SecondScreen Permissions

Giraffene

The goal is to use my phone or tablet via a USBC-HDMI cable to my dumb TV for IPTV (TiviMate) and YouTube (SmartTube). The device is new enough to support display port alternate mode.

The issue is that the mirrored TV display does not match with the phone's aspect ratio, and will either show a black border or crop out part of the display.

The SecondScreen app seems to offer a solution, allowing the resolution and density to be changed to fit your TV or monitor, along with several other beneficial features. However, "this app REQUIRES elevated permissions, granted via root access or adb shell commands. The app will do nothing if you do not have a rooted device or access to adb."

Explanation of permissions:

• root access or adb shell commands required to change resolution/DPI, disable backlight/vibration, enable desktop-only mode in Chrome
• "connect and disconnect from Wi-Fi", "view Wi-Fi connections" - required for profiles to enable Wi-Fi
• "access Bluetooth settings", "pair with Bluetooth devices" - required for profiles to enable Bluetooth
• "close other apps" - required to refresh the user interface after a resolution/DPI change. Ensure all data is saved before launching a profile.
• "run at startup" - required to show SecondScreen profile notification after a (soft/hard) reboot
• "modify system settings" - required for profiles to lock rotation and set brightness

This app uses the Device Administrator permission.

As I am not knowledgeable enough to understand the security implications of these permissions, I am here to look for some guidance on the topic.

I would think this display port alternate mode setup has tons of potential, by essentially having phone, TV, and computer functionality all through one device (plus a Bluetooth remote/keyboard/mouse). Its a shame for this functionality to be limited by such a clumsy display, and it's surprising how little information I am able to find on the topic. Surely many more people than myself plan to use this feature, so hopefully any guidance here can be beneficial to the community.

other8026

Giraffene root access or adb shell commands

Letting any app have root or adb access is a very bad idea. I wouldn't suggest using the app if it needs such access.

I've never tried any display out features, personally, so hopefully someone who knows more about that can offer more advice about that stuff.

de0u

Giraffene Its a shame for this functionality to be limited by such a clumsy display, and it's surprising how little information I am able to find on the topic. Surely many more people than myself plan to use this feature, so hopefully any guidance here can be beneficial to the community.

I think the situation is that Google is slowly working on these features, but they aren't ready for end users yet. Using them before they are ready will more or less definitionally involve rough edges.