Google provides various tools to customize and control your Android phone. You can download SDK Platform and SDK Platform-tools to develop a new app and create an interface between your computer system and Android device. SDK tools are compatible to use with multiple operating systems, including Windows, Macintosh or Linux. And moreover, there is no need to root the phone to do so. Google updates the release notes on Android Platform-tools on a regular basis. To use these tools you must have at least one SDK platform installed.
If you do not have access to SDK manager, you can download an SDK platform tool directly for Windows, Mac or Linux operating systems. The frequently used Android platform tools include ADB( Android Debug Bridge ) and Fastboot. Both these tools are in fact command line tools and are helpful in unlocking the bootloader and also lets you change it with a new system image.
ADB
ADB commands can be used for different functions that include complete backup of Android system, uploading of files and ROMs directly from your PC, enables shell mode on Android phone, rebooting, turning on the bootloader mode and many other tweaking settings.
Some Examples of Common ADB commands
| Adb reboot-bootloader | Reboots Android device in bootloader mode |
| Adb push | To move a file from your local system to an Android phone’s location. |
| Adb pull | Moves the file from Android to your System |
| Adb devices | Shows all the connected adb compatible devices |
| Adb backup | Backs up the Android device |
| Adb install | Installs application from your system’s apk file location on to Android device. |
| Adb reboot | Reboots Android phone in normal mode |
| Adb connect | Use adb commands over Wi-Fi Network |
| Adb shell screencap | Takes the screenshot of the device |
How to Install Adb on Windows
To install adb, there is no need to install complete Android Studio or SDK manager. Google has provided direct links to install adb on your computer system. Ok! Now open this download link and select the download file as per the operating system of your computer.
The file will be downloaded in a zip format. Extract the file and the type the target location as c:\adb for the extraction of files.
So, now if you navigate to C Drive, you will see a folder named adb, open it and there is a subfolder named platform-tools. In this folder, you will see the adb.exe and other supporting files.
Now, to use the adb command, open command prompt. Press “windows” + “R” keys on the keyboard and you will get run-command window on the screen, now type cmd to open the command prompt.
Next, to run the adb.exe command, you need to first move to its containing folder. So type C\.
This will move you to the Root drive i.e C drive.
Now type cd adb
It will take you inside adb folder like c:\adb
Now type cd platform-tools in front of c:\adb
So your effective command line will show c:\adb\platform-tools
Here you are. Now you can use adb commands by typing adb and use other suffixes as per your requirements.
OR alternatively, on your system navigate to the folder where the zip file is extracted. Now pressing shift key on the keyboard and right click on the blank space on the screen and select open command windows here.
Fastboot
How can you control or give commands to an Android device when it is in bootloader mode? Yes, the debugging commands only work when the Android phone is on. So here is a very useful tool called Fastboot that works with an Android device even if it is in bootloader mode.
With Fastboot, you can unlock the Android bootloader and install your own customized operating system.
“Note: Both Adb and Fastboot are installed simultaneously when you extract SDK platform tools.”
Fastboot Commands
| Fastboot devices | Shows the serial number of the connected Android device |
| Fastboot OEM unlock | This fastboot command is used to unlock the bootloader |
| Fastboot OEM lock | It re-locks the bootloader |
| Fastboot flash recovery (filename) | It is used to flash the file from bootloader mode |
Using ADB and Fastboot commands
In order to start using these SDK platform tools, you must turn-on the USB debugging mode in developer options on your Android phone. This will let yo communicate with your phone by connecting it through USB cable to your computer system.
Android SDK Platform Tools
I hope this write-up is surely going to introduce you to the installation and use of Android platform tools like ADB and Fastboot. If you are an owner of an Android phone, you can use these commands to control and customize it, but at the same time, you have to be very careful while using them. Have you ever used these tools? Do let us know your experiences.
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