How to send synthesized MotionEvent through the system?

Question

I know how to "synthesize" a MotionEvent:

  event = MotionEvent.obtain(downTime, eventTime, MotionEvent.ACTION_DOWN, x, y, 0);

What I am stuck at is how to "send/post/fire/distribute" it through the system, so that it is handled "as if" a real user actually touched the screen with his or her finger.

Is this possible at all?

If so, how do I accomplish this?

Answer 1

What you are trying to do is perfectly possible and simple:

void simulateEventDown( View v, long x, long y )
{
    MotionEvent e = MotionEvent.obtain( SystemClock.uptimeMillis(),
                                        SystemClock.uptimeMillis(), 
                                        MotionEvent.ACTION_DOWN, 
                                        x, y, 0);
    v.dispatchTouchEvent(e);
}

Answer 2

No, it's prevented by design. The concern is that such a feature can be used to subvert the entire security model - e.g. by "injecting" touches to contact the marketplace, arrange an install, accept the security warnings .. all on its own.

This has been discussed at some length here and following.

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