12. Troubleshooting
Start with Settings → Technical log: it shows the last thing the engine did and why it failed.
Setup and connection
"Could not connect to wireless debugging. Check that Wi-Fi is on."
Wireless debugging only works on Wi-Fi. Connect to Wi-Fi and try again. On a new network, Android may ask "Allow wireless debugging on this network?": tick Always allow and accept.
"This setup operation needs Wi-Fi."
Creating spaces, installing and the maintenance use wireless debugging. Opening apps and changing their internet access do not.
The pairing code is rejected.
Open Pair device with pairing code again (the code changes each time). Keep the dialog open, tap Pair in Bubble's notification and send the new code.
Bubble paired once but now cannot connect.
If you revoked debugging authorizations or reset the phone, use Settings → Pair again.
The bubble
"The bubble is still locked."
You cancelled the unlock, or Android did not show it. Try again; Bubble asks Android once more if the unlock screen does not appear within a few seconds.
"Could not reach the profile. Unlock it and try again."
The bubble (or the Meta space) is locked or paused, or its copy of Bubble is missing. Unlock it and retry. If it persists, open Bubble with Wi-Fi so it can repair the profile.
"Open Bubble with its setup connection once to finish configuring this profile."
The profile's firewall was never set up. Open Bubble with Wi-Fi.
The Private section is missing from the app drawer.
It only shows when the bubble has at least one app. Bubble reinstalls F-Droid at its next maintenance.
Bubble apps disappear from the recent apps.
Fixed in current versions. If you created the bubble with an older version, apps opened before the update may stay hidden until they are closed and opened again.
Apps
An app crashes when it starts inside the bubble.
- Facebook, Instagram (and other apps with an old Firebase): use the Meta space.
- An app that shares or "opens with": current versions include Android's share sheet in the bubble; open Bubble with Wi-Fi once so it is added to older bubbles.
An app has no internet.
Check its Wi-Fi and mobile data icons in Bubble → Apps, and which network the phone is using. If every app of the bubble lost internet and you see "Apps in this space have no internet", open Bubble so the firewall gets its list again.
An app asks for my fingerprint but cannot use it.
Give the bubble its own lock (chapter 6).
A banking app opens but will not log in.
It most likely requires Play Integrity, which cannot pass without Google services. It cannot work in the bubble.
An app does not remember my login.
Some apps store logins with Google services, which the bubble does not have.
Meta space
Facebook or Instagram show "Enable Google Play services".
Cancel it. The apps work without it.
Google got enabled in the Meta space.
Bubble shows a warning. Open Bubble: the guard turns it off within a minute.
Music and locking
Music stops when the screen turns off.
Check that the app reports that it is playing (its media notification is visible). If you changed the Private space auto-lock in Android's Settings, Bubble sets it back at its next maintenance.
The bubble does not lock when the screen turns off.
Something inside is playing. Stop it and the bubble locks a few seconds later.
Reporting a problem
Open an issue with: your phone and Android version, what you did, what you expected, what happened, and the technical log (remove anything personal first). For security problems, see SECURITY.md.