Mastering Your Android Device: A Comprehensive Guide on How to Find Installed Apps

James Davis

Aug 30, 2023 • Filed to: Manage Device Data • Proven solutions

Knowing which apps are installed on your Android device is essential for several reasons:

  • It lets you keep track of the programs you have installed and understand their functions, which is especially beneficial if you want to delete apps you no longer use.
  • It can help you identify any malicious or unwanted apps that may have been installed on your device without your knowledge.
  • It allows you to manage your device's storage and performance by identifying which apps use the most resources.

However, the query how to find installed apps on android can be challenging. Some apps may not appear on the home screen or in the app drawer, making them difficult to locate. Additionally, some apps may be hidden or disguised as system apps, making identifying them difficult. It's also possible for users to disable or hide apps, further complicating the process of finding them. These challenges highlight the importance of regularly reviewing installed apps and using reliable tools to help identify and manage them.

Part 1. Overview of Android App Management

Android manages apps through several components, including the app drawer, home screen, and settings.

The app drawer is a feature on Android devices that displays all the apps installed in a list format. It can be accessed by swiping up or down from the home screen or tapping the app drawer icon. The app drawer provides a convenient way for users to locate and launch apps, especially those that are not frequently used.

The home screen, on the contrary, is a customizable area where users can place shortcuts to their frequently used apps, widgets, and other items. Users can also create folders on the home screen to organize and access their apps quickly.

Android also provides settings for managing apps. Users can access app settings by going to the device's settings and selecting the "Apps & Notifications" option. Users can view all the installed apps, their storage usage, and permissions from here. They can also manage app notifications, clear data, and uninstall apps.

One key distinction in app management on Android is between system apps and user-installed apps. System apps are pre-installed on the device by the manufacturer or carrier and typically cannot be uninstalled by users. Examples of system apps include the phone dialer, messaging app, and camera app. User-installed apps, on the other hand, are downloaded and installed by users from the Google Play Store or other sources. These apps can be uninstalled or disabled by users as needed.

Part 2. Editing Contacts on Android Using Third-Party Apps

Knowing how to find installed apps on your Android device is essential for managing storage, identifying malicious apps, and optimizing performance. This guide provides step-by-step instructions on how to find your installed apps, including how to access the app drawer, search for apps by name, sort apps, and pin them to the home screen for easy access. With these tools and techniques, you'll better understand which apps are on your device and manage them more efficiently.

Opening the app drawer

To find installed apps on Android, follow these steps:

Step 1: Unlock the Android device and go to the home screen.

android home screen

Step 2: If you don't see the Apps icon on your home screen, swipe up from the bottom of the screen. This will bring up the app drawer.

android app drawer

Step 3: Once you're in the app drawer, there is a list of all the applications installed on your smartphone. Scroll up or down to view the different applications.

scroll to see all apps

Searching for apps by name

To find a specific app on your Android device by name, you can use the search function. Here's how:

Step 1: Unlock the Android device and go to the home screen.

Step 2: Swipe up from the bottom of the screen to go to the app drawer.

Step 3: Once you're in the app drawer, look for the search bar at the top of the screen.

search for apps

Step 4: Tap on the search bar to activate it, then type the name of the app you're looking for.

type the application name

Step 5: As you type, the search bar will start showing suggestions based on what you're typing. If you see the app you're looking for in the suggestions, you can tap on it to open it directly.

Step 6: If the app you're looking for doesn't appear in the suggestions, press Enter or Search on your keyboard to perform the search.

search button

Step 7:  The search results will show all the apps on your device that match the name you typed. Look for the app you want to open and tap on its icon to open it.

search results of apps

Sorting apps by alphabetical order, installation date, or usage frequency

Sorting apps is useful if you have a lot of apps installed on your Android device, and you want to find the one you need quickly. You can sort apps by alphabetical order, installation date, or usage frequency. Alphabetical order is the default sorting method; however, you can modify it to meet your requirements. Here’s how:

Step 1: Go to your Android device's home screen and locate the Apps icon or button.

Step 2: Tap the Apps icon/button to open the app drawer

Step 3: By default, the apps will be displayed in alphabetical order. You can scroll through the list to find the app you're looking for, or you can use the search bar at the top of the screen to search for an app by name.

app list

Step 4: To sort the apps by installation date or usage frequency, tap the three dots icon or the Sort button in the top-right corner of the screen.

Step 5: Select Sort by from the drop-down menu.

Step 6: Choose either Installation date or Usage frequency.

Step 7: The apps will now be sorted according to the selected criteria. You can switch back to alphabetical order at any time by selecting Sort by and choosing A-Z.

sync me contact edit details

Pinning apps to the home screen for easy access

If you want rapid access to your favorite apps without having to look for them in the app drawer, you may pin them to the home screen. You may start an app with a single press by pinning it to the home screen. You can pin as many applications as you want and move them around to organize them as you see fit. Here's how to go about it:

Step 1: Find the app you want to pin in the app drawer and long-press on its icon.

long press the application

Step 2: Drag the app icon to the home screen and release it in the desired location.

drag and release the application

Step 3: The app icon will now be pinned to the home screen for easy access. You can move it around by long-pressing and dragging it to a new location.

Step 4: To unpin the app from the home screen, long-press on its icon and drag it to the Remove or Unpin option at the top or bottom of the screen, depending on your device and version of Android.

remove or unpin application

Part 3. How to Retrieve Previously Installed Apps

Have you ever had an app suddenly disappear from your Android device, leaving you wondering where it went? It's a frustrating experience, but the good news is that there are ways to retrieve previously installed apps that have disappeared from your device.

Method 1: Checking the app library in the Google Play Store

The Google Play Store keeps a record of all the apps you've installed on your Android device, even if they're no longer visible on your home screen or in your app drawer. To access this app library, follow these steps:

Step 1: Launch the Google Play Store app on your Android device.

google play store

Step 2: Tap your profile at the top right corner >> Manage apps & devices.

manage apps and devices

Step 3: Tap the Manage tab at the top of the screen.

list of apps and games installed

You'll get a list of all the apps you've ever downloaded on your device at this point. If an app is not currently installed on your device, you'll see an Install button next to it. Tap this button to reinstall the app.

Method 2: Using Wondershare Dr.Fone

If an app is not visible in the Google Play Store app library, or if you accidentally deleted the app and emptied the trash, you can use a third-party app manager to recover lost or deleted apps. One such app manager is Wondershare Dr.Fone.

Backing up your Android data has always been challenging with Wondershare Dr.Fone. The program allows you to easily backup your Android data, install applications to your computer, and selectively restore backed-up data to your Android smartphone. Let's look at how to backup and restore your Android phone now.

To use Wondershare Dr.Fone to recover a lost or deleted app, follow these steps:

Part 1. Backup Android phone

Step 1: Install and launch Wondershare Dr.Fone. Connect your Android device to your computer using a USB cable.

Wondershare Dr.Fone

Step 2: After connecting the Android phone, select the file types you want to backup, especially Applications. Then, to begin the backup process, click Backup.

select files to backup

Part 2. Restore the backup to Android phone

Step 3: Connect the Android phone to the computer.

connect android phone to computer

Step 4: When you click the Restore option, the application will display all of the Android backup files that are stored on this computer. Choose the backup file you want and then click View next to it.

click restore option

Step 5: Click on Restore to Device to recover them to your Android phone.

Step 6: The entire procedure takes only a few minutes. Please do not disconnect or launch any Android phone management software.

data restored

Wondershare Dr.Fone is a powerful tool that can help you manage and recover installed apps on your Android device. It offers several features that make it easy to recover lost or deleted apps, including:

  • Quick and easy scanning of your device to find lost or deleted apps.
  • A preview feature that allows you to view the app before you recover it.
  • The ability to recover multiple apps at once.
  • Compatibility with a wide range of Android devices.
Safe downloadsafe & secure

Part 4. Tips for Avoiding Duplicate Contacts

If you use an Android device, you may have experienced the frustration of duplicate contacts cluttering your address book. It makes it harder to find the contact you're looking for and can also lead to embarrassing situations if you accidentally call or message the wrong person. Fortunately, you can follow several tips and best practices to avoid duplicate contacts on your Android device.

Uninstall Unused or Unwanted Apps

One common cause of duplicate contacts is having multiple apps installed that sync contacts with your device. For example, if you have both the Gmail app and the Outlook app installed on your device and both are set to sync contacts, you may end up with duplicate contacts. To avoid this, uninstall any apps you don't need or use regularly.

Update Apps Regularly

App updates often include bug fixes and security patches, which can help prevent issues like duplicate contacts from occurring. Make sure you regularly update all the apps on your device to ensure optimal performance and security.

Use App Organizers or Folders

Another way to avoid duplicate contacts is to organize your apps into folders or categories. For example, you could create a folder for all your communication apps, such as Gmail, WhatsApp, and Facebook Messenger. This can help you avoid installing multiple apps that perform the same function and can help prevent duplicate contacts.

Use Wondershare Dr.Fone

Wondershare Dr.Fone is a comprehensive and user-friendly tool that can help you efficiently manage and optimize your installed apps on your Android device. It comes packed with numerous features that can help you avoid issues like duplicate contacts while keeping your device running smoothly. Here are some of the key features:

  • Easy App Management: With Wondershare Dr.Fone, you can quickly and easily uninstall unused or unwanted apps with just a few clicks. This can help you free up valuable storage space on your device and prevent clutter.
  • One-click Updates: Keeping your apps up-to-date is essential for optimal performance and security. Wondershare Dr.Fone allows you to update all the apps on your device with just one click, saving you time and effort.
  • App Organizer: Wondershare Dr.Fone also provides an app organizer that allows you to group related apps into folders or categories. This can help you avoid installing multiple apps that perform the same function and prevent duplicate contacts.

Conclusion

Managing and optimizing your installed apps is crucial for keeping your Android device running smoothly and efficiently. By following best practices such as uninstalling unused apps, updating apps regularly, and using app organizers, you can avoid issues like duplicate contacts and improve your device's overall performance. So, if you want to streamline your app management process and keep your device running at its best, be sure to check out Wondershare Dr.Fone.

safe Downloadsafe & secure

James Davis

staff Editor

Android Apps

Best Android Apps
Android Apps Manage
Apps Review
drfone
Your Complete Mobile Solution
  • ● Manage/transfer/recover data
  • ● Unlock screen/activate/FRP lock
  • ● Fix most iOS and Android issues
Try Now Try Now Try Now
Home > How-to > Manage Device Data > Mastering Your Android Device: A Comprehensive Guide on How to Find Installed Apps