How do I use ADB commands in Android?

Using ADB (Android Debug Bridge) commands in Android development provides developers with a powerful set of tools for debugging, testing, and managing Android devices and emulators. Here’s a guide on how to use ADB commands effectively:

1. Install ADB: Ensure that ADB is installed on your development machine. ADB comes pre-installed with Android Studio, but you can also download and install the standalone Android SDK Platform Tools, which include ADB.

2. Connect Device or Emulator: Connect your Android device or emulator to the development machine via USB or Wi-Fi. Make sure USB debugging is enabled on the device by going to Developer Options in the device’s settings.

3. Open Terminal or Command Prompt: Open a terminal or command prompt window on your development machine.

4. Verify ADB Connection: To verify that your device is connected and recognized by ADB, execute the following command:

adb devices

This command lists all connected devices and emulators detected by ADB.

5. Execute ADB Commands:

• Install APK: Use the following command to install an APK file onto the connected device or emulator:

adb install path_to_apk_file

• Uninstall App: To uninstall an installed application, use the following command:

adb uninstall package_name

• Pull Files from Device: To pull files from the device to the development machine, use the following command:

lua
adb pull /path/to/device/file /path/to/local/directory

• Push Files to Device: To push files from the development machine to the device, use the following command:

lua
adb push /path/to/local/file /path/to/device/directory

• Access Device Shell: Use the following command to access the shell on the connected device:

adb shell

• Take Screenshots: To capture a screenshot of the device’s screen, use the following command:

bash
adb shell screencap -p /sdcard/screenshot.png

6. Explore Additional Commands: ADB offers a wide range of commands for various tasks, including controlling device settings, accessing logs, simulating input events, and more. Explore the full list of ADB commands and their usage by referring to the official ADB documentation or running adb –help.

By mastering ADB commands, developers can streamline their development workflow, troubleshoot issues, and efficiently manage Android devices and emulators during the development and testing process.