Major release that fixes a range of bugs. Since this is the first one to make it to the playstore in a while, we’re also adding the release notes for version 3.7.0 and 3.7.1.
The important part in this long list is the README.md update to provide clear and detailed information about the ZIM File Picker restriction and storage scanning in the Play Store variant of the Kiwix app. The updated README.md file now includes a dedicated section explaining that starting from Android 11, the zim file picker feature is restricted in the Play Store variant due to Play Store policies. It clarifies that users running Android 11 and above will not be able to load zim files from internal/external storage directly within the app. Additionally, it mentions that the Play Store variant does not have the MANAGE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE permission, which is required for scanning storage and accessing zim files from arbitrary locations.
To address this restriction and access the full version of the Kiwix app, we recommend downloading the app from the official page, where the unrestricted file picker feature is available.
New Features:
- Download pause/resume feature. (https://github.com/kiwix/kiwix-android/pull/3459)
- Added support to read ZIM files from USB-OTG stick. (https://github.com/kiwix/kiwix-android/pull/3471)
- Endless suggestion list while searching articles. (https://github.com/kiwix/kiwix-android/pull/3217)
- Refactored LocalFileTransfer UI to educate users on how to use this feature. (https://github.com/kiwix/kiwix-android/pull/3497)
- All books notes switch is always enabled. (https://github.com/kiwix/kiwix-android/pull/3449)
- Download remained pending indefinitely if we canceled it from the notification. (https://github.com/kiwix/kiwix-android/pull/3451)
- Enhanced permission asking scenario for custom apps. (https://github.com/kiwix/kiwix-android/pull/3439)
- If the storage is already configured, it was again showing while downloading. (https://github.com/kiwix/kiwix-android/pull/3464)
- The keyboard repeatedly disappears and reappears while searching articles. (https://github.com/kiwix/kiwix-android/pull/3469)
- Bookmark toggle is not ON for saved bookmarks. (https://github.com/kiwix/kiwix-android/pull/3473)
- Article opening after search page result leads to a blank page. (https://github.com/kiwix/kiwix-android/pull/3217)
- Random article function not working. (https://github.com/kiwix/kiwix-android/pull/3217)
- 500 Error happens on the server. (https://github.com/kiwix/kiwix-android/pull/3217)
- Unable to open the support link with the default browser. (https://github.com/kiwix/kiwix-android/pull/3504)
- Unable to upload APK on the play store. (https://github.com/kiwix/kiwix-android/pull/3506)
- Hosted Books don’t update on Application. (https://github.com/kiwix/kiwix-android/pull/3218)
- Cannot open ZIM files from phone storage via the file picker in Android 13. (https://github.com/kiwix/kiwix-android/pull/3518)
- The redundancy of the ‘All-Books-Mode’ option for Bookmarks, Notes, and History in custom apps. (https://github.com/kiwix/kiwix-android/pull/3525)
- The same Note saves multiple times while we are updating existing notes. (https://github.com/kiwix/kiwix-android/issues/3519)
- Reduced mass-storage consumption with Android custom apps with embedded ZIM. (https://github.com/kiwix/kiwix-android/pull/3516)
- Hitting back in the custom apps exits it. (https://github.com/kiwix/kiwix-android/pull/3512)
- Multiple memory leaks
- Updated README file to show file picker restriction. (https://github.com/kiwix/kiwix-android/pull/3414)
- Useless permission request at start for custom apps
- Few code deprecations
- Broken back button in custom apps
- Broken not saving notes in custom apps
- Application crashing while adding notes
- Partly broken fullscreen feature
- Invisible suggestion box in custom apps
- Support for Android 13.
- Scrollbar indicator in the download screen
- Greyed books if insufficient space
- Visible URL in the external link dialog
- Navigation History
- “Undo” snackbar for “Close all tabs”
- Properly checked availability of email app if needed
Bug Fixes:
- Application crash occurring when users rapidly typed during a search for an entry. (https://github.com/kiwix/kiwix-android/pull/3558)
- Play Store deep linking issue on Android 12 and above. (https://github.com/kiwix/kiwix-android/pull/3550)
- All books notes switch is always enabled. (https://github.com/kiwix/kiwix-android/pull/3449)
- Download remained pending indefinitely if we canceled it from the notification. (https://github.com/kiwix/kiwix-android/pull/3451)
- Enhanced permission asking scenario for custom apps. (https://github.com/kiwix/kiwix-android/pull/3439)
- If the storage is already configured, it was again showing while downloading. (https://github.com/kiwix/kiwix-android/pull/3464)
- The keyboard repeatedly disappears and reappears while searching articles. (https://github.com/kiwix/kiwix-android/pull/3469)
- Bookmark toggle is not ON for saved bookmarks. (https://github.com/kiwix/kiwix-android/pull/3473)
- Article opening after search page result leads to a blank page. (https://github.com/kiwix/kiwix-android/pull/3217)
- Random article function not working. (https://github.com/kiwix/kiwix-android/pull/3217)
- 500 Error happens on the server. (https://github.com/kiwix/kiwix-android/pull/3217)
- Unable to open the support link with the default browser. (https://github.com/kiwix/kiwix-android/pull/3504)
- Unable to upload APK on the play store. (https://github.com/kiwix/kiwix-android/pull/3506)
- Hosted Books don’t update on Application. (https://github.com/kiwix/kiwix-android/pull/3218)
- Cannot open ZIM files from phone storage via the file picker in Android 13. (https://github.com/kiwix/kiwix-android/pull/3518)
- The redundancy of the ‘All-Books-Mode’ option for Bookmarks, Notes, and History in custom apps. (https://github.com/kiwix/kiwix-android/pull/3525)
- The same Note saves multiple times while we are updating existing notes. (https://github.com/kiwix/kiwix-android/issues/3519)
- Reduced mass-storage consumption with Android custom apps with embedded ZIM. (https://github.com/kiwix/kiwix-android/pull/3516)
- Hitting back in the custom apps exits it. (https://github.com/kiwix/kiwix-android/pull/3512)
- Multiple memory leaks
- Updated README file to show file picker restriction. (https://github.com/kiwix/kiwix-android/pull/3414)
- Snackbar visibility issue in download screen
- Read Aloud feature not always starting
- Ugly white line between around bottom navigation bar
- Display default logo if no illustration is available for the ZIM file
- WiFi detection on Android 11+ (local hosting)
- Broken article loading (if containing special character)
- Broken table of content “jump to section” (if containing special character)
- Misalignment of FloatingActionButton and BottomNavBar
- Lagging UI update after language change
- Widget resizing problem
- Ugly white space at the bottom in the loca library
- Endless media access permission request
- Inappropriate “Allow download content via mobile network” when usiong WiFI
- Wrong TTS message if language is not available
- Cut last book in library screen.
- Multiple memory leaks
Compilation/CI/CD:
- Adapted libkiwix `1.0.0`. (https://github.com/kiwix/kiwix-android/pull/3217)
- Deprecated code check in CI. (https://github.com/kiwix/kiwix-android/pull/3440)
- Added/improved test cases.
- Complated java to Kotlin migration
- Memory leak detection introduction
- Multiple Linting improvements
- Jcenter/libkiwix JNI removal (now handled separatly with Maven Central)
- Upgrade many dependencies
- Play Store publishing process update
- Multiple CI/CD workflows improvements
- Gradle 8.0.0 introduction
- New localisation help for translators
- Stabilised CI, in particular for Android 30+
If you’ve read this far, congrats!