Klipper/KlipperScreen native Android App

Developers
1

I think many of us have been there: you’ve got an old smartphone sitting in a drawer and you think, ‘Can I use this to control my 3D printer running Klipper?’

Well, there are some ways to do so, but they come with too many hurdles that most will not have the patience for.

While I was able to go the full path, it was not very satisfying in the end, and when I want to use another phone I have to do it all over again, which is not very fun.

First, I just wanted to implement a native replacement for KlipperScreen using Flutter, since I really disliked the VNC solution when hosting KlipperScreen in the Debian chroot environment running on my rooted phone.

Then I stumbled upon ‘Chaquopy’, which basically allows for running Python code in the app’s process space. While I was halfway there to having a real all-in-one solution, I re-organized the app and implemented the “local-mode,” which is really all you need when you want to run Klipper on your Android phone!

What started as a small UI app grew into a serious project which is now in a state that can be used in “production”. I benefited a lot from open source in the past, and since I am not planning on profiting financially from this, I would like to open source this project.

I have one problem now! The app’s/project’s name!

I named it KlipperScreenMobile in the beginning since it was only for me, but it’s not appropriate anymore in my opinion, and also I don’t want to suggest that it is somewhat official by the Klipper / KlipperScreen devs.

Since I wanted to create a real genuine Klipper experience on an Android device, I would like to name it something like “KlipperMobile” or “KlipperAndroid”, since this app has the potential to open the way for many people to reuse their old phones to have a second life as a 3D printer controller. But without an approval, I will not go this way.

The app is still rough around the edges here and there, and I hope with the help of the community it can be developed further. I made a short preview video of the app running on two of my devices and controlling an old Ender 3 V2:

Klipper Android Preview

What do you guys think of this project? I know it’s not a direct Klipper code-related topic, but since I wanted to target the developers, I hope to get some impressions before I release anything.

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2

Welcome wadi_k,

nice idea. I’m not a smart phone fan,sorry, but I guess you might find some supporters here.

3

No ideas for a name but I’m curious about the one deal breaker I ran into a couple years back.

When I was trying to make it work nearly all of the “old phones” refused to accept charge current when the solo USB port was in OTG (host) mode.

Many users were opening their devices to add a external charge circuit. LiPo cells are fickle and explode when unhappy so I gave up.

Do newer phones of the USB-PD era allow the battery to charge while connected to a printer?

4

Thanks for sharing.

Please don’t use “Klipper” in the name of any other software or project. Doing so leads to confusion with users.

I recommend coming up with a brand new name that isn’t directly related to any other project - similar to how Moonraker, Mainsail, Fluidd, and Katapult were all named. Giving your project a unique name helps drive its own community and contributors.

Cheers,
-Kevin

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