How do I make the AlertDialog box appear outside the app?

Question

@Override
public void run() {
    //Create thread that can alter the UI
    AlarmPage.this.runOnUiThread(new Runnable() {
        public void run() {
            cal = Calendar.getInstance();
            //See if current time matches set alarm time
            if((cal.get(Calendar.HOUR_OF_DAY) == alarmTime.getCurrentHour()) 
                    && (cal.get(Calendar.MINUTE) == alarmTime.getCurrentMinute())){
                //If the sound is playing, stop it and rewind
                if(sound.isPlaying()){
                    ShowDialog();
                    alarmTimer.cancel();
                    alarmTask.cancel();
                    alarmTask = new PlaySoundTask();
                    alarmTimer = new Timer();
                    alarmTimer.schedule(alarmTask, sound.getDuration(), sound.getDuration());
                }
                sound.start();
            }       
        }
    });
}

public void ShowDialog() {
    final AlertDialog.Builder alertDialog = new AlertDialog.Builder(this);

    alertDialog.setTitle("REMINDER!");
    alertDialog.setMessage("Turn off alarm by pressing off");

    alertDialog.setNegativeButton("Off", new DialogInterface.OnClickListener(){
        @Override
        public void onClick(DialogInterface dialog, int which) {
            Toast.makeText(getApplicationContext(), "OFF", Toast.LENGTH_SHORT);
        }
    });

    alertDialog.show();
}

I am making a simple alarm clock app that notifies the user. I want to make a alert box that gives the user the option to turn off the alarm when it goes off. I was able to make the alert box, but it only appears in the app not outside of the app. I understand the app has to be in the background running. If I need to show more code or be more specific, just ask please.

Answer 1

Add a line as:

public void ShowDialog() {
    final AlertDialog.Builder alertDialog = new AlertDialog.Builder(this);

    alertDialog.setTitle("REMINDER!");
    alertDialog.setMessage("Turn off alarm by pressing off");

    alertDialog.setNegativeButton("Off", new DialogInterface.OnClickListener(){
        @Override
        public void onClick(DialogInterface dialog, int which) {
            Toast.makeText(getApplicationContext(), "OFF", Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show();
        }
    });

    alertDialog.show();
    // line you have to add
    alertDialog.getWindow().setType(WindowManager.LayoutParams.TYPE_TOAST);
}

check now.

Answer 2

Do not accept answers if they don't address your question, it is misleading.

The accepted answer is not correct, as it will never work outside your application.

Reason:

1. It requires an activity context not application context.

2. If you provide application context, your app will crash with IllegalArgumentException- you need to use Theme.AppCompat or their decendents...

If you need functionality as actually stated in the question you have to have a separate activity themed as a Dialog like here

or you can add a custom view to your window using window manager and making it system level alert like here.

Answer 3

Do this create an Activity without ContentView or a View associated with it and call your alertDialog method in your onCreate also remember to set the background of the Activity to Transparent using ColourDrawable

And that activity will look like a dialog or will suit your preference, you can also fall back to Themes so you can set an Activity as Dialog and treat it like Dialog also use DialogFragment