Android Tutorial B4A-Bridge a new way to connect to your device

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There are several options to develop with B4A:
- Android emulator or a VM.
- Connect to a real device in USB debugging mode
- Connect to a real device with B4A-Bridge.

I recommend starting with B4A-Bridge, which is the simplest connection method.

USB Debug Mode

You will need to first configure your device to support USB debugging (Settings - Developer - USB debugging).

In order to reveal the developer settings you should follow these instructions:
- Choose Settings - About Phone
- Find the Build Number entry and click on it 7 times.
- On many devices you need to set the USB connection type to MTP or PTP.

Not all devices support USB debugging.

B4A-Bridge

B4A-Bridge is made of two components. One component runs on the device and allows the second component which is part of the IDE to connect and communicate with the device.
The connection is done over the local network or with a Bluetooth connection.

Once connected, B4A-Bridge supports all of the IDE features which include: installing applications, viewing the logs, debugging and the visual designer (taking screenshots is not supported).

Android doesn't allow applications to quietly install other applications, therefore when you run your application using B4A-Bridge you will see a dialog asking you to approve the installation.

Getting started with B4A-Bridge
1. First you need to install B4A-Bridge on your device.
B4A-Bridge can be downloaded from Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=anywheresoftware.b4a.b4abridge

Note that you need to allow installation of applications from "Unknown sources". This is done by choosing Settings from the Home screen - Manage Applications.


2. Run B4A-Bridge on your device. It will display a screen similar to:

arSsfzqjKtq2_v9Moofj4SgiWWet6WOFH-P1Z2NuxbMo4yB6yqsGaoioptbDdbMCZw4=h900



3. Connect the IDE to the device

Go to Tools -> B4A-Bridge -> Connection -> New IP

You will be asked to enter the device IP address. The IP is displayed on the device.

The status bar at the bottom of the screen shows the current status:

SS-2016-09-29_09.31.05.png


SS-2016-09-29_09.31.46.png


That's it.

When B4A-Bridge gets connected it first checks if the designer application needs to be updated. In that case it will first install the designer application.

B4A-Bridge keeps running as a service until you press on the Stop button.
You can always reach it by opening the notifications screen.


As mentioned above, when you run an application you are required to approve the installation. You will usually see the following screens:

SS-2012-03-21_10.50.48.png


Note that the Internet permission is automatically added in debug mode.

SS-2012-03-21_10.52.17.png


In the above dialog you should choose Open to start the application.
If you try to install an existing application signed with a different key, the install will fail (without any meaningful message). You should first uninstall the existing application. Go to the home screen - Settings - Applications - Manage applications - choose the application - Uninstall.

Once you finished developing you should press on the Stop button in order to save battery.

Logs

With B4A-Bridge the logs will only appear in release mode if you add this line to the main module:
B4X:
#BridgeLogger: True
It is better to comment this line before submitting your app to Google Play.


B4A-Bridge source code is available here: http://www.b4x.com/forum/basic4andr...ls/8153-b4a-bridge-source-code.html#post45854

Tip

You can click on the B4A-Bridge status in the IDE to connect or disconnect the bridge.
 

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micro

Well-Known Member
Licensed User
Longtime User
the device does not have a storage card.
After I look at the log....
but where do I find the log error?
Thanks
 

optimist

Member
Licensed User
Longtime User
Hello,
i have a small issue to.

B4A Bridge is so brilliant, that i can use thetering and bridge at the same time.
It works! :icon_clap:

But B4A Bridge shows the external ip-adress, gotten from the internet provider. This is an mistake. It shold show its ip from the internal (thetering) network.

Greetings from germany
 

r2d4

Member
Licensed User
Longtime User
Hello :)

I got a problem with the connection, this is what I did:

Installed B4A-Bridge into my Samsung S2 via Android Market.
Enabled USB debugging in settings (S2)
Connected S2 with my PC via USB
Opened B4A Bridge (S2) and clicked connect
Opened B4A IDE and tried to connect

The IDE displayed at the bottom B4A-Bridge: Disconnected.

What keeps my wondering the IP B4A-Bridger shows is a: 10.87.183.*** and my internal network is a: 192.168.2.*** network.

How can I connect to my S2?


Edit: I read now: "B4A-Bridge requires a writable storage card." - I got only my device storage, is that the problem?

Thanks
r2d4
 
Last edited:

r2d4

Member
Licensed User
Longtime User
Hello,

I tried the IP which my PC is using. But I can still not connect :sign0013:
 

pamoxi

Member
Licensed User
Longtime User
Problem with compiled app

I connect the program with the b4a Server in the tablet and work perfectly in edition mode, but when I compile the app, show the next error, after the compile process:

"Installation will fail if the signing key is different than the previous used key.
In that case you will need to manually uninstall the existing application."

The device haven´t any app instaled. I have compiled the app in the emulator, but never in the device.

What I have to do?
 

Andyroid

New Member
Licensed User
Longtime User
Hello :)

I got a problem with the connection, this is what I did:

Installed B4A-Bridge into my Samsung S2 via Android Market.
Enabled USB debugging in settings (S2)
Connected S2 with my PC via USB
Opened B4A Bridge (S2) and clicked connect
Opened B4A IDE and tried to connect

The IDE displayed at the bottom B4A-Bridge: Disconnected.

What keeps my wondering the IP B4A-Bridger shows is a: 10.87.183.*** and my internal network is a: 192.168.2.*** network.

How can I connect to my S2?


Edit: I read now: "B4A-Bridge requires a writable storage card." - I got only my device storage, is that the problem?

Thanks
r2d4

10.* addresses are usually dished out by the phone dats network. Is 3G connected?

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk
 

RFI Bill

Member
Licensed User
Longtime User
Erel the Bluetooth is a great added feature to the Bridge - many thanks.
Would you please upload the latest source code to the Bridge as I could only find the old bridge code without the bluetooth. My wish is to study the bluetooth code. Thanks again.
 
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RFI Bill

Member
Licensed User
Longtime User
Thanks Erel - I find the Bluetooth connection better than the WiFi; though it could be my setup.
 

Amd97

New Member
IDE Error

Hey,
Iam new and just downloaded B4A.
Iam trying to connect my device to the IDE.
I followed the steps exactly but when i clicked "Connect Bluetooth" it just freezes and i have to close it. And when i click "connect Wireless" it doesnt connect. Ihave lanched the B4A-Bridge app in my device.

please reply ASAP.:)


Thanks Alot.
Ahmed.:D
 

imgsimonebiliato

Well-Known Member
Licensed User
Longtime User
Hello,
is there a way to run the application without install it any time?
In b4a I start the application on debug mode, but any time I have to install it.
 
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