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Skillsandroid-adb

android-adb

Testing & quality

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Updated 10-15 21:09

About this skill

Android ADB Skill

Automate ADB commands for device management, app installation, and log analysis.

When to Use

  • Listing connected devices
  • Installing/uninstalling APKs
  • Viewing application logs
  • Debugging app issues
  • Capturing screenshots/screen recordings

Commands

Device Management

Command Description ADB Command
devices List connected devices adb devices -l
restart Restart ADB server adb kill-server && adb start-server

App Management

Command Description ADB Command
install Install APK adb install -r app.apk
uninstall Remove app adb uninstall com.package.name
clear Clear app data adb shell pm clear com.package.name
start Launch app adb shell am start -n pkg/.Activity
stop Force stop app adb shell am force-stop com.package.name

Logcat Commands

Command Description ADB Command
log View all logs adb logcat -v threadtime
log:app App logs only adb logcat --pid=$(adb shell pidof pkg)
log:tag Filter by tag adb logcat -s TAG_NAME
log:error Errors only adb logcat *:E
log:clear Clear log buffer adb logcat -c

Debug Commands

Command Description ADB Command
screenshot Capture screen adb exec-out screencap -p > screen.png
screenrecord Record screen adb shell screenrecord /sdcard/video.mp4
anr Check ANR traces adb pull /data/anr/traces.txt
crash Get crash logs adb logcat -b crash

Logcat Patterns

# Filter by specific tags (common managers)
adb logcat -s GameManagerImpl AuthService SyncManager

# Compose errors
adb logcat | grep -i "compose\|recomposition"

# Coroutine exceptions
adb logcat | grep "CoroutineException\|JobCancellationException"

# ANR detection
adb logcat | grep -i "ANR\|Application Not Responding"

# Timber logs (class name as tag)
adb logcat | grep -E "(GameManager|UserManager|AuthService)"

Usage Examples

# Install and launch debug build
adb install -r app/build/outputs/apk/debug/app-debug.apk
adb shell am start -n com.creative.aiquiz/.LauncherActivity

# Clear app data and restart
adb shell pm clear com.creative.aiquiz
adb shell am start -n com.creative.aiquiz/.LauncherActivity

# Monitor specific logs
adb logcat -s GameManagerImpl:V

# Capture crash on error
adb logcat *:E -d > crash_log.txt

# Take screenshot for bug report
adb exec-out screencap -p > screenshot.png

Error Handling

# Check device connection
adb devices -l || (adb kill-server && adb start-server && adb devices -l)

# Handle installation errors
adb install -r app.apk 2>&1 | grep -q "INSTALL_FAILED" && {
    echo "Installation failed - checking signature..."
    adb uninstall com.package.name
    adb install app.apk
}

# Parse crash from logcat
adb logcat -b crash -d | grep -A 20 "FATAL EXCEPTION"

Common Errors:

  • Device not found: Enable USB debugging in Developer Options
  • Installation failed: Uninstall conflicting version first
  • Permission denied: Device needs root or debugging enabled
  • Unauthorized: Approve computer on device prompt

Troubleshooting

Issue Command
Device offline adb kill-server && adb start-server
Multiple devices adb -s SERIAL_NUMBER shell
App not starting adb shell am start -D -n pkg/.Activity
Screen frozen adb shell input keyevent 26
Storage full adb shell df -h

Command Workflows

# Full debug cycle
adb logcat -c && \
./gradlew installDebug && \
adb shell am start -n com.pkg/.MainActivity && \
adb logcat -s MainActivity:V

# Capture crash report
adb logcat -b crash -d > crash.txt && \
adb bugreport > bugreport.zip

# Monitor specific feature
adb logcat -c && adb logcat -s GameManager AuthService SyncManager

CI/CD Integration

# Firebase Test Lab
- name: Run Instrumented Tests
  run: |
    gcloud firebase test android run \
      --type instrumentation \
      --app app-debug.apk \
      --test app-debug-androidTest.apk

Best Practices

  • Prefer filtered logs to avoid overwhelming output
  • Use -d flag to dump existing logs and exit
  • Clear logcat before reproducing issues
  • Use Timber tags consistently (class name)

References