ADB Commands List: The Complete Guide and Handy Cheat Sheet

ADB, or Android Debug Bridge, is a versatile tool that can be used to control and manage Android devices from a computer. It can be used to install and uninstall apps, run shell commands, and even debug apps.

This article provides a complete guide to ADB commands, including a handy cheat sheet. We’ll cover the most common ADB commands, as well as some more advanced commands that you may not know about.

ADB Commands List
ADB Commands List

Introduction to ADB

ADB is a command-line tool that is used to communicate with Android devices. It is a part of the Android SDK, and it can be installed on Windows, macOS, and Linux.

To use ADB, you will need to connect your Android device to your computer using a USB cable. Once your device is connected, you can open a command prompt or terminal window and start typing ADB commands.

The Most Common ADB Commands

Here are some of the most common ADB commands:

List Connected Devices

Display the list of Android devices connected to your computer.

adb devices

Reboot Android Device

Reboot your Android device into bootloader, fastboot, or recovery mode.

adb reboot

Install APK from Computer

Install APK files from your computer onto your Android device.

adb install .apk

Uninstall App

Uninstall an app from your device using its package name.

adb uninstall

View Device Log

Monitor your Android device’s log data on your computer.

adb logcat

Sideload Update.zip Files

Sideload software updates from your computer to your device.

adb sideload .zip

Pull Files from Device

Download files from your Android device to your computer.

adb pull

Push Files to Device

Transfer files from your computer to your Android device.

adb push

Backup Device Data

Create a comprehensive backup of your device’s data.

adb backup -all -f

Restore Device Backup

Restore a previously created backup to your Android device.

adb restore

Reboot into Recovery Mode

Reboot your device into Android Recovery mode.

adb reboot recovery

Reboot into Bootloader Mode

Reboot your device into Fastboot or Bootloader Mode.

adb reboot bootloader

Clear Logcat Data

Clear existing log data on your Android device.

adb logcat -c

Start ADB Server

Initiate the ADB server if it’s unresponsive.

adb start-server

Kill ADB Server

Terminate the ADB server to resolve issues.

adb kill-server

List JDWP Processes

Display the list of JDWP processes on your PC.

adb jdwp

Check ADB Instance Serial Number

Retrieve the serial number of the ADB instance.

adb get-serialno

Check ADB State

Show the ADB status of a connected device or emulator.

adb get-state

Wait for Device

Keep the connection on hold until the next command is issued.

adb wait-for-device

Connect Device via IP Address

Connect to your Android device using its IP address.

adb connect

Display Help Documentation

Access help documentation for all ADB commands.

adb help

View ADB Version

Find out the installed ADB driver’s version on your computer.

adb version

List Devices with Details

List devices by model or product number for detailed information.

adb devices -l

Save Logcat Data to File

Save logcat data on your PC for future reference.

adb logcat -d >

Execute Shell Commands

Run shell commands directly on your Android device.

adb shell

Capture Device Screenshot

Capture a screenshot of your Android device’s screen.

adb shell screencap .png

Record Device Screen

Record your Android device’s screen activity.

adb shell screenrecord .mp4

Unlock Developer Options

Enable Developer Options on your Android device.

adb shell settings put global development_settings_enabled 1

Change Display Density

Adjust the display density of your Android device.

adb shell wm density

Enable USB Debugging

Activate USB debugging mode on your Android device.

adb shell settings put global adb_enabled 1

Downloadable PDF Cheat Sheet

For a handy reference, you can download a PDF cheat sheet of all the ADB commands that we covered in this article. Just click the Download Cheat Sheet button below.


Read this also: How to Uninstall Samsung System Apps (Bloatware) without Rooting
Read this also: 30 Advanced Termux Commands for Android Phones

Conclusion

This article has provided a complete guide to ADB commands, including a handy cheat sheet. We’ve covered the most common ADB commands, as well as some more advanced commands that you may not know about.

I hope this article has been helpful. If you have any questions, please leave a comment below.

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