WaveUp 3.2.17

WaveUp is a convenient app that activates your phone's screen by waving over the proximity sensor. Its purpose is to eliminate the need to press the power button for a quick glance at the screen, which I find myself doing frequently. While there are other similar apps available, like Gravity Screen On/Off, which is highly regarded, I am particularly drawn to WaveUp because of its commitment to open source software. I strive to use free software, not only in terms of cost but also in terms of freedom, whenever possible on my phone. Since I couldn't find an open source app that fulfilled this need, I decided to create WaveUp myself. The source code can be found at: https://gitlab.com/juanitobananas/wave-up.

WaveUp offers two main modes: the "wave mode" and the "pocket mode." In wave mode, simply wave your hand over the proximity sensor to turn on the screen. This feature can be disabled in the settings to prevent accidental activation. Pocket mode automatically turns on the screen when you take your phone out of your pocket or purse. Similar to wave mode, this functionality can be disabled in the settings if desired.

Both of these modes are enabled by default for ease of use. Additionally, WaveUp includes a feature that locks your phone and turns off the screen when the proximity sensor is covered for at least one second (or a specified time). This particular feature does not have a specific name but can be adjusted in the settings.

If you're unfamiliar with what a proximity sensor is, it is a small component located near where you place your ear during phone calls. Although it is barely noticeable, it plays a crucial role in determining when to switch off the screen while on a call.

Uninstalling

WaveUp requires the Device Administrator permission, which makes it slightly different to uninstall compared to other apps. To remove WaveUp from your device, simply open the app and tap the "Uninstall WaveUp" button located at the bottom of the menu.

Known Issues

Unfortunately, certain smartphones maintain CPU activity while listening to the proximity sensor. This is known as a "wake lock" and can lead to significant battery drain. Please note that this issue is not a result of WaveUp and there is no solution to change it. On the other hand, some phones will enter a sleep state when the screen turns off while still listening to the proximity sensor, resulting in minimal battery drain.

Required Android Permissions

• WAKE_LOCK: Allows WaveUp to turn on the screen
• RECEIVE_BOOT_COMPLETED: Enables automatic startup on boot if selected
• READ_PHONE_STATE: Suspends WaveUp during phone calls
• BLUETOOTH (or BLUETOOTH_CONNECT for Android 10 and above): Detects Bluetooth headsets during calls and prevents WaveUp from suspending
• REQUEST_IGNORE_BATTERY_OPTIMIZATIONS, FOREGROUND_SERVICE, and FOREGROUND_SERVICE_SPECIAL_USE: Ensures WaveUp can run in the background to continuously monitor the proximity sensor
• USES_POLICY_FORCE_LOCK: Locks the device for Android 8 and below, requiring a pattern or PIN if set
• BIND_ACCESSIBILITY_SERVICE (Accessibility API): Turns off the screen for Android 9 and above
• REQUEST_DELETE_PACKAGES: Allows WaveUp to uninstall itself (if USES_POLICY_FORCE_LOCK was used)

Miscellaneous Notes

Please note that WaveUp is my first Android app, so be aware that there may be some imperfections. However, I am excited to contribute to the open source community and appreciate any feedback or contributions you might have.

Thank you for taking the time to read this review!

Translations

If you're interested in helping translate WaveUp into different languages, including revising the English version, you can contribute to the project on Transifex. WaveUp can be translated through two projects: https://www.transifex.com/juanitobananas/waveup/ and https://www.transifex.com/juanitobananas/libcommon/.

Acknowledgments

I would like to extend a special thanks to all those mentioned in the acknowledgments section of the repository: https://gitlab.com/juanitobananas/wave-up/#acknowledgments.