Elsa Updated on Aug 5, 2025 Filed to: Android Tips
Is that game or app really new? Want to delete the oldest downloads to free up space? In these cases, you may need to check when a certain app was installed on your Android phone.
Unfortunately, Android hides this timestamp away. Don't waste time digging blindly through settings menus! This article reveals the clever tricks to see when an app was downloaded to your Android, empowering you with the information you need.
💡Quick Takeaways:
If you need official apps' install records, go with Google Takeout; For complete install records, select app info in File Manager. And both give you insights into the installed date of deleted apps.
For quick checks on all app installation dates and times, a third-party app called App Manager is the easiest.
The Play Store history is helpful if you're just trying to figure out when certain apps were last installed.
Google Takeout is a service that allows you to download and export all data from various Google services, including Google Play Store activity. Due to this, you can check the date you installed or first used certain apps, your app download history, etc.
Well, though it's super easy to export your data in a few clicks, the processing time may be long. Curious about how to use it? Here it is:
Step 1. On your Android device browser, visit Google Takeout.
Step 2. Deselect all Google services to avoid downloading unnecessary data.
Step 3. Find and select "Google Play Store." Then, click "Next step."
Step 4. Under the Delivery method, choose "Send download link via email." Also, set the file type to .zip, and leave the file size as 1GB.
Step 5. After that, click "Create export" to allow Google to start preparing your data.
Step 6. Once it's ready, download the data. And it will be saved as a .zip file to your device.
Step 7. Unzip the file and find the "Install.json" one.
Step 8. Open the Install.json with any text viewer app, and you'll see the date of all the apps you installed from Play Store.
Pros
Does not require any special tool
100% safe and free
Reliable data
Cons
It takes a lot of time to export the data
Only available to look up apps installed from Google Play
The zip file may be technical to decipher
Method 2. Go to File Manager
Each time you install an app on Google Play, Android may create a folder for its data in your internal storage. That is, when you get the info when the app folder was created, you can tell when an app was downloaded.
Step 1. To find this folder and infer when the app was first installed, follow the steps below:
Step 2. Open "My File" or "File," depending on your Android model.
Step 3. Then, go to this path: "Internal Storage > Android > data."
If you see "Due to Android restrictions, the contents of this folder only can be shown on a computer," you can launch your computer for help or use a third-party file manager.
Step 4. You'll now see a list of folders named like "com.[app name]."
Step 5. Look for the folder that matches the app you're interested in.
Step 6. Tap the folder, then select the three-dot menu at the top and click on "Get Info."
Step 7. Then, you'll see the date the folder was first created.
Pros
Can find the deleted app's installed date
Very safe and secure
Cons
May encounter device restrictions in file manager
Method 3. Download a Third-Party App
Some third-party apps also allow you to check app installed dates at no cost. These apps work by using Android's public APIs to read the install time and app info saved by the system. And one of the apps is App Manager.
App Manager provides a reliable and seamless way to find the app installed date for Android users. Beyond the app installed date, the app also shows the history of deleted apps with an accurate record of where they're installed from, and then the exact date and time at which they are removed.
Despite its high functionalities, the app is available for free and can be used without an internet connection. Now, follow the steps below to use the app.
Step 1. Go to the Google Play Store and search for "App Manager" to download.
Step 2. Open the app and grant the app all the necessary permissions.
Step 3. On the homepage, tap the menu button at the top left corner.
Step 4. Then, tap on "Installed apps."
Step 5. You'll see the list of apps on your phone with relevant data, including the app installation date.
Pros
Can find the deleted app's installed date
Provide accurate app installation time
Can read both Google Play and sideloaded apps
Cons
Contains too many ads
Can't show the history of apps removed before the app is installed
Method 4. Check Play Store Update History
In all honesty, this method does not give users clues about the app installation date. However, if you want to know the exact date the apps on your phone were last updated, Google Play Store history should be your first port of call.
Apart from the last update history, the method also gives users an idea of the app size. To see when an app was last downloaded, follow the steps below:
Step 1. Open the Google Play Store app on your phone.
Step 2. Tap on your "profile" icon at the top right corner.
Step 3. Click on "Manage Apps and Device > Manage."
Step 4. Once you've done that, the list of apps on your phone will be displayed alongside the app's last updated.
Pros
Reliable and very safe to use
Give the exact last update date
Cons
Only available to look up apps installed from Google Play
Can't show the app's first installed date
Pro Tips for Tracking Future Installs (For Parents)
"When did my kids download this? Is it safe?"
If you have kids and want to know when they download new apps on their phones so you can better understand the app safe ratings, then consider downloading AirDroid Parental Control.
This app can send alerts to parents' end when a new app is downloaded to their child's phone. Additionally, parents are also allowed to decide if their child can access the newly downloaded app.
The good thing about AirDroid is that it works for both Android and iPhone. Click here to try it for free!
FAQs about Android Installed Apps
How to see recently downloaded apps on Android?
To see recently installed apps on your Android device, you'll need to download a third-party app like App Manager.
Although there are many videos online claiming you can view recently downloaded apps using Google Play history or your phone's settings, there was no option to sort apps by "Recently Installed," only "Recently Updated" instead.
Why is my Android phone downloading apps by itself?
No! Android doesn't allow you to remove pre-installed apps because they're part of your phone's core system. However, you can disable them to hide them from your app drawer.
Conclusion
In sum, you can easily know the date when apps were installed on your Android phone by using Google Takeout, File Manager, third-party apps, or by checking the Google Play update history. However, before you use any of the methods, check the pros and cons. This will let you know which one is right for you.
Elsa has worked on a number of iOS & Android solutions, she can always find her way around almost any application. She is an accomplished, skilled and versatile writer with more than 7 years of technical article writing experience.
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