Skip to main content

Release Notes - Android Companion 5.4.9.0

Updated over a month ago

What's new?

Version 5.4.9.0 of the HomeGauge Companion for Android supports Android 13 and brings many updates necessary to meet Android security requirements. These changes will have consequences on how you use the companion.

The most critical change is that the Data Folder on the Companion has moved from External Storage to App Specific Storage. As a result of this change, the Data Folder will no longer persist after uninstalling the companion. This means that reports, templates, and user settings will be removed if the app is uninstalled. If you need to uninstall and reinstall the app in the future, you should back up any active reports to the cloud first.

This change also affects the current method of manual report transfer. Information on how to manually transfer reports with this version is included below.

With this critical upkeep development out of the way, we look forward to being able to provide additional updates shortly.

Release notes

  • Support for Android 13

  • The location of the Data Folder on the companion changed from External Storage to App Specific Storage. The Data Folder will no longer persist after uninstalling the companion. The steps to manually transfer a report have also changed. Please see the steps below.

  • Added a zoom tool on the HG camera UI

  • Added a toggle for 4:3 and 16:9 ratio on HG camera UI

  • Improved the stability of the application with multiple crashes being resolved

Where are my templates and appointments?

Because of the storage change required by this update, the Companion no longer has access to templates and appointments downloaded with a prior version. You can retrieve them again quickly by following these steps:

To retrieve templates again:

  • Tap Three-dot menu

  • Tap HG Services

  • Tap Get Templates and Settings From Cloud

To retrieve appointments again:

  • Tap Three-dot menu

  • Tap HG Services

  • Download Appointments

Where are my old reports?

Your old reports still live on your device, but they are stored in a location that is no longer accessible to the Companion directly. Follow the steps below to retrieve them manually if needed by following the steps in the second half of this article: Android Companion: Transferring A Report

How do I report issues?

If you'd like to submit feedback for the app, you can do so in a few ways:

  • If you have a question on how to use the app, contact our Support Team at https://support.homegauge.com/. If possible, include any information about your action before the crash to help our team identify the issue.

How do I Transfer a Report from the Android Companion?

Cloud Transfer

Using the HG Cloud (part of the Online Services), you can quickly transfer reports between computers and devices without manually copying files.

  1. In your HG Companion, click HG Services > Send Report to Cloud. Select the report you'd like to transfer and click transfer.

  2. On your computer or device, go to HG Services > Get Report from Cloud. Select the report and click download.

  3. Go to Open Reports, and you will see it in the list.

Manual Transfer

We recommend using the HG Cloud for transferring reports, but if you have a report that is too large or your internet isn't working correctly, use the following steps to transfer your report manually.

  1. Open your companion and the report you would like to download

  2. Tap the three-dot menu in the top right

  3. Tap Save to save your report before continuing

  4. Tap More

  5. Tap Export Data Folder

  6. Tap the Reports folder only slider to view individual reports

  7. Tap the checkbox for the report you would like to download. These will be listed by Report Id.

  8. Select the export option by tapping 'Save to Downloads folder' to transfer via USB cable to your computer. Tap' Share to other apps' to transfer via another cloud service or email.

    Note: The size of these reports is generally too large to transfer via email.

  9. Tap Export. The screen will be inactive while this process is taking place. Afterward, you will see a "Successfully exported to Downloads folder" message.

  10. Connect your Android phone to your computer via USB.

  11. You may see an installation bubble pop up in the bottom right of your screen. Wait for the computer to complete installation.

  12. On your Android phone, pull down the notification window from the
    top of your screen and tap the USB Connected or Charge Via USB. Select
    the option that says "Transferring Files" or similar to allow access to
    the files.

  13. On your computer, open File Explorer and navigate to This PC > (Your Device)

  14. Click to open the Download folder

  15. Find the zip file hg

  16. Right-click and Cut the folder

  17. Paste the folder to your Desktop

  18. Right-click the zip folder on your Desktop and click Extract All…

  19. You will have successfully extracted the folder when it looks like the following.

  20. Click to open the extracted hg folder

  21. Click to open the Report folder

  22. Right-click to Copy the individual report folder

  23. Navigate to the HomeGauge Data Folder on your computer by opening the software and clicking File>Show Data Folder.

  24. Highlight
    the Reports folder and paste the report using Ctrl-V or right-click and
    choose Paste.

  25. Open the software, click Open, then Refresh Database. You will now be able to open the report.

  26. Save the report to set the pictures.

  27. Safely eject the Android device.

What to do if hg.zip is not appearing in the Downloads Folder

  1. Tap More > Export

  2. Select the files you want to export

  3. Select Export to Other App

  4. Select Google Drive

  5. Save the file

  6. Open Google Drive and find the hg.zip file

  7. Click on the 3 dot menu above the file and select "Download"

  8. Plug the device into your computer via USB

  9. Open File Manager > This PC > Android Device > Download

  10. You should now see the HG.zip file

Did this answer your question?