Special chars are replaces with a square in android app

Question

In my android app I make a simple toast

Toast.makeText(
        parent.getApplicationContext(),
        parent.getResources().getIdentifier(result, "string",
        parent.getPackageName()), Toast.LENGTH_LONG).show();

This

parent.getResources().getIdentifier(result, "string", parent.getPackageName())

retrieves a string whose name matches result from strings.xml. I have a strings.xml file for english and german language. The problem is that special chars in german language like Ü Ö Ä are not displayed correctly. They are replaced by a square symbol.

The strings.xml are utf-8 encoded.

Where is the problem and how can I fix it?

Answer 1

ArtWorkAD,

It appears as though your problem is being caused by the fact that the Toast.makeText() method is not using the correct Charset when pulling your special characters from the resources.

I suggest as a debugging step you pull the string down from the resources independantly and use the

Toast.makeText(Context context, CharSequence text, int duration).show();

overload to render your text. This way you can confirm that the text is what you expect and narrow down your problem.