android

Original：🇺🇸 English
Translated

Use when working with Android devices via ADB - connecting devices, running shell commands, installing apps, debugging, taking screenshots, UI automation, viewing logs, analyzing crashes, or exploring system internals. Triggers on "adb", "logcat", "install apk", "debug android", "android device", "shell command", "screenshot", "dumpsys", "crash", "ANR".

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Sourcehyperb1iss/hyperdroid-skill
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npx skill4agent add hyperb1iss/hyperdroid-skill android

Tags

Translated version includes tags in frontmatter
adb-commandsandroid-debuggingdevice-managementui-automationcrash-analysis

SKILL.md Content

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Android Device Mastery

This skill covers everything about interacting with Android devices via ADB and shell commands.

Device Connection

Check Connected Devices

bash
adb devices -l
Output shows serial, status, and device info. Common statuses:
  • device
    - Connected and authorized
  • unauthorized
    - Accept USB debugging prompt on device
  • offline
    - Connection issues, try 
    adb kill-server && adb start-server

Wireless Debugging

Android 11+ (Recommended):
  1. Enable Wireless debugging in Developer Options
  2. Tap "Pair device with pairing code"
  3. Run: 
    adb pair <ip>:<pairing_port>
    and enter the code
  4. Then: 
    adb connect <ip>:<connection_port>
Legacy (requires USB first):
bash
adb tcpip 5555
adb connect <device_ip>:5555

Multiple Devices

Always specify device with 
-s
:
bash
adb -s <serial> shell
adb -s emulator-5554 install app.apk

Shell Commands

Interactive Shell

bash
adb shell                    # Enter shell
adb shell <command>          # Run single command
adb shell "cmd1 && cmd2"     # Chain commands

Essential Commands

bash
# Device info
getprop ro.product.model              # Device model
getprop ro.build.version.release      # Android version
getprop ro.build.version.sdk          # SDK level

# File operations
ls -la /sdcard/
cat /path/to/file
cp /source /dest
rm /path/to/file

# Process info
ps -A | grep <name>
pidof <package_name>
top -n 1 -m 10

Safe Output Limiting

For commands with potentially large output:
bash
adb shell "logcat -d | head -500"
adb shell "dumpsys activity | head -200"

App Management

Install/Uninstall

bash
adb install app.apk                   # Basic install
adb install -r app.apk                # Replace existing
adb install -g app.apk                # Grant all permissions
adb install -r -g app.apk             # Both

adb uninstall com.example.app         # Full uninstall
adb uninstall -k com.example.app      # Keep data

Start/Stop Apps

bash
# Start main activity
adb shell monkey -p com.example.app -c android.intent.category.LAUNCHER 1

# Start specific activity
adb shell am start -n com.example.app/.MainActivity

# Start with intent extras
adb shell am start -n com.example.app/.Activity \
    -a android.intent.action.VIEW \
    -d "myapp://page/123" \
    --es "key" "value"

# Force stop
adb shell am force-stop com.example.app

# Clear app data
adb shell pm clear com.example.app

List Packages

bash
adb shell pm list packages              # All packages
adb shell pm list packages -3           # Third-party only
adb shell pm list packages | grep term  # Filter

adb shell pm path com.example.app       # APK location
adb shell dumpsys package com.example.app  # Full package info

Permissions

bash
adb shell pm grant com.example.app android.permission.CAMERA
adb shell pm revoke com.example.app android.permission.CAMERA
adb shell dumpsys package com.example.app | grep permission

File Operations

Push/Pull Files

bash
adb push local_file.txt /sdcard/
adb pull /sdcard/remote_file.txt ./

# Recursive
adb push local_dir/ /sdcard/target/
adb pull /sdcard/dir/ ./local/

Access App Data (Debuggable Apps)

bash
adb shell run-as com.example.app ls files/
adb shell run-as com.example.app cat shared_prefs/prefs.xml
adb shell run-as com.example.app sqlite3 databases/app.db ".tables"

UI Automation

Input Commands

bash
# Tap at coordinates
adb shell input tap 500 800

# Swipe (x1 y1 x2 y2 [duration_ms])
adb shell input swipe 500 1500 500 500 300

# Text input (needs focused field)
adb shell input text "hello"

# Key events
adb shell input keyevent KEYCODE_HOME      # Home
adb shell input keyevent KEYCODE_BACK      # Back
adb shell input keyevent KEYCODE_ENTER     # Enter
adb shell input keyevent KEYCODE_POWER     # Power
adb shell input keyevent KEYCODE_VOLUME_UP # Volume up

Common Keycodes

CodeKeyCodeKey
3HOME4BACK
24VOL_UP25VOL_DOWN
26POWER66ENTER
67DEL82MENU

Screenshots & Recording

bash
# Screenshot
adb shell screencap -p /sdcard/screen.png
adb pull /sdcard/screen.png

# One-liner (binary-safe)
adb exec-out screencap -p > screen.png

# Screen recording (max 3 min)
adb shell screenrecord /sdcard/video.mp4
adb shell screenrecord --time-limit 10 /sdcard/video.mp4

UI Hierarchy

bash
adb shell uiautomator dump /sdcard/ui.xml
adb pull /sdcard/ui.xml

Debugging & Logs

Logcat Essentials

bash
# Dump and exit
adb logcat -d

# Last N lines
adb logcat -t 100

# Filter by tag:priority
adb logcat ActivityManager:I *:S

# Filter by package (get PID first)
adb logcat --pid=$(adb shell pidof -s com.example.app)

# Crash buffer
adb logcat -b crash
Priority levels: V(erbose), D(ebug), I(nfo), W(arn), E(rror), F(atal), S(ilent)

Common Debug Patterns

bash
# Find crashes
adb logcat *:E | grep -E "(Exception|Error|FATAL)"

# Activity lifecycle
adb logcat ActivityManager:I ActivityTaskManager:I *:S

# Memory issues
adb logcat art:D dalvikvm:D *:S | grep -i "gc"

Memory Analysis

bash
adb shell dumpsys meminfo com.example.app
Key metrics:
  • PSS: Proportional memory use (compare apps with this)
  • Private Dirty: Memory exclusive to process
  • Heap: Java/Native heap usage

Crash Analysis

bash
# ANR traces
adb shell cat /data/anr/traces.txt

# Tombstones (native crashes, needs root)
adb shell ls /data/tombstones/

# Recent crashes via logcat
adb logcat -b crash -d

System Inspection

dumpsys Services

bash
adb shell dumpsys -l                    # List all services

# Common services
adb shell dumpsys activity              # Activities, processes
adb shell dumpsys package <pkg>         # Package details
adb shell dumpsys battery               # Battery status
adb shell dumpsys meminfo               # System memory
adb shell dumpsys cpuinfo               # CPU usage
adb shell dumpsys window displays       # Display info
adb shell dumpsys connectivity          # Network state

System Properties

bash
adb shell getprop                       # All properties
adb shell getprop | grep <filter>       # Filter properties

# Useful properties
getprop ro.product.model                # Model
getprop ro.build.fingerprint            # Build fingerprint
getprop ro.serialno                     # Serial number
getprop sys.boot_completed              # Boot status (1 = done)

Settings

bash
# Namespaces: system, secure, global
adb shell settings get global airplane_mode_on
adb shell settings put system screen_brightness 128
adb shell settings list global

Reboot Commands

bash
adb reboot                   # Normal reboot
adb reboot recovery          # Recovery mode
adb reboot bootloader        # Fastboot mode
adb reboot sideload          # Sideload mode
adb reboot-bootloader        # Alias for bootloader

Troubleshooting

Device not found:
bash
adb kill-server && adb start-server
Unauthorized:
  • Check USB debugging is enabled
  • Revoke USB debugging authorizations in Developer Options, reconnect
Multiple devices error:
  • Use 
    -s <serial>
    to specify device
Command not found (on device):
  • Some commands require root or are version-specific
  • Try 
    /system/bin/<cmd>
    or check if command exists

Quick Reference

TaskCommand
List devices
adb devices -l
Install app
adb install -r -g app.apk
Start app
adb shell monkey -p pkg -c android.intent.category.LAUNCHER 1
Stop app
adb shell am force-stop pkg
Screenshot
adb exec-out screencap -p > screen.png
Logs
adb logcat -d -t 100
Shell
adb shell
Push file
adb push local /sdcard/
Pull file
adb pull /sdcard/file ./
Tap
adb shell input tap X Y
Back
adb shell input keyevent 4
Home
adb shell input keyevent 3
For deep dives into specific topics, see 
references/deep-dive.md
.