PendingIntentgetActivity

PendingIntent.getActivity is a static factory method in the Android PendingIntent class that creates a PendingIntent capable of starting a specified activity when sent by another application or system component. It is commonly used to define the action that should occur in response to events such as tapping a notification, triggering an alarm, or activating a widget.

Signature and usage: The typical form is getActivity(Context context, int requestCode, Intent intent, int flags). The Intent parameter designates the target activity to be launched and may carry extras. The requestCode helps distinguish multiple PendingIntents, and the flags control how an existing PendingIntent is handled or updated. Some environments also provide overloads that offer additional options, but the four-parameter form is the most widely used.

Typical use cases: PendingIntent.getActivity is frequently employed with NotificationCompat to launch an activity when a user taps a notification, with AlarmManager to start an activity at a scheduled time, or with app widgets that open an activity in response to user interaction.

Flags and security: The flags parameter can influence behavior, including creating a one-shot PendingIntent (FLAG_ONE_SHOT), updating an existing one (FLAG_UPDATE_CURRENT), or canceling any current match (FLAG_CANCEL_CURRENT). Since newer API levels, it is recommended to specify immutability or mutability explicitly with FLAG_IMMUTABLE or FLAG_MUTABLE to improve security. Use explicit intents and validate the target component to reduce risk from third-party access.

Lifecycle and maintenance: A PendingIntent remains valid until it is canceled or the hosting process is killed and reclaimed. Applications should call cancel() when the PendingIntent is no longer needed to avoid leaks.

See also: PendingIntent.