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Android Intents: Everything You Need to Know

Understanding Intents in Android: A Complete Guide for Beginners

 

What is an Intent in Android?

An intent in Android serves as a message object that enables one app component to request an action from another component. An intent allows you to express your intention through different actions like performing tasks, opening screens or apps, or getting results from activities.

The Android operating system uses intents to enable seamless communication between different parts of your app and between separate applications, establishing them as fundamental components.

How Intents Work Internally

Behind the scenes, intents utilize the android application context to broadcast and deliver messages across components. The context acts as a handle to system-level services, allowing the app to execute core functions like launching activities, accessing services, and managing broadcasts.

Why Are Intents Important?

Intents are the second most important building block of the Android system after activities. Without intents, your app would operate in isolation and wouldn’t be able to:

  • Move between screens

  • Pass data between components

  • Invoke external services like the camera, browser, or contacts

  • Share data across applications

Use Cases of Intents

Here are some common ways in which intents are used in an Android app:

  • Move from one screen to another

  • Passing data from one screen to another

  • Sharing data from one application to another, such as contacts

  • Get data from another application, like selecting an image from the gallery

Types of Intents in Android

In Android, two types of intents are available:


🔹 Explicit Intent:

In such a case, intent provides the external class to be invoked. In this type of intent, the target activity of the screen is known such as:

java
 
Intent intent = new Intent(First.this, Second.class);
startActivity(intent);
 

Here in the above code, the second screen address is known to us. This type of intent is known as explicit intent.
Certification-oriented Android training in Chandigarh helps aspirants develop dream Android apps on their own.

When to Use Explicit Intent:

  • Navigating between activities within the same application

  • Passing data between screens using extras

  • Launching services within your own app

This is the most commonly used intent type when you’re developing a structured multi-screen Android app.


🔹 Implicit Intent:

Implicit intent doesn’t specify the component. In such a case, intent provides information on available components provided by the system that is to be invoked. In other words, we do not know the exact name of the target activity, such as opening call activity, taking the picture from the camera, etc.

java
Intent intent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_VIEW);
intent.setData(Uri.parse("https://www.cbitss.com"));
startActivity(intent);

Here above, we specify intent to open the Cbitss website. In this case, we do not know which browser client will show the desired URL. This totally depends on user choice.


Uses of Implicit Intent:
  • Sending Email

  • Sending SMS or Making Calls

  • Sharing data with other apps (e.g., WhatsApp, Gmail)

  • Getting data from apps using content providers

  • Opening web pages, maps, or capturing media

Why Use Implicit Intents?


They let you access features beyond your own app. You can tap into the power of other installed applications or system features without needing to build them from scratch.


Key Components of an Intent

Every intent in Android consists of the following components:

ComponentDescription
ActionWhat you want to do (e.g., ACTION_VIEW, ACTION_SEND)
DataThe data URI to be acted upon (e.g., a URL or contact)
CategoryAdditional information about the action
ExtrasKey-value pairs to send additional data
Component NameExplicit reference to the target component (for explicit intents)

Understanding the role of Android application context here is critical, especially when accessing shared preferences, databases, or initiating system-wide broadcasts.


Intents in Android App Development

If you’re building a modern Android app, intents will be a part of almost every feature, from login and signup flows to payment and notifications.

Here are some examples of how intents integrate into daily app functions:

FeatureIntent Used
Open another activityExplicit Intent
Share contentImplicit Intent (ACTION_SEND)
Open cameraImplicit Intent (ACTION_IMAGE_CAPTURE)
Make a phone callImplicit Intent (ACTION_CALL)
Get image from galleryImplicit Intent + Content Provider
 

These are the kinds of real-world use cases covered in any quality Android intent guide, especially in training programs focused on building industry-ready apps.


Exploring DVM and ART in Android

Understanding intents also opens up insights into how Android apps run under the hood.

Earlier Android versions relied on Dalvik Virtual Machine (DVM), while newer ones use Android Runtime (ART). Both manage how intents interact with the system at runtime:

  • DVM: Just-In-Time (JIT) compilation; slower execution

  • ART: Ahead-Of-Time (AOT) compilation; faster app launch and better memory handling

Exploring DVM and ART in Android helps developers understand how intent-related instructions are optimized at runtime for better performance.

Tips for Using Intents Effectively

  • Use startActivityForResult() when expecting data back from the called component

  • Always check if the Intent can be resolved to avoid crashes

    java
    if (intent.resolveActivity(getPackageManager()) != null) {
    startActivity(intent);
    }
  • Use intent filters in your⁣ AndroidManifest.xml to declare how your app can be called by others

  • Always secure sensitive data when passing between activities using extras


Conclusion

To wrap it up, intents are an essential mechanism in Android that enables both internal and cross-application communication. Whether you’re a beginner learning Android operating system fundamentals or a developer preparing to launch a full-fledged Android app, mastering intents is non-negotiable.

They allow your app to move, communicate, and interact—forming a flexible backbone for mobile experiences.

By understanding the difference between explicit and implicit intents and applying them through this Android intent guide, you’ll be able to build smarter, more connected Android applications.

From opening a web page to launching a new screen or sharing files with WhatsApp—it all starts with an intent.

 
 

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