Android ConnectionService incoming calls

Android ConnectionService: Handling Incoming Calls

Introduction

The Android ConnectionService is a powerful component designed to manage and handle communication calls, offering a centralized way to control call behavior, manage call sessions, and interact with call-related features. This article explores the interaction between ConnectionService and incoming calls, delving into how you can utilize this service to customize call handling within your Android application.

What is ConnectionService?

ConnectionService is an Android service that provides a unified interface for managing telephony calls. It acts as a bridge between your application and the underlying telephony system. With ConnectionService, you can:

• Create and manage call sessions.
• Handle incoming calls and manage call states (ringing, active, on hold).
• Modify call properties, such as audio routing and call hold/unhold.
• Receive call events and notifications.

Implementing ConnectionService for Incoming Calls

1. Declaring the ConnectionService

Start by declaring your ConnectionService in the AndroidManifest.xml:

<service android:name=".MyConnectionService"
    android:exported="true">
    <intent-filter>
        <action android:name="android.telecom.ConnectionService" />
    <intent-filter>
</service>

2. Handling Incoming Calls

Within your ConnectionService, override the onCreateIncomingConnection method. This method is invoked when a new incoming call is received.

@Override
public Connection onCreateIncomingConnection(PhoneAccountHandle phoneAccountHandle,
    ConnectionRequest request) {
    // Create a custom Connection object to represent the call
    MyConnection connection = new MyConnection(phoneAccountHandle, request);
    // Handle the incoming call, such as displaying UI, setting audio routing, etc.
    // ...
    return connection;
}

You can further customize the call handling by using various methods provided by the Connection class, such as:

• answer(): Answers the incoming call.
• reject(): Rejects the incoming call.
• hold()/unhold(): Puts the call on hold or unholds it.
• disconnect(): Ends the call.
• setAudioRoute(): Sets the audio routing for the call.

Using the ConnectionService

Once your ConnectionService is declared and implemented, you can interact with it from other parts of your application. You can use the TelecomManager to create and manage calls using the ConnectionService:

TelecomManager telecomManager = (TelecomManager) getSystemService(Context.TELECOM_SERVICE);
PhoneAccountHandle phoneAccountHandle = // Get PhoneAccountHandle from the user's account
telecomManager.newCall(phoneAccountHandle, new Uri("tel:+15551234567"));

Example: Simple Call Answering

Let’s create a simple ConnectionService that answers all incoming calls:

public class MyConnectionService extends ConnectionService {
    @Override
    public Connection onCreateIncomingConnection(PhoneAccountHandle phoneAccountHandle,
            ConnectionRequest request) {
        MyConnection connection = new MyConnection(phoneAccountHandle, request);
        // Answer the incoming call
        connection.answer();
        return connection;
    }
    
    private class MyConnection extends Connection {
        public MyConnection(PhoneAccountHandle phoneAccountHandle, ConnectionRequest request) {
            super(phoneAccountHandle, request);
        }
    }
}

This service automatically answers all incoming calls without any user interaction.

Comparison: ConnectionService vs. PhoneStateListener

Conclusion

The Android ConnectionService offers a powerful mechanism to manage and control calls within your applications. By implementing ConnectionService and utilizing its features, you can create personalized call handling experiences, integrating call management seamlessly with your application’s logic and user interface.