adb-reverse

List all reverse socket connections from emulators and devices

$ adb reverse --list

$ adb reverse tcp:[remote_port] tcp:[local_port]

$ adb -s [device_ID] reverse tcp:[remote_port] tcp:[local_port]

$ adb reverse --remove tcp:[remote_port]

$ adb reverse --remove-all

adb reverse [--list | --remove-all | --remove <local> | --no-rebind] [<local>] [<remote>]

--list
    List all current reverse forwards from device to host

--remove-all
    Remove all reverse socket connections

--remove <local>
    Remove specific reverse forward by local spec (e.g., tcp:8080)

--no-rebind
    Fail if port is already forwarded (don't rebind)

<local>
    Local address:port on device (e.g., tcp:8080, localabstract:/path)

<remote>
    Remote address:port on host (e.g., tcp:8080)

The adb reverse command enables reverse port forwarding from an Android device to the host machine. Unlike standard adb forward, which forwards host ports to the device, adb reverse allows services running on the device (e.g., a web server or debug server) to be accessed from the host.

This is particularly useful for development scenarios where the device lacks direct network access to the host, such as Wi-Fi debugging, testing device-hosted APIs, or exposing device sockets. For example, running a local HTTP server on the device at port 8080 can be made accessible at localhost:8080 on the host.

It supports TCP transports primarily, with syntax like tcp:8080. The forwarding persists until explicitly removed or ADB restarts. Requires Android 5.0+ (API 21), USB debugging enabled, and an authorized device. Works over USB or TCP/IP connections.

Requires Android 5.0+; only TCP widely supported; forwards lost on ADB restart or device reboot; host firewall may block access; use --no-rebind to avoid overwriting existing forwards.

Setup: adb reverse tcp:8080 tcp:8080
List: adb reverse --list
Remove: adb reverse --remove tcp:8080
Remove all: adb reverse --remove-all

Introduced in Android SDK tools r25.2.3 (2015) with Android 5.0 Lollipop for Wi-Fi debugging and reverse tethering support. Enhanced in later ADB versions for stability over TCP/IP.

adb(1), adb forward(1)