Android Question Google Play Services

[iCAB]

Hi All

I am having difficulties bundling the latest version of Google Play Services with the apk.

Background:

• Currently I am using B4A 7.01
• Android SDK shows Google Play Services ver 44
• I cant find libproject folder under google_play_services folder. so I can't find the latest .jar file to move to my additional libraries folder ( i am not sure if this
• When I install my apk on a tablet with older version of Google Play Services the app is not working properly. Also I find that the google-play-services version running on the tablet is unchanged with the installation (meaning running an older one)
• I have the following 2 lines added in the project
  

      #AdditionalJar: com.google.android.gms:play-services-location
      #AdditionalJar: com.google.android.gms:play-services-maps

• And this is what I have in the manifest
  

  '************ Google Play Services Base ************
  AddApplicationText(
     <activity android:name="com.google.android.gms.common.api.GoogleApiActivity"
    android:theme="@android:style/Theme.Translucent.NoTitleBar"
    android:exported="false"/>
      <meta-data android:name="com.google.android.gms.version"
    android:value="@integer/google_play_services_version" />
  <meta-data android:name="com.google.android.geo.API_KEY"
  android:value="AIxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxA"/> 
  )
  '************ Google Play Services Base (end) ************

Is there a step by step tutorial how to make sure that we bundle the latest Google-Play-Services with the apk.

 

[tigrot]

My Manifest.

AddManifestText(<uses-feature android:name="android.hardware.location.gps"/>)
AddApplicationText(
<meta-data
  android:name="com.google.android.geo.API_KEY"
  android:value="AIxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx"/>
)

add the line AddManifestText to your code.

 

[iCAB]

My Manifest.

AddManifestText(<uses-feature android:name="android.hardware.location.gps"/>)
AddApplicationText(
<meta-data
  android:name="com.google.android.geo.API_KEY"
  android:value="AIxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx"/>
)

add the line AddManifestText to your code.

Hi Tigort

Thanks for your input, but I already have all of the above in the manifest file. I just didn't show that line my first post.

 

[DonManfred]

I cant find libproject folder under google_play_services folder

it is not needed anymore using the new maven repositories.

Use this tool to install all needed things.
https://www.b4x.com/android/forum/threads/gui-sdk-manager-for-newer-versions-of-android-tools.80090/
Make sure to update the path in file configure paths to the new android.jar

 

[iCAB]

it is not needed anymore using the new maven repositories.

Use this tool to install all needed things.
https://www.b4x.com/android/forum/threads/gui-sdk-manager-for-newer-versions-of-android-tools.80090/
Make sure to update the path in file configure paths to the new android.jar

Hi Don,
thanks for your reply.
I did try the above but I am still facing the same issue

Something still not right. Here is what I am doing:

• I wipe my devices (Factory Reset)
• I check Google Play Services version # ( 8.xx & 9.xx)
• Email my apk to the devices
• I install my apk
• I check Google Play Services version #, it seems to be unchanged
• I run the app, it starts misbehaving. Please read here for more info ( https://www.b4x.com/android/forum/threads/app-crash-android-6-0-and-firebase-messaging.84003/)
• If I try to Run Google Plus, it says that I must update google play services (which is a perfect behavior)
  • It Prompts me to update
  • I install the updates
• Now if I check Google play services it shows version 11.5.xx
• At this point my apk works perfect

Is there a way to force my apk to one of the 2 things below:

• bundle google play service latest version
• Prompt for update as Google Plus does

Thanks in advance

 

[KMatle]

As far as I know Google Play Services has nothing to do with the SDK-Manager. If you compile an App it just binds resources for it.

Google Play Services are part of the OS and will be downloaded/updated by the OS seperately. I assume you have a rooted device with a non official OS which causes problems.

Never had such an issues except on a rooted device with "some" rom from the www.

 

[iCAB]

As far as I know Google Play Services has nothing to do with the SDK-Manager. If you compile an App it just binds resources for it.

Google Play Services are part of the OS and will be downloaded/updated by the OS seperately. I assume you have a rooted device with a non official OS which causes problems.

Never had such an issues except on a rooted device with "some" rom from the www.

Hi KMatle
Thanks for your input, but I have 4 different devices and none is rooted. They all behave exactly the same.

I think there should be a way, that I can have the app check Google Play Services version# and force the user to update. Just like when I click Google plus

 

[Erel]

You can check whether Google Play Services is installed on the device with FirebaseAnalytics.IsGooglePlayServicesAvailable.

They all behave exactly the same.

Do you get any error message?

 

[iCAB]

You can check whether Google Play Services is installed on the device with FirebaseAnalytics.IsGooglePlayServicesAvailable.

Do you get any error message?

Hi Erel, this is one step closer.
I did a quick test and apparently this call FirebaseAnalytics.IsGooglePlayServicesAvailable returns false until GooglePlayServices is updated.
Unfortunately, it takes forever to retest as I have to keep wiping the devices. I will confirm once I'll do more testing.

Now, assuming that the above is the key to make it work. Is there a way I can display a popup that prompts the user to update GooglePlayServices?

Thanks again
You are a great help.

 

[Erel]

Add this code to the activity:

Sub CheckForGooglePlayServices As Boolean
   Dim GoogleApiAvailablity As JavaObject
   GoogleApiAvailablity = GoogleApiAvailablity.InitializeStatic("com.google.android.gms.common.GoogleApiAvailability").RunMethod("getInstance", Null)
   Dim context As JavaObject
   context.InitializeContext
   If GoogleApiAvailablity.RunMethod("isGooglePlayServicesAvailable", Array(context)) <> 0 Then
     GoogleApiAvailablity.RunMethod("makeGooglePlayServicesAvailable", Array(context))
     Return False
   End If
   Return True
End Sub

Call it from Activity_Resume. It will check whether google play services is available and will allow the user to install it if not.

 

[iCAB]

Now I can cover all cases, using CheckForGooglePlayServices and FirebaseAnalytics.IsGooglePlayServicesAvailable (in different places) .

Thank you very much for your great help.
Greatly Appreciated!