Helpful ADB commands

(⌐⊙_⊙)

Several weeks ago I started to play with a prototype of Intel Internet of Things device for gathering information from vehicles using an OBD port 1. What is really interesting, the device works on an Android OS (first prototype used Android 5.1.1 Lollipop and then I updated it with Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow). The device doesn’t have a screen, so it is vital to know all useful ADB commands by heart (or use that blog post as a reference 😇).

ADB general commands

adb +

start-server - starts an ADB daemon.
kill-server - kills the ADB daemon.
devices - shows the list of plugged in devices (you can also use adb devices -l).
pull {path_to_file.apk} {path_to_save} - fetches an app from the system.
push {path_to_file.apk} {path_to_save} - sends the app to the system, e.g. add push <apk file> /system/app.
install {path_to_file.apk} - installs an apk from a specific path (if you plug in more than one device, you need to indicate where you want to install the apk with -s parameter: adb -s {deviceIDfromList} install {path_to_file.apk).
uninstall "package.name" - uninstalls the app using the app’s package. You can also apply -s parameter to determine a device.
remount - remounts the /system, /vendor (if present) and /oem (if present) partitions on the device read-write - you can use that when write permissions are not set.
shell - gives an access to the shell.
logcat - logs all events from a device. You can save logs to file using -s parameter: adb logcat -s TAG_OF_THE_CLASS > "YourLogs.txt"
help - cheatsheet of almost every command you will need.

ADB shell commands

adb shell +

getprop ro.build.version.release - shows the version of Android system.
dumpsys battery | grep level - battery level.
dumpsys package com.PackageName.enterprise - dumps app permission state.

pm list packages -f - shows a list of packages / applications installed in the system.
pm list packages -f | cut -f 2 -d "=" - lists all installed apps. pm list packages | awk -F ":" '{print $2}' - the same as above.

am start -n com.package.name/com.package.name.ActivityName - starts an Activity pointed by you (in the same manner you can run an Android Service).

pm list permissions -d -g - list permissions and status by group.
pm [grant|revoke] <permission-name> - grant or revoke one or more permissions, for example: adb shell pm revoke com.PackageName.enterprise android.permission.READ_CONTACTS

Basic operations with Android Settings:

am start -a android.bluetooth.adapter.action.REQUEST_ENABLE - turns on Bluetooth.
am start -n com.android.settings/.wifi.WifiSettings - opens WiFi.
am start -n com.android.settings/.wifi.WifiInfo - fetches WiFi info.
am start -n com.android.settings/.wifi.WifiStatusTest - shows WiFi status.
am start -n com.android.settings/.LanguageSettings - opens language settings.
am start -n com.android.settings/.DevelopmentSettings - opens development options.
am start -n com.android.settings/.DateTimeSettingsSetupWizard - sets up Date / Time.

As root using service call:
su -c service call bluetooth_manager 6 turn bluetooth on - turns on Bluetooth. su -c service call bluetooth_manager 8 turn bluetooth off - turns off Bluetooth.

As non-root using key events:
am start -a android.settings.BLUETOOTH_SETTINGS - opens Bluetooth settings.
input keyevent 19 - a key event for up button.
input keyevent 23 - a key event for enter / return (Dpad center).

  1. What’s the Android ADB shell “dumpsys” tool and what are its benefits?
  2. https://developer.android.com/studio/command-line/adb.html
  3. https://developer.android.com/studio/command-line/shell.html
  4. Gist - list all installed packages in android adb shell

  1. I think I will post a little bit more about the device in the future, as it is really interesting.