Empty json data in Release build (using proguard)

Question

My app doesn't post data to server when I run the release version (signed, Proguard packed). But if I run it directly from ADT, I see the data on the server.

It's weird because it just the same code, one is signed and the other is direct execution. Here is the Code (using org.springframework.web.client.RestTemplate):

private static String URL = "https://myappserver.com/abcservice/";

public ResponseEntity<String> sendMessage(UserMessage us) {
    private RestTemplate template = getTemplate();
    HttpEntity<UserMessage> reqEntity = new HttpEntity<UserMessage>(us, headers);
    ResponseEntity<String> result = 
            template.postForEntity(URL, reqEntity, String.class);
    return result;
}

Below are the 2 scenarios:

Case 1: Works Good

Run the App directly from ADT (Run as: Android Application)
User taps a button, which will invoke sendMessage(..) method.
Controller (on Server) gets the request and the data (UserMessage).
An entry with UserMessage is created.
Server send a 201 response (request has been fulfilled), to the app.

Case 2: PROBLEM

Pack the app (Android Tools -> Export Signed Application Package..)
Install it on device through command line (adb install xxx.apk)
Start the app.
User taps a button, which will invoke sendMessage(..) method.
Controller (on Server) gets the request but no data.
An entry with empty UserMessage is created.
Server send a 201 response (request has been fulfilled), to the app.

I have tried to log both on my device and web server, I can confirm that empty data is received for Case 2, and I'm not able to figure out why it doesn't send data when I pack it?

Does packed/released (Signed +Proguard) apps behave differently, compared to debug packaging?

Yes, it is. @JsonIgnoreProperties(ignoreUnknown = true) public class UserMessage { .... } — vijay, Jun 19 '14 at 20:10

score 4 · Accepted Answer · answered Jun 19 '14 at 19:53

4

I guess that it is caused by proguard. Proguard is probably obfuscating some portion of your code, but this code is dynamically invoked by Spring (and jackson ? you didn't mention it). (and so once it is obfuscate : dynamic invocation failed)

So try to :

disable proguard to confirm that it is the cause of the problem
if it is confirmed : try to configure it so hat it won't obfuscate class that are serialized in json (i.e. UserMessage) :

-keep class com.company.UserMessage** { *; }

answered Jun 19 '14 at 19:53

ben75

29,217
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Yes, it is Spring + Jackson. Also using `org.springframework.http.converter.json.MappingJackson2HttpMessageConverter` – vijay Jun 19 '14 at 20:23
1

Correct, the proguard was screwing up things. And `-keep class ....` helped. Thanks a lot. – vijay Jun 19 '14 at 20:25

score 1 · Answer 2 · answered Dec 21 '19 at 04:15

1

I have same issue, and I committed below 2 line

// shrinkResources true

// minifyEnabled true

answered Dec 21 '19 at 04:15

Abdullah

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Bahaa Hany · Answer 3 · 2019-12-01T22:49:44.220

0

The above answer didnt work for me may be it was correct on 2014 For 2019 when I set the compileSdkVersion 28 it works.

edited Dec 01 '19 at 22:49

answered Dec 01 '19 at 16:26

Bahaa Hany

744
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Empty json data in Release build (using proguard)

3 Answers3