Android WorkRequest NetworkType constraint can't tell between VPN with internet and without

Question

I have a WorkRequest that I want to run when the device has an internet connection. Constraints seem to be the way to do this - I can define a NetworkType constraint like so:

val constraints = Constraints.Builder()
            .setRequiredNetworkType(NetworkType.CONNECTED)
            .build()

However, I have observed some behaviour for devices which use a VPN. When the VPN is active, it appears that the WorkRequest considers this as NetworkType.CONNECTED, even if the device does not have an internet connection.

Is there any way to make the constraint work as I expected?

Thanks in advance :)

user_7114714 · Answer

Please first check what Network Capabilities the VPN has:

Internet check over android.net.NetworkCapabilities not working

Then compare to this one:

INTERNET&NOT_RESTRICTED&TRUSTED&VALIDATED

This is what NetworkType.CONNECTED means.

If you want you can dump the JS and see your exact capabilities that you are waiting for like this:

adb shell dumpsys jobscheduler

https://developer.android.com/topic/libraries/architecture/workmanager/how-to/debugging

Android WorkRequest NetworkType constraint can't tell between VPN with internet and without

1 Answers