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Stéphane Lenclud edited this page Dec 21, 2025 · 2 revisions

App Manager

Overview

App Manager is a comprehensive, open-source Android package manager and viewer that provides advanced tools for managing, debugging, and inspecting Android applications. It's particularly useful for Fulguris development and testing.

GitHub: https://github.com/MuntashirAkon/AppManager
License: GPL-3.0

Why App Manager for Fulguris Development

App Manager provides deep insights into Fulguris's internal state, permissions, storage, and behavior that are essential for development and debugging:

  • Permission Management: View and revoke permissions (location, camera, storage, etc.)
  • Storage Inspection: Examine app data, cache, and databases
  • Component Analysis: View activities, services, receivers, and providers
  • Backup/Restore: Test data migration and backup scenarios
  • App Operations: Force stop, clear data, uninstall test builds
  • APK Analysis: Inspect manifest, resources, and signing information
  • Network Monitoring: Track network usage and connections
  • Battery Optimization: Test doze mode and background restrictions

Installation

From F-Droid (Recommended)

  1. Open F-Droid app store
  2. Search for "App Manager"
  3. Install the latest version

From GitHub Releases

  1. Visit https://github.com/MuntashirAkon/AppManager/releases
  2. Download the latest APK file
  3. Install via ADB: adb install AppManager-v*.apk

Granting Root/ADB Permissions (Optional)

For full functionality, App Manager can use root or ADB permissions:

# Grant ADB permissions (no root required)
adb shell sh /sdcard/Android/data/io.github.muntashirakon.AppManager/files/enable-am.sh

Key Features for Fulguris Testing

1. Permission Inspection

Use Case: Verify location, storage, camera permissions are correctly requested and granted.

Steps:

  1. Open App Manager
  2. Search for "Fulguris"
  3. Go to App Info tab
  4. Select Permissions section
  5. Review all declared and granted permissions

What to Check:

  • Location permissions (fine/coarse)
  • Storage permissions (read/write)
  • Camera/microphone permissions
  • Internet permission
  • Foreground service permission

2. Storage and Data Management

Use Case: Inspect SharedPreferences, databases, cache, and user data.

Steps:

  1. Open App Manager → Fulguris
  2. Go to App Info tab
  3. Select Data section
  4. View data directories:
    • App Data: /data/data/net.slions.fulguris.*/
    • External Storage: /sdcard/Android/data/net.slions.fulguris.*/
    • Cache: Cache directory size and contents

Common Files to Inspect:

  • shared_prefs/*.xml - Settings and preferences
  • databases/*.db - Bookmarks, history, sessions
  • cache/ - Cached web content
  • files/ - Downloaded files, custom data

3. Component Analysis

Use Case: View all activities, services, receivers, and content providers.

Steps:

  1. Open App Manager → Fulguris
  2. Go to Activities tab
  3. Browse components:
    • Activities: All UI screens and dialogs
    • Services: Background services (download, incognito notification)
    • Receivers: Broadcast receivers
    • Providers: Content providers

What to Check:

  • Exported components (security check)
  • Intent filters
  • Launch modes
  • Process names

4. Backup and Restore

Use Case: Test data migration, backup scenarios, and restore functionality.

Steps:

  1. Open App Manager → Fulguris
  2. Tap Backup/Restore option
  3. Create backup:
    • APK + Data
    • Data only
    • APK only
  4. Install fresh build and restore backup

Testing Scenarios:

  • Upgrade from older version
  • Restore settings after reinstall
  • Migrate data between variants (full/fdroid/playstore)

5. App Operations

Use Case: Quickly reset app state, force stop, or clear cache during testing.

Steps:

  1. Open App Manager → Fulguris
  2. Use quick actions:
    • Force Stop: Stop all processes immediately
    • Clear Data: Reset app to fresh state
    • Clear Cache: Remove cached web content
    • Uninstall: Remove app completely

When to Use:

  • Reset app state between test runs
  • Clear cache to test fresh page loads
  • Force stop to test app restart behavior

6. APK and Manifest Analysis

Use Case: Inspect compiled resources, manifest entries, and signing information.

Steps:

  1. Open App Manager → Fulguris
  2. Go to App Info tab
  3. Select APK section
  4. View:
    • Manifest XML
    • Resources (strings, layouts)
    • Native libraries
    • Signing certificate
    • DEX classes

What to Check:

  • Correct version code and name
  • Proper signing certificate (debug vs release)
  • Required permissions declared
  • Min/target SDK versions
  • ProGuard/R8 obfuscation

7. Network Monitoring

Use Case: Track network usage and active connections.

Steps:

  1. Open App Manager → Fulguris
  2. Go to App Usage tab
  3. View network statistics:
    • Mobile data usage
    • WiFi data usage
    • Active connections
    • Network permissions

Testing Scenarios:

  • Verify data saver mode reduces usage
  • Check background data restrictions
  • Monitor download manager network activity

8. Battery and Background Restrictions

Use Case: Test doze mode, background restrictions, and battery optimization.

Steps:

  1. Open App Manager → Fulguris
  2. Go to App Info tab
  3. Check battery optimization status
  4. View background restrictions
  5. Test with different optimization settings

Testing Scenarios:

  • Download behavior in doze mode
  • Background tab refresh restrictions
  • Notification delivery when optimized

Common Test Scenarios

Scenario 1: Testing Location Permissions

  1. Open App Manager → Fulguris → Permissions
  2. Note current location permission status
  3. Open Fulguris and visit https://browserleaks.com/geo
  4. Grant location permission when prompted
  5. Return to App Manager
  6. Verify "Location" shows as granted with timestamp

Scenario 2: Debugging Storage Issues

  1. Open App Manager → Fulguris → Data
  2. Check storage usage breakdown
  3. Navigate to /data/data/net.slions.fulguris.*/databases/
  4. Export database files for inspection
  5. Use SQLite viewer to examine bookmarks/history
  6. Clear data and verify clean state

Scenario 3: Testing Build Variants

  1. Install multiple Fulguris variants:
    • net.slions.fulguris.full.playstore
    • net.slions.fulguris.full.download
    • net.slions.fulguris.full.fdroid
  2. Use App Manager to compare:
    • Package names
    • Signing certificates
    • Version codes
    • Installed locations

Scenario 4: Backup Before Testing

  1. Open App Manager → Fulguris
  2. Create full backup (APK + Data)
  3. Perform destructive testing (clear data, modify settings)
  4. Restore from backup
  5. Verify all settings and data restored correctly

Integration with Development Workflow

Pre-Testing Checklist

  1. Check Permissions: Verify only required permissions declared
  2. Inspect Manifest: Confirm correct version and metadata
  3. Review Components: Ensure no unintended exported components
  4. Check Signing: Verify correct signing certificate

During Testing

  1. Monitor Storage: Track database growth and cache usage
  2. Check Permissions: Verify runtime permissions requested correctly
  3. Force Stop/Restart: Test app state management
  4. Clear Cache: Test fresh page loads

Post-Testing Cleanup

  1. Clear Data: Reset app to clean state
  2. Uninstall Test Builds: Remove debug/beta versions
  3. Restore Backup: Return to stable configuration

Debugging Common Issues

Permission Denied Errors

  1. Open App Manager → Fulguris → Permissions
  2. Check if permission is declared in manifest (App Info → Manifest)
  3. Verify permission is granted at runtime
  4. Check for permission revocation in system settings

Storage Full / Database Errors

  1. Open App Manager → Fulguris → Data
  2. Check storage usage breakdown
  3. Navigate to database directory
  4. Export databases for inspection with SQLite tools
  5. Clear data if corrupted

Crash on Startup

  1. Open App Manager → Fulguris → App Info
  2. Check minimum SDK version matches device
  3. View native libraries (check architecture compatibility)
  4. Check logcat output via App Manager
  5. Clear data and test fresh install

Background Service Not Working

  1. Open App Manager → Fulguris → Services
  2. Check if services are registered in manifest
  3. Verify battery optimization settings
  4. Check background restriction status
  5. Test with battery optimization disabled

Advanced Features

Batch Operations

  • Backup multiple app versions
  • Compare manifests between builds
  • Export all data for analysis

Root-Only Features (Optional)

  • Modify app data directly
  • Disable/enable components
  • Grant/revoke any permission
  • View private system data

ADB Mode Features

  • Full access without root
  • Remote debugging capabilities
  • Scripting and automation support

Important Notes

  • Privacy: App Manager has full access to app data - use on development devices only
  • Root: Not required for most features, but provides additional capabilities
  • Backup Location: Default backup directory is /sdcard/AppManager/
  • Performance: Large apps may take time to analyze completely
  • Permissions: App Manager itself requires storage permission to create backups

Related Documentation

External Links

Last Updated: December 21, 2025
Maintained by: Fulguris Development Team

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