Muntashirakon App Manager is, IMHO, by far, the best app manager on Android

[Andrew]

https://github.com/MuntashirAkon/AppManager
https://f-droid.org/packages/io.github.muntashirakon.AppManager/

Latest stable release:
<https://github.com/MuntashirAkon/AppManager/releases>
<https://github.com/MuntashirAkon/AppManager/releases/download/v3.1.6/AppManager_v3.1.6.apk>

You know that I know tools well, and I state that this is the best
app manager by far, simply because of all the great things it does.
<Loading Image...>

One of the finest things it does, by the way, is create desktop
shortcuts to any public activity - which can be done with other
tools to be sure - but Muntashirakon makes it super easy to do.

Also it intercepts intents, and that is fantastic when you're trying to
figure out what any given icon or activity is really doing on Android.

In addition, it gives you tons of information about each app.
And it misses none (where many app managers missed packages in my tests).

Here's more of what it does for non-rooted Android phones.

Combines the features of 5 or 6 apps that any tech-savvy person needs.
Free and open source with no useless permissions requested
Does not connect to the Internet without explicit permission from the user
Lists activities, broadcast receivers, services, providers, permissions,
signatures, shared libraries, etc. of any app
Launch (exportable) activities, create (customizable) shortcuts
Scans for trackers in apps and lists (all or only) tracking classes (and
their code dump)
Generates dynamic manifest for any application
Views app usage, data usage and app storage info
Apk file sharing (hence the use of a provider)
Batch operations: clear app data, disable run in background,
disable/kill/uninstall apps
One-click operations: block ads/tracker components, block components by
signature, block multiple app ops
And other useful features such as
installing/uninstalling/updating/enabling/disabling apps, displaying app
installation info, opening on F-Droid, Aurora Droid or Aurora Store.

[Jeff Layman]

Post by Andrew
https://github.com/MuntashirAkon/AppManager
https://f-droid.org/packages/io.github.muntashirakon.AppManager/
<https://github.com/MuntashirAkon/AppManager/releases>
<https://github.com/MuntashirAkon/AppManager/releases/download/v3.1.6/AppManager_v3.1.6.apk>
You know that I know tools well, and I state that this is the best
app manager by far, simply because of all the great things it does.
<https://i.postimg.cc/dVfd1NP3/appmanager.jpg>

(snip - see OP for info)

As "Andrew" has pointed out, this is a very powerful app manager. I've
barely investigated its possibilities, but it's almost certain that you
will need to use its User Manual at some stage. As this is so extensive
(77 pages and 25K+ words!), it's probably best to read it offline, or at
least on a bigger screen. However, it appears as part of the app, so the
only way I could "download" it was to select all, copy, paste into
Collabora Office, and save it as an odt file. It works, but the
conversion loses links and there appear to be some formatting marks
included. It's a shame that the manual isn't available as a pdf or some
other file readable outside App Manager.

[Andrew]

Post by Jeff Layman
As "Andrew" has pointed out, this is a very powerful app manager.

Thanks for checking it out. I wanted also to see what Andy Burns thought of
it, as I can't find a better app manager even as there must be scores of
app managers out there - I've tried dozens and this is, by far, the best.

Post by Jeff Layman
I've
barely investigated its possibilities, but it's almost certain that you
will need to use its User Manual at some stage.

The most important feature, by the way, is it doesn't *miss* packages.
App managers are like clocks; no two seem to report the same packages.
But this one reports everything (as far as I'm aware) after testing it.

Another critical feature is the display, copy & paste for the (sometimes
long) package name, where, surprisingly, other app managers screw up on
something that simple - yet so important.

But most importantly, once you've started exploring a package, it provides
tons of useful information about that package - and it allows interaction
with that package - such as creating one-tap shortcuts to its activities.

<https://xdaforums.com/t/tutorial-illustrated-mostly-privacy-based-one-tap-shortcuts-so-that-you-can-access-in-a-single-tap-any-buried-android-setting-or-app-activity.4625951/>

Post by Jeff Layman
As this is so extensive
(77 pages and 25K+ words!), it's probably best to read it offline, or at
least on a bigger screen.

Funny you mention the manual as, well, um, I never read the instructions
until I have to (which is rare that I have to). It's much like when a new
lawn mower is shipped to you where you have to assemble it - I usually find
the picture on the box more informative than the manuals they put inside.

Post by Jeff Layman
However, it appears as part of the app, so the
only way I could "download" it was to select all, copy, paste into
Collabora Office, and save it as an odt file.

If you think the internal manual for the Muntashirakon App Manager is
extensive, wait until you see the help files for the Skyica App Finder!
<https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=scadica.aq>
(Which, by the way, is the best free ad free app finder in the world.)

Post by Jeff Layman
It works, but the
conversion loses links and there appear to be some formatting marks
included. It's a shame that the manual isn't available as a pdf or some
other file readable outside App Manager.

I would think the manual would be online, so let me check for you.
<https://github.com/MuntashirAkon/AppManager>

First place I'd look is in "Docs" on that web page.
<https://muntashirakon.github.io/AppManager>

Which contains what appears to be the User Manual you speak of, in HTML.
App Manager, User Manual, v3.1.2, 19 September 2023
<https://muntashirakon.github.io/AppManager/en/>

[Andy Burns]

Post by Andrew

Post by Jeff Layman
As "Andrew" has pointed out, this is a very powerful app manager.

Thanks for checking it out. I wanted also to see what Andy Burns thought of
it, as I can't find a better app manager even as there must be scores of
app managers out there - I've tried dozens and this is, by far, the best.

It sounds interesting. I've tried the three latest 'release' versions
without any joy, I'll see if the issue affects the 'beta' version.

[Andy Burns]

Post by Andy Burns
I've tried the three latest 'release' versions
without any joy, I'll see if the issue affects the 'beta' version.

4.0beta1 same as the 3.1.x versions, stuck [flickering like crazy] at
the disclaimer screen, the "exit", "never show" and "agree" controls do
nothing, I have to force-close it, or wait about 2 minutes when it
crashes itself ...

[Andrew]

Post by Andy Burns

Post by Andy Burns
I've tried the three latest 'release' versions
without any joy, I'll see if the issue affects the 'beta' version.

4.0beta1 same as the 3.1.x versions, stuck [flickering like crazy] at
the disclaimer screen, the "exit", "never show" and "agree" controls do
nothing, I have to force-close it, or wait about 2 minutes when it
crashes itself ...

I'm truly sorry to hear that, as you, of all people, could appreciate the
power that this program provides to the users, for free & sans ads.

On telegram, Muntashir Akon frequently releases a debug version, the
current version (as of June 2nd) I will install to test it for you.

Name: AppManager_v4.0.0-beta01-DEBUG#2706.apk
Size: 27884019 bytes (26 MiB)
SHA256: AEFAC82A44F2F7865FD3D9DD0E1ADF968F43920604C92C8D2E0897541B0B1ED3

If I can figure out how to get the debug log to work, I will let you know.

Then you can run it and send the debug log to am4android [at] riseup [dot]
net which may help Muntashir Akon work on the fix before he heads off for
his PhD in Computer Science at the University of California, Riverside this
September (as he's planning a mid-June release date).

[Andrew]

Post by Andrew
If I can figure out how to get the debug log to work, I will let you know.

OK. That version hangs on me.

What happens is the debug version just loops forever at the start, never
finding any packages. Meanwhile the older version works fine concurrently.

works:
App Manager io.github.muntashirakon.AppManager Version 4.0.0-beta01 (436)
fails:
AM Debug io.github.muntashirakon.AppManager.debug Version 4.0.0-beta01-DEBUG (436)

The "AM Debug" shows up as "Debuggable" in the "App Manager" output.
But I don't know how to initiate a debug log output to email to him.

Does anyone know how to get a Debug log out of a "Debuggable" package?

[Andy Burns]

Post by Andrew
Does anyone know how to get a Debug log out of a "Debuggable" package?

LogCat?

[Andrew]

Post by Andy Burns

Post by Andrew
Does anyone know how to get a Debug log out of a "Debuggable" package?

LogCat?

Hmmm... never used it... Don't even know what it is...
<https://www.google.com/search?q=how+to+use+Android+logcat+debugger>

*View logs with Logcat*
<https://developer.android.com/studio/debug/logcat>
"When an app throws an exception, Logcat shows a message followed by
the associated stack trace containing links to the line of code."

But that link was for developers.
I need something for users.

<https://developer.android.com/studio/debug>
"Before you can begin debugging, do the following:
1. Enable debugging on your device.
If you're using the emulator, debugging is enabled by default.
But for a connected device, you need to enable debugging in the
device developer options.
2. Run a debuggable build variant.
Use a build variant that includes debuggable true
(isDebuggable = true in Kotlin scripts) in the build configuration."
3. If your app is already running on your device, you can start
debugging without restarting your app as follows:
Click Attach debugger to Android process .
In the Choose Process dialog, select the process you want to attach
the debugger to.

That should fit what I'm doing, right?
Let me try it out.

BTW, I saw your post about the battery status going south all of a sudden,
and I looked at your image you kindly uploaded - so let's see what others
say as my experience is the battery lasts forever on my older device.

[Andy Burns]

Post by Andrew

Post by Andy Burns
LogCat?

Hmmm... never used it... Don't even know what it is...

If you've installed SDK utilites such adb.exe, you already have logcat
not sure if it can work over wifi, I only used it over USB, and not for
several years ...

<https://developer.android.com/tools/logcat>

[Andrew]

Post by Andy Burns

Post by Andrew

Post by Andy Burns
LogCat?

Hmmm... never used it... Don't even know what it is...

If you've installed SDK utilites such adb.exe, you already have logcat
not sure if it can work over wifi, I only used it over USB, and not for
several years ...
<https://developer.android.com/tools/logcat>

I understand what you're saying as I've written tutorials on using Android
Studio; but normally I just use the adb standalone utility every day.

I also wrote tutorials on emulation, where the debugger is automatic
apparently, but I'm trying to do this using the phone without emulation.

Here is where I'm stuck, but it doesn't use "logcat" yet.

1. Install a debuggable version of an app.
2. Set the Developer Options debugger to that app.
3. ??? Turn on Developer Options Wait for Debugger ???
4. Start the debuggable app.

Now what?

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[Andrew]

Post by Andrew
Now what?

I've asked the question over here, but so far, no joy.
<https://xdaforums.com/t/how-do-i-debug-a-debuggable-app-on-a-physical-phone-over-usb-with-windows-developer-options-debugging-is-turned-on-but-what-do-i-do-next.4674852/>

As an aside, when all the morons like Alan, Jeorg, Frank and Carlos
gleefully claim they've "figured me out", I realize how dumb they truly are
since they are gleefully exclaiming they figured out what was never hidden.

How hard would it be to figure me out when I post my URLs to the XDA
Developer sites which contain screenshots of my unique homescreen????

It amazes me that people are _that_ stupid and yet, they think they're so
smart by claiming they figured out "by the way I write".

They think they're geniuses.