Meshtastic-Android/core/api

Meshtastic Android API

This module contains the stable AIDL interface and dependencies required to integrate with the Meshtastic Android app.

Integration

To communicate with the Meshtastic Android service from your own application, we recommend using JitPack.

Add the JitPack repository to your root build.gradle.kts (or settings.gradle.kts):

dependencyResolutionManagement {
    repositories {
        google()
        mavenCentral()
        maven { url = uri("https://jitpack.io") }
    }
}

Add the dependencies to your module's build.gradle.kts:

dependencies {
    // Replace 'v2.7.13' with the specific version you need
    val meshtasticVersion = "v2.7.13" 

    // The core AIDL interface
    implementation("com.github.meshtastic.Meshtastic-Android:core-api:$meshtasticVersion")
    
    // Data models (DataPacket, MeshUser, NodeInfo, etc.)
    implementation("com.github.meshtastic.Meshtastic-Android:core-model:$meshtasticVersion")
    
    // Protobuf definitions (PortNum, Telemetry, etc.)
    implementation("com.github.meshtastic.Meshtastic-Android:core-proto:$meshtasticVersion")
}

Usage

1. Bind to the Service

Use the IMeshService interface to bind to the Meshtastic service. It is recommended to query the package manager to find the correct service component, as the package name may vary between build flavors (e.g., Play Store vs. F-Droid).

val intent = Intent("com.geeksville.mesh.Service")
val resolveInfo = packageManager.queryIntentServices(intent, 0)

if (resolveInfo.isNotEmpty()) {
    val serviceInfo = resolveInfo[0].serviceInfo
    intent.setClassName(serviceInfo.packageName, serviceInfo.name)
    bindService(intent, serviceConnection, Context.BIND_AUTO_CREATE)
}

2. Interact with the API

Once bound, cast the IBinder to IMeshService:

override fun onServiceConnected(name: ComponentName?, service: IBinder?) {
    val meshService = IMeshService.Stub.asInterface(service)
    
    // Example: Send a broadcast text message
    val packet = DataPacket(
        to = DataPacket.ID_BROADCAST,
        bytes = "Hello Meshtastic!".encodeToByteArray().toByteString(),
        dataType = PortNum.TEXT_MESSAGE_APP.value,
        id = meshService.packetId,
        wantAck = true
    )
    meshService.send(packet)
}

3. Register a BroadcastReceiver

To receive packets and status updates, register a BroadcastReceiver.

Important: On Android 13+ (API 33), you must use RECEIVER_EXPORTED since you are receiving broadcasts from a different application.

val intentFilter = IntentFilter().apply {
    addAction("com.geeksville.mesh.RECEIVED.TEXT_MESSAGE_APP")
    addAction("com.geeksville.mesh.NODE_CHANGE")
    addAction("com.geeksville.mesh.CONNECTION_CHANGED")
}

if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= Build.VERSION_CODES.TIRAMISU) {
    registerReceiver(meshtasticReceiver, intentFilter, Context.RECEIVER_EXPORTED)
} else {
    registerReceiver(meshtasticReceiver, intentFilter)
}

Modules

• core:api: Contains IMeshService.aidl.
• core:model: Contains Parcelable data classes like DataPacket, MeshUser, NodeInfo.
• core:proto: Contains the generated Protobuf code (Wire).