Flutter launcher - How to update app list when I uninstall an app?

Question

Hi everyone I'm really new to flutter and programming. I'm trying to create an android app launcher with flutter.

I looked everywhere but I can't find an answer to my problem.

I'm using the package: device_apps

So to retrieve the app list I'm using

List<Application> apps = await DeviceApps.getInstalledApplications();

How can I update my listview when I install/uninstall an app?

Answer 1

DeviceApps.getInstalledApplications() returns a List<Application> which we can use to draw our ListView:

Widget _buildListView() {
  return ListView.builder(
      itemBuilder: (BuildContext context, int index) {
        Application app = _apps[index];
        return Column(
          children: <Widget>[
            ListTile(
              onTap: () => DeviceApps.openApp(app.packageName),
              title: Text('${app.appName} (${app.packageName})'),
            ),
            Divider()
          ],
        );
      },
      itemCount: _apps.length);
}

We could load the installed applications immediately after initializing the state by overriding the initState method of a StatefulWidget:

List<Application> _apps = [];

@override 
void initState() {
   super.initState();
   _loadApps();
}

Future<void> _loadApps() async {
  List<Application> applications = await DeviceApps.getInstalledApplications();
  setState(() => _apps = applications);
}

Widget _buildListView() {
  return ListView.builder(
      itemBuilder: (BuildContext context, int index) {
        Application app = _apps[index];
        return Column(
          children: <Widget>[
            ListTile(
              onTap: () => DeviceApps.openApp(app.packageName),
              title: Text('${app.appName} (${app.packageName})'),
            ),
            Divider()
          ],
        );
      },
      itemCount: _apps.length);
}

In this way, we could also easily use a GestureDetector to reload the installed applications:

Widget _buildRefreshButton() {
   return GesetureDetector(
      onTap: () async { await _loadApps(); }
      child: Text("Reload apps")
   );
}

---

The best solution would be to get notified whenever an app is uninstalled/installed, but unfortunately, this function is not yet supported by the package.

An hacky workaround would be to poll the _loadApps() above by the means of a Timer.periodic, however, it is not recommended for performance and UX reasons.