Which launcher is running?

Question

Usually there is one launcher on an Android device. But sometimes users install a few while only one of them is active.

How can I check which launcher is currently active on my Android device?

Thanks.

Answer 1

The home screen is started with the Intent ACTION_MAIN with category CATEGORY_HOME (from the javadoc for Intent). Use a ResolveInfo to this intent to know what application will start.

This will give you the default Home application:

final Intent intent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_MAIN); 
intent.addCategory(Intent.CATEGORY_HOME); 
final ResolveInfo res = getPackageManager().resolveActivity(intent, 0); 
if (res.activityInfo == null) {
    // should not happen. A home is always installed, isn't it?
} else if ("android".equals(res.activityInfo.packageName)) {
    // No default selected     
} else {
     // res.activityInfo.packageName and res.activityInfo.name gives you the default app
} 

Now, if you want to know which one is running, it will take more time, because ActivityManager is slow:

// instead of the best, query all activities that match:
final List<ResolveInfo> list = ((PackageManager)getPackageManager()).queryIntentActivities(intent, 0);
// TODO from there, use ActivityManager to know which one is running and is in the list