Android: Install another app and detect when it is launched the first time

Question

I have an application that installs other applications, just like Google Play Store. To complete the chain of analytics, I need to be able to detect when the apps installed are launched the first time.

Google Play Store definitely has it implemented in some way.

Answer 1

Android system does that for you. The package manager broadcasts Intent.ACTION_PACKAGE_FIRST_LAUNCH to the installer when an installed application is launched for the first time. To make sure you receive it, you need to:

• Set the installer package name as soon as you install the application, as the broadcast is restricted to the installer package name set for the application being launched.

  getPackageManager().setInstallerPackageName("com.example", getApplicationContext().getPackageName());
  

• Make sure you are not using PackageManager.INSTALL_REPLACE_EXISTING, as it will be assumed to be an update, for which the broadcast is not sent by the system

• Register your receiver for action Intent.ACTION_PACKAGE_FIRST_LAUNCH at runtime and not in the manifest.

Registering the broadcast receiver:

registerReceiver(new LaunchReceiver(), new IntentFilter(Intent.ACTION_PACKAGE_FIRST_LAUNCH));

Sample broadcast receiver:

public class LaunchReceiver extends BroadcastReceiver {
    @Override
    public void onReceive(Context context, Intent intent) {
        if (intent.getData() != null) {
            Log.d(TAG, "Package name: " + intent.getDataString().replace("package:", ""));
        }
    }
}

For more information, read the actual code here: PackageManagerService.notifyFirstLaunch()