For issues specific to the Android Debug Bridge (adb), a command-line tool to interact with Android devices and Emulator instances. See the full tag wiki for details and hints.
21
votes
5answers
26k views
Is there a way for me to run Adb shell as root without typing in 'su'?
Is there a way for me to run Adb shell as root without typing in su? I want to be able to have root access without going into the shell.
16
votes
2answers
9k views
Is there a way to look inside and modify an adb backup created file?
I created a backup of my Galaxy Nexus with adb backup. The resulting file is named backup.db and it's somehow encrypted.
I wanted to restore the backup, but it stops when it comes to restoring ...
15
votes
3answers
34k views
Where in the file system are applications installed?
I have installed a few Android applications both with the adb install MyApplication.apk command and via a webserver (like an alternative to Android Market).
But where in the Android file system on my ...
15
votes
2answers
6k views
How do you extract an App's data from a full backup made through “adb backup”?
I have been backing up my Nexus 7 with adb backup to back up all files into an encrypted backup. I see that you can restore from a backup with adb restore, but that would wipe all my existing data on ...
15
votes
4answers
5k views
Is there a way to see the device's screen *live* on PC, through ADB?
I am a vlogger and after getting HTC Desire HD, found out its camera was all I ever needed. However, I usually have to see myself while recording video, to control my facial expressions, and with a ...
14
votes
4answers
12k views
Backup and restore Android Settings and Application through ADB
I would like to ask if it possible to backup and restore all Android Settings and applications through ADB.
I tried:
adb backup -all
adb: unable to connect for backup
It is not working, while all ...
11
votes
2answers
1k views
What's the difference between 'adb push' and 'adb install'?
Will adb push only copy the file into the target location whereas adb install copies the file into the target location and also sets the proper permission for you?
11
votes
2answers
5k views
Why is “insufficient storage” wrongly reported when installing an .apk via adb?
I have an HTC Desire running Froyo. It is not rooted, nor have I installed any custom ROM.
I get an "Insufficient Storage" error when I'm trying to install an app via adb/eclipse. The .apk is only ...
10
votes
2answers
7k views
Why can't the su binary simply be copied (techical response please)
I have rooted several Samsung devices and the underlying "goal" so to speak seems to be to get the su binary in /system/xbinand install Superuser.apk.
My question is why does one have to jump through ...
10
votes
3answers
5k views
Linux program to transfer file from/to an android device?
Do you know if there is a linux program (possibly nautilus plugin) to transfer file from/to an android device? What is in my mind is a program which does "adb push", "adb pull", and "adb shell ls" in ...
10
votes
2answers
741 views
Partial adb restore
ICS devices support creating backups using adb backup, and restoring them using adb restore. Using adb backup, one can select that everything should be backed up, or only a certain package.
However, ...
8
votes
5answers
5k views
Where can I obtain an sqlite3 command line binary for android 2.2.1?
When I read documentation such as Examining sqlite3 databases from a remote shell I get the impression an sqlite command-line binary should exist on my phone. Sadly I can't seem to find it on my phone ...
8
votes
3answers
5k views
Broken screen while debug mode was disabled. How can I re-enable adb?
The screen of my phone is physically broken, so it doesn't display anything, but the touch aspect does seem to be working, as I can unlock my phone, and get haptic feedback.
Before I go to get it ...
7
votes
3answers
4k views
Command to install app from phone?
I'd like to SSH into my phone, download an APK, and install it remotely. Is there a command available on the phone that would allow me to do this?
EG:
wget localhost/file.apk
android_install ...
7
votes
3answers
5k views
Android Read recent SMS messages from command line
I have recently broken my Android's screen. (Again)
Its a T-Mobile G2
Trying to keep up with my busy technology related life is hard enough without losing my link with everyone.
I have rooted the ...
7
votes
2answers
946 views
Why does adb work only while the tablet boots?
I have a Samsung Galaxy Tab. When I type "adb devices" or "adb shell", it works while the tablet is booting up - showing the Samsung logo or animation - but once the orange lock screen shows, the ...
7
votes
1answer
455 views
Use android phone with broken screen as WiFi camera
The screen of my android phone is broken and since I couldn't find a replacement screen I thought of using the phone as wifi camera. I've installed IP cam and use the android.screencast to control and ...
6
votes
4answers
8k views
android uninstall failed - adb uninstall
attempted to force the uninstall in adb...
$ adb shell pm uninstall -k org.openintents.filemanager
Failure
....
$ adb shell pm list packages -f | grep -i manager
...
6
votes
1answer
2k views
Is there any way to check the backup that android does?
Today I have been researching a bit about the Android backup options (Since I have seen some people having to lose all their data due to ICS serious bugs).
From now, I prefer to use native options, ...
6
votes
2answers
7k views
How to solve: “Failed to push selection: Out of memory”
I Create an article in Stack overflow. But as I found this site, I decide to ask the same question here, because I still need your help.
I have made the following steps:
Launch Eclipse
Go To: ...
6
votes
1answer
3k views
How do I know when “adb backup” is finished?
I have a non-rooted Verizon Samsung Galaxy Nexus, and I wanted to try the "adb backup" feature. Possibly in preparation for rooting, but that's not really relevant to the question.
I want to back up ...
5
votes
2answers
1k views
How can I determine storage directory from ADB?
Is there a way I can use ADB to determine the external storage directory (equivalent of the Android API call Environment.getExternalStorageDirectory())?
5
votes
1answer
1k views
Is it possible to write to a device's clipboard using ADB?
I am interested in learning how to write to (and if possible, read from) a rooted Android device's clipboard.
I hope to do so using ADB over USB and I am not interested in installing any apps to help ...
5
votes
1answer
225 views
why “ls -al” does not show file size info in /dev/socket directory?
In /dev/socket directory, if runs "ls -al" in adb, there is no file size information. I would like to know why there is no such information, in the condition that in other directories can show file ...
5
votes
3answers
2k views
Can I use ADB without connecting over USB?
Is there a way to use adb directly via bluetooth instaad of always via usb?
5
votes
1answer
3k views
adb command to search the filesystem
Is there an adb command similar to "locate" or "grep" that would help me find a file on my Android device?
I'm curious about adb specifically, not a search app.
EDIT: "find" has been suggested, ...
5
votes
1answer
2k views
Error launching ddms.bat: “Failed to get the adb version: Cannot run program ”adb“: CreateProcess error=2, The system cannot find the file specified”
I've been following these very detailed instructions to take a screenshot on my Motorola Flipside. When I get to the step #10 where I launch ddms.bat I get this error and my phone doesn't show up:
...
5
votes
2answers
883 views
What options exist when the vendor does not supply an ADB driver for an Android device?
I bought an Android phone and the vendor does not offer any drivers whatsoever. The Android SDK and the drivers that come with it don't seem to work with the device, but the device itself reports as ...
5
votes
5answers
8k views
ADB constantly disconnects, shows device offline
I'm not 100% sure if this should go here or the main Stack Overflow, but I decided to go with this area in hope I might catch someone with more specific experience with a similar problem.
I have a ...
5
votes
2answers
17k views
How do I configure ADB for the Samsung Galaxy Y?
How do I configure ADB to recognize my Samsung Galaxy Y? I have installed the USB driver. but when I run adb devices it does not list anything. Following are the steps I followed.
Declare your ...
5
votes
1answer
582 views
How do I change Android screen orientation via simulating acceleration?
I have developed an app and I need to test it. I have borrowed some devices from my friends and bought a few. Now problem is that I want to test it in both landscape mode and portrait mode but I don't ...
5
votes
2answers
2k views
Getting Segmentation Fault on recovery
It's an Android 4.0.3.
I'm trying to fix my tablet, because it doesn't start anymore.
running fastboot devices returns nothing.
Then, I'm trying to do that through adb.
adb devices returns
List of ...
5
votes
3answers
299 views
Device recognized as ????? in ubuntu
Hello good people of stack exchange, I am having trouble setting up my Ubuntu 11.04 boot to use for app development on a hardware device. I have followed the instructions here to try and recongnize ...
5
votes
1answer
117 views
no adb devices detected after failed revert to Android
Just a few days ago I tried to revert my Asus Nexus 7 wifi back to Android from Ubuntu Touch Preview and made a mistake somewhere. To sum up, now my device has no OS on it so it will only show the ...
5
votes
1answer
537 views
Windows doesn't detect Nexus S
I recently switched from Linux to Windows 8 consumer preview. I have installed the latest android SDK including the Google USB driver. I connect my Nexus S to the laptop, the phone goes into USB ...
4
votes
5answers
2k views
How to prevent adb shell from exiting upon Ctrl+C
When I adb shell into my device (from Windows desktop), and run some command there, sometimes I want to terminate that command. The standard unixy way to do it is with Ctrl+C key combination. However, ...
4
votes
1answer
3k views
Terminating adb.exe?
I am trying to hot spot my htc evo. When I click on PDAnet, it tells me that I have to terminate adb.exe. how do i terminate adb.exe. thank
4
votes
1answer
623 views
How to find app based on package name?
I've installed a malicious app that is posting ads over my notification bar, but can't find it. I know the java package name for it: com.letang.game103.en using the command: adb shell dumpsys ...
4
votes
1answer
980 views
Can apps be controlled through adb?
Can an installed application be completely controlled via adb?
For example:
Consider I need to to export my Contacts to SD Card. So here there are basically 5 Steps involved
1)Open Contacts ...
4
votes
3answers
1k views
How to pull the apks from my android phone
I have a rooted android phone. I am trying to pull the applications from /system/app/. However this simply does not copy the apk. What I have tried.
adb shell
su
cd data
cd app
ls
...
4
votes
1answer
246 views
Is it possible to set device's Latitude and Longitude using ADB SHELL?
I know how to set locatlon for emulators using device configuration interface from Motodoev Studio for example. But, how I can set locatlon for a device?
4
votes
2answers
6k views
Obtaining root by modifying default.prop(ro.secure)?
To get a privileged shell you need to modify the following lines to the given values in the default.prop file
ro.secure=0
ro.debuggable=1
persist.service.adb.enable=1
I have the extracted the ...
4
votes
2answers
1k views
“Too many files specified; only takes APK file and verifier file” problem
I have some devices attached to my PC. Now I want to install Astro to a specific emulator. Unfortunately, I get this error.
hieund@hieund:~/Downloads$ adb install "Astro File Manager 2.5.1.apk" -s ...
4
votes
2answers
830 views
Running a tasker task via SSHDroid (or adb shell)
I'm trying to run a tasker task manually from ADB Shell, via SSHDroid. I'm
running the following in putty (Windows SSH client):
am broadcast -a net.dinglisch.android.tasker.ACTION_TASK -es task_name
...
4
votes
2answers
956 views
Can I change some Android settings from the command line?
I would like to activate "USB tethering" from within a bash script, so is there any possibility to run a command line with adb shell to change some Android settings ?
Edit1:
The following command ...
4
votes
3answers
1k views
Broken Screen + Using adb shell to run vnc server
I have an HTC HD2 with a completely busted screen, I tried repairing it with a replacement screen but broke the ribbon cable to the screen (oops) sad day,
I've got two of these and I've been running ...
4
votes
1answer
1k views
How to Retrieve SD Card Files via fastboot or recovery?
I have a Nexus 4 (LG E960) running rooted stock 4.2.2/JDQ39. The phone fell from a foot high and the screen cracked. The touchscreen no longer works.
I have a full Nandroid (TWRP type) backup under ...
4
votes
3answers
1k views
Restoring an ADB backup onto a different phone of the same model?
We have several Android 4.0 phones of the same model, from the same manufacturer, purchased at the same time, from the same factory batch. We have created a backup of one of the phones using ADB.
Can ...
4
votes
0answers
316 views
Locked out of Android Vortex MID *permission denied with ADB
Here's the back story:
I bought an Android tablet, used. The guy said the power connector was broken so the tablet wasnt getting charged. I took it apart and figured out the battery was toast. I have ...
3
votes
2answers
134 views
Why are some files under /proc are universally readable?
Why are some files under /proc are universally readable by anyone using adb?
e.g.
/proc/<pid>/statm
/proc/<pid>/maps
/proc/<pid>/smaps
We can even cat the content of these files, ...
