Why installed app got hidden in app drawer?

Question

I have installed an app via Android Studio but it got hidden due to adding Browsable in manifest.

 <category android:name="android.intent.category.BROWSABLE" />
            <data
                android:host="myapp"
                android:scheme="returns"
                android:pathPattern="/backToApp" />

These are the lines i used to navigate back to app from browser. If i comment out these lines then app icon shows in app drawer.
Can somebody explains what and why it does that?

Answer 1

I agree, android.intent.category.BROWSABLE is causing headaches to Android developers for a long time. Unfortunately, no one really knows the exact reason why "App Icons" dissapear. However, you could certainly solve the problem by having multiple manifest declarations: Please check out these links.

• App Launcher Icon Disappears from screen
• How to fix not show application icon into app drawer?
• App icon doesn't appear after implementing deep links to my app

Let me know if you have any questions.

PS: I am not kidding, really, the reason behind this issue is still a mystery.