Android: How to make a default dialer app?

Question

Today I got a rejection from Google for my app Facetocall

• Your app does not appear to prompt the user to be a default handler prior to requesting related permissions as required by the policy. Please make necessary changes in order to comply with policy requirements and resubmit your app through a Declaration Form.

• Default handler capability was listed on your declaration form, but your app has no default handler capability.

My goal is to make a default dialer app.

Here is my Manifest

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<manifest xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
    xmlns:tools="http://schemas.android.com/tools"
    package="com.gazman.beep"
    android:installLocation="preferExternal">

    <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.CALL_PHONE" />
    <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.READ_CONTACTS" />
    <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.READ_CALL_LOG" />
    <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.WRITE_CALL_LOG" />
    <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.SEND_SMS" />
    ... and other permissions

    <application
        android:name=".application.BeepApp"
        android:allowBackup="false"
        android:icon="@mipmap/ic_launcher"
        android:label="@string/app_name"
        tools:ignore="GoogleAppIndexingWarning">

        <activity
            android:name=".system_intents.IntentsActivity"
            android:launchMode="singleTask"
            android:noHistory="true"
            android:theme="@style/Theme.Transparent">
            <intent-filter>
                <action android:name="android.intent.action.DIAL" />
                <category android:name="android.intent.category.DEFAULT" />
            </intent-filter>
            <intent-filter>
                <action android:name="android.intent.action.DIAL" />
                <category android:name="android.intent.category.DEFAULT" />
                <data android:scheme="tel" />
            </intent-filter>
        </activity>

        <activity
            android:name=".call.CallActivity"
            android:launchMode="singleTop"
            android:screenOrientation="portrait"
            android:showForAllUsers="true" />

        <service
            android:name="com.gazman.beep.call.MyInCallService"
            android:permission="android.permission.BIND_INCALL_SERVICE">
            <meta-data
                android:name="android.telecom.IN_CALL_SERVICE_UI"
                android:value="true" />
            <intent-filter>
                <action android:name="android.telecom.InCallService" />
            </intent-filter>
        </service>

        ... And other declarations

    </application>

</manifest>

And here is what I do when my app launches:

private void checkDefaultHandler() {
    if (isAlreadyDefaultDialer()) {
        return;
    }
    Intent intent = new Intent(TelecomManager.ACTION_CHANGE_DEFAULT_DIALER);
    intent.putExtra(TelecomManager.EXTRA_CHANGE_DEFAULT_DIALER_PACKAGE_NAME, getPackageName());
    if (intent.resolveActivity(getPackageManager()) != null) {
        startActivityForResult(intent, REQUEST_CODE_SET_DEFAULT_DIALER);
    }
    else{
        throw new RuntimeException("Default phone functionality not found");
    }
}

private boolean isAlreadyDefaultDialer() {
    TelecomManager telecomManager = (TelecomManager) getSystemService(TELECOM_SERVICE);
    return getPackageName().equals(telecomManager.getDefaultDialerPackage());
}

What am I missing here?

I tried submitting the form again and this time I add a video that shows my app on an emulator(I see the same behavior on all the real devices too) here is the reply that I got back:

• Your app does not appear to prompt the user to be a default handler prior to requesting related permissions as required by the policy. Please make necessary changes in order to comply with policy requirements and resubmit your app through a Declaration Form.

Answer 1

to make default dialer app, you need to do 2 things :

1. add the following permissions in your android manifest

<activity>
    <intent-filter>
        <action android:name="android.intent.action.DIAL"/>
        <category android:name="android.intent.category.DEFAULT"/>
    </intent-filter>
</activity>

2. actually performing the check :

override fun onCreate(savedInstanceState: Bundle?) {
    super.onCreate(savedInstanceState)
    setContentView(R.layout.main_layout)
    ...
    checkDefaultDialer()
    ...
}
const val REQUEST_CODE_SET_DEFAULT_DIALER=200

private fun checkDefaultDialer() {
    if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT < Build.VERSION_CODES.M)
        return

    val telecomManager = getSystemService(TELECOM_SERVICE) as TelecomManager
    val isAlreadyDefaultDialer = packageName == telecomManager.defaultDialerPackage
    if (isAlreadyDefaultDialer)
        return
    val intent = Intent(TelecomManager.ACTION_CHANGE_DEFAULT_DIALER)
                .putExtra(TelecomManager.EXTRA_CHANGE_DEFAULT_DIALER_PACKAGE_NAME, packageName)
    startActivityForResult(intent, REQUEST_CODE_SET_DEFAULT_DIALER)
}

override fun onActivityResult(requestCode: Int, resultCode: Int, data: Intent?) {
    when (requestCode) {
        REQUEST_CODE_SET_DEFAULT_DIALER -> checkSetDefaultDialerResult(resultCode)
    }
}

private fun checkSetDefaultDialerResult(resultCode: Int) {
    val message = when (resultCode) {
        RESULT_OK       -> "User accepted request to become default dialer"
        RESULT_CANCELED -> "User declined request to become default dialer"
        else            -> "Unexpected result code $resultCode"
    }

    Toast.makeText(this, message, Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show()

}