Android Debug Bridge

What is ADB and What Is It Used For?

The Android Debug Bridge (ADB) is a command-line tool that’s part of the Android SDK, enabling communication between a computer (Windows, macOS, or Linux) and Android devices (phones, tablets, or emulators). ADB facilitates debugging, maintenance, app installation, and remote control, making it essential for developers and advanced users.

1. ADB Architecture

ADB consists of three main components:

• Client: the command-line interface (adb) you run on your computer.
• Daemon (adbd): a process running on the Android device, receiving commands from the client.
• Server: a process on your machine that manages the connection between the client and the device daemon.

When you run adb , the client sends the request to the server (which starts automatically if not already running), and the server forwards it to the device’s daemon over USB or Wi-Fi.

2. Installation and Setup

1. Download Android SDK Platform Tools
   Go to the official Android site and download the package for your OS.
2. Unzip and Add to PATH
   Extract the folder and add its path to your system’s PATH so you can call adb from any terminal.
3. Enable USB Debugging on the Device
   On Android: Settings → About phone → tap “Build number” seven times to activate Developer options.
   Then Settings → Developer options → enable “USB debugging.”

adb devices

3. Basic Commands

Command	Description
adb devices	Lists connected devices
adb push	Copies a file from PC to device
adb pull	Copies a file from device to PC
adb install	Installs an APK on the device
adb uninstall	Uninstalls the app by package name
adb shell	Opens a remote shell on the device
adb logcat	Shows system and app logs in real time
adb reboot	Reboots the device
adb tcpip	Switches to Wi-Fi mode
adb connect :	Connects over TCP/IP to the device

4. Common Uses

4.1 App Debugging

Use adb logcat to capture Android log messages in real time.

adb shell screencap /sdcard/screen.png
adb pull /sdcard/screen.png .
adb shell screenrecord /sdcard/video.mp4
adb pull /sdcard/video.mp4 .

4.2 Bulk Install/Uninstall

for apk in ./builds/*.apk; do adb install -r "$apk"; done

4.3 Shell Access & Admin

adb shell chmod 755 /data/local/tmp/my_script.sh

4.4 Wireless Connection

adb tcpip 5555
adb connect 192.168.1.10:5555

5. Best Practices

• Shut down server when done: adb kill-server
• Use minimal permissions; be cautious with root.
• Document scripts and handle errors (e.g., adb wait-for-device).
• Disable USB debugging on daily-driver devices for security.