How to do a HTTP (not HTTPS) web request?

Hi,

Is there a way to make a HTTP request from all platforms via makeWebRequest?

It seems with the Garmin Connect IQ SDK HTTP is supported only on iOS, and with Android HTTPS is required, and the server needs to have a valid certificate? It seems also the CIQ Simulator only works with HTTPS links.

I would like to write an app that displays data from evcc, an open-source software for charging electric vehicles with solar power.

That software runs in your local home network, has a REST API but does not implement HTTPS but only HTTP. For remote access they recommend a VPN solution like Tailscale.

Personally I am on iOS and already made HTTP calls via the APICall app to our local openHAB server. However, now I started coding my own app for evcc, and when trying to access my local instance via HTTP, I get an -1001 error. Tried some HTTPS calls and they work.

Any ideas or suggestions?

Regards, Robert

0 jim_m_58 over 1 year ago

The https thing came up with GCM 4.20 on android, and actually, before that it was a requirement with iOS. It has to do with your phone acting as a proxy and there's no way around it

See https://forums.garmin.com/developer/connect-iq/i/bug-reports/connect-version-4-20-broke-local-http-access for example

0 andyj713 over 1 year ago

Get an SSL certificate from Let's Encrypt. Having to renew it every 90 days is inconvenient, but what do you expect when it's free?

0 the-ninth over 1 year ago in reply to jim_m_58

Thanks, I was afraid of that. I do have a Let‘s Encrypt certificate for the server, but since the software does not support HTTPS, I‘d also need to setup a reverse proxy. Of course I could do all of that for myself, but I think it is a bit too tough of a requirement to make the app appealing for a wider audience.

0 andyj713 over 1 year ago in reply to the-ninth

Maybe you could put a quick PHP script on the server which works with the software's REST API using the curl extension, basically just wrapping the calls. It seems like a lot less work than setting up a proxy.

0 the-ninth over 1 year ago in reply to andyj713

Yes, there is multiple ways to get this to work via HTTPS, but I'd like the user to be able to use my Garmin app without having to do something on their server. While having the data from the software on your watch is nice, it is not really essential, and I don't think many users would do it if they have to setup new components on their server for it.

0 6139246 7 months ago

Did you ever find a solution?

The problem with Let's Encrypt etc. is also that they do not support local IPs. So all the service calls to local IPs will be blocked also.

0 6139246 7 months ago

Did you ever find a solution?

The problem with Let's Encrypt etc. is also that they do not support local IPs. So all the service calls to local IPs will be blocked also.

0 the-ninth 6 months ago in reply to 6139246

Not really. With Android you can only do HTTPS calls, it seems there is no way around that.