> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://riteshs4hu.gitbook.io/infosec-notes/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://riteshs4hu.gitbook.io/infosec-notes/android-appsec/adb.md). # ADB ADB (Android Debug Bridge) is a command-line tool that enables communication between a computer and an Android device. ADB provides a variety of commands that allow developers and security testers to interact with an Android device, transfer files, install or remove applications, and collect information for debugging or security testing purposes. *** ### **How ADB Works** ADB works as a **client–server system** with three components: 1. **Client** * Sends commands to the device. * Runs on the developer’s machine. * Invoked via terminal or Android Studio by typing the `adb` command. 2. **Daemon (`adbd`)** * Executes commands on the Android device. * Runs as a background process on the device or emulator. 3. **Server** * Manages communication between the **client** and **daemon**. * Runs in the background on the development machine. *** #### **Install ADB** ```bash sudo apt update sudo apt install adb ``` #### General Device Interaction * Lists all connected Android devices and their status. ``` adb devices ``` * Opens a shell on the Android device, allowing the user to execute commands directly on the device. ``` adb shell ``` #### Application Management * Installs an Android application on the connected device. ``` adb install [path to APK] ``` * Uninstalls an application from the connected device. (only works for **user-installed** apps — not system apps.) ``` adb uninstall [package name] ``` * Disable system apps for the current user. ``` adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.mipay.wallet.in ``` #### File Management * Copies a file from the Android device to the local computer. ``` adb pull [remote file path] [local file path] ``` * Copies a file from the local computer to the Android device. ``` adb push [local file path] [remote file path] ``` #### Bug Reporting * ```bash adb bugreport ``` Generates a detailed bug report of the Android device, including system logs, application data, and device information. #### Starting/Stopping ADB Server * Starts the ADB server. ``` adb start-server ``` * Stops the ADB server. ``` adb kill-server ``` #### Logcat (System Logs) * Displays the Android device’s system log in real-time. ``` adb logcat ``` * Saves the logcat output to a file on the local system. ``` adb logcat -d > [path_to_file] ``` * Clears the current logs on the device. ``` adb logcat -c ``` **Capturing Logs of a Specific App** 1. Get the process ID (PID) of the app: ```bash adb shell pidof com.example.app ``` 2. Display logs for the specific app's PID: ```bash adb logcat --pid 15236 ``` 3. Filter log files by priority level: ```bash adb logcat packagename:[priority level] ``` #### Shell Commands * Interacts with the Android device’s command-line interface. ``` adb shell ``` * Lists all installed packages on the Android device. ``` adb shell pm list packages ``` * Starts an activity on the Android device using an intent. ``` adb shell am start [intent] ``` * Stops an activity on the Android device using an intent. ``` adb shell am force-stop com.android.settings ``` * Removes the app **only for the current user**, doesn’t delete from the system. ```bash adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 ``` * Re-enables the app if its APK still exists in `/system`. ```bash adb shell cmd package install-existing ``` * Simulates typing text on the Android device’s keyboard. ``` adb shell input text [text] ``` #### Enable and Disable Proxy * Enable Proxy ```bash adb shell settings put global http_proxy 192.168.1.10:8080 ``` * Disable Proxy ```bash adb shell settings put global http_proxy :0 ``` #### Network and Port Forwarding * **Port Forwarding** (PC → Device) ``` adb forward tcp:8080 tcp:8080 ``` * **Reverse Port Forwarding** (Device → PC) ``` adb reverse tcp:8080 tcp:8080 ```