contacts-only" requires Apple-signed certificates. Plus, it also doesn't support sending files from Android to iPhones or iPads, even when "everyone" mode is enabled. Still, if you find other Android --> Mac file sharing options to be lackluster, give WarpShare a try! The fact that it works at all is incredible, which is why I'm sharing this news here. If you want to download WarpShare on your Android device, you'll need to compile the app from its source code. If you're a Patron/X subscriber, however, I will share my compiled APK with you. WarpShare source code:

1,290,540 views

🐤 Android Canary 2608 is now available with an exciting new customization feature to test: a Quick Settings layout editor! Here's a quick look at what it can do 🧵 (As usual, Canary is highly experimental and not recommended for daily use!)

🐤 Android Canary 2608 is now available with an exciting new customization feature to test: a Quick Settings layout editor! Here's a quick look at what it can do 🧵 (As usual, Canary is highly experimental and not recommended for daily use!)

51,800 views

📲 In the Android 17 QPR1 Beta, the taskbar now shows your most recently opened apps at the end (up to 2 on foldables) instead of "predicted" apps. This should make multitasking faster and more consistent, in my opinion. But what do y'all think of this change? 🤔

📲 In the Android 17 QPR1 Beta, the taskbar now shows your most recently opened apps at the end (up to 2 on foldables) instead of "predicted" apps. This should make multitasking faster and more consistent, in my opinion. But what do y'all think of this change? 🤔

26,677 views

Google just shared its first official look at the Pixel 10!

Google just shared its first official look at the Pixel 10!

50,885 views

The latest loophole that third-party file manager apps were using to get access to files and folders under /Android/data and /Android/obb has been patched. As part of Android 11's Scoped Storage restrictions, apps that use the Storage Access Framework (SAF) to launch the documents picker are not supposed to be able to get access to files and folders under the /Android/data or /Android/obb directories. However, third-party file managers figured out that if they set the initial directory when launching the documents picker to either /Android/data or /Android/obb, the documents picker lets the user grant the app full access to directories. This loophole was patched in Android 13, but then another loophole was discovered that got around this. Since Android 13 only blocked apps from setting /Android/data or /Android/obb as the initial directory when launching the documents picker, it was quickly discovered that you could set the initial directory to one of the subdirectories under /Android/data or /Android/obb, thus the user could grant access to individual subdirectories one-by-one. However, this latest loophole was patched with a recent Google Play System Update. The latest version of the DocumentsUI app, the Project Mainline module that comprises the documents picker, now restricts the initial location for the ACTION_OPEN_DOCUMENT/_TREE intent so that apps cannot request the initial location to be one of /Android/data, /Android/sandbox, /Android/obb, or one of their subdirectories. If the DocumentsUI app (AKA 'Files' app) on your device is on version 14-10492947 (version code 340916000), then this loophole is patched.

The latest loophole that third-party file manager apps were using to get access to files and folders under /Android/data and /Android/obb has been patched. As part of Android 11's Scoped Storage restrictions, apps that use the Storage Access Framework (SAF) to launch the documents picker are not supposed to be able to get access to files and folders under the /Android/data or /Android/obb directories. However, third-party file managers figured out that if they set the initial directory when launching the documents picker to either /Android/data or /Android/obb, the documents picker lets the user grant the app full access to directories. This loophole was patched in Android 13, but then another loophole was discovered that got around this. Since Android 13 only blocked apps from setting /Android/data or /Android/obb as the initial directory when launching the documents picker, it was quickly discovered that you could set the initial directory to one of the subdirectories under /Android/data or /Android/obb, thus the user could grant access to individual subdirectories one-by-one. However, this latest loophole was patched with a recent Google Play System Update. The latest version of the DocumentsUI app, the Project Mainline module that comprises the documents picker, now restricts the initial location for the ACTION_OPEN_DOCUMENT/_TREE intent so that apps cannot request the initial location to be one of /Android/data, /Android/sandbox, /Android/obb, or one of their subdirectories. If the DocumentsUI app (AKA 'Files' app) on your device is on version 14-10492947 (version code 340916000), then this loophole is patched.

17,040 views

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🚗Motion assist is now generally available for devices running Android 17! If you need to use your Android device while riding as a passenger in a vehicle, motion assist can help reduce motion sickness. This feature shows small, subtle visual bubbles along your screen edges. These bubbles move in real-time using your phone's motion sensors. They’ll match how the vehicle turns, speeds up, or brakes and help your brain synchronize what your eyes see with what your body feels, making your phone usage more comfortable during travel. To use motion assist, you’ll need an Android device running Android 17 or higher with Google Play Services updated. To set it up, open Settings, tap your profile > All services, then tap "Motion assist" under "Personal & device safety." Motion assist currently requires Android 17+ in order for the bubbles to natively render across all system surfaces.

44,132 views • 7 days ago

➗ The 2608 Android Canary update also has a great new multitasking feature to test on foldables: an app handle! You can drag this handle to transition a full screen app into split screen mode or vice versa. You can also drag the handle on an app bubble to open it in full screen mode or tap the new "move to fullscreen" shortcut in the context menu. (As usual, Canary is highly experimental and not recommended for daily use!)

➗ The 2608 Android Canary update also has a great new multitasking feature to test on foldables: an app handle! You can drag this handle to transition a full screen app into split screen mode or vice versa. You can also drag the handle on an app bubble to open it in full screen mode or tap the new "move to fullscreen" shortcut in the context menu. (As usual, Canary is highly experimental and not recommended for daily use!)

47,366 views • 1 month ago

Heads up: Users are reporting that the Google Messages app won't let them send or receive RCS messages if the OS is rooted or hasn't passed GMS certification (like most custom ROMs). It seems that Google Messages has implemented Play Integrity API attestation checks, so be aware if you root your device or install a custom ROM, you may lose access to RCS in Google Messages. (Video by Reddit user joefuf).

Heads up: Users are reporting that the Google Messages app won't let them send or receive RCS messages if the OS is rooted or hasn't passed GMS certification (like most custom ROMs). It seems that Google Messages has implemented Play Integrity API attestation checks, so be aware if you root your device or install a custom ROM, you may lose access to RCS in Google Messages. (Video by Reddit user joefuf).

182,506 views • 2 years ago

📸 Snapseed fans, your time has come! Snapseed 4.0 is rolling out on Android with a new UI & feature set, including: - Non-destructive & batch editing, Snapseed camera, & smart masking - Color HSL, Dehaze, Halation & Bloom - New Film styles Download it today from Google Play!

📸 Snapseed fans, your time has come! Snapseed 4.0 is rolling out on Android with a new UI & feature set, including: - Non-destructive & batch editing, Snapseed camera, & smart masking - Color HSL, Dehaze, Halation & Bloom - New Film styles Download it today from Google Play!

27,297 views • 4 months ago

Here's a first look at Android's upcoming all-in-one Terminal app, which downloads, configures, runs, and interfaces with an instance of Debian running a virtual machine! Currently, the Debian images are hosted on a Googler's GitHub, but Google plans to host these images themselves soon. For more info on this Terminal app, see the replies👇 (Thanks to an anonymous dev for sharing this!)

Here's a first look at Android's upcoming all-in-one Terminal app, which downloads, configures, runs, and interfaces with an instance of Debian running a virtual machine! Currently, the Debian images are hosted on a Googler's GitHub, but Google plans to host these images themselves soon. For more info on this Terminal app, see the replies👇 (Thanks to an anonymous dev for sharing this!)

54,662 views • 1 year ago

That was fast: Google pushed an update to Gemini for Android last night that enabled auto sending queries when you invoke it via a swipe up gesture or long press of the power button. Previously queries only auto sent if you invoked Gemini via "Hey Google." Hopefully continued conversation is added next!

That was fast: Google pushed an update to Gemini for Android last night that enabled auto sending queries when you invoke it via a swipe up gesture or long press of the power button. Previously queries only auto sent if you invoked Gemini via "Hey Google." Hopefully continued conversation is added next!

64,870 views • 2 years ago

You can now send a video to Google to ask questions about it! If you open Google Lens on Android and hold down the shutter button, it'll record a short video that you can ask a question about. If you're in a region where AI overviews are enabled, then you'll get an AI-generated response to your question. Google announced this feature back at I/O in May but it's started to roll out for some users in the last few days. LMK if you have it!

You can now send a video to Google to ask questions about it! If you open Google Lens on Android and hold down the shutter button, it'll record a short video that you can ask a question about. If you're in a region where AI overviews are enabled, then you'll get an AI-generated response to your question. Google announced this feature back at I/O in May but it's started to roll out for some users in the last few days. LMK if you have it!

17,039 views • 2 years ago

If you're wondering whether the December 2023 stable update improved the quality of Android's USB webcam feature, it did not. Here's a video comparing the quality when using my Pixel 8 Pro as a webcam via scrcpy's camera mirroring feature versus Android's USB webcam feature.

If you're wondering whether the December 2023 stable update improved the quality of Android's USB webcam feature, it did not. Here's a video comparing the quality when using my Pixel 8 Pro as a webcam via scrcpy's camera mirroring feature versus Android's USB webcam feature.

20,982 views • 2 years ago

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