> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://committ.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# useAppDiscovery

> Fetches installed Android apps from the AppListerModule native bridge.

# useAppDiscovery

**Source:** `hooks/useAppDiscovery.ts` (54 lines)

The useAppDiscovery hook fetches the complete list of installed applications from the Android device via the AppListerModule Kotlin native bridge.

***

## Native Bridge Call

The hook calls the AppListerModule's getInstalledApps function, which uses Android's PackageManager API to enumerate all installed packages:

```typescript theme={null}
const apps = await AppLister.getInstalledApps();
```

***

## Return Data Shape

Each app entry contains:

| Field       | Type   | Example                        |
| :---------- | :----- | :----------------------------- |
| packageName | string | com.instagram.android          |
| label       | string | Instagram                      |
| icon        | string | data:image/png;base64,iVBOR... |

The icon is a Base64-encoded PNG of the app's launcher icon, rendered directly in Image components.

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## Caching Strategy

The app list is fetched once on mount and cached in component state. Subsequent renders return the cached list without re-querying the native module. The list is only refreshed if the component remounts (e.g., navigating away and back).

***

## Performance: JSI Bridge

The AppListerModule uses JSI (JavaScript Interface) rather than the traditional React Native bridge for data transfer. This eliminates JSON serialization overhead and enables synchronous, high-performance enumeration of hundreds of installed packages without blocking the JS thread.