Input
Input action, Input the value into the element. Parameters: value (string | number) - The text to input. Provide the final content for replace mode, only the inserted characters for typeOnly mode, or an empty string when using clear mode to remove existing text.; locate? (object) - the position o...
This record as markdown: /tools/android/input.md
What Input does on Android
AI agents use Input to create or update resources in Android, usually the action step of a workflow, after the agent has gathered context. Every call changes real data in your Android environment.
| Parameter | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
mode | string | — | Input mode: "replace" (default) - clear the field and input the value; "typeOnly" - type the value directly without clearing the field first, and should be set |
value | string | number | Yes | The text to input. Provide the final content for replace mode, only the inserted characters for typeOnly mode, or an empty string when using clear mode to remov |
locate | object | — | the position of the placeholder or text content in the target input field. If there is no content, locate the center of the input field. |
android.deviceId | string | — | Android device ID (from adb devices) |
android.useScrcpy | boolean | — | Enable scrcpy accelerated screenshots |
autoDismissKeyboard | boolean | — | If true, the keyboard will be dismissed after the input is completed. Do not set it unless the user asks you to do so. |
android.aiActContext | string | — | Background knowledge passed to aiAct. Default: no extra context. |
android.waitAfterAction | number | — | Wait time in milliseconds after each action execution. Default: 300ms. |
android.replanningCycleLimit | integer | — | Maximum number of replanning cycles for aiAct. Default: model adapter default. |
android.screenshotShrinkFactor | number | — | Screenshot shrink factor before sending images to AI. Default: 1; high values may reduce recognition quality, especially on mobile. |
Parameters from the server's own tool schema.
Why Input is rated Medium
This tool writes text into input fields on an Android device. It modifies UI state by replacing or appending text content. It is reversible (text can be changed again), so Write is appropriate rather than Destructive. Misuse could submit credentials or sensitive data into wrong fields.
From the tool's definition Input the value into the element... clear the field and input the value
Risk signalsHigh parameter count (15 properties)
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
The rule that runs Input safely
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: it sits between your AI agents and Android, and checks every tool call against a rule you set before the call runs. Nothing changes on the server itself. For Input, this is the rule to start with:
Input stays usable, but capped: an agent stuck in a loop can't make hundreds of changes a minute. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.
The button opens the PolicyLayer dashboard: create your workspace, connect Android, apply this rule, and every Input call is checked against it from then on.
Questions about Input
Input action, Input the value into the element. Parameters: value (string | number) - The text to input. Provide the final content for replace mode, only the inserted characters for typeOnly mode, or an empty string when using clear mode to remove existing text.; locate? (object) - the position of the placeholder or text content in the target input field. If there is no content, locate the center of the input field.; mode? (enum('replace', 'clear', 'typeOnly')) - Input mode: "replace" (default) - clear the field and input the value; "typeOnly" - type the value directly without clearing the field first, and should be set explicitly for incremental edits after moving the cursor; "clear" - clear the field without inputting new text.; autoDismissKeyboard? (boolean) - If true, the keyboard will be dismissed after the input is completed. Do not set it unless the user asks you to do so. It is categorised as a Write tool in the Android MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.
Input accepts 10 parameters: mode, value, locate, android.deviceId, android.useScrcpy, autoDismissKeyboard, android.aiActContext, android.waitAfterAction, android.replanningCycleLimit, android.screenshotShrinkFactor. Required: value. The full parameter table on this page comes from the server's own tool schema.
Register the Android MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for Input: allow, deny, rate-limit, or require approval. Point your MCP client at the PolicyLayer proxy URL and the rule is enforced on every call, before it reaches Android. Nothing to install.
Input is a Write tool with medium risk. Write tools should be rate-limited to prevent accidental bulk modifications.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the Input rule in your PolicyLayer policy. For example, setting max: 10 and window: 60 limits the tool to 10 calls per minute. Rate limits are tracked per agent session and reset automatically.
Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for Input. The AI agent will receive a policy violation error and cannot call the tool. You can also include a reason field to explain why the tool is blocked.
Input is provided by the Android MCP server (@midscene/android-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
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