Setting up an Android player with the Yodeck Software

Posted by on September 20th, 2022

Introduction

You are in the right spot if you want to create your Digital Signage player based on Android using the Yodeck software.

Keep in mind, though, that this process requires some basic IT skills.

Prerequisites

Make sure that you have everything you need:

Android OS

An Android TV, box, tablet, or mobile phone running Android 5 and above.

Before Starting

Below, you can find 2 setup guides. The simple setup guide can be followed by anyone, and it comes with some limitations. The advanced one (that we highly recommend) requires an IT background.

Follow the Advanced Setup if you want to:

  • Remotely Reboot or Shutdown your device
  • Remotely Set the device’s time zone
  • Use Kiosk Mode (for tablets)

Get the registration code

  1. Download the Send files to TV app on your smartphone and TV.
  2. Download the APK file https://yodeck.link/android on your smartphone and send it to your TV using the Send files to TV app from Step 1.
    • ⚠️ Warning: Both the TV and smartphone must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network for this to work
  3. Install the FX File Explorer app on the TV to help you locate the folder where the APK file is stored.
  4. Install the APK file and allow all needed permissions on the device.
    • You will need to enable the Content module on the device.
    • You will need to enable the Demo mode on the device.
  5. The setup will take a few minutes. Once the setup process is complete, you will see the Yodeck Android player running on your screen with the 9-digit registration code showing up on the screen.
  6. Check the below section on registering your Android player under your Yodeck account.

For other Android devices

For every other Android device, like tablets, etc., download the APK file directly and install it as you would install any other APK file on your device.

Unbranded

Whitelabel partners can find the latest unbranded APK in the Partners Console.

Step 1 – On your PC

  1. Download Platform SDK tools from this page.
  2. Unzip the files in a directory.
  3. Download the Yodeck APK file HERE and save it to the same directory you extracted from the SDK tools.
  4. Open a Terminal and navigate to the extracted folder.

Whitelabel partners can find the latest unbranded APK in the Partners Console.

Step 2 – On the Android Device

  1. Turn on Developer Options
    💡If you haven’t already, enable Developer Options on your Android. More details on how to do that are here.
  2. Connect your Android device via a USB cable to your PC and ensure that your PC can “locate” the Android.

Step 3 – Back to your PC’s Terminal

  1. Type adb connect <<ANDROID_IP_ADDRESS>> 💡To find the Androids’ IP address, check this link here.
  2. On the Android, check the box to trust this source and Click ‘OK’
  3. Type adb devices – You should see the IP address of the TV
  4. Type adb install ./latest.apk – This will install the Yodeck Application.
  5. On Android, make sure to follow the APK installation process.
  6. Type adb shell am start io.signageos.open – This will start the application

Run the below commands one by one to give the required permissions in the application.

💡READ ME: There are 2 dashes before the uid. Unfortunately, the editor below displays the dashes as one.

  1. adb shell appops set –uid io.signageos.android PROJECT_MEDIA allow
  2. adb shell appops set –uid io.signageos.android WRITE_SETTINGS allow
  3. adb shell appops set –uid io.signageos.android READ_DEVICE_IDENTIFIERS allow
  4. adb shell appops set –uid io.signageos.android SYSTEM_ALERT_WINDOW allow
  5. adb shell pm grant io.signageos.android android.permission.WRITE_SECURE_SETTINGS
  6. adb shell dpm set-device-owner io.signageos.android/.dpc.AdminReceiver

Step – 4 Back to the Android Device

  1. Re-Launch the application from the App menu
  2. Grant ALL runtime permissions, it may ask.

Registering a Yodeck Android Player on your Account

After seeing the registration code on your Android TV screen, you must register the player to your Yodeck Account.

  1. Login to your Yodeck Account and Go to the “Monitors” section.
  2. Create a new Monitor entry by clicking the “+Add Monitor” button.
  3. A new window will pop up. Choose the Android Player option.
  4. In the “Registration Code” field, type in the 9-digit registration code you see on your TV screen and click the “Save” button.
  5. After a minute or so, your player should register with your Yodeck Account, and it should start showing the assigned content on the screen.

Kiosk Mode

Kiosk Mode locks down a device to a single app, in our case, the Yodeck app, which means that it prevents misuse of a tablet when customers have physical access to it.

  • You can enable/disable the kiosk mode from Monitor’s settings
  • Tip: In power loss, most devices auto-start with the Yodeck app. Please manually set up the Yodeck app as the auto-start (link) if your device doesn’t.

Android Limitations

Yodeck for Android comes with some limitations compared to the Yodeck Player. You can find the full list here.

Need Help?

The Yodeck Support Team can help you out! Reach out!