how to run wifi peer to peer application in android emulator..?

Question

I am trying to develop an wifi peer to peer application in android(4.+). The problem here is how to test it.

I tried to run that application in android emulator. there was no option to configure wifi in the settings menu, i also tired to enable wifi using the dev tools application form the emulator but it didn't work, And through all my googling over 3 days and i found that Android emulator is not supported the Wifi.

So i opted for androidx86 4.0eeepc using virtual box and tired to add devices both wifi and bluetooth (my app uses both bluetooth and wifi) but only bluetooth device got added and it did not work. But my virtual box detected the wifi and bluetooth devices. I just couldnt get them work with the virtual machine.

I tried everything like manually adding the addresses using terminal emulator app in androidx86 and used netcfg through the android commandline but neither of them worked.

Please suggest and guide me on the correct path to run these kind of applications that use wifi and bluetooth in android.

Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

First, be sure you enabled WiFi Direct in the Android settings for the two virtualbox instances:

Settings --> Wireless & Networks --> More... --> Wi-Fi direct

It has been stated as working once that hurdle was overcome, and I'm sure many have experienced the same...just be sure to enable wifi direct

I would have tried exactly what you've already tried by naturally moving from the emulator to the androidx86 project. Although unreliable, I'd recommend looking at and finagling this, if you haven't yet seen it: Android: Simulate WiFi in the emulator? and How to disable/enable network, switch to Wifi in Android emulator? most likely wouldn't have full out success but may be enough to let you know that it works or would work.

As far as testing WiFi-Direct/WiFiP2P without you yourself having a device/s, I would recommend:

• Trying out some of the fiddling as mentioned above. And read through tons of logs.
• You could always crowd source it to friends, or release an apk on a forum for a small group of testers.

Of course, both of those options are not ideal, seamless, or fast. So, I'd definitely hope you get VirtualBox VMs of AndroidX86 4.0 running as it should once you check that setting and pair up the WiFi APs :-)