

Xamarin.Essentials Cross Platform API

Xamarin.Essentials provides a single cross-platform API that works with any iOS, Android, or UWP application that can be accessed from shared code no matter how the user interface is created.

Setup

You will need to configure each platform specific project. First add the using statement :

using Xamarin.Essentials;

Android Configuration

In the OnCreate method add the following :

Xamarin.Essentials.Platform.Init(this, bundle);

and to handle runtime permissions, add this also :

public override void OnRequestPermissionsResult(int requestCode, string[] permissions, [GeneratedEnum] Android.Content.PM.Permission[] grantResults)
{
    Xamarin.Essentials.Platform.OnRequestPermissionsResult(requestCode, permissions, grantResults);

    base.OnRequestPermissionsResult(requestCode, permissions, grantResults);
}

iOS Configuration

No specific configuration is required for iOS.

Xamarin Essentials Features

Feature	Description
Accelerometer	Retrieve acceleration data of the device in three dimensional space.
App Information	Find out information about the application.
Battery	Easily detect battery level, source, and state
Clipboard	Quickly and easily set or read text on the clipboard.
Compass	Monitor compass for changes.
Connectivity	Check connectivity state and detect changes.
Data Transfer	Send text and website uris to other apps.
Device Display Information	Get the device's screen metrics and orientation.
Device Information	Find out about the device with ease.
Email	Easily send email messages.
File System Helpers	Easily save files to app data.
Flashlight	A simple way to turn the flashlight on/off.
Geocoding	Geocode and reverse geocode addresses and coordinates.
Geolocation	Retrieve the device's GPS location.
Gyroscope	Track rotation around the device's three primary axes.
Magnetometer	Detect device's orientation relative to Earth's magnetic field.
Open Browser	Quickly and easily open a browser to a specific website.
Orientation Sensor	Retrieve the orientation of the device in three dimensional space.
Phone Dialer	Open the phone dialer.
Platform	Run code on the application's main thread.
Preferences	Quickly and easily add persistent preferences.
Screen Lock	Keep the device screen awake.
Secure Storage	Securely store data.
SMS	Create an SMS message for sending.
Text-to-Speech	Vocalize text on the device.
Version Tracking	Track the applications version and build numbers.
Vibrate	Make the device vibrate.