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Why an app's package name matters more than its title

Two apps can share a name. They cannot share a package name and a signing key.

By Site AdministratorUpdated 1 min read
Why an app's package name matters more than its title

App titles are free text. Anyone can publish something called "Photo Editor Pro". The package name is the part that actually identifies an application to Android.

Any number of apps can share a display title. Android identifies an app by its package name, checked together with the developer's signing key — which is why a repackaged build cannot update over the original.
Any number of apps can share a display title. Android identifies an app by its package name, checked together with the developer's signing key — which is why a repackaged build cannot update over the original.

One identifier per app, per device

Android keys an installed app on its package name, which is why you cannot install two builds of the same package side by side. It is also why an install fails with "App not installed" when a copy is already present with a different signature — the system will not silently replace an app with one signed by a different key.

What that gives you

Because the package name and the signature are checked together at install time, a repackaged build cannot impersonate the original and still update over it. Comparing the package name on a listing against the developer's own is the single most reliable check available to you before installing.

Where to find it

Every listing on this site shows the package name in the version panel. On a device, it is under Settings → Apps → App info, and most file managers will show it for an APK before you open it.

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Why an app's package name matters more than its title | BoldAPK