Package Management Android 1.0+ Risk: READ_ONLY

List Installed Packages

Lists all packages installed on the Android device with optional filtering.

Command Syntax

adb shell pm list packages

Generic Syntax: pm list packages [-f] [-d] [-e] [-s] [-3] [-i] [-u] [--user <USER_ID>] [FILTER]

Flag	Description
-3	Filter to only show third party (user installed) packages.
-s	Filter to only show system packages.
-f	Show associated APK file path alongside package name.
-d	Filter to only show disabled packages.
-e	Filter to only show enabled packages.
-i	Show the installer package name (e.g. Google Play Store com.android.vending).
-u	Include uninstalled packages still retaining data.
--user <ID>	List packages for a specific Android multi-user profile.

List third-party installed apps

Shows only user-installed apps excluding preloaded system apps.

adb shell pm list packages -3

Output:

package:com.spotify.music
package:com.whatsapp
package:org.telegram.messenger
package:com.instagram.android

List system apps with their APK filesystem paths

Displays system package names and the exact APK file path on the system partition.

adb shell pm list packages -s -f

Output:

package:/system/priv-app/Settings/Settings.apk=com.android.settings

Filter packages matching keyword

Lists all packages containing "google" in their package name.

adb shell pm list packages google

Output:

package:com.google.android.gms
package:com.google.android.gsf
package:com.google.android.youtube