Android Telecom Service, a code-based service of the android framework, is also known as the com.android.server.telecom. This is an in-built framework library of Android, which android developers generally use. It’s responsible for managing the calls on android devices.
It manages to connect with the carrier network to initiate, end and receive calls on android devices. This includes SIM-based calling using a telephony framework or VoIP calls using SIP (SipConnectionService). It also works with third-party VoIP connection services and supports video calling too.
To sum it up, com.android.server.telecom is a framework of the android OS for user call management. But what exactly does this service do, and how does it function? To answer these questions, let’s understand more about android telecom management in this article.
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What is com.android.server.telecom?
Ideally, this service runs on Android devices for initiating and managing calls. But it also serves as a switchboard, liable for routing calls and audio focus connections between the ConnectionServices and the inCallService implementations for the user calling interface. It acts as a middle-tier between the Android OS and the inCallUI service to provide the phone dialer options during a call.
For example, when a call is initiated on an android device, it uses the Android framework with the SIM module to establish a connection. It acts as a link between the OS and the InCallUI service for displaying the dialer options on your screen, such as the loudspeaker option.
The following calling use cases are supported in Android with increasing levels of complexity:
- In-application calling that is implemented with the self-managed ConnectionService API. It doesn’t permit the calls from the default phone application to display in a standalone app but ensures interoperability with native telephony and other standalone application callings.
- Calling solutions that depend on the existing phone applications for UI support are implemented using managed ConnectionService API. Only a calling connection will be established without any associated user interface.
- User interface solutions without any support for calling capability are implemented using InCallService API. It is usually used to create a replacement for the phone’s default dialer application. It should handle all the calls without implementing any call type restrictions.
- A solution based on a custom-created calling connection and a complete user interface is implemented using InCallService and ConnectionService API. It can display the usual android calls on its UI display and doesn’t differentiate between the various possible call types.
What is com.android.server.telecom used for?
As discussed above, telecom services initiate and manage calls on android devices for audio and video calls using SIM-based and VoIP. Initially, telecom is responsible for establishing a connection between the carrier network and the caller interface. After a secure connection is in place, you can utilise several other functions that are available by default with the com.android.server.telecom library.
Here is a list of additional functions that are supported by telecom service.
Call
This android function handles the ongoing phone call that the in-call app should present to the user. It displays the outgoing and incoming call notifications as a visual through the GUI interface on the screen.
Call.Callback
It defines the callbacks that inform the InCallService of the changes that apply to an ongoing call.
Call.Details
This function is responsible for maintaining the call details in Android. It displays the call logs, including the caller’s name and number, which it fetches from the android database – phonebook or the internet database.
Call.RttCall
This class maintains the RTT information for the call and represents the current state of the RTT channel to the remote party if the state is active or not. RTT information contains the routing and rerouting information of the call. With this information, it handles the network-related data for the call.
CallAudioState
It allows the management of the in-call audio features, such as the audio calling status. It checks for the mute service, and the incoming and outgoing caller voices are clear and distinct. And it also holds control over the call recording feature.
CallRedirectionService
This function of telecom services allows for call redirections. It handles the interaction between telecom and its implementers for outgoing calls for redirection/ cancellation purposes. This function keeps a record of all the call redirections and diversions.
CallScreeningService
This com.android.server.telecom function comes into action even before the call displays on the mobile screen. It implements on both the default dialer and the third-party apps. This function applies a call screening filter to all the incoming calls. So if an incoming call is on the block list, this feature will auto-reject it.
CallScreeningService.CallResponse
The CallResponse feature allows you to decide how you want to respond to an incoming call on Android. When a call appears on the screen, you get the option to either accept or decline the incoming call. Moreover, we can decline the call with a pre-defined text or custom message stating a valid reason.
Conference
As the name suggests, the conference function contains all the information regarding conference calls. It will allow multiple Connection objects to link to a single session. It gathers information about the number of people connected on the line, their names and contact numbers, audio maintenance details and call logs, etc. If the conference call runs on any third-party app, the service will maintain the details for such calls.
Connection
This function of telecom service establishes a phone call or connection between the remote carrier network and an endpoint that carries audio or video signals. It ensures the connectivity between the two points and fetches the call-related information and other logs.
Connection.VideoProvider
This function ensures the video connectivity status during calls for the VoIP and VoLTE network services on android devices.
DisconnectCause
This primary function will check and fetch the details after a call disconnects. The reason could be due to network errors or the after-call logs. The information capture helps to identify the call disconnection reason due to poor network or network establishment error.
InCallService
Its a vital function of the ‘com.android.server.telecom’ as it is responsible for implementing phone call management on android devices. It holds the information for a call before and after it disconnects on Android. It displays the call on-screen, maintains the logs and supports other services we see on the UI during a call.
InCallService.VideoCall
This service provides commands to the video provider network for an ongoing call to display the interfacing capabilities for a video call using a GUI interface.
PhoneAccount
The PhoneAccount function represents a method to receive or make a phone call. It captures the information related to a calling account. It logs the entries for VoIP details, SIP account details and the network details we use in a call. The function also includes SIM details, network modes and third-party app details.
StatusHints
This function is responsible for displaying the symbols and notifications during an ongoing call on the android screen. It notifies the user about the in-call actions such as call hold, call mute, conference call status, etc.
TelecomManager
TelecomManager function provides access to the information associated with the active calls and the registration/ call-management feature. Apps can determine the status of the ongoing calls by invoking the class methods.
VideoProfile
It represents the attributes of a video call. These attributes make for initiating a video call, fetching the video call logs, maintaining the caller profiles for video calling, etc. It also notifies you if the video calling capability is available on a dialled number.
VideoProfile.CameraCapabilities
It represents the camera capabilities that are important during a video call. During a video call, handling of in-call functions such as camera settings, camera quality and other details occurs through this service. It also ensures that the camera works properly during a call and fetches the data details.
Furthermore, some more functions lend a helping hand in the smooth functioning of the above services.
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How to fix ‘com.android.server.telecom’ errors?
‘com.android.server.telecom has stopped working.’ is a common error that we hear from most android users. It appears when you try to open the Phone application or try to place a call through it. This error occurs when Android’s telecom service doesn’t work properly.
Though there could be many reasons for the service failure, the error commonly occurs because of a sudden technical glitch or a cache issue in most cases. You can resolve this issue with our closely examined ways.
Clear the Cache data on your Android Device
Follow the steps mentioned below to clear the cache and data of the service.
- Open the Settings option on your android phone and go to Apps.
- Find the Phone option from the list of apps and open it.
- Tap on the Storage option.
- Now, click on the Clear Cache option.
- After clearing the cache, restart your phone and check if the issue persists.
Clear Data from the Phone App
Here’s how to clear the app data.
- Open the Settings option on your android phone and go to Apps.
- Find the Phone option from the list of apps and open it.
- Tap on the Storage option.
- Now, click on the Clear Cache and Clear Data option. Note that it will delete the incoming calls & missed calls data from your caller book.
- After clearing the data, restart your phone and check if the issue persists.
Can com.android.server.telecom be uninstalled?
No, a user cannot uninstall or remove the com.android.server.telecom as it is an in-built android system library. You can uninstall it with root support only. However, if you uninstall it from your system, you won’t be able to send or receive calls via SIM card or VoIP.
That is why we recommend not to uninstall or hamper this essential android library on your system. You can try to fix any issues with our guide, and if that still doesn’t help, you can reach out to your android device’s service partner for assistance.
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