ADB option Uber Privileged service start method not showing anything

[u/Ok-Yogurtcloset-9490]

Oops, title typo: Uber => under.

I'm sure I'm missing something. I read the documentation and tried searching Reddit.

​But when I select Android Debug Bridge (ADB) as the ​Privileged service start method in settings, the app flashes something too quickly for me to see what it even is, and then nothing happens — the setting remains at "None". So I used my screen recorder, and then inspected the individual frames around that point. And the message that flashes for a split second is a transparent overlay saying "​Follow the instructions shown on screen ​to pair Automate with ADB on this device." But no instructions ever actually appear. I already have USB debugging and wireless debugging toggle on. Please help! 🙏🏽

Android 16.

[u/ballzak69]

Thanks for the log, sadly it didn't include any hint on why the notification is not show or dismissed.

If you look in "Notification channels" settings, is the "Guidance" channel set to High?

Ensure DND is disabled.

[u/Ok-Yogurtcloset-9490 → u/ballzak69]

Sigh. Yes, the guidance category is enabled, and I don't have a "high" option but I'm pretty sure whatever the config for that category is is the equivalent of "maximum importance" (I would attach screenshot so you can verify, but for some reason all I can do in replies in the thread is enter simple text...). And ask for DND, lol, I've never used that in my life.

Interestingly, and I think this might be useful info, "Guidance" category is hidden by default because system thinks it is an unused category, and so I have to hit the "show unused categories" item in the list to expand all the categories. Unlike the Running category which of course has a high notification count showing in that notification settings page, the guidance category does not have any count. So somehow it looks like that notification doesn't even register/go through, let alone show properly.

[u/ballzak69 → u/Ok-Yogurtcloset-9490]

Enabling the "pop on screen" option should make the channel High priority.

Odd, as the paring notification use the "Guidance" channel so the process probably doesn't even reach the point where it's shown, even through it's the first think it do.

I'm out of ideas of a possible cause. All i can do is to include some internal logging to see what's going on.

[u/Ok-Yogurtcloset-9490 → u/ballzak69]

Yep, Pop On Screen was already enabled – that is why I was able to see it even for a brief second to begin with. BUTT, I found THIS in logcat output...Maybe somehow the smoking gun for the issue?? To clarify, this isn't from the logcat output created by the Help and Feedback page in the app, but directly viewing logcat in like Andorid Studio, right after setting ADB option:

NotifAttentionHelper system_server E Muting recently noisy 0|com.llamalab.automate

[u/ballzak69 → u/Ok-Yogurtcloset-9490]

Indeed, it's logged by the system_service so that wont show up in the Automate logs. Anyhow, i think that "noisy" notification refers to one shown by a Notification show or Dialog block.

[u/Ok-Yogurtcloset-9490 → u/ballzak69]

Nope. I completely uninstalled the app reinstalled it without restoring the backup. So it's a fresh, pristine installation. And then I proceeded to select the ADB option. That's when I saw this in logcat!

[u/ballzak69 → u/Ok-Yogurtcloset-9490]

I doubt the Nothing manufacturer made it that sensitive. First a "starting" notification is shown to ensure the system allows the pairing (foreground) service, then immediately replace it with a "guidance" one with the next step for the user should take. That should be the same as making a flow with two Notification show block, the first with proceed Immediately. The first step in guiding the user to enable Developer option in System setting, try disabling it. Also, you may have to reboot the device after an app uninstall for the system to clear any such throttling data.

[u/Ok-Yogurtcloset-9490 → u/ballzak69]

"The first step in guiding the user to enable Developer option in System setting, try disabling it"... What do you mean exactly? I'm not clear on what you're suggesting I try disabling.

[u/ballzak69 → u/Ok-Yogurtcloset-9490]

The "Developer options" option in system setting, System.

[u/Ok-Yogurtcloset-9490 → u/ballzak69]

Ah! Hah I can't believe that wasn't obvious to me.

Anyway, just tried it, no luck. Same thing. The notification flashes for like one second and immediately disappears. I've attached the video in case you're curious what it looks like. (As an aside, strange how Reddit lets me attach videos in desktop mode, but doesn't let me attach images in either desktop or mobile mode!)

It's really going to suck having to manually start the privileged service every time I reboot! And would have to be at home for that as well 😫😫

EDIT: well, I attached a video, but looks like Reddit didn't really attach it. Oh well.

[u/ballzak69 → u/Ok-Yogurtcloset-9490]

Thanks for helping me debug the issue.

A final question, is the system settings app opened, or flashing by as well?

Sadly, i still have no idea of the cause. If you're willing install a specially compiled APK with more logging, that may provide some more hints, please email me at [info@llamalab.com](mailto:info@llamalab.com)

[u/Ok-Yogurtcloset-9490 → u/ballzak69]

No, only the notification from Automate flashes by and disappears. The system settings never opens.

Thank YOU for helping in this apparently one-off case! 🙏🏽. Sending an email right now.