DEVELOPERS BLOG

Android Developers: Eliminate the Back-Bar in Your 10.2.1. App

Editor’s note: below is a blog post from Justin Jasmann, Android Application Development Consultant. Follow him on Twitter at JustinJasmann.

Back-Bar Y U No Hide By Default

Are you an Android developer that’s transitioning your app to BlackBerry 10? Are you tired of that pesky back-bar showing up every time you open the app, reducing the available screen real estate and forcing your users to hide it? If so, we have a solution for you.

All new for Android apps in OS 10.2.1, is the ability to eliminate the back-bar entirely (on a per-app basis). Yes, you heard me right.

It’s quite simple actually. All that is required is the addition of a small configuration file during the repackaging process.

     android.cfg <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> <android>   <config>     <overridenavbar />   </config> </android>

When and where you should add this file is important, so let’s walk through it together.

  1. Convert your APK using blackberry-apkpackager.

Back-Bar Screen Shot_1

  1. Open the BAR file for editing using the utility of your choice.

Back-Bar Screen Shot_2

  1. Place the android.cfg file inside YourApp.bar/android.

Back-Bar Screen Shot_3

  1. Save your changes back.

Back-Bar Screen Shot_4

  1. Sign the BAR using blackberry-signer.

Back-Bar Screen Shot_5

  1. Deploy!

Back-Bar Screen Shot_6

  1. Voila!

Back-Bar Screen Shot_7

Remember that the additional configuration file will only take effect on operating systems 10.2.1 and greater.

About donnyhalliwell