Installed applications on an Android device can be viewed and analyzed using various tools. These tools provide information such as the package name, version name and code, installer package, minimal and target SDK, APK signature, installation and last update time, metadata from AndroidManifest, permissions, list of activities, native libraries, and more information from the AndroidManifest file.
The package name is a unique identifier for each application installed on the device. It is used to distinguish between different applications and is required for various operations such as launching an application or granting permissions. The version name and code provide information about the current version of the application, including the version number and build number. The installer package is the package name of the application that installed the current application.
The minimal and target SDK versions indicate the minimum and maximum versions of the Android operating system that the application is compatible with. The APK signature is a digital signature that verifies the authenticity of the application and ensures that it has not been tampered with. The installation and last update time provide information about when the application was installed and when it was last updated.
The AndroidManifest file contains metadata about the application, including the application name, icon, theme, and other information. It also contains information about the permissions required by the application, the list of activities that can be launched, and any native libraries that are used by the application.
In addition to viewing information about installed applications, some tools also provide the ability to download all or partial APK files. This can be useful for backing up applications or analyzing their contents. However, it is important to note that downloading APK files from unknown sources can be a security risk and should be done with caution.