Companion Device Manager
A companion device management API on the Android platform that allows applications to associate with Bluetooth peripherals and detect device presence without maintaining a persistent foreground service. It provides APIs for pairing, permission handling, and presence observation, so apps can react when a paired device comes into or leaves range, reducing the need for continuous background scanning and the associated battery and privacy costs.
Timeline (last 90 days)
CDM (Companion Device Manager) watch profiles began with Android 12, glasses with Android 14, and Android 17 adds two new profiles: medical devices and fitness trackers.
CDM currently supports background scanning but not background broadcasting, uses a low-power scanning mode, and does not support payload pre-filtering.
A device profile is a preset set of capability and permission templates for a device category in CDM; once a developer declares the target profile, the system grants the relevant permissions in one bundle.
CDM permissions are all normal permissions granted at install time with no pop-up, so the user completes association and permission granting with a single tap.
All Facts (4)
CDM (Companion Device Manager) watch profiles began with Android 12, glasses with Android 14, and Android 17 adds two new profiles: medical devices and fitness trackers.
50%UnverifiedCDM currently supports background scanning but not background broadcasting, uses a low-power scanning mode, and does not support payload pre-filtering.
50%UnverifiedA device profile is a preset set of capability and permission templates for a device category in CDM; once a developer declares the target profile, the system grants the relevant permissions in one bundle.
50%UnverifiedCDM permissions are all normal permissions granted at install time with no pop-up, so the user completes association and permission granting with a single tap.
50%