hatsch · Feb 3, 2026 · Feb 3, 2026 · Feb 3, 2026 · Feb 3, 2026 · Feb 3, 2026
diff --git a/app/src/main/AndroidManifest.xml b/app/src/main/AndroidManifest.xml
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
     <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.SYSTEM_ALERT_WINDOW" />
     <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.FOREGROUND_SERVICE" />
     <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.FOREGROUND_SERVICE_MICROPHONE" />
-    <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.FOREGROUND_SERVICE_DATA_SYNC" />
+    <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.FOREGROUND_SERVICE_SPECIAL_USE" />
     <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.POST_NOTIFICATIONS" />
     <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.INTERNET" />
     <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.RECEIVE_BOOT_COMPLETED" />
@@ -98,7 +98,11 @@
         <service
             android:name=".transcribe.AudioMonitorService"
             android:exported="false"
-            android:foregroundServiceType="dataSync" />
+            android:foregroundServiceType="specialUse">
+            <property
+                android:name="android.app.PROPERTY_SPECIAL_USE_FGS_SUBTYPE"
+                android:value="Monitors user-selected folders for voice messages to enable offline transcription. User-initiated, runs only while enabled in settings."/>
+        </service>
 
         <!-- Speech Recognition Service for system voice input integration -->
         <service

diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/translander/TranslanderApp.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/translander/TranslanderApp.kt
@@ -3,15 +3,12 @@ package com.translander
 import android.app.Application
 import android.app.NotificationChannel
 import android.app.NotificationManager
-import android.app.PendingIntent
-import android.content.Intent
 import android.os.Build
 import android.util.Log
-import androidx.core.app.NotificationCompat
-import com.translander.settings.SettingsActivity
 import com.translander.asr.DictionaryManager
 import com.translander.asr.ModelManager
 import com.translander.asr.RecognizerManager
+import com.translander.notification.ServiceAlertNotification
 import com.translander.settings.SettingsRepository
 import com.translander.transcribe.TranscribeManager
 import kotlinx.coroutines.CoroutineScope
@@ -39,6 +36,10 @@ class TranslanderApp : Application() {
     lateinit var transcribeManager: TranscribeManager
         private set
 
+    val serviceAlertNotification: ServiceAlertNotification by lazy {
+        ServiceAlertNotification(this)
+    }
+
     override fun onCreate() {
         super.onCreate()
         instance = this
@@ -91,28 +92,6 @@ class TranslanderApp : Application() {
         }
     }
 
-    fun showServiceStartNotification(messageResId: Int) {
-        val intent = Intent(this, SettingsActivity::class.java).apply {
-            flags = Intent.FLAG_ACTIVITY_NEW_TASK or Intent.FLAG_ACTIVITY_CLEAR_TOP
-        }
-        val pendingIntent = PendingIntent.getActivity(
-            this, 0, intent,
-            PendingIntent.FLAG_UPDATE_CURRENT or PendingIntent.FLAG_IMMUTABLE
-        )
-
-        val notification = NotificationCompat.Builder(this, SERVICE_ALERT_CHANNEL_ID)
-            .setSmallIcon(R.drawable.ic_mic)
-            .setContentTitle(getString(R.string.app_name))
-            .setContentText(getString(messageResId))
-            .setPriority(NotificationCompat.PRIORITY_DEFAULT)
-            .setContentIntent(pendingIntent)
-            .setAutoCancel(true)
-            .build()
-
-        val notificationManager = getSystemService(NotificationManager::class.java)
-        notificationManager.notify(SERVICE_ALERT_NOTIFICATION_ID, notification)
-    }
-
     companion object {
         private const val TAG = "TranslanderApp"
         const val NOTIFICATION_CHANNEL_ID = "voice_transcribe_service"

diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/translander/notification/ServiceAlertNotification.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/translander/notification/ServiceAlertNotification.kt
@@ -0,0 +1,56 @@
+package com.translander.notification
+
+import android.app.NotificationManager
+import android.app.PendingIntent
+import android.content.Context
+import android.content.Intent
+import androidx.core.app.NotificationCompat
+import com.translander.R
+import com.translander.TranslanderApp
+import com.translander.settings.SettingsActivity
+
+/**
+ * Handles the service alert notification shown when FGS cannot start at boot.
+ * On Android 14+, restricted FGS types (microphone, dataSync) cannot start from
+ * BOOT_COMPLETED, so we show a notification prompting the user to open the app.
+ */
+class ServiceAlertNotification(private val context: Context) {
+
+    /**
+     * Show a notification prompting the user to tap and start services.
+     * Uses an ongoing notification that the user must tap to dismiss.
+     *
+     * @param messageResId String resource ID for the notification message
+     */
+    fun show(messageResId: Int) {
+        val intent = Intent(context, SettingsActivity::class.java).apply {
+            flags = Intent.FLAG_ACTIVITY_NEW_TASK or Intent.FLAG_ACTIVITY_CLEAR_TOP
+        }
+        val pendingIntent = PendingIntent.getActivity(
+            context, 0, intent,
+            PendingIntent.FLAG_UPDATE_CURRENT or PendingIntent.FLAG_IMMUTABLE
+        )
+
+        val notification = NotificationCompat.Builder(context, TranslanderApp.SERVICE_ALERT_CHANNEL_ID)
+            .setSmallIcon(R.drawable.ic_mic)
+            .setContentTitle(context.getString(R.string.app_name))
+            .setContentText(context.getString(messageResId))
+            .setPriority(NotificationCompat.PRIORITY_HIGH)
+            .setContentIntent(pendingIntent)
+            .setOngoing(true)
+            .setAutoCancel(false)
+            .build()
+
+        val notificationManager = context.getSystemService(Context.NOTIFICATION_SERVICE) as NotificationManager
+        notificationManager.notify(TranslanderApp.SERVICE_ALERT_NOTIFICATION_ID, notification)
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Dismiss the service alert notification.
+     * Called after services have been successfully started.
+     */
+    fun dismiss() {
+        val notificationManager = context.getSystemService(Context.NOTIFICATION_SERVICE) as NotificationManager
+        notificationManager.cancel(TranslanderApp.SERVICE_ALERT_NOTIFICATION_ID)
+    }
+}
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/translander/receiver/BootReceiver.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/translander/receiver/BootReceiver.kt
@@ -3,11 +3,13 @@ package com.translander.receiver
 import android.content.BroadcastReceiver
 import android.content.Context
 import android.content.Intent
-import android.os.Build
 import android.provider.Settings
 import android.util.Log
+import com.translander.R
 import com.translander.TranslanderApp
 import com.translander.service.FloatingMicService
+import com.translander.transcribe.AudioMonitorService
+import com.translander.util.BootCompatHelper
 import kotlinx.coroutines.CoroutineScope
 import kotlinx.coroutines.Dispatchers
 import kotlinx.coroutines.flow.first
@@ -21,35 +23,45 @@ class BootReceiver : BroadcastReceiver() {
 
     override fun onReceive(context: Context, intent: Intent) {
         if (intent.action == Intent.ACTION_BOOT_COMPLETED) {
-            Log.i(TAG, "Boot completed, checking if service should start")
+            Log.i(TAG, "Boot completed, checking if services should start")
 
-            // Check if service was enabled and we have overlay permission
-            val hasOverlayPermission = if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= Build.VERSION_CODES.M) {
-                Settings.canDrawOverlays(context)
-            } else true
-
-            if (!hasOverlayPermission) {
-                Log.i(TAG, "No overlay permission, not starting service")
-                return
-            }
-
-            // Use goAsync() to extend receiver lifetime beyond 10s limit
             val pendingResult = goAsync()
 
             CoroutineScope(Dispatchers.IO).launch {
                 try {
-                    val wasEnabled = TranslanderApp.instance.settingsRepository.serviceEnabled.first()
+                    val app = TranslanderApp.instance
+                    val floatingMicEnabled = app.settingsRepository.serviceEnabled.first()
+                    val audioMonitorEnabled = app.settingsRepository.audioMonitorEnabled.first()
+
+                    // Check overlay permission for floating mic
+                    val hasOverlayPermission = Settings.canDrawOverlays(context)
+
+                    val canStartFloatingMic = floatingMicEnabled && hasOverlayPermission
+                    val canStartAudioMonitor = audioMonitorEnabled
 
-                    if (wasEnabled) {
-                        Log.i(TAG, "Service was enabled, starting FloatingMicService")
-                        val serviceIntent = Intent(context, FloatingMicService::class.java)
-                        if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= Build.VERSION_CODES.O) {
+                    Log.i(TAG, "floatingMicEnabled=$floatingMicEnabled, audioMonitorEnabled=$audioMonitorEnabled, hasOverlay=$hasOverlayPermission")
+
+                    if (!canStartFloatingMic && !canStartAudioMonitor) {
+                        Log.i(TAG, "No services enabled, nothing to start")
+                        return@launch
+                    }
+
+                    if (BootCompatHelper.canStartFgsFromBoot) {
+                        // Pre-Android 14: can start FGS directly
+                        if (canStartFloatingMic) {
+                            Log.i(TAG, "Starting FloatingMicService")
+                            val serviceIntent = Intent(context, FloatingMicService::class.java)
+                            context.startForegroundService(serviceIntent)
+                        }
+                        if (canStartAudioMonitor) {
+                            Log.i(TAG, "Starting AudioMonitorService")
+                            val serviceIntent = Intent(context, AudioMonitorService::class.java)
                             context.startForegroundService(serviceIntent)
-                        } else {
-                            context.startService(serviceIntent)
                         }
                     } else {
-                        Log.i(TAG, "Service was not enabled, not starting")
+                        // Android 14+: show single unified notification
+                        Log.i(TAG, "Android 14+: showing notification instead of starting services")
+                        app.serviceAlertNotification.show(R.string.service_start_services)
                     }
                 } catch (e: Exception) {
                     Log.e(TAG, "Failed to check service enabled state", e)

diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/translander/service/FloatingMicService.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/translander/service/FloatingMicService.kt
@@ -346,7 +346,7 @@ class FloatingMicService : Service() {
     }
 
     private fun showFailureNotification() {
-        TranslanderApp.instance.showServiceStartNotification(R.string.service_start_floating_mic)
+        TranslanderApp.instance.serviceAlertNotification.show(R.string.service_start_floating_mic)
     }
 
     private fun createNotification(): Notification {

diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/translander/settings/SettingsActivity.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/translander/settings/SettingsActivity.kt
@@ -168,7 +168,7 @@ class SettingsActivity : ComponentActivity() {
         // Revalidate model files on disk
         TranslanderApp.instance.modelManager.checkModelStatus()
 
-        // Sync floating service state
+        // Sync floating service state and restart services if needed (Android 14+ boot workaround)
         val app = TranslanderApp.instance
         app.applicationScope.launch {
             val serviceEnabled = app.settingsRepository.serviceEnabled.first()
@@ -186,6 +186,15 @@ class SettingsActivity : ComponentActivity() {
                     startFloatingService()
                 }
             }
+
+            // Restart audio monitor if enabled (needed on Android 14+ where boot start is blocked)
+            val audioMonitorEnabled = app.settingsRepository.audioMonitorEnabled.first()
+            if (audioMonitorEnabled) {
+                app.transcribeManager.setAudioMonitorEnabled(true)
+            }
+
+            // Dismiss the boot notification now that services are started
+            app.serviceAlertNotification.dismiss()
         }
     }
 

diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/translander/transcribe/AudioMonitorService.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/translander/transcribe/AudioMonitorService.kt
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import android.app.NotificationManager
 import android.app.PendingIntent
 import android.app.Service
 import android.content.Intent
+import android.content.pm.ServiceInfo
 import android.os.Build
 import android.os.Environment
 import android.os.FileObserver
@@ -63,7 +64,13 @@ class AudioMonitorService : Service() {
         }
 
         try {
-            startForeground(SERVICE_NOTIFICATION_ID, createServiceNotification())
+            val notification = createServiceNotification()
+            if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= Build.VERSION_CODES.UPSIDE_DOWN_CAKE) {
+                startForeground(SERVICE_NOTIFICATION_ID, notification,
+                    ServiceInfo.FOREGROUND_SERVICE_TYPE_SPECIAL_USE)
+            } else {
+                startForeground(SERVICE_NOTIFICATION_ID, notification)
+            }
             // Dismiss any failure notification from previous boot attempt
             getSystemService(android.app.NotificationManager::class.java)
                 ?.cancel(TranslanderApp.SERVICE_ALERT_NOTIFICATION_ID)
@@ -127,7 +134,7 @@ class AudioMonitorService : Service() {
     }
 
     private fun showFailureNotification() {
-        TranslanderApp.instance.showServiceStartNotification(R.string.service_start_folder_monitor)
+        TranslanderApp.instance.serviceAlertNotification.show(R.string.service_start_folder_monitor)
     }
 
     private fun createServiceNotification(): Notification {

diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/translander/transcribe/TranscribeManager.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/translander/transcribe/TranscribeManager.kt
@@ -2,9 +2,9 @@ package com.translander.transcribe
 
 import android.content.Context
 import android.content.Intent
-import android.os.Build
 import android.util.Log
 import com.translander.TranslanderApp
+import com.translander.util.BootCompatHelper
 import kotlinx.coroutines.CoroutineScope
 import kotlinx.coroutines.Dispatchers
 import kotlinx.coroutines.SupervisorJob
@@ -48,11 +48,7 @@ class TranscribeManager(private val context: Context) {
             if (active) return
             try {
                 val intent = Intent(context, AudioMonitorService::class.java)
-                if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= Build.VERSION_CODES.O) {
-                    context.startForegroundService(intent)
-                } else {
-                    context.startService(intent)
-                }
+                context.startForegroundService(intent)
                 active = true
             } catch (e: Exception) {
                 Log.e(TAG, "Failed to start AudioMonitorService", e)
@@ -88,14 +84,24 @@ class TranscribeManager(private val context: Context) {
 
     /**
      * Start all enabled triggers based on settings.
+     * On Android 14+, skips auto-start at boot since dataSync FGS is blocked.
+     * BootReceiver handles showing the notification, so we just skip here.
+     * User must open app to start services (handled in SettingsActivity.onResume).
      */
     fun startEnabledTriggers() {
         scope.launch {
             val settings = TranslanderApp.instance.settingsRepository
             val monitorEnabled = settings.audioMonitorEnabled.first()
 
             if (monitorEnabled) {
-                audioMonitorTrigger.start()
+                if (BootCompatHelper.canStartFgsFromBoot) {
+                    audioMonitorTrigger.start()
+                } else {
+                    // Android 14+: BootReceiver shows the notification,
+                    // so we just skip starting here. Services will be started
+                    // when user opens the app (SettingsActivity.onResume).
+                    Log.i(TAG, "Android 14+: skipping audio monitor start at boot")
+                }
             }
         }
     }

diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/translander/util/BootCompatHelper.kt b/app/src/main/java/com/translander/util/BootCompatHelper.kt
@@ -0,0 +1,47 @@
+package com.translander.util
+
+import android.os.Build
+
+/**
+ * Helper for Android 14+ boot compatibility.
+ * Centralizes API level checks for foreground service (FGS) restrictions.
+ *
+ * ## Android Version Restrictions Matrix
+ *
+ * | Android | API | FGS Restrictions at Boot |
+ * |---------|-----|--------------------------|
+ * | 8.0-13  | 26-33 | None - FGS starts directly from BOOT_COMPLETED |
+ * | 14      | 34    | `microphone` FGS type blocked from boot/background |
+ * | 15      | 35    | Same as 14, plus `dataSync` has 6-hour timeout |
+ * | 16      | 36    | Same restrictions as Android 15 |
+ *
+ * ## Why Check for API 34?
+ *
+ * Android 14 (API 34, UPSIDE_DOWN_CAKE) was the first version to restrict
+ * starting certain FGS types from background contexts like BOOT_COMPLETED.
+ * This restriction applies to:
+ * - `microphone` (used by FloatingMicService)
+ * - `camera`
+ * - `mediaProjection`
+ *
+ * Android 15 (API 35) added the 6-hour timeout for `dataSync` FGS type,
+ * which is why AudioMonitorService uses `specialUse` instead.
+ *
+ * The check for API < 34 covers all Android versions from 14 onwards,
+ * including 15 and 16.
+ *
+ * @see <a href="https://developer.android.com/develop/background-work/services/fgs/restrictions-bg-start">FGS Background Start Restrictions</a>
+ * @see <a href="https://developer.android.com/about/versions/15/changes/foreground-service-types">Android 15 FGS Changes</a>
+ */
+object BootCompatHelper {
+    /**
+     * Whether the app can start foreground services with restricted types
+     * (microphone, dataSync) from BOOT_COMPLETED receiver.
+     *
+     * Returns `true` for Android 8.0-13 (API 26-33) where FGS can start directly.
+     * Returns `false` for Android 14+ (API 34+) where a notification must be
+     * shown and the user must tap to start services.
+     */
+    val canStartFgsFromBoot: Boolean
+        get() = Build.VERSION.SDK_INT < Build.VERSION_CODES.UPSIDE_DOWN_CAKE
+}
diff --git a/app/src/main/res/values-bg/strings.xml b/app/src/main/res/values-bg/strings.xml
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@
     <string name="service_alert_channel_description">Известия при неуспешно стартиране на услуги</string>
     <string name="service_start_floating_mic">Натиснете, за да стартирате плаващия микрофон</string>
     <string name="service_start_folder_monitor">Натиснете, за да стартирате наблюдението на папки</string>
+    <string name="service_start_services">Докоснете, за да стартирате услугите на TranSlander</string>
     <string name="accessibility_service_label">TranSlander Текстов вход</string>
     <string name="accessibility_service_description">Позволява на TranSlander да вмъква транскрибиран текст директно в текстови полета. Активирайте за безпроблемно гласово въвеждане на текст.</string>
 

diff --git a/app/src/main/res/values-cs/strings.xml b/app/src/main/res/values-cs/strings.xml
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@
     <string name="service_alert_channel_description">Oznámení při selhání spuštění služeb</string>
     <string name="service_start_floating_mic">Klepněte pro spuštění plovoucího mikrofonu</string>
     <string name="service_start_folder_monitor">Klepněte pro spuštění monitoru složek</string>
+    <string name="service_start_services">Klepnutím spustíte služby TranSlander</string>
     <string name="accessibility_service_label">TranSlander Textový vstup</string>
     <string name="accessibility_service_description">Umožňuje TranSlander vkládat přepsaný text přímo do textových polí. Povolte pro plynulý hlasový vstup.</string>