Crash when using androidx.window on OnePlus and Oppo devices: A Comprehensive Guide to Troubleshooting and Resolution

If you’re an Android developer, you’ve probably encountered the frustrating issue of crashes on OnePlus and Oppo devices when using the androidx.window library. This article is here to help you navigate the problem, identify the root cause, and provide a step-by-step guide to resolving the issue once and for all.

Understanding the issue: What’s causing the crash?

The androidx.window library provides a set of APIs for window management, allowing developers to create custom window layouts and gestures. However, on OnePlus and Oppo devices, this library can cause apps to crash unexpectedly. But why?

The reason behind the crash lies in the way these devices handle window management. OnePlus and Oppo devices use a custom implementation of the Android Window Manager, which can conflict with the androidx.window library. When an app attempts to use the library, it can trigger a crash due to incompatibility issues.

Symptoms of the crash:

So, how do you know if your app is affected by this issue? Look out for the following symptoms:

• App crashes immediately after launching or when attempting to use a specific feature
• Crash reports indicate a NullPointerException or WindowManagerBadTokenException
• Crashes are limited to OnePlus and Oppo devices, while other devices remain unaffected

Troubleshooting steps:

Before diving into the solution, let’s try to troubleshoot the issue. Follow these steps to help identify the problem:

1. Check the Android version: Ensure your app is running on Android 10 (API level 29) or higher, as earlier versions may have compatibility issues.

2. Verify the androidx.window version: Make sure you’re using the latest version of the androidx.window library (1.0.0 or higher).

3. Test on other devices: Verify that the crash is specific to OnePlus and Oppo devices by testing on other Android devices.

4. Review crash reports: Analyze crash reports to identify the root cause of the issue.

Resolution: Using the WindowCompat library

Now that we’ve identified the issue, let’s move on to the solution. The WindowCompat library, introduced in Android 11 (API level 30), provides a set of compatibility APIs to help with window management. We can use this library to resolve the crash issue on OnePlus and Oppo devices.

Here’s an example of how to use the WindowCompat library to create a custom window layout:

import androidx.window.layout.WindowLayoutInfo
import androidx.window.layout.WindowMetrics

// Get the WindowMetrics instance
val windowMetrics = WindowMetricsCalculator.computeMaximumWindowMetrics(this)

// Get the WindowLayoutInfo instance
val windowLayoutInfo = WindowLayoutInfo.compute(this, windowMetrics)

// Use the WindowLayoutInfo to create a custom window layout
val windowLayoutParams = windowLayoutInfo.toWindowLayoutParams()
windowLayoutParams.width = WindowManager.LayoutParams.MATCH_PARENT
windowLayoutParams.height = WindowManager.LayoutParams.MATCH_PARENT

// Apply the custom window layout
windowManager.updateLayoutParams(windowLayoutParams)

Alternative solution: Using the Compatibility Window Manager

Another approach to resolving the crash issue is to use the Compatibility Window Manager, a custom window manager implementation provided by Google. This solution is ideal for apps that don’t require the latest window management features.

To use the Compatibility Window Manager, add the following dependency to your build.gradle file:

dependencies {
  implementation 'androidx.window:window-compat:1.0.0'
}

Next, initialize the Compatibility Window Manager in your app’s Application class:

import androidx.window.compat.WindowCompat

class MyApplication : Application() {
  override fun onCreate() {
    super.onCreate()
    WindowCompat.init(this)
  }
}

Additional considerations:

When using the WindowCompat library or Compatibility Window Manager, keep the following points in mind:

• Window management behavior may vary between devices, so be sure to test your app on multiple devices.

• Custom window layouts may not work as expected on devices with non-standard aspect ratios or display cutouts.

• The WindowCompat library and Compatibility Window Manager are not mutually exclusive; you can use both solutions in your app.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the crash issue when using androidx.window on OnePlus and Oppo devices can be resolved by using the WindowCompat library or Compatibility Window Manager. By following the troubleshooting steps and implementing one of these solutions, you can ensure a seamless user experience for your app on these devices.

Remember to test your app thoroughly and consider the additional considerations mentioned earlier to ensure the best possible outcome.

Device	Android Version	WindowCompat Library	Compatibility Window Manager
OnePlus	10+	Recommended	Alternative solution
Oppo	10+	Recommended	Alternative solution
Other devices	10+	Not required	Not required

By following this comprehensive guide, you’ll be able to troubleshoot and resolve the crash issue when using androidx.window on OnePlus and Oppo devices, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience for your users.

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