How to launch an Android app without "android.intent.category.LAUNCHER"

Question

I want to know how to launch an Android app without:

android.intent.category.LAUNCHER

Here is my AndroidManifest.xml:

<intent-filter>
   <action android:name = "android.intent.action.MAIN" />
   <category android:name = "android.intent.category.LAUNCHER" />
</intent-filter>

If removing line 3, the app will not be in the launcher. The question is: where and how can I launch this app in other way?

Answer 1

You'll need to use a BroadcastReceiver.

public class SafetyReceiver extends BroadcastReceiver {

    @Override
    public void onReceive(Context context, Intent intent) {
        ActivityManager as = (ActivityManager) context
                .getSystemService(Activity.ACTIVITY_SERVICE);
        if (IsNavigationRunning(as)) {
            Intent i = new Intent(context, VoiceActivity.class);
            i.setFlags(Intent.FLAG_ACTIVITY_NEW_TASK);
            context.startActivity(i);
        }
    }
}

Manifest:

<application
    android:icon="@drawable/fot"
    android:label="@string/app_name" >
    <activity
        android:name="com.Safety.VoiceActivity"
        android:launchMode="singleTop"
        android:theme="@style/Theme.CompletelyTransparentWindow" >
    </activity>
    <receiver
        android:name="com.Safety.SafetyReceiver"
        android:process=":goodprocess" >
        <intent-filter>
            <action android:name="android.provider.Telephony.SMS_RECEIVED" />
        </intent-filter>
    </receiver>
</application>

This is an example that starts when a text is received.