On phones running Android 8.0 (API level 26) and higher, it's possible to use companion device pairing. It is recommended to use this setting, especially on Android 10 and higher as without it for example the Find phone feature cannot work correctly.
After the device is paired using this method, the device can leverage the REQUEST_COMPANION_RUN_IN_BACKGROUND
permission to start the app from the background. This provides a better way for Gadgetbridge to keep its service running, read more about background service stability here.
In the future there might be a possibility to use companion device pairing to perform a Bluetooth (or Wi-Fi) scan of nearby devices, without requiring the ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION
or BLUETOOTH_ADMIN
permission. This would minimize the number of permissions needed. Currently, these permissions are still required. See more details here: https://developer.android.com/guide/topics/connectivity/companion-device-pairing
To utilize this in Gadgetbridge, enable the Companion device pairing
in the setting and add your new device via the icon.
For devices already in Gadgetbridge, you must re-pair (re-bond) them: keep you device added in Gadgetbridge, un-pair it in your phone's bluetooth settings, disable "Ignore paired devices" in the settings. After that is done, you can simply disconnect it (long tap the device in Gadgetbridge Control Center) and press the icon, locate the device in the list (it might say
Already bonded
), tap it and follow the process.
See step by step:
- Disconnect first:

- Disconnected:

- Tap the
and select device in the list:

- Follow the process:

- Select OK on the Link question:
