Database Info

using adb

I feel like an idiot. I keep reading posts and instructions on how to use the adb/adb shell. Everything I read seems to indicate that the knowledge on how to open the adb command window is something that any idiot should be able to do... So much so, that no one explains how! I must be missing something!
I have installed eclipse and the sdk, the ADT plugin, etc. I run adb.exe and a command window flashes on my screen and immediately fades away. I can't even read what was posted in the window.
I know I am missing something but I guess I am just too inexperienced to know what that is. I can't find anything on the web that will tell me what file to open or sequence of files to open to access the adb command window.
Someone please help out a hopeless nuub!
Thanks
I am running Windows Vista 64 and have installed the 64bitUSB drivers. I can open an emulator, I can run the terminal on my G1, have installed the JK modified r30 on my phone.

add the whole path to your sdk/tools folder to your windows environment path: (right click my computer, click properties, select "advanced" select "environment variables" and look for "Path" in the bottom list, select "Path" and click "edit" then at the end of the existing path info, add a semicolon, and then paste in the complete path to your sdk/tools folder, click save, and close all the windows.
now, goto start, run, and type cmd.exe, a command line window will appear, type "adb" and it should work.
cheers,
-- michael

you can also use google to search the forum when you are looking for 3 letter terms (the forum search function is 4+ characters)
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=site:http://forum.xda-developers.com/+android+adb
--M

you don't use adb by pressing adb.exe in the tools folder you use it with command prompt go to programs and to accessories and look for command prompt now you can use adb like adb remount and pull push so on with your phone connected to the pc can you see your phone in ddms you open it from the sdk tools folder where the adb.exe is and if you can use adb.exe to open command prompt it don't work for me ether

I'm guessing that when I get all the ADB info after typing "adb" in the command window that it is working correctly?

If you run adb with no args, it will simply return a short summary of available args and terminate. In Windows if the window is opened by a program using the command line rather than directly calling cmd.exe, it will automatically close when the program terminates. The solution is to use cmd and then adb from within that.

Jashsu - Thanks! that was what I needed to know! LOL I am such a noob!!!
I had access to adb all the damn time! I just didn't know it! DUH!
I now have Koush's auto rotating browser installed! AWESOME.
Thanks to all who responded! I am learning pretty quick. But, some things are just so commonly known by dev's that they just aren't explained very well.
I found a couple of books I'm going to purchase so I don't have to keep bugging all of you. But, you guys are the greatest. Thanks for the help!

Having troubles with the command prompt stages of the rooting process

Hi there,
I have an HTC Magic and am trying to root it by following this guide http://forum.xda-developers.com/wiki/HTC_Sapphire_Hacking#Known_Hackable_SPL_revisions
I have the Android SDK package installed, but am having troubles getting any further because I'm having troubles with the command line prompts.
For instance, I added ;C:\AndroidSDK\tools\ to the end of the Path in my Environment Variables, just like the guide said, but I don't know if I did it correctly. When I open up the command prompt, it still gives me C:\Windows\System32> as my starting directory. What should I be seeing instead?
Also, when I type in "adb devices", it doesn't recognize the command. I'm assuming that's because I'm typing it into the wrong directory, but I don't understand how to navigate to the right one.
Any suggestions?

You need to add the path to the directory that CONTAINS the adb.exe file.
If you did it correct the command "adb" should be recognized.
You may need to restart the computer after adding the path i'm not 100% sure.
Adding something to the PATH variable does not change where you start out when you open the command prompt.

Yea that's what I did. I added ;C:\AndroidSDK\platform-tools\ (my adb file is in the platform tools folder) but when I type adb in the command line, it doesn't recognize the command.

[GUIDE] Easy and simple adb and fastboot setup for newbies (Windows only)

Linux users please go HERE (thanks to bloodychaos)​Similar guides can be found on other devices subforums around but I can see that a lot of new users in our forum are not familiar with the setup and use of this commands.
All the instructions and installation files can be found on the Android Developers webpage, but for basic commands it is not necessary to download the whole SDK (which requires the JDK as well) to follow installation and the resources download process.
*Important: to use the adb/fastboot commands you have to enable USB Debugging in your phone Settings -> Applications -> Development menu*
To have working adb and fastboot system wide for basic commands just follow the steps below:
UPDATE: Not necessary for Windows 7 is installng adb drivers automatically after plugging the device and fastboot ones after rebooting the connected device to bootloader. To get the HTC USB Drivers on different Windows version download and install HTC Sync (If you do not need the Sync application itself you can uninstall it but the drivers will remain on your system).
*According to post #5 in this thread in some cases may be necessary to temporary disable your antivirus software during the installation of HTC Sync. Thanks @mimirom*
Download the zip archive or the attached file below
Extract the archive on your C: drive. You will have C:\android-tools folder
Adding to the System Path globally to use the command without browsing to the containing folder
Method 1 (via GUI):
Go to My Computer icon -> right click and select Properties.
On the left side of the opened screen select Advanced system settings.
(Or Start -> Search -> type sysdm.cpl -> Enter, browse to the Advanced tab)
Look down on the opened menu and select Environment Variables.
In the lower half are listed the System Variables.
Scroll to find "Path" variable, select it and click Edit...
On the Edit window in the Variable value field go to the end of the line (do not delete it!) and add without any intervals (spaces):
Code:
;C:\android-tools
do not forget the semicolon symbol (;)!
Click Ok 3 times.
Method 2 (via Command prompt):
Go to Start and in the Search box type cmd, right click and Run as Administrator
Type
Code:
setx path /m "%PATH%;C:\android-tools"
and hit Enter. Close the cmd window
fonpacific said:
By the way, I noticed that it doesn't work for me (windows 7 professional) unless i end the path of adb with "\", for example: ;C:\android-tools\ and not ;C:\android-tools as in your guide.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Method 3:
bonesy said:
Just a tip, if you put the Adb and fastboot files in C:/windows/system32 (32bit) or in C/windows/sysWOW64 (64bit) you can just use them from any command prompt window
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To check is it working properly open Command Prompt (Start -> Search -> type cmd -> Enter) and type adb
If everything is configured properly this should list you the Android Debug Bridge version and the available commands.
*HINT*: To use adb or fastboot with files in the Command prompt you have to navigate to the folder containing the file first (using the cd command) e.g. "D:\Downloads\Android" and then to execute the command.
Example:
Start -> type cmd in the Search box, then Enter. You will see
C:\Users\with blinking cursor
If your file is on another drive like the example type "d:" (without the quotes), or other drive letter to go to the relevant drive. Skip this if the file is on C: drive. Then type:
cd D:\Downloads\Android to go to the "D:\Downloads\Android" folder. If your path contains spaces (intervals) type it in quotes.
The command "cd.." brings you one folder back

Good Idea!
Have put a link to this within the GUIDES section of [INDEX][22 SEP 11] ROMS/RECOVERY/ROOT/HBOOT/RADIOS/TWEAKS/GUIDES/etc
I believe that the guide would be more useful if you put in a link to a URL for the HTC Drivers and moved the advice about enabling USB Debugging to the top!
I can now point people at this guide rather than manually instruct them, Thank's you probably just saved me loads of time and aggravation!

Nice Work, Great Help

Excellent! Exactly what I needed. Thanks for showing us this.

Hi an thank you. Good guide.
I believe one important information is missing in the guide:
Before installing the HTC drivers (or HTC sync) it is necessary to temporarily disable AntiVirus software on Windows machines. If you don't do that, Windows won't recognise your phone. After the installation is finished, enable AntiVirus again.
I got this advice somewhere and it was true for me personally. I'm using Windows 7.
Sent from my HTC Desire S using XDA App

One more comment:
This is a minor detail but I think it's worth mentioning.
If you are using the HTC Sync installation in order to get the HTC drivers only, you actually don't need to install and immediately uninstall HTC Sync itself.
The Sync installer will first install the Desired (pun fully intended ;-) drivers and the it will stop. Next it's going to ask you if you want to proceed with the installation of HTC Sync. At that point you hit cancel and you're done. No Sync, just the drivers.

mimirom said:
One more comment:
This is a minor detail but I think it's worth mentioning.
If you are using the HTC Sync installation in order to get the HTC drivers only, you actually don't need to install and immediately uninstall HTC Sync itself.
The Sync installer will first install the Desired (pun fully intended ;-) drivers and the it will stop. Next it's going to ask you if you want to proceed with the installation of HTC Sync. At that point you hit cancel and you're done. No Sync, just the drivers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's very useful, Thanks!!

Doing all this the phone has to be turned off, on, or power button and volume down?

Desire S said:
Doing all this the phone has to be turned off, on, or power button and volume down?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You do not need a phone for this guide It is setup for PC

Just a tip, if you put the Adb and fastboot files in C:/windows/system32 (32bit) or in C/windows/sysWOW64 (64bit) you can just use them from any command prompt window

bonesy said:
Just a tip, if you put the Adb and fastboot files in C:/windows/system32 (32bit) or in C/windows/sysWOW64 (64bit) you can just use them from any command prompt window
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is exactly the purpose of point 4 of the guide (global path setup)

Just trying to give another idea mate, I used to set up all the SDK and make a global path but now just drop them in those folders when i reinstal indows

bonesy said:
Just trying to give another idea mate, I used to set up all the SDK and make a global path but now just drop them in those folders when i reinstal indows
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agree, added to the first post.
Sent from my Desire S using Tapatalk

Instructions for Linux users???

jamsh said:
Instructions for Linux users???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On my Linux system I have installed Java and the whole Android SDK and the set the path of course. If you are a Linux user you should know how to do this. Also there are guides for other devices that are basically the same

amidabuddha said:
Similar guides can be found on other devices subforums around but I can see that a lot of new users in our forum are not familiar with the setup and use of this commands.
All the instructions and installation files can be found on the Android Developers webpage, but for basic commands it is not necessary to download the whole SDK (which requires the JDK as well) to follow installation and the resources download process.
*Important: to use the adb/fastboot commands you have to enable USB Debugging in your phone Settings -> Applications -> Development menu*
To have working adb and fastboot system wide for basic commands just follow the steps below:
To get the HTC USB Drivers download and install HTC Sync (If you do not need the Sync application itself you can uninstall it but the drivers will remain on your system).
*According to post #5 in this thread in some cases may be necessary to temporary disable your antivirus software during the installation of HTC Sync. Thanks @mimirom*
Download the zip archive (Mirror @MediaFire) or the attached file below
Extract the archive on your C: drive. You will have C:\android-tools folder
Adding to the System Path globally to use the command without browsing to the containing folder
Method 1 (via GUI):
Go to My Computer icon -> right click and select Properties.
On the left side of the opened screen select Advanced system settings.
(Or Start -> Search -> type sysdm.cpl -> Enter, browse to the Advanced tab)
Look down on the opened menu and select Environment Variables.
In the lower half are listed the System Variables.
Scroll to find "Path" variable, select it and click Edit...
On the Edit window in the Variable value field go to the end of the line (do not delete it!) and add without any intervals (spaces):
Code:
;C:\android-tools
do not forget the semicolon symbol (;)!
Click Ok 3 times.
Method 2 (via Command prompt):
Go to Start and in the Search box type cmd, right click and Run as Administrator
Type
Code:
setx path /m "%PATH%;C:\android-tools"
and hit Enter. Close the cmd window
Method 3:
To check is it working properly open Command Prompt (Start -> Search -> type cmd -> Enter) and type adb
If everything is configured properly this should list you the Android Debug Bridge version and the available commands.
*HINT*: To use adb or fastboot with files in the Command prompt you have to navigate to the folder containing the file first (using the cd command) e.g. "D:\Downloads\Android" and then to execute the command.
Example:
Start -> type cmd in the Search box, then Enter. You will see
C:\Users\with blinking cursor
If your file is on another drive like the example type "d:" (without the quotes), or other drive letter to go to the relevant drive. Skip this if the file is on C: drive. Then type:
cd D:\Downloads\Android to go to the "D:\Downloads\Android" folder. If your path contains spaces (intervals) type it in quotes.
The command "cd.." brings you one folder back
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice work mate

Thanks a lot for the guide, dude!
By the way, I noticed that it doesn't work for me (windows 7 professional) unless i end the path of adb with "\", for example: ;C:\android-tools\ and not ;C:\android-tools as in your guide.
Hope it helps!

jamsh said:
Instructions for Linux users???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OP edited - there is a link to a guide for Linux users
fonpacific said:
Thanks a lot for the guide, dude!
By the way, I noticed that it doesn't work for me (windows 7 professional) unless i end the path of adb with "\", for example: ;C:\android-tools\ and not ;C:\android-tools as in your guide.
Hope it helps!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for the remark, I hope it will help the users with the same problem

Hey Guys, I need help!
after an installation of adb all I get is error:device not found
i entered a code adb shell and hit enter, than i entered
dmesg | grep mmc0, since you cannot put two lines of code at once (I'm a rookie)..
where did I put it wrong?
I can get to recovery of my device, but I get error like:
/I]E:Can't open /cache/recovery/command
I made revolutionary S-OFF..
Thanx for a help!
Rocks

You have to enable USB debugging in the settings.
And while in recovery it should work too
Sent from my HTC Desire S

[Resolved] ADB not recognized command Windows 8 - Help

I've been trying to get adb to work and it just will not. I've installed all the correct sdk tools, java se, and added the path environment successfully for java, but apparently not for sdk or adb. With Java I entered a "new" path JAVA_HOME then the directory, but with sdk I am getting a multitude of different responces in searches for what to place and where. I currently added "C:\Program Files (x86)\Android\android-sdk" to the end of the "path" along with several variations of this from different search results, all to no avail. I just want to open the command prompt and type adb....and have it work!! I was able to successfully connect to my device by first entering "cd C:\Program Files (x86)\Android\android-sdk\platform-tools" and then "adb devices", but no go on just "adb devices" without the entire path. Can someone please be very concise as to what I need to do here??
Edit:
Solved!!!!
I was adding a \ instead of a ; to the end of the path
Sorry for the post

annoyingduck said:
I've been trying to get adb to work and it just will not. I've installed all the correct sdk tools, java se, and added the path environment successfully for java, but apparently not for sdk or adb. With Java I entered a "new" path JAVA_HOME then the directory, but with sdk I am getting a multitude of different responces in searches for what to place and where. I currently added "C:\Program Files (x86)\Android\android-sdk" to the end of the "path" along with several variations of this from different search results, all to no avail. I just want to open the command prompt and type adb....and have it work!! I was able to successfully connect to my device by first entering "cd C:\Program Files (x86)\Android\android-sdk\platform-tools" and then "adb devices", but no go on just "adb devices" without the entire path. Can someone please be very concise as to what I need to do here??
Edit:
Solved!!!!
I was adding a \ instead of a ; to the end of the path
Sorry for the post
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
same issue. dont know what ; or / has to do with anything

Top cmds that you need to know

There are servel cmds which we can use
But I post only top 10 cmds to help that ones who need
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If I make a mistake so please reply with your suggestions
And if you want a cmd in the list .submit your reply with cmd and features ( full detail as you know.).
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For a lot of us, the fact that we can plug our Android phone or tablet into our computer and interact with it is a big plus. Besides the times when we've broken something and need to fix it, there are plenty of reasons why an advanced Android user would want to talk to his or her device. To do that, you need to have a few tools and know a few commands. That's what we're going to talk about today. Granted, this won't be the end-all be-all discussion of adb commands, but there are 10 basic commands everyone should know if they plan to get down and dirty with the command line.
The tools are easy. If you're a Mac or Linux user, you'll want to install the SDK as explained at the Android developers site. It's not hard, and you don't have the whole driver mess that Windows users do. Follow the directions and get things set up while I talk to the Windows using folks for a minute.
If you're using Windows, things are easier and harder at the same time. The tools themselves are the easy part. Download this file. Open the zip file and you'll see a folder named android-tools. Drag that folder somewhere easy to get to. Next, visit the manufacturers page for your device and install the adb and fastboot drivers for Windows. You'll need this so that your computer can talk to your Android device. If you hit a snag, visit the forums and somebody is bound to be able to help you through it.
Now that we're all on the same page, enable USB debugging on your device (see your devices manual if you need help finding it, and remember it was hidden in Android 4.2), and plug it in to your computer. Now skip past the break and let's begin!
1. The adb devices command
The adb devices command is the most important one of the bunch, as it's what is used to make sure your computer and Android device are communicating. That's why we're covering it first.
If you're a pro at the operating system on your computer, you'll want to add the directory with the Android tools to your path. If you're not, no worries. Just start up your terminal or command console and point it at the folder with the tools in it. This will be the file you downloaded earlier if you use Windows, or the platform-tools folder in the fully installed Android SDK. Windows users have another easy shortcut here, and can simply Shift + right click on the folder itself to open a console in the right spot. Mac and Linux users need to navigate there once the terminal is open, or install an extension for your file manager to do the same right click magic that's in Windows by default.
Once you're sure that you are in the right folder, type "adb devices" (without the quotes) at the command prompt. If you get a serial number, you're good to go! If you don't, make sure you're in the right folder and that you have the device driver installed correctly if you're using Windows. And be sure you have USB debugging turned on!
Now that we have everything set up, let's look at a few more commands.
2. The adb push command
If you want to move a file onto your Android device programmatically, you want to use the adb push command. You'll need to know a few parameters, namely the full path of the file you're pushing, and the full path to where you want to put it. Let's practice by placing a short video (in my case it's a poorly done cover of the Rick James tune Superfreak) into the Movies folder on your device storage.
I copied the superfreak.mp4 file into the android-tools folder so I didn't need to type out a long path to my desktop. I suggest you do the same. I jumped back to the command line and typed "adb push superfreak.mp4 /sdcard/Movies/" and the file copied itself to my Nexus 4, right in the Movies folder. If I hadn't dropped the file into my tools folder, I would have had to specify the full path to it -- something like C:\Users\Jerry\Desktop\superfreak.mp4. Either way works, but it's always easier to just drop the file into your tools folder and save the typing.
3. The adb pull command
If adb push sends files to your Android device, it stands to reason the adb pull command gets them out. That's exactly what it does, and it works the same way as the adb push command did. You need to know both the path of the file you want to pull off, as well as the path you want it placed into. You can leave the destination path blank and it will drop the file into your tools folder to make things easy.
In this example, I did it the hard way so you can see what it looks like. The path of the file on the device is "/sdcard/Movies/superfreak.mp4" and I put it on my Windows 8 desktop at "C:\Users\Jerry\Desktop". Again, the easy way it to just let it drop into your tools folder by not giving a destination, which would have been "adb pull /sdcard/Movies/superfreak.mp4". Remember your forwards slash for the Android side, and you'll have no problems here.
5. The adb reboot-bootloader and adb reboot recovery commands
Not only can you reboot your device, you can specify that it reboots to the bootloader. This is awfully handy, as sometimes those button combos are touchy, and if you have a lot of devices you can never remember them all. Some devices (the LG Optimus Black comes to mind) don't even a way to boot to the bootloader without this command. And once again, being able to use this command in a script is priceless. Doing it is easy, just type "adb reboot-bootloader" and hit the enter key.
Most devices can also boot to the recovery directly with the "adb reboot recovery" (note there is no hyphen in this one) and some can't. It won't hurt anything to try, and if yours can't nothing will happen.
6. The fastboot devices command
When you're working in the bootloader, adb no longer works. You're not yet booted into Android, and the debugging tools aren't active to communicate with. We use the fastboot command in it's place.
Fastboot is probably the most powerful tool available, and many devices don't have it enabled. If you're does, you need to be sure things are communicating. That's where the fastboot devices command comes into play. At the prompt, just type in "fastboot devices" and you should see a serial number, just like the adb devices command we looked at earlier.
If things aren't working and you are using Windows, you likely have a driver issue. Hit those forums for the answer.
7. The fastboot oem unlock command
The holy grail of Android commands, fastboot oem unlock does one thing, and one thing only -- unlocks your Nexus device (or an HTC device using their official tool). If you're using a phone from a different manufacturer, you have a different method of unlocking things -- maybe with ODIN or .sbf files -- and this won't apply to you. We're including it because even if you don't need it, it's an important part of Android's openness. Google doesn't care what we do with phones or tablets that we've bought, and include this easy way to crack them open. That's something you usually don't see from any tech company, and a big part of the reason why many of us choose Android.
Using it is easy enough. Once you've used fastboot devices to make sure everything is communicating, just type "fastboot oem unlock" at the prompt and hit enter. Look at your device, read carefully, and choose wisely.
Protip: Using "fastboot oem unlock" will erase everything on your device
8. The adb shell command
The adb shell command confuses a lot of folks. There are two ways to use it, one where you send a command to the device to run in its own command line shell, and one where you actually enter the device's command shell from your terminal. In the image above, I'm inside the device shell, listing the flies and folders on the device. Getting there is easy enough, just type "adb shell" and enter. Once inside, you can escalate yourself to root if you need to. I'll warn you, unless you're familiar with an ash or bash shell, you need to be careful here -- especially if you're root. Things can turn south quickly if you're not careful. If you're not familiar, ash and bash are command shells that a lot of folks use on their Linux or Mac computers. It's nothing like DOS.
The other method of using the adb shell command is in conjunction with one of those Ash commands your Android device can run. You'll often use it for more advanced tasks like changing permissions of files or folders, or running a script. Using it is easy -- "adb shell <command>". An example would be changing permissions on a file like so: "adb shell chmod 666 /data/somefile". As mentioned, be very careful running direct commands using these methods.
9. The adb install command
While adb push can copy files to our Android devices, adb install can actually install .apk files. Using it is similar to use the push command, because we need to provide the path to the file we're installing. That means it's always easier to just drop the app you're installing into your tools folder. Once you've got that path, you tell your device to sideload it like this: "adb install TheAppName.apk".
If you're updating an app, you use the -r switch: "adb install -r TheAppName.apk". There is also a -s switch which tries to install on the SD card if your ROM supports it, and the -l switch will forward lock the app (install it to /data/app-private). there are also some very advanced encryption switches, but those are best left for another article.
And finally, you can uninstall apps by their package name with "adb uninstall TheAppName.apk". Uninstall has a switch, too. The -k switch will uninstall the app but leave all the app data and cache in place.
10. The adb logcat command
The adb logcat command is one of the most useful commands for some folks, but just prints a bunch of gibberish unless you understand what you're seeing. It returns the events written to the various logs in the running Android system, providing invaluable information for app developers and system debuggers. Most of us will only run this one when asked by one of those developers, but it's very important that we know how to use it correctly.
To see the log output on your computer screen, just type "adb logcat" and hit enter. Things can scroll by pretty fast, and chances are you won't find what you're looking for. There are two ways to handle this one -- filters, or text output.
You also have to specify the cmds properly.
Hope it help you .
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