Monitor connectivity status and connection metering

The ConnectivityManager provides an API that enables you to request that the device connect to a network based on various conditions that include device capabilities and data transport options.

The callback implementation provides information to your app about the device's connection status as well as the capabilities of the currently connected network. The API enables you to determine whether the device is currently connected to a network that satisfies your app’s requirements.

Configure a network request

To specify the transport type of the network, such as Wi-Fi or cellular connection, and the currently connected network's capabilities, such as internet connection, you must configure a network request.

Declare a NetworkRequest that describes your app’s network connection needs. The following code creates a request for a network that is connected to the internet and uses either a Wi-Fi or cellular connection for the transport type.

Kotlin

val networkRequest = NetworkRequest.Builder()
        .addCapability(NetworkCapabilities.NET_CAPABILITY_INTERNET)
        .addTransportType(NetworkCapabilities.TRANSPORT_WIFI)
        .addTransportType(NetworkCapabilities.TRANSPORT_CELLULAR)
        .build()

Java

NetworkRequest networkRequest = new NetworkRequest.Builder()
        .addCapability(NetworkCapabilities.NET_CAPABILITY_INTERNET)
        .addTransportType(NetworkCapabilities.TRANSPORT_WIFI)
        .addTransportType(NetworkCapabilities.TRANSPORT_CELLULAR)
        .build();

Note that some connections can be significantly more expensive than others (for example, a mobile connection is typically expensive). Use NetworkCapabilities#NET_CAPABILITY_NOT_METERED to determine whether the connection is expensive. When on a metered connection, try to reduce your app's data consumption, or delay it until the device has a non-metered connection.

Configure a network callback

When you register the NetworkRequest with the ConnectivityManager, you must implement a NetworkCallback to receive notifications about changes in the connection status and network capabilities.

The most commonly implemented functions in the NetworkCallback include the following:

  • onAvailable() indicates that the device is connected to a new network that satisfies the capabilities and transport type requirements specified in the NetworkRequest.
  • onLost() indicates that the device has lost connection to the network.
  • onCapabilitiesChanged() indicates that the capabilities of the network have changed. The NetworkCapabilities object provides information about the current capabilities of the network.

Kotlin

private val networkCallback = object : ConnectivityManager.NetworkCallback() {
    // network is available for use
    override fun onAvailable(network: Network) {
        super.onAvailable(network)
    }

    // Network capabilities have changed for the network
    override fun onCapabilitiesChanged(
            network: Network,
            networkCapabilities: NetworkCapabilities
    ) {
        super.onCapabilitiesChanged(network, networkCapabilities)
        val unmetered = networkCapabilities.hasCapability(NetworkCapabilities.NET_CAPABILITY_NOT_METERED)
    }

    // lost network connection
    override fun onLost(network: Network) {
        super.onLost(network)
    }
}

Java

private ConnectivityManager.NetworkCallback networkCallback = new ConnectivityManager.NetworkCallback() {
    @Override
    public void onAvailable(@NonNull Network network) {
        super.onAvailable(network);
    }

    @Override
    public void onLost(@NonNull Network network) {
        super.onLost(network);
    }

    @Override
    public void onCapabilitiesChanged(@NonNull Network network, @NonNull NetworkCapabilities networkCapabilities) {
        super.onCapabilitiesChanged(network, networkCapabilities);
        final boolean unmetered = networkCapabilities.hasCapability(NetworkCapabilities.NET_CAPABILITY_NOT_METERED);
    }
};

Register for network updates

After you declare the NetworkRequest and NetworkCallback, use the requestNetwork() or registerNetworkCallback() functions to search for a network to connect from the device that satisfies the NetworkRequest. The status is then reported to the NetworkCallback.

Kotlin

val connectivityManager = getSystemService(ConnectivityManager::class.java) as ConnectivityManager
connectivityManager.requestNetwork(networkRequest, networkCallback)

Java

ConnectivityManager connectivityManager =
        (ConnectivityManager) getSystemService(ConnectivityManager.class);
connectivityManager.requestNetwork(networkRequest, networkCallback);