topic John H. in Software Archive

Android manifest question

John_F_3 — Sat, 07 Mar 2015 07:28:48 GMT

I extracted the manifest from the APK built in the quest for why splash screens are so slow in appearing.

Why does it require permissions for internet and access wifi and network state? Does Cordova require them? Can they be turned off?

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>

<manifest xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"

android:versionCode="20001" android:versionName="0.0.1" android:installLocation="0" android:hardwareAccelerated="true" package="xdk.intel.blank.ad.template.crosswalk" platformBuildVersionCode="19" platformBuildVersionName="4.4.2-1456859">

<supports-screens android:anyDensity="true" android:smallScreens="true" android:normalScreens="true" android:largeScreens="true" android:resizeable="true" android:xlargeScreens="true">

</supports-screens>

<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_NETWORK_STATE">

</uses-permission>

<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_WIFI_STATE">

</uses-permission>

<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.INTERNET">

</uses-permission>

<intent-filter android:label="@7F060047">

</action>

</category>

</intent-filter>

</activity>

</application>

<uses-sdk android:minSdkVersion="14" android:targetSdkVersion="19">

</uses-sdk>

</manifest>

What plugins do you have

John_H_Intel2 — Mon, 09 Mar 2015 15:56:30 GMT

What plugins do you have selected for your project?

If you turn off all plugins, and then look at the manifest if the internet access and wifi are still present, then it is Cordova that is requesting them.

I would think they would go away unless you have plugin that requires them.

John H.

John_F_3 — Mon, 09 Mar 2015 21:35:54 GMT

John H.

The permissions do not go away if all plugins are disabled. Got any other ideas?

We were only using device and splashscreen. The purpose of the exercise is to determine what in the world Cordova is doing between launching the app and displaying the splash screen. I've reviewed the code for both plugins and there does not appear a need for those permissions. For example: device

if (action.equals("getDeviceInfo")) {
	JSONObject r = new JSONObject();
	r.put("uuid", Device.uuid);
	r.put("version", this.getOSVersion());
	r.put("platform", this.getPlatform());
	r.put("model", this.getModel());
	r.put("manufacturer", this.getManufacturer());
	callbackContext.success(r);
	}

No where network is required.

From what I understand, since

simsam7 — Tue, 10 Mar 2015 21:47:47 GMT

From what I understand, since we're using Cordova/Phonegap here and it uses a browser (WebView/Crosswalk), the internet permission is baked in and required by default.

It's a bit like when you want to control an Android device's flash light, and you are required to add the 'camera' permission.

Cordova requires the INTERNET

PaulF_IntelCorp — Tue, 10 Mar 2015 22:32:04 GMT

Cordova requires the INTERNET permission, it uses that mechanism to jump "the gap" between JavaScript and native. A Cordova app that includes zero plugins will always include the INTERNET permission. The other permissions should not show up if you are using zero plugins.