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HowTo get the lock screen camera widget to work [with Open Camera app]

Added by My Self over 9 years ago

I wondered why the [over Settings -> Lock screen -> Camera widget (activated by default)] point doesn't work out of the box.
I've sent an email to a Replicant developer, which answered the following:
"I haven't really looked into it (you're welcome to do it). This is probably because we use the old Camera app from ICS instead of the new one that is integrated in the new Gallery and heavily relies on graphics acceleration features that we don't implement".

After testing some other camera apps, I decided to stick on Open Camera (https://f-droid.org/repository/browse/?fdid=net.sourceforge.opencamera) because:
  • that app works really great on Replicant,
  • it has an option in the app-settings -> More camera controls... -> Show camera when locked, (which is also activated by default). So with this (and the default activated android-Settings -> Lock screen -> Camera widget) the camera widget on the lock screen works great now and starts that feature-rich camera app, when I slide (my protected) lock screen to the left, (without entering my PIN/PW first). Exactly what I wanted シ
  • As a bonus feature, Open Camera has the option to save images in other locations; for example directly on the external storage (sd-card).

The original Camera apk [/system/app/LegacyCamera.apk] could be moved or replaced.
Open Camera don't have to be a (more privileged) system app, I installed it as a regular user app without any problems.
Could it be an option to replace that legacy one with Open Camera in upcoming Replicant releases?

The cherry on the cake (in my eyes) is, that Open Camera needs less permissions:

(Legacy) Camera v1 Open Camera v1.26
Take pictures and videos
⚠ [CAMERA]
Take pictures and videos
⚠ [CAMERA]
Fine (GPS) location
⚠ [ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION]
Fine (GPS) location
⚠ [ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION]
Record audio
⚠ [RECORD_AUDIO]
Record audio
⚠ [RECORD_AUDIO]
Modify/delete USB storage contents
⚠ [WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE]
Modify/delete USB storage contents
⚠ [WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE]
ⓘ [READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE] ⓘ [READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE]
Read SMS or MMS
⚠ [READ_SMS]
Prevent tablet from sleeping
ⓘ [WAKE_LOCK]
Set wallpaper
ⓘ [SET_WALLPAPER]

Open Camera screenshots: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.sourceforge.opencamera
If you know a more fancy Camera alternative, please just let me/us know.


Replies (2)

RE: Got the lock screen camera widget working - Added by Paul Kocialkowski over 9 years ago

Could it be an option to replace that legacy one with Open Camera in upcoming Replicant releases?

I am probably not going to do that. OpenCamera is a third party application that I don't want to ship as part of the system. The current application, despite being minimalistic, does the job. In addition, you can always install OpenCamera from F-Droid. Same goes for any better replacement to system applications.

RE: Got the lock screen camera widget working - Added by My Self over 9 years ago

Thanks for your reply. So I'll do.

    (1-2/2)