Android custom keyboard for sending images

Question

I am currently trying to implement a custom keyboard that sends an image (possibly via an intent?) to a certain application. More specifically, I am trying to I am trying to create a key on a custom keyboard that would send an image to the default messaging app so that it can be sent as an MMS.

I have modified the sample SoftKeyboard project in order to do this. Here is what I have so far:

private void handleCharacter(int primaryCode, int[] keyCodes) {
    if (isInputViewShown()) {
        if (mInputView.isShifted()) {
            primaryCode = Character.toUpperCase(primaryCode);
        }
    }
    if (isAlphabet(primaryCode) && mPredictionOn) {
        mComposing.append((char) primaryCode);

        // Send message here
        Intent pictureMessageIntent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_SEND);
        pictureMessageIntent.setType("image/png");
        Uri uri = Uri.parse("android.resource://" + this.getPackageName() + "/drawable/icon_en_gb");
        pictureMessageIntent.putExtra(Intent.EXTRA_STREAM, uri);
        startActivity(pictureMessageIntent);

        getCurrentInputConnection().setComposingText(mComposing, 1);
        updateShiftKeyState(getCurrentInputEditorInfo());
        updateCandidates();
    } else {
        getCurrentInputConnection().commitText(
                String.valueOf((char) primaryCode), 1);
    }
}

The problem is I am getting a runtime exception that says:

android.util.AndroidRuntimeException: Calling startActivity() from outside of an Activity  context requires the FLAG_ACTIVITY_NEW_TASK flag. Is this really what you want?

I'm unfamiliar with Android custom keyboards, but I'm not sure if starting a new Activity is the best idea. Does anyone have any suggestions?

score 3 · Accepted Answer · answered Jul 21 '14 at 22:28

3

The problem is that Activities are typically meant to be started from other Activities. Android added this error to make sure that developers only change this flow willingly and consciously.

Add the following line before sending the intent to fix the problem:

intent.addFlags(Intent.FLAG_ACTIVITY_NEW_TASK);

answered Jul 21 '14 at 22:28

Vidia

471
5
17

I tried this but I got a toast that said "File format not supported" – jaywhy13 Nov 10 '16 at 01:10

score 1 · Answer 2 · answered Jul 21 '14 at 20:42

1

You need to do exactly what it says- add the FLAFG_ACTIVITY_NEW_TASK flag to the intent. Any intent from a service needs that. Fix that and it should work (or at least start the activity).

answered Jul 21 '14 at 20:42

Gabe Sechan

90,003
9
87
127

score 0 · Answer 3 · answered Jul 07 '16 at 05:32

Put this line:

pictureMessageIntent.addFlags(Intent.FLAG_ACTIVITY_NEW_TASK);

as you are creating this keyboard for sending images from uri, then add this line too:

// To get images from uri
pictureMessageIntent.addFlags(Intent.FLAG_GRANT_READ_URI_PERMISSION);

Before the line:

startActivity(pictureMessageIntent);

Android custom keyboard for sending images

3 Answers3