How to make Safe Args backward compatible?

Safe Args is a feature in Android's Navigation Component that allows for type-safe argument passing between destinations. However, managing backward compatibility can be challenging when working with different versions of your app. In this section, we will explore methods to ensure that your use of Safe Args remains functional across older versions of your app.

One common strategy is to use optional arguments and default values, which can help maintain compatibility. This approach ensures that if an argument is not provided, the destination can still function with default values.

// Example of using Safe Args with default values // navigation_graph.xml <action android:id="@+id/action_to_destination" app:destination="@id/destination_fragment"> <argument android:name="arg1" app:argType="string" app:defaultValue="default_value"/> </action> // In your Fragment or Activity NavDirections action = DestinationFragmentDirections.actionToDestination("user_value"); navController.navigate(action); // If called without a value, it will use "default_value"

Safe Args Backward Compatibility Android Navigation Component Type-Safe Arguments Default Values