FAQ
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
Since some of the same questions on the forum are repeatedly posted every now and then, a selection of these questions are summarized in the FAQ below. When you’re new to the forum please read this FAQ first because your question might already have been asked and answered before.
In order to find your answer quickly, a short index below:
1. About triggers
2. About the location of Constraints
3. Actions that require root-access
4. Non-rooted devices / Plugins
5. Notifications
6. Storing and re-using current settings (i.e. volume, brightness, etc.)
7. Using variables
8. App language and translations
9. Not working functions/Accessibly service
10. Downloading APK’s from previous MD versions
11. Knowing when a macro is running
12. Free and Pro version of MD
13. Problematic devices
14. Screen off action and fingerprint unlock
15. Why can't I uninstall the app?
16. Starting MD after device boot.
1. Q: How are multiple triggers in a macro handled?
A: Triggers are always handled as logical OR. A trigger is a one off instantaneous event that will cause the macro to fire at the point that trigger becomes true, it is not a state or profile. This means in case of multiple triggers any one of the triggers A, B or C will fire the macro. You can combine triggers with constraints to create more complex scenarios.
2. Q: What’s the difference of a constraint attached to a Trigger or an Action compared to a constraint in the Constraints-section of a macro?
A: The constraints in the Constraint-section are applicable to the whole macro and will allow the macro to fire if the constraint conditions are met (or prevent the macro running if conditions fail). Constraints directly linked to a Trigger or Action only apply to that single item. You can add a constraint to an item by tapping it in the edit macro screen.
3. Q: Why are some features listed as root only?
A: Some actions in MacroDroid require your root-access to your device. When your device is not rooted, it’s impossible to invoke the feature on the Android platform (by MacroDroid or any other application). This is not a limitation of MacroDroid, it is a limitation of Android. Different versions of Android allow/restrict different functions, so it might happen that certain functions so work on old Android version, but not on newer versions and vice versa.
Some of the functions that require a rooted device are: switching GPS/Location mode, switching mobile data, switching power saving modes, reboot/shut-down of your device, answer call, adjust notification setting of an app, kill application and switching airplane mode.
4. Q: What can I do if I want to use the root-required MacroDroid features on my non-rooted device?
A: You may either choose to root your device. This is usually a fairly simple process and for most common devices you can find instructions via Google or on forums such as XDA forums. If you do not wish to root your device you may consider looking at the AutoInput plugin via Google Play. This plugin can be invoked from MacroDroid and allows basic UI interaction to be programmed for other apps and the Android UI (for example the settings app).
5. Q: I don’t want the MacroDroid icon always showing in my status bar. What can I do?
A: For devices since Android 8 the way to hide the notification is to long press on the notification and disabled the persistent notification channel. For older devices the recommended approach is to edit the notification bar settings (via the MacroDroid settings) and set the notification priority to the lowest priority value. In most cases this should remove the persistent icon. There is also an option to force hide the icon, however it is STRONGLY recommended
that this option is not used as it can frequently cause issues with the running of MacroDroid.
6. Q: Can I store and re-use my current volume level?
A: Yes, when you define a numeric variable you can easily assign things like volume, brightness, date, etc. to a variable by use of the ‘Expression’ option (and the three dots shown behind) during configuration of your variable. This value can be used later to restore the volume level.
7. Q: What can I do with Variables?
A: A variable is just a simple container that can hold a particular value. The types of value that can held are: text string, integers (whole number), decimals (fractional numbers) and Boolean (true/false)
Variables can be used for many different things but some simple examples of what you can do are as follows:
- Store a particular state (e.g. a Boolean variable called home may be set to true when home and false when away). This state can then be used as a constraint on other macros.
- Use as a counter. For example, each time a macro runs you could increase an integer variable by a value of 1.
- Prompt the user for input and store that value for use in other macros. For example, prompt the user to enter some text and then use this later in the send email action.
- Perform basic calculations. For example if you had a value in mph you could convert this into km/h using a decimal variable and an expression.
Variables can be used for all sorts of things like storing and retrieving a value or a condition. Variables can be set by use of manual input, (user)pre-defined or have them set by MacroDroid.
8. Q: Why isn’t my language supported or is some text in English?
A: Due to my very limited resources all translations are crowd sourced and provided by my fantastic users. If you would like to contribute to the translation of your language you are most welcome to sign up at: Macrodroid.oneskyapp.com.
MacroDroid is constantly evolving so the translation effort never ends so if you can contribute occasionally to keeping a language up to date this is also very much appreciated.
9. Q: A particular feature of MacroDroid does not work on my device? What can I do?
A: Firstly please make sure you have given the app any permissions that are required and double check that you have correctly configured your macro (and understood how/what the feature is supposed to do). If you are convinced there is a real problem please post on the Help and Troubleshooting forum with as much detail as possible and hopefully someone will be able to offer help or advice to solve the issue.
10. Q: Where can I download APK’s of previous versions of MacroDroid?
A: The best place to find old versions of the app that were previously available on the Play Store is via APk Pure at the following location: https://apkpure.com/macrodroid-device-automation/com.arlosoft.macrodroid/versions
11. Q: How can I see if a macro is running/active?
A: A macro is a sequence of actions performed in order, it has a start and an end. The sequence is started when the condition(s) of triggers (and constraints) are met and it ends when all actions in the macro are executed. A macro is not a process or a state/profile, so it is not actually ‘active’ in a way a running process is.
If you require to track when a macro starts and stops you can use whatever actions you need as the first and last actions of the macro. (For example you could set a variable to true as the first action and false as the last action).
12. Q: Why do I have to pay for the Pro version of MacroDroid?
A: MacroDroid has been a monumental effort that I have invested years of my life (and my heart and soul) into creating and supporting. Contrary to some people’s belief it is extremely difficult to earn a living as an independent app developer, therefore the vast majority of MacroDroid has been built and developed in my spare time while working full time for other employers in order to earn a living (and feed my family).
By purchasing the pro upgrade you are supporting me personally and helping to ensure the app has a secure future and will be developed and upgraded for many years to come. Ultimately I want to invest all my working hours in MacroDroid and this is only possible if I get enough downloads and users upgrading.
You can also help greatly by leaving a positive 5 star review of MacroDroid on the Google Play store. You can like the app on Facebook and please tell your friends and family about MacroDroid. The more I can grow the app the better for everyone!
13. Q: I have a Huawei/Xaomi or similar device and MacroDroid is not working well, what can I do?
A: Some devices such as the Huawei P8-lite require MacroDroid to be set as a protected device or given special access so the app can run in the background. There may also be additional settings to enable an app to auto start on a reboot. Such features are not standard Android features but added by the manufacturers therefore if you see such problems I recommend you research your device model to discover if such features are present.
A great resource for discovering vendor specific settings to adjust can be found at https://dontkillmyapp.com
14. Q: When I use the screen off action I can't unlock my device with the fingerprint reader, why is this?
A: This is an Android 'issue' although Google think it is 'WorkingAsIntended'. If your device is rooted, MacroDroid will turn the screen off by faking a power button press, so the fingerprint unlock will still work. For more information please see: https://issuetracker.google.com/issues/37068692
15. Q: Why can't I uninstall the app?
A: The app will fail to uninstall if you have previously enabled device admin access (you should of been warned of this at the point of enabling device admin). To resolve this you can simply disable device admin access for MacroDroid and uninstall as normal or alternatively you can use the uninstall option within the MacroDroid drawer menu (via the home page) that will do all this for you.
16. Q: MacroDroid is not initialized after booting my device
A: On most devices MacroDroid will start automatically after booting. Some devices (i.e. some Xiaomi devices) however, require additional setup of the device settings. (search on the internet if your device requires this and for more information)
Since some of the same questions on the forum are repeatedly posted every now and then, a selection of these questions are summarized in the FAQ below. When you’re new to the forum please read this FAQ first because your question might already have been asked and answered before.
In order to find your answer quickly, a short index below:
1. About triggers
2. About the location of Constraints
3. Actions that require root-access
4. Non-rooted devices / Plugins
5. Notifications
6. Storing and re-using current settings (i.e. volume, brightness, etc.)
7. Using variables
8. App language and translations
9. Not working functions/Accessibly service
10. Downloading APK’s from previous MD versions
11. Knowing when a macro is running
12. Free and Pro version of MD
13. Problematic devices
14. Screen off action and fingerprint unlock
15. Why can't I uninstall the app?
16. Starting MD after device boot.
1. Q: How are multiple triggers in a macro handled?
A: Triggers are always handled as logical OR. A trigger is a one off instantaneous event that will cause the macro to fire at the point that trigger becomes true, it is not a state or profile. This means in case of multiple triggers any one of the triggers A, B or C will fire the macro. You can combine triggers with constraints to create more complex scenarios.
2. Q: What’s the difference of a constraint attached to a Trigger or an Action compared to a constraint in the Constraints-section of a macro?
A: The constraints in the Constraint-section are applicable to the whole macro and will allow the macro to fire if the constraint conditions are met (or prevent the macro running if conditions fail). Constraints directly linked to a Trigger or Action only apply to that single item. You can add a constraint to an item by tapping it in the edit macro screen.
3. Q: Why are some features listed as root only?
A: Some actions in MacroDroid require your root-access to your device. When your device is not rooted, it’s impossible to invoke the feature on the Android platform (by MacroDroid or any other application). This is not a limitation of MacroDroid, it is a limitation of Android. Different versions of Android allow/restrict different functions, so it might happen that certain functions so work on old Android version, but not on newer versions and vice versa.
Some of the functions that require a rooted device are: switching GPS/Location mode, switching mobile data, switching power saving modes, reboot/shut-down of your device, answer call, adjust notification setting of an app, kill application and switching airplane mode.
4. Q: What can I do if I want to use the root-required MacroDroid features on my non-rooted device?
A: You may either choose to root your device. This is usually a fairly simple process and for most common devices you can find instructions via Google or on forums such as XDA forums. If you do not wish to root your device you may consider looking at the AutoInput plugin via Google Play. This plugin can be invoked from MacroDroid and allows basic UI interaction to be programmed for other apps and the Android UI (for example the settings app).
5. Q: I don’t want the MacroDroid icon always showing in my status bar. What can I do?
A: For devices since Android 8 the way to hide the notification is to long press on the notification and disabled the persistent notification channel. For older devices the recommended approach is to edit the notification bar settings (via the MacroDroid settings) and set the notification priority to the lowest priority value. In most cases this should remove the persistent icon. There is also an option to force hide the icon, however it is STRONGLY recommended
that this option is not used as it can frequently cause issues with the running of MacroDroid.
6. Q: Can I store and re-use my current volume level?
A: Yes, when you define a numeric variable you can easily assign things like volume, brightness, date, etc. to a variable by use of the ‘Expression’ option (and the three dots shown behind) during configuration of your variable. This value can be used later to restore the volume level.
7. Q: What can I do with Variables?
A: A variable is just a simple container that can hold a particular value. The types of value that can held are: text string, integers (whole number), decimals (fractional numbers) and Boolean (true/false)
Variables can be used for many different things but some simple examples of what you can do are as follows:
- Store a particular state (e.g. a Boolean variable called home may be set to true when home and false when away). This state can then be used as a constraint on other macros.
- Use as a counter. For example, each time a macro runs you could increase an integer variable by a value of 1.
- Prompt the user for input and store that value for use in other macros. For example, prompt the user to enter some text and then use this later in the send email action.
- Perform basic calculations. For example if you had a value in mph you could convert this into km/h using a decimal variable and an expression.
Variables can be used for all sorts of things like storing and retrieving a value or a condition. Variables can be set by use of manual input, (user)pre-defined or have them set by MacroDroid.
8. Q: Why isn’t my language supported or is some text in English?
A: Due to my very limited resources all translations are crowd sourced and provided by my fantastic users. If you would like to contribute to the translation of your language you are most welcome to sign up at: Macrodroid.oneskyapp.com.
MacroDroid is constantly evolving so the translation effort never ends so if you can contribute occasionally to keeping a language up to date this is also very much appreciated.
9. Q: A particular feature of MacroDroid does not work on my device? What can I do?
A: Firstly please make sure you have given the app any permissions that are required and double check that you have correctly configured your macro (and understood how/what the feature is supposed to do). If you are convinced there is a real problem please post on the Help and Troubleshooting forum with as much detail as possible and hopefully someone will be able to offer help or advice to solve the issue.
10. Q: Where can I download APK’s of previous versions of MacroDroid?
A: The best place to find old versions of the app that were previously available on the Play Store is via APk Pure at the following location: https://apkpure.com/macrodroid-device-automation/com.arlosoft.macrodroid/versions
11. Q: How can I see if a macro is running/active?
A: A macro is a sequence of actions performed in order, it has a start and an end. The sequence is started when the condition(s) of triggers (and constraints) are met and it ends when all actions in the macro are executed. A macro is not a process or a state/profile, so it is not actually ‘active’ in a way a running process is.
If you require to track when a macro starts and stops you can use whatever actions you need as the first and last actions of the macro. (For example you could set a variable to true as the first action and false as the last action).
12. Q: Why do I have to pay for the Pro version of MacroDroid?
A: MacroDroid has been a monumental effort that I have invested years of my life (and my heart and soul) into creating and supporting. Contrary to some people’s belief it is extremely difficult to earn a living as an independent app developer, therefore the vast majority of MacroDroid has been built and developed in my spare time while working full time for other employers in order to earn a living (and feed my family).
By purchasing the pro upgrade you are supporting me personally and helping to ensure the app has a secure future and will be developed and upgraded for many years to come. Ultimately I want to invest all my working hours in MacroDroid and this is only possible if I get enough downloads and users upgrading.
You can also help greatly by leaving a positive 5 star review of MacroDroid on the Google Play store. You can like the app on Facebook and please tell your friends and family about MacroDroid. The more I can grow the app the better for everyone!
13. Q: I have a Huawei/Xaomi or similar device and MacroDroid is not working well, what can I do?
A: Some devices such as the Huawei P8-lite require MacroDroid to be set as a protected device or given special access so the app can run in the background. There may also be additional settings to enable an app to auto start on a reboot. Such features are not standard Android features but added by the manufacturers therefore if you see such problems I recommend you research your device model to discover if such features are present.
A great resource for discovering vendor specific settings to adjust can be found at https://dontkillmyapp.com
14. Q: When I use the screen off action I can't unlock my device with the fingerprint reader, why is this?
A: This is an Android 'issue' although Google think it is 'WorkingAsIntended'. If your device is rooted, MacroDroid will turn the screen off by faking a power button press, so the fingerprint unlock will still work. For more information please see: https://issuetracker.google.com/issues/37068692
15. Q: Why can't I uninstall the app?
A: The app will fail to uninstall if you have previously enabled device admin access (you should of been warned of this at the point of enabling device admin). To resolve this you can simply disable device admin access for MacroDroid and uninstall as normal or alternatively you can use the uninstall option within the MacroDroid drawer menu (via the home page) that will do all this for you.
16. Q: MacroDroid is not initialized after booting my device
A: On most devices MacroDroid will start automatically after booting. Some devices (i.e. some Xiaomi devices) however, require additional setup of the device settings. (search on the internet if your device requires this and for more information)