Automagic Forum

Hi Martin,

I was just curious about the Workarounds app that's available in the Play Store. What does it do and how does it works? Does anything have to be set up after it's installed? I was curious since I recently updated my Note 5 to Android 6.

Thank you.

Hi,

The workaround app just needs to be installed but no configuration is required. Android 6 does not allow to change some unofficial system settings like 'adaptive brightness' and 'vibrate on ringer' for apps that target API 23 (Marshmallow). When such system settings should be changed and Automagic fails, Automagic checks if the workaround app is installed and hands over the request to change this setting to the workaround app (which targets API 22 and is allowed to still change such settings).
Google might fix this strange limitation in an update of Android. Automagic will stop to use the workaround automatically when this happens and the limitation is not available on your ROM anymore. Somehow I doubt that Google will do this.

Regards,
Martin

Thanks Martin - I really appreciate the explanation.

Is this app still needed? What is the exact list of actions that require to install this app? Does having a rooted phone negate the need for this app?

The workaround app is required for a few actions that modify unofficial/undocumented system settings on Android 6 and 7. I think it's still required but this might depend on ROM. Following actions are affected when I recall correctly: Set System Setting depending on setting, Set Screen Brightness when changing adaptive brightness, Set Vibrate on Ring State.
Automagic will show a notification when an action fails and the workarounds app can help. If you never see such a warning, you don't have to install it.
The workarounds should not be required on a rooted device since Automagic uses root to avoid the problem. However, when the workarounds app is installed, Automagic uses the workarounds app.

Thanks, got it!