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Automation

Trigger Colota from outside the app - useful for hands-free workflows like starting tracking when your phone connects to car Bluetooth.

App Shortcuts​

Long-press the Colota icon on your home screen to access shortcuts for starting and stopping tracking without opening the app.

Available shortcuts​

ShortcutAction
Start TrackingStarts the tracking service using your saved settings
Stop TrackingStops the tracking service

Requirements​

Shortcuts use your saved settings directly - no UI interaction needed. Before using shortcuts, make sure you have:

  • Granted location permissions (fine + background)
  • Exempted Colota from battery optimization
  • Configured an endpoint (if syncing to a server)

If permissions have not been granted, the start shortcut will not work. Open the app first to complete setup.

Use with Tasker & Samsung Routines​

Shortcuts can be triggered by automation apps, making hands-free tracking possible while driving.

Samsung Routines (One UI):

  1. Open the Routines app
  2. Create a new routine
  3. Add a trigger (e.g. connected to car Bluetooth)
  4. Add action → App shortcuts → select Colota → Start Tracking

Tasker (shortcut route):

  1. Create a new Task
  2. Add action → App → Shortcut
  3. Select the Colota start or stop shortcut

Broadcast Intents​

A more direct path for power users: Colota exposes start and stop as Android broadcast intents that any automation app, script or hardware-button app can fire.

Available actions​

ActionEffect
com.Colota.action.START_TRACKINGStarts the tracking service using your saved settings
com.Colota.action.STOP_TRACKINGStops the tracking service

Action strings are case-sensitive. com.Colota with a capital C is correct - the lowercase form (com.colota) is silently ignored.

A short toast confirms each action.

Tasker (Send Intent route)​

  1. Create a new Task
  2. Add action → System → Send Intent
  3. Set Action to com.Colota.action.START_TRACKING (or STOP_TRACKING)
  4. Set Target to Broadcast Receiver
  5. Set Package to com.Colota

Security note​

These broadcasts are exported with no permission gate, so any app installed on your device can fire them. Effects are limited to starting or stopping tracking with your existing settings - data still only flows to the endpoint you configured.