How to analyze incoming SMS on Android?

Question

How can I code in Android such that my app can analyze an incoming SMS and perhaps block it or do something(maybe move to a different SMS folder) BEFORE the SMS actually raises a notification telling the user of a new SMS? I would target Android 2.1 and above.

I would want to analyse incoming SMS for user specified spam words, and if found would want to delete/mark as read/move the message to a different folder.

Answer 1

I use this code, as a BroadcastReceiver:

public void onReceive(Context context, Intent intent) 
{   
    //this stops notifications to others
    this.abortBroadcast();

    //---get the SMS message passed in---
    Bundle bundle = intent.getExtras();   
    SmsMessage[] msgs = null;
    String str = "";            
    if (bundle != null)
    {
        //---retrieve the SMS message received---
        Object[] pdus = (Object[]) bundle.get("pdus");
        msgs = new SmsMessage[pdus.length];            
        for (int i=0; i<msgs.length; i++){
            msgs[i] = SmsMessage.createFromPdu((byte[])pdus[i]);                
            str += "SMS from " + msgs[i].getOriginatingAddress();
            from = msgs[i].getOriginatingAddress();
            str += " :";
            str += msgs[i].getMessageBody().toString();
            msg = msgs[i].getMessageBody().toString();
            str += "\n"; 
        }
        if(checksomething){
            //make your actions
            //and no alert notification and sms not in inbox
        }
        else{
            //continue the normal process of sms and will get alert and reaches inbox
            this.clearAbortBroadcast();
        }
  }

remember to add it in manifest and add a higgest priority (100) for broadcast or sms will go first to inbox and get the alert notification.

    <receiver android:name=".SmsReceiver">
        <intent-filter android:priority="100">
            <action android:name="android.provider.Telephony.SMS_RECEIVED"></action>
        </intent-filter>
    </receiver>

Hope it helps you.

Answer 2

Well u can trap the incoming SMS, but i think u will not be able to block the notification .....
If u want to delete SMS here is a thread that can help....
How to delete an SMS from the inbox in Android programmatically?

Answer 3

This code works on my 2.3.3 device. HTC MyTouch 4g Slide. the abortBroadcast suppresses the notificationsound + notification on status bar + does not allow the SMS to go to the inbox. Some users had mentioned that it does not work on real devices and works only on emulator, that is not always the case. If the priority is 100 then on this particular device the code works as expected.