adb

List connected devices

$ adb devices

$ adb install [app.apk]

$ adb pull [/sdcard/file.txt] [./local/]

$ adb push [local_file] [/sdcard/]

$ adb shell

adb [-d|-e|-s serial] command [options]

adb (Android Debug Bridge) is a versatile command-line tool for communicating with Android devices. It provides access to a Unix shell for running commands, installing/uninstalling apps, transferring files, and debugging applications.
The tool operates through a client-server architecture where the adb server runs on your computer and communicates with the adb daemon (adbd) on connected devices. Connections can be made via USB or wirelessly over TCP/IP.

-d

Direct command to the only connected USB device

Direct command to the only running emulator

Direct command to device with specified serial number

List all connected devices and their states

Install an APK file

Remove an application by package name

Copy file from computer to device

Copy file from device to computer

Open interactive shell or run command on device

View device log output

Set up port forwarding

Set up reverse port forwarding

Reboot the device (bootloader, recovery options available)

Start the adb server

Stop the adb server

~/.android/adb_usb.ini

List of USB vendor IDs for device detection, one per line.

RSA private key used for device authentication. The corresponding public key (adbkey.pub) is pushed to authorized devices.

Environment variable to override the default adb server port (5037).

Environment variable specifying colon-separated paths to additional RSA key files for device authorization.

USB debugging must be enabled on the device. First connection requires authorizing the computer on the device. Some commands require root access. Wireless debugging requires initial USB setup or pairing (Android 11+).

adb was developed by Google as part of the Android SDK, first released with Android 1.0 in 2008. It has evolved to support features like wireless debugging, scoped storage access, and improved security through RSA key authentication.

fastboot(1), aapt(1), logcat(1)