Android Debug Bridge (ADB) is the command-line tool that connects your computer to an Android device: installing apps, moving files, running shell commands, and reading logs. Everything published on Springmusk about ADB is collected here as one learning path, from first install to the errors you will eventually hit.
The learning path
- What is ADB? Android Debug Bridge Explained — what ADB is, how its client-server model works, and when to reach for it.
- How to Install ADB on Windows, Mac, and Linux — installing platform-tools on all three systems, configuring PATH, and verifying the setup.
- Essential ADB Commands Every Developer Should Know — the daily-use commands: devices, install, push and pull, shell, logcat.
- How to Set Up Wireless ADB Debugging on Android — cutting the cable with wireless pairing and ADB over TCP/IP.
- Common ADB Problems and How to Fix Them — unauthorized devices, offline status, driver issues, and the other classics.
ADB cheat sheet
| Command | What it does |
|---|---|
adb devices |
List connected devices and their state |
adb install app.apk |
Install an APK on the device |
adb push local /sdcard/ |
Copy a file to the device |
adb pull /sdcard/file |
Copy a file from the device |
adb shell |
Open a shell on the device |
adb logcat |
Stream the device log |
adb reboot |
Reboot the device |
adb tcpip 5555 |
Restart adbd in TCP/IP mode for wireless debugging |
Each command above is covered in depth with examples in the essential commands reference.