Updating the Progress Bar in the Notification Area

Question

There are several threads already on how to make custom layouts in the notification bar. The problem is I must be missing something simple.

I have a custom_notification_layout.xml

<LinearLayout xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
              android:orientation="vertical"
              android:layout_width="fill_parent"
              android:layout_height="fill_parent"
              android:padding="3dip"
              >

    <TextView android:id="@+id/text"
              android:text="Uploading"
              android:layout_width="wrap_content"
              android:layout_height="wrap_content"
              android:textColor="#000"
              />

    <ProgressBar  
            style="?android:attr/progressBarStyleHorizontal" 
            android:layout_height="wrap_content" 
            android:layout_width="fill_parent"
            android:max="0" 
            android:progress="0"   
            android:layout_marginLeft="10dip"  
            android:id="@+id/progressBar" 
            />  
</LinearLayout>

I also have some test code that creates the notification, which works and shows the progress bar.

NotificationManager mManager = (NotificationManager) context.getSystemService(Context.NOTIFICATION_SERVICE);
Notification notification = new Notification(R.drawable.icon, title, System.currentTimeMillis());
RemoteViews contentView = new RemoteViews(context.getPackageName(), R.layout.custom_notification_layout);
contentView.setProgressBar(R.id.progressBar, 10, 0, false);        
contentView.setTextViewText(R.id.text, text);       
notification.contentView = contentView;

Intent notificationIntent = new Intent(context, NotificationHandler.class);
PendingIntent contentIntent = PendingIntent.getActivity(context, 0, notificationIntent, 0);
notification.contentIntent = contentIntent;
mManager.notify(APPID, notification);

Finally I try to update the progress bar, which doesn't work.

contentView.setProgressBar(R.id.progressBar, 10, 5, false); 

What is the secret to actually updating the notification?

Answer 1

You should add these two lines:

// update the notification object
notification.contentView.setProgressBar(R.id.progressBar, 10, 5, false);
// notify the notification manager on the update.
mManager.notify(APPID, notification);

Answer 2

Remember not to notify the status bar too often. If you use that code inside, for example, a onProgressUpdate of a AsyncTask and you notify EVERY progress, you will virtually block the status bar. Notify only when there are changes.

Answer 3

In your layout file, you have the progressbars max set at 0. If it maxes at 0, it cannot go higher than 0. Set it to 100