react-native-installed-apps

A React Native native module to scan installed applications on macOS, Windows, and Linux.

Installation

npm install react-native-installed-apps
# or
yarn add react-native-installed-apps

macOS

cd ios && pod install

Windows

The module will be automatically linked when building with React Native Windows.

Linux

Integration with react-native-linux or custom tooling required.

Usage

import { getInstalledApps, AppInfo } from 'react-native-installed-apps';

async function listApps() {
  const apps: AppInfo[] = await getInstalledApps();
  
  apps.forEach(app => {
    console.log(`${app.name} - ${app.identifier}`);
    if (app.path) console.log(`  Path: ${app.path}`);
    if (app.version) console.log(`  Version: ${app.version}`);
  });
}

API

getInstalledApps(): Promise<AppInfo[]>

Returns a list of installed applications.

AppInfo

Field	Type	Platform	Description
name	string	All	Display name
identifier	string	All	Unique ID (bundle_id / appid / desktop_id)
path	string?	All	Path to app bundle/executable
version	string?	macOS	App version
icon	string?	macOS, Linux	Path to icon file
categories	string[]?	Linux	App categories
source	'spotlight' | 'scan'?	macOS	How app was discovered
executable	string?	macOS	CFBundleExecutable

Platform Details

macOS

• Uses Spotlight (mdfind) for fast discovery
• Falls back to filesystem scan of /Applications, etc.
• Reads Info.plist for metadata

Windows

• Uses PowerShell Get-StartApps command
• Lists Start Menu applications including UWP apps

Linux

• Parses .desktop files from XDG directories
• Supports Snap, Flatpak, AppImage, NixOS, Guix
• Filters terminal-only and hidden apps

License

MIT