android - How to make my app receive broadcast when other applications are installed or removed

Question

I want to make an app that can receive broadcast when other apps on the device are installed or removed.

my code

in manifset:

<receiver android:name=".apps.AppListener">
    <intent-filter android:priority="100">
         <action android:name="android.intent.action.PACKAGE_INSTALL"/>
         <action android:name="android.intent.action.PACKAGE_ADDED"/>  
         <action android:name="android.intent.action.PACKAGE_REMOVED"/>
    </intent-filter>
</receiver>

in AppListener:

import android.content.BroadcastReceiver;
import android.content.Context;
import android.content.Intent;
import android.util.Log;

public class AppListener extends BroadcastReceiver {

@Override
public void onReceive(Context context, Intent arg1) {
    // TODO Auto-generated method stub
    Log.v(TAG, "there is a broadcast");
    }
}

but I can't receive any broadcast. I think this problem is due to app permissions, any idea?

Thanks for helps.

Answer 1

In your manifest:

<receiver android:name=".apps.AppListener">
    <intent-filter android:priority="100">
         <action android:name="android.intent.action.PACKAGE_INSTALL"/>
         <action android:name="android.intent.action.PACKAGE_ADDED"/>  
         <action android:name="android.intent.action.PACKAGE_REMOVED"/>
    </intent-filter>
</receiver>

Add the line before the intent-filter tag

<data android:scheme="package"/>

So your manifest should look like this:

<receiver android:name=".apps.AppListener">
    <intent-filter android:priority="100">
         <action android:name="android.intent.action.PACKAGE_INSTALL"/>
         <action android:name="android.intent.action.PACKAGE_ADDED"/>  
         <action android:name="android.intent.action.PACKAGE_REMOVED"/>
         <data android:scheme="package"/> 
    </intent-filter>
</receiver>

Am not sure about the PACKAGE_REMOVED intent in that if its actually is available.