Mobile Deployment - Android & HarmonyOS

Deploy General Bots as the primary interface on Android and HarmonyOS devices, transforming them into dedicated AI assistants.

Overview

BotDevice transforms any Android or HarmonyOS device into a dedicated General Bots system, removing manufacturer bloatware and installing GB as the default launcher.

Supported Platforms

Android

• AOSP - Pure Android
• Samsung One UI - Galaxy devices
• Xiaomi MIUI - Mi, Redmi, Poco
• OPPO ColorOS - OPPO, OnePlus, Realme
• Vivo Funtouch/OriginOS
• Google Pixel

HarmonyOS

• Huawei - P series, Mate series, Nova
• Honor - Magic series, X series

Installation Levels

Quick Installation

Level 1: Debloat + App (No Root)

# Clone botdevice repository
git clone https://github.com/GeneralBots/botdevice.git
cd botdevice/rom

# Connect device via USB (enable USB debugging first)
./install.sh

The interactive installer will:

1. Detect your device and manufacturer
2. Remove bloatware automatically
3. Install BotDevice APK
4. Optionally set as default launcher

Level 2: Magisk Module (Root Required)

# Generate Magisk module
cd botdevice/rom/scripts
./build-magisk-module.sh

# Copy to device
adb push botdevice-magisk-v1.0.zip /sdcard/

# Install via Magisk app
# Magisk → Modules → + → Select ZIP → Reboot

This adds:

• Custom boot animation
• BotDevice as system app (privileged permissions)
• Debloat via overlay

Level 3: GSI (Full Replacement)

For advanced users with unlocked bootloader. See botdevice/rom/gsi/README.md.

Bloatware Removed

Samsung One UI

• Bixby, Samsung Pay, Samsung Pass
• Duplicate apps (Email, Calendar, Browser)
• AR Zone, Game Launcher
• Samsung Free, Samsung Global Goals

Huawei EMUI/HarmonyOS

• AppGallery, HiCloud, HiCar
• Huawei Browser, Music, Video
• Petal Maps, Petal Search
• AI Life, HiSuite

Honor MagicOS

• Honor Store, MagicRing
• Honor Browser, Music

Xiaomi MIUI

• MSA (analytics), Mi Apps
• GetApps, Mi Cloud
• Mi Browser, Mi Music

Universal (All Devices)

• Pre-installed Facebook, Instagram
• Pre-installed Netflix, Spotify
• Games like Candy Crush
• Carrier bloatware

Building from Source

Prerequisites

# Install Rust and Android targets
rustup target add aarch64-linux-android armv7-linux-androideabi

# Set up Android SDK/NDK
export ANDROID_HOME=$HOME/Android/Sdk
export NDK_HOME=$ANDROID_HOME/ndk/25.2.9519653

# Install Tauri CLI
cargo install tauri-cli

# For icons/boot animation
sudo apt install librsvg2-bin imagemagick

Build APK

cd botdevice

# Generate icons from SVG
./scripts/generate-icons.sh

# Initialize Android project
cargo tauri android init

# Build release APK
cargo tauri android build --release

Output: gen/android/app/build/outputs/apk/release/app-release.apk

Development Mode

# Connect device and run
cargo tauri android dev

# Watch logs
adb logcat -s BotDevice:*

Configuration

AndroidManifest.xml

BotDevice is configured as a launcher:

<intent-filter>
    <action android:name="android.intent.action.MAIN" />
    <category android:name="android.intent.category.HOME" />
    <category android:name="android.intent.category.DEFAULT" />
    <category android:name="android.intent.category.LAUNCHER" />
</intent-filter>

Permissions

Default capabilities in capabilities/default.json:

• Internet access
• Camera (for QR codes, photos)
• Location (GPS)
• Storage (files)
• Notifications

Connecting to Server

Edit the embedded URL in tauri.conf.json:

{
  "build": {
    "frontendDist": "../botui/ui/suite"
  }
}

Or configure botserver URL at runtime:

window.BOTSERVER_URL = "https://your-server.com";

Boot Animation

Create custom boot animation with GB branding:

# Generate animation
cd botdevice/scripts
./create-bootanimation.sh

# Install (requires root)
adb root
adb remount
adb push bootanimation.zip /system/media/
adb reboot

Project Structure

Offline Mode

BotDevice can work offline with local LLM:

1. Install botserver on the device (see Local LLM)
2. Configure to use localhost:

   window.BOTSERVER_URL = "http://127.0.0.1:8088";
   

3. Run llama.cpp with small model (TinyLlama on 4GB+ devices)

Use Cases

Dedicated Kiosk

• Retail product information
• Hotel check-in
• Restaurant ordering
• Museum guides

Enterprise Device

• Field service assistant
• Warehouse scanner with AI
• Delivery driver companion
• Healthcare bedside terminal

Consumer Device

• Elder-friendly phone
• Child-safe device
• Single-purpose assistant
• Smart home controller

Troubleshooting

App Won’t Install

# Enable installation from unknown sources
# Settings → Security → Unknown Sources

# Or use ADB
adb install -r botdevice.apk

Debloat Not Working

# Some packages require root
# Use Level 2 (Magisk) for complete removal

# Check which packages failed
adb shell pm list packages | grep <manufacturer>

Boot Loop After GSI

# Boot into recovery
# Wipe data/factory reset
# Reflash stock ROM

WebView Crashes

# Update Android System WebView
adb shell pm enable com.google.android.webview