Install the Android GCS

The Android GCS is installed from an APK you build from the ADOSAndroidGCS repository. The repository publishes no release APKs, so build it from source. The device needs Android 10 (API 29) or later.

Build from source

You need JDK 17, the Android SDK with platform 37.0 (platforms;android-37.0) and build-tools 37, and NDK 26.3.11579264 for the radio modules.

git clone https://github.com/altnautica/ADOSAndroidGCS.git
cd ADOSAndroidGCS
cp local.properties.example local.properties   # optional build-time endpoints
./gradlew assembleDebug

The debug APK is written to app/build/outputs/apk/debug/. Add testDebugUnitTest lintDebug to the Gradle command to run the unit tests and lint as well.

Install the APK

With USB debugging enabled on the device:

adb install -r app/build/outputs/apk/debug/app-debug.apk

Or copy the APK to the device and open it, allowing installs from that source when Android asks. The debug build installs as ADOS Android GCS with the package id com.altnautica.gcs.debug, alongside any other build.

First connection

Ground station Wi-Fi
Agent on your LAN
USB flight controller

Open the app and tap Connect.
Under Other ways to connect, choose Ground station Wi-Fi.
Paste the join string the ground station’s screen shows, or type its passphrase, and tap Join.
The ground station appears under On this network. Pair it with the code it shows (Enter pairing code).

Put the phone on the same network as the node.
Tap Connect. Nodes found on the network appear under On this network; tap one marked Ready to pair.
Or use Enter pairing code with the code on the node’s screen or dashboard, or Manual host with its address (for example 192.168.1.50). A node already paired with another GCS needs its API key.

Use Demo to try the app with a simulated drone.

Permissions

Permission	Why the app asks
USB access	Per device, when you open a USB flight controller or a USB radio
Nearby Wi-Fi devices (Android 13 and later)	Only to join a ground station’s Wi-Fi
Location	The map’s my-location marker, reading the joined Wi-Fi network name, and joining a Wi-Fi network on Android versions that require it
Notifications	The notification shown while a vehicle link stays open in the background

The app also uses network, multicast (for mDNS discovery of agents), foreground service, wake lock and vibration permissions, which Android grants at install.

Get started

Fly

Plan and review

Firmware support

Configure the flight controller

Nodes

Test without hardware

Cloud, AI and settings

Android GCS

Build from source

Install the APK

First connection

Permissions

Next steps

Android GCS overview

Android client on a ground station

​Build from source

​Install the APK

​First connection

​Permissions

​Next steps

Android GCS overview

Android client on a ground station

Build from source

Install the APK

First connection

Permissions

Next steps