Android and Facebook share intent
Asked Answered
P

12

89

I'm developing an Android app and am interested to know how you can update the app user's status from within the app using Android's share intents.

Having looked through Facebook's SDK it appears that this is easy enough to do, however I'm keen to allow the user to do it via the regular Share Intent pop up window? seen here:

pop up

I have tried the usual share intent code, however this no longer appears to work for Facebook.

public void invokeShare(Activity activity, String quote, String credit) {
    Intent shareIntent = new Intent(android.content.Intent.ACTION_SEND);
    shareIntent.setType("text/plain");
    shareIntent.putExtra(android.content.Intent.EXTRA_SUBJECT, activity.getString(R.string.share_subject));
    shareIntent.putExtra(android.content.Intent.EXTRA_TEXT, "Example text");    

    activity.startActivity(Intent.createChooser(shareIntent, activity.getString(R.string.share_title)));
}

UPDATE: Having done more digging, it looks as though it's a bug with Facebook's app that has yet to be resolved! (facebook bug) For the mean time it looks like I'm just going to have to put up with the negative "Sharing doesn't work!!!" reviews. Cheers Facebook :*(

Pic answered 25/9, 2011 at 11:37 Comment(8)
been broken for about a year now with multiple revisions I don't understand why they won't fix it!!Lindeberg
Still broken. I am starting to think they do not fix it on purpose to make you use their stupid facebook sdk.Lashondalashonde
The above share code snippet will work with the current android app (v1.9.0, release date april 20th, 2012). an arbitrary EXTRA_TEXT still won't show up, BUT the facebook app will accept any url. a share text will have to be entered by the user within the facebook app.Overcapitalize
Ugh, it appears that Facebook has now formally responded that they don't consider the behavior broken and will not be changing it: developers.facebook.com/bugs/332619626816423Priapitis
So no fix or workaround at least? We have to live with the empty message? :/Vigilantism
Unfortunately the only fix or workaround is to integrate their SDK into your app.Pic
Users have to type the content by hand: "please note that pre-filling the message parameter with suggested content which the user can edit is also a policy violation" youtube.com/watch?v=tGz48L0m5ncAloha
check this URL direct share Facebook image in intent android programmatically work for Android all versionStamm
G
98

The Facebook application does not handle either the EXTRA_SUBJECT or EXTRA_TEXT fields.

Here is bug link: https://developers.facebook.com/bugs/332619626816423

Thanks @billynomates:

The thing is, if you put a URL in the EXTRA_TEXT field, it does work. It's like they're intentionally stripping out any text.

Greenroom answered 24/1, 2013 at 7:53 Comment(7)
The thing is, if you put a URL in the EXTRA_TEXT field, it does work. It's like their intentionally stripping out any text.Aborticide
It's really dumb that this still works on iOS (at the time of writing), but doesn't work on Android.Mikey
Only links can be shared on facebook with share intent.Haplology
Users have to type the content by hand: "please note that pre-filling the message parameter with suggested content which the user can edit is also a policy violation" youtube.com/watch?v=tGz48L0m5ncAloha
@PeterK. did you found a way to send the text on facebook ?Rephrase
use this link #38759557Cristinecristiona
rogerkeays.com/…Reverie
J
117

Apparently Facebook no longer (as of 2014) allows you to customise the sharing screen, no matter if you are just opening sharer.php URL or using Android intents in more specialised ways. See for example these answers:

Anyway, using plain Intents, you can still share a URL, but not any default text with it, as billynomates commented. (Also, if you have no URL to share, just launching Facebook app with empty "Write Post" (i.e. status update) dialog is equally easy; use the code below but leave out EXTRA_TEXT.)

Here's the best solution I've found that does not involve using any Facebook SDKs.

This code opens the official Facebook app directly if it's installed, and otherwise falls back to opening sharer.php in a browser. (Most of the other solutions in this question bring up a huge "Complete action using…" dialog which isn't optimal at all!)

String urlToShare = "https://stackoverflow.com/questions/7545254";
Intent intent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_SEND);
intent.setType("text/plain");
// intent.putExtra(Intent.EXTRA_SUBJECT, "Foo bar"); // NB: has no effect!
intent.putExtra(Intent.EXTRA_TEXT, urlToShare);

// See if official Facebook app is found
boolean facebookAppFound = false;
List<ResolveInfo> matches = getPackageManager().queryIntentActivities(intent, 0);
for (ResolveInfo info : matches) {
    if (info.activityInfo.packageName.toLowerCase().startsWith("com.facebook.katana")) {
        intent.setPackage(info.activityInfo.packageName);
        facebookAppFound = true;
        break;
    }
}

// As fallback, launch sharer.php in a browser
if (!facebookAppFound) {
    String sharerUrl = "https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=" + urlToShare;
    intent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_VIEW, Uri.parse(sharerUrl));
}

startActivity(intent);

(Regarding the com.facebook.katana package name, see MatheusJardimB's comment.)

The result looks like this on my Nexus 7 (Android 4.4) with Facebook app installed:

enter image description here

Jessabell answered 17/1, 2014 at 15:2 Comment(8)
"com.facebook.katana" is the package name for Facebook app and "com.facebook.orca" is for FB Messenger app. You may change to the proper pckg you want. If you don't specify one, the first found will be used (not good)Habitue
Good catch, thanks! I updated the answer. Turns out Facebook has released other apps too (Home and Pages Manager) that would also match the com.facebook prefix.Jessabell
helow... if i want to fill post edittext then how to work with facebook.Capitulate
how to set text as well with url ?Herniotomy
You can't (as mentioned in bold near the very start). Please just read the answer.Jessabell
Brilliant fallback!Harbour
great solution, is there any way I can specify subject text for 'Write Something' area?Specious
Note that the Facebook SDK now offers automatic native-app fallback in its sharing SDK: developers.facebook.com/docs/sharing/androidStilliform
G
98

The Facebook application does not handle either the EXTRA_SUBJECT or EXTRA_TEXT fields.

Here is bug link: https://developers.facebook.com/bugs/332619626816423

Thanks @billynomates:

The thing is, if you put a URL in the EXTRA_TEXT field, it does work. It's like they're intentionally stripping out any text.

Greenroom answered 24/1, 2013 at 7:53 Comment(7)
The thing is, if you put a URL in the EXTRA_TEXT field, it does work. It's like their intentionally stripping out any text.Aborticide
It's really dumb that this still works on iOS (at the time of writing), but doesn't work on Android.Mikey
Only links can be shared on facebook with share intent.Haplology
Users have to type the content by hand: "please note that pre-filling the message parameter with suggested content which the user can edit is also a policy violation" youtube.com/watch?v=tGz48L0m5ncAloha
@PeterK. did you found a way to send the text on facebook ?Rephrase
use this link #38759557Cristinecristiona
rogerkeays.com/…Reverie
B
17

The usual way

The usual way to create what you're asking for, is to simply do the following:

    Intent intent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_SEND);
    intent.setType("text/plain");
    intent.putExtra(Intent.EXTRA_TEXT, "The status update text");
    startActivity(Intent.createChooser(intent, "Dialog title text"));

This works without any issues for me.

The alternative way (maybe)

The potential problem with doing this, is that you're also allowing the message to be sent via e-mail, SMS, etc. The following code is something I'm using in an application, that allows the user to send me an e-mail using Gmail. I'm guessing you could try to change it to make it work with Facebook only.

I'm not sure how it responds to any errors or exceptions (I'm guessing that would occur if Facebook is not installed), so you might have to test it a bit.

    try {
        Intent emailIntent = new Intent(android.content.Intent.ACTION_SEND);
        String[] recipients = new String[]{"e-mail address"};
        emailIntent.putExtra(android.content.Intent.EXTRA_EMAIL, recipients);
        emailIntent.putExtra(android.content.Intent.EXTRA_SUBJECT, "E-mail subject");
        emailIntent.putExtra(android.content.Intent.EXTRA_TEXT, "E-mail text");
        emailIntent.setType("plain/text"); // This is incorrect MIME, but Gmail is one of the only apps that responds to it - this might need to be replaced with text/plain for Facebook
        final PackageManager pm = getPackageManager();
        final List<ResolveInfo> matches = pm.queryIntentActivities(emailIntent, 0);
        ResolveInfo best = null;
        for (final ResolveInfo info : matches)
            if (info.activityInfo.packageName.endsWith(".gm") ||
                    info.activityInfo.name.toLowerCase().contains("gmail")) best = info;
                if (best != null)
                    emailIntent.setClassName(best.activityInfo.packageName, best.activityInfo.name);
                startActivity(emailIntent);
    } catch (Exception e) {
        Toast.makeText(this, "Application not found", Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show();
    }
Barrows answered 25/9, 2011 at 12:47 Comment(7)
Thank you for your reply. This is what confuses me though, the first snippet of code you posted works fine for posting to every other app with share intents available, however with Facebook's intent it takes the user to a blank "Write something" facebook page as if it's not sending (or possibly receiving) the text within the EXTRA_TEXT field.Pic
Hmm, it works just fine with the first one on my tablet. Try it without the EXTRA_SUBJECT field, as stated. That seems to be making the difference.Barrows
Actually, I just checked it and yeah - it's broken. Used to work.Barrows
Yeah, as mentioned in my edited first post it appears to be a bug in the Facebook app which has been there since April 2011(!). Regardless though, thank you for taking the time to repond to my question.Pic
@MichellBak I am sharing some text, But I want to share long body text for gmail/email and short text for everything else. How can I do that? Any extra field that gmail/email accepts as body? Anyone knows? Please help.Deciare
@MaulikVora I don't think you can do that, as it'd require you to know what the user chooses from the intent dialog.Barrows
@TomSusel Yep, Facebook should get their shit together. It does work when including a URL though. Thanks for the downvote ;-)Barrows
P
5

I found out you can only share either Text or Image, not both using Intents. Below code shares only Image if exists, or only Text if Image does not exits. If you want to share both, you need to use Facebook SDK from here.

If you use other solution instead of below code, don't forget to specify package name com.facebook.lite as well, which is package name of Facebook Lite. I haven't test but com.facebook.orca is package name of Facebook Messenger if you want to target that too.

You can add more methods for sharing with WhatsApp, Twitter ...

public class IntentShareHelper {

    /**
     * <b>Beware,</b> this shares only image if exists, or only text if image does not exits. Can't share both
     */
    public static void shareOnFacebook(AppCompatActivity appCompatActivity, String textBody, Uri fileUri) {
        Intent intent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_SEND);
        intent.setType("text/plain");
        intent.putExtra(Intent.EXTRA_TEXT,!TextUtils.isEmpty(textBody) ? textBody : "");

        if (fileUri != null) {
            intent.putExtra(Intent.EXTRA_STREAM, fileUri);
            intent.addFlags(Intent.FLAG_GRANT_READ_URI_PERMISSION);
            intent.setType("image/*");
        }

        boolean facebookAppFound = false;
        List<ResolveInfo> matches = appCompatActivity.getPackageManager().queryIntentActivities(intent, PackageManager.MATCH_DEFAULT_ONLY);
        for (ResolveInfo info : matches) {
            if (info.activityInfo.packageName.toLowerCase().startsWith("com.facebook.katana") ||
                info.activityInfo.packageName.toLowerCase().startsWith("com.facebook.lite")) {
                intent.setPackage(info.activityInfo.packageName);
                facebookAppFound = true;
                break;
            }
        }

        if (facebookAppFound) {
            appCompatActivity.startActivity(intent);
        } else {
            showWarningDialog(appCompatActivity, appCompatActivity.getString(R.string.error_activity_not_found));
        }
    }

    public static void shareOnWhatsapp(AppCompatActivity appCompatActivity, String textBody, Uri fileUri){...}

    private static void showWarningDialog(Context context, String message) {
        new AlertDialog.Builder(context)
                .setMessage(message)
                .setNegativeButton(context.getString(R.string.close), new DialogInterface.OnClickListener() {
                    @Override
                    public void onClick(DialogInterface dialog, int which) {
                        dialog.dismiss();
                    }
                })
                .setCancelable(true)
                .create().show();
    }
}

For getting Uri from File, use below class:

public class UtilityFile {
    public static @Nullable Uri getUriFromFile(Context context, @Nullable File file) {
        if (file == null)
            return null;

        if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= Build.VERSION_CODES.N) {
            try {
                return FileProvider.getUriForFile(context, "com.my.package.fileprovider", file);
            } catch (Exception e) {
                e.printStackTrace();
                return null;
            }
        } else {
            return Uri.fromFile(file);
        }
    }

    // Returns the URI path to the Bitmap displayed in specified ImageView       
    public static Uri getLocalBitmapUri(Context context, ImageView imageView) {
        Drawable drawable = imageView.getDrawable();
        Bitmap bmp = null;
        if (drawable instanceof BitmapDrawable) {
            bmp = ((BitmapDrawable) imageView.getDrawable()).getBitmap();
        } else {
            return null;
        }
        // Store image to default external storage directory
        Uri bmpUri = null;
        try {
            // Use methods on Context to access package-specific directories on external storage.
            // This way, you don't need to request external read/write permission.
            File file = new File(context.getExternalFilesDir(Environment.DIRECTORY_PICTURES), "share_image_" + System.currentTimeMillis() + ".png");
            FileOutputStream out = new FileOutputStream(file);
            bmp.compress(Bitmap.CompressFormat.PNG, 90, out);
            out.close();

            bmpUri = getUriFromFile(context, file);
        } catch (IOException e) {
            e.printStackTrace();
        }
        return bmpUri;
    }    
}

For writing FileProvider, use this link: https://github.com/codepath/android_guides/wiki/Sharing-Content-with-Intents

Pyrope answered 24/2, 2017 at 12:10 Comment(0)
L
4

Here is what I did (for text). In the code, I copy whatever text is needed to clipboard. The first time an individual tries to use the share intent button, I pop up a notification that explains if they wish to share to facebook, they need to click 'Facebook' and then long press to paste (this is to make them aware that Facebook has BROKEN the android intent system). Then the relevant information is in the field. I might also include a link to this post so users can complain too...

private void setClipboardText(String text) { // TODO
    int sdk = android.os.Build.VERSION.SDK_INT;
    if(sdk < android.os.Build.VERSION_CODES.HONEYCOMB) {
        android.text.ClipboardManager clipboard = (android.text.ClipboardManager) getSystemService(Context.CLIPBOARD_SERVICE);
        clipboard.setText(text);
    } else {
        android.content.ClipboardManager clipboard = (android.content.ClipboardManager) getSystemService(Context.CLIPBOARD_SERVICE); 
        android.content.ClipData clip = android.content.ClipData.newPlainText("text label",text);
        clipboard.setPrimaryClip(clip);
    }
}

Below is a method for dealing w/prior versions

public boolean onOptionsItemSelected(MenuItem item) {
    switch (item.getItemId()) {
    case R.id.menu_item_share:
        Intent shareIntent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_SEND);
        shareIntent.setType("text/plain");
        shareIntent.putExtra(Intent.EXTRA_TEXT, "text here");

        ClipboardManager clipboard = (ClipboardManager) getSystemService(CLIPBOARD_SERVICE); //TODO
         ClipData clip = ClipData.newPlainText("label", "text here");
         clipboard.setPrimaryClip(clip);

        setShareIntent(shareIntent); 

        break;
    }
        return super.onOptionsItemSelected(item);
}
Luxate answered 8/10, 2013 at 2:14 Comment(0)
N
4

In Lollipop (21), you can use Intent.EXTRA_REPLACEMENT_EXTRAS to override the intent for Facebook specifically (and specify a link only)

https://developer.android.com/reference/android/content/Intent.html#EXTRA_REPLACEMENT_EXTRAS

private void doShareLink(String text, String link) {
  Intent shareIntent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_SEND);
  shareIntent.setType("text/plain");
  Intent chooserIntent = Intent.createChooser(shareIntent, getString(R.string.share_via));

  // for 21+, we can use EXTRA_REPLACEMENT_EXTRAS to support the specific case of Facebook
  // (only supports a link)
  // >=21: facebook=link, other=text+link
  // <=20: all=link
  if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= Build.VERSION_CODES.LOLLIPOP) {
    shareIntent.putExtra(Intent.EXTRA_TEXT, text + " " + link);
    Bundle facebookBundle = new Bundle();
    facebookBundle.putString(Intent.EXTRA_TEXT, link);
    Bundle replacement = new Bundle();
    replacement.putBundle("com.facebook.katana", facebookBundle);
    chooserIntent.putExtra(Intent.EXTRA_REPLACEMENT_EXTRAS, replacement);
  } else {
    shareIntent.putExtra(Intent.EXTRA_TEXT, link);
  }

  chooserIntent.setFlags(Intent.FLAG_ACTIVITY_NEW_TASK);
  startActivity(chooserIntent);
}
Nearsighted answered 15/8, 2016 at 17:19 Comment(0)
C
2

Seems in version 4.0.0 of Facebook so many things has changed. This is my code which is working fine.

    /**
     * Facebook does not support sharing content without using their SDK however
     * it is possible to share URL
     *
     * @param content
     * @param url
     */
    private void shareOnFacebook(String content, String url)
    {
        try
        {
            // TODO: This part does not work properly based on my test
            Intent fbIntent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_SEND);
            fbIntent.setType("text/plain");
            fbIntent.putExtra(Intent.EXTRA_TEXT, content);
            fbIntent.putExtra(Intent.EXTRA_STREAM, url);
            fbIntent.addCategory(Intent.CATEGORY_LAUNCHER);
            fbIntent.setFlags(Intent.FLAG_ACTIVITY_NEW_TASK
                    | Intent.FLAG_ACTIVITY_RESET_TASK_IF_NEEDED);
            fbIntent.setComponent(new ComponentName("com.facebook.katana",
                    "com.facebook.composer.shareintent.ImplicitShareIntentHandler"));

            startActivity(fbIntent);
            return;
        }
        catch (Exception e)
        {
            // User doesn't have Facebook app installed. Try sharing through browser.
        }

        // If we failed (not native FB app installed), try share through SEND
        String sharerUrl = "https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=" + url;
        SupportUtils.doShowUri(this.getActivity(), sharerUrl);
    }
Cushitic answered 9/4, 2015 at 3:39 Comment(1)
what is SupportUtils?Imparity
S
2

This solution works aswell. If there is no Facebook installed, it just runs the normal share-dialog. If there is and you are not logged in, it goes to the login screen. If you are logged in, it will open the share dialog and put in the "Share url" from the Intent Extra.

Intent intent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_SEND);
intent.putExtra(Intent.EXTRA_TEXT, "Share url");
intent.setType("text/plain");

List<ResolveInfo> matches = getMainFragmentActivity().getPackageManager().queryIntentActivities(intent, 0);
for (ResolveInfo info : matches) {
    if (info.activityInfo.packageName.toLowerCase().contains("facebook")) {
        intent.setPackage(info.activityInfo.packageName);
    }
}

startActivity(intent);
Silvern answered 27/8, 2015 at 9:11 Comment(0)
J
0

Here is something I did which open Facebook App with Link

shareIntent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_SEND);
shareIntent.setComponent(new ComponentName("com.facebook.katana",
                    "com.facebook.katana.activity.composer.ImplicitShareIntentHandler"));

shareIntent.setType("text/plain");
shareIntent.putExtra(Intent.EXTRA_TEXT,  videoUrl);
Janiecejanifer answered 24/9, 2014 at 10:51 Comment(1)
didn't work for me. probably Facebook has changed the name of ImplicitShareIntentHandler.Cushitic
A
0
    public void invokeShare(Activity activity, String quote, String credit) {
    Intent shareIntent = new Intent(android.content.Intent.ACTION_SEND);
    shareIntent.setType("text/plain");
    shareIntent.putExtra(android.content.Intent.EXTRA_SUBJECT, activity.getString(R.string.share_subject));
    shareIntent.putExtra(android.content.Intent.EXTRA_TEXT, "Example text");    
    shareIntent.putExtra("com.facebook.platform.extra.APPLICATION_ID", activity.getString(R.string.app_id));                        
    activity.startActivity(Intent.createChooser(shareIntent, activity.getString(R.string.share_title)));
}
Apart answered 1/2, 2015 at 21:10 Comment(0)
D
0

Facebook does not allow to share plain text data with Intent.EXTRA_TEXT but You can share text+link with facebook messanger using this, this works fine for me

            Intent sendIntent = new Intent();
            sendIntent.setAction(Intent.ACTION_SEND);
            sendIntent.putExtra(Intent.EXTRA_TEXT, text+url link);
            sendIntent.setType("text/plain");
            sendIntent.setPackage("com.facebook.orca");
            startActivity(sendIntent);
Dreyfus answered 1/7, 2015 at 11:58 Comment(0)
B
0

The easiest way that I could find to pass a message from my app to facebook was programmatically copy to the clipboard and alert the user that they have the option to paste. It saves the user from manually doing it; my app is not pasting but the user might.

...
if (app.equals("facebook")) {
    // overcome fb 'putExtra' constraint;
    // copy message to clipboard for user to paste into fb.
    ClipboardManager cb = (ClipboardManager) 
            getSystemService(Context.CLIPBOARD_SERVICE);
    ClipData clip = ClipData.newPlainText("post", msg);
    cb.setPrimaryClip(clip);

    // tell the to PASTE POST with option to stop showing this dialogue
    showDialog(this, getString(R.string.facebook_post));
}
startActivity(appIntent);
...
Brickwork answered 15/11, 2018 at 16:22 Comment(0)

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