GrannyAid

A simple Android application designed to help elderly people restore their phone settings with a single tap.

Most of the codebase was developed with assistance from Claude Code.

Purpose

GrannyAid is designed for elderly users who may accidentally change critical phone settings and have difficulty navigating the phone's settings menu to restore them. With a single tap on the large "FIX IT" button, the app will automatically restore all settings to their predefined values.

Features

• Simple, large-text interface designed for elderly users
• Large, prominent "FIX IT" button
• Settings for:
  • Airplane mode (on/off)
  • Bluetooth (on/off)
  • Wi-Fi (on/off)
  • Mobile network (on/off)
  • Sound volume (0-100%)
  • Earpiece volume (0-100%)
• Easy settings configuration

How It Works

1. Initial Setup: A caregiver or family member sets up the app by configuring the desired settings (e.g., Wi-Fi should be ON, Airplane Mode should be OFF, etc.).
2. Daily Use: If the elderly person accidentally changes settings on their phone and experiences issues, they simply open the GrannyAid app and tap the large "FIX IT" button.
3. Automatic Fix: The app automatically restores all settings to their predefined values.

Requirements

• Android 7.0 (Nougat) or higher
• System permissions for modifying settings

Technical Notes

System Settings Limitations

Android restricts direct modification of certain system settings (especially Airplane Mode, Wi-Fi, and Mobile Network) for security reasons. These restrictions vary by Android version:

• Android 7-9: Some settings can be changed with appropriate permissions
• Android 10+: Direct programmatic changes to Airplane Mode, Wi-Fi, and Mobile Network are severely restricted

Our Solution

To work around these limitations, GrannyAid:

1. Attempts direct settings changes where permitted
2. When direct changes are restricted, the app navigates the user to the appropriate settings screen with clear instructions

This approach ensures the app remains useful across all Android versions while respecting system security boundaries.

Building the App

1. Prerequisites:

   • Android Studio (Meerkat 2024.3.1+ recommended)
   • Java 11 or higher
   • Android SDK Platform 24 (Android 7.0) or higher

2. Clone and open:

   git clone https://github.com/madcat1991/grannyaid.git
   

   Open in Android Studio: File > Open > select the project folder

3. Build and run:

   • Connect an Android device or set up an emulator (Tools > Device Manager)
   • Click the green "Run" button (or Shift+F10 / Ctrl+R)

4. Generate APK for distribution:

   • Build > Generate Signed Bundle/APK > APK
   • Follow the signing process to create the release APK
   • Install on the target device by enabling "Install from unknown sources"

Important Permissions

The app requires special permissions to modify system settings. When prompted, please grant these permissions for the app to function correctly.

Troubleshooting

Common Build Issues

1. Gradle/Java compatibility issues:

   • Java 11+ required (check with java -version)
   • For Java 11: Gradle 8.0+ recommended
   • Fix: In gradle.properties, add org.gradle.java.installations.auto-download=true

2. Sync or build failures:

   • Try File > Invalidate Caches / Restart
   • Build > Clean Project, then Build > Rebuild Project
   • Check SDK Manager for missing components

3. AndroidX issues:

   • Ensure android.useAndroidX=true is in gradle.properties

Runtime Issues

1. Settings not changing:

   • Grant all required permissions in Settings > Apps > GrannyAid > Permissions
   • Some settings require system privileges or aren't changeable on newer Android versions

2. App crashes:

   • Verify Android 7.0+ (Nougat)
   • Check logcat for detailed errors

3. Device-specific limitations:

   • Samsung, Xiaomi, and other manufacturers may have custom restrictions on settings access