What is ADB and How to install ADB and Fastboot Tools

What is ADB and How to install ADB and Fastboot Tools

Why ADB is used ?

If you want to root your mobile device or install a custom ROM or many other advance level techniques then you should know about ADB and need to learn how to install ADB and FASTBOOT in Windows

So Guys here is the guide to know what ADB is to enhance your android experience as well as the list of some common mistakes.

What is ADB?

ADB (Android Debug Bridge) consists of a client and server part each communicating with the other. In laymen's terms, it's a communication tool between your smartphone and PC. It is accessed via the command prompt on Windows and is used to send commands to  Android from a PC. In other words, ADB is very helpful to the Android community for rooting, flashing new ROMs or simply troubleshooting smartphones.

What is Fastboot?

Fastboot is basically a diagnostic tool used to modify the Android file system from a computer when the smartphone is in bootloader mode. The commands are basic and just include some commands to flash or install android system or custom recovery to a android device.

What are the Adb drivers or any drivers?

A driver is a small program that allows an operating system to recognize a device and interact with it and use it. Each deveice has its own drivers. In case of android smartphones, the system itself uses a driver, the ADB mode and fastboot mode also because the interface is not the same. To summarize, Windows needs a driver for the smartphone, for fastboot and ADB. ADB and Fastboot drivers are common for all devices. 

Install ADB drivers on windows operating system

By my test Windows 10 does not neet the addistional drivers to be installed in system. Generally Win10 will give immidiate access to ADB to connect with smartphone. On Windows 7 and earlier OS versions, connecting your smartphone and PC via ADB was somewhat more complex.

In WINDIOWS 7, ADB interface will be rarely recognized. If an appropriate driver is missing then PC will not be able to communicate with smartphone. Theirs a solution for it just visit this site click on ADB driver installer (9.22mb), open the zip start the application file "adb" and confirm all the access to it.

How to enable USB debugging ?

Go to Settings of your smartphone then click on about phone, Now click on Build number 6-7 times, a pop up will display that you are the developer now. Now you can access your developer options you can find it directly in settings ( every smartphones enables it at diffrent locations For ex: in XIAOMI/Redmi phones you can find Devloper Options in additional settings ). Now enable USB debugging from Devloper Options.

Now While installing ADB drivers connect your phone there and allow usb debugging, Your device will appear in installer if not appears try changing Data Cable some cables are manufactures only for charging purpose they do not support Data Transfer. 

If you have problems, you need to open the Device Manager of your PC, delete existing entries with your smartphone and repeat the installation.

ADB Commands:

adb devices : this command list you with all the connected adb devices to the computer. It's like the device identifier for you device, you can check that your device is connected to PC or not. If it gives the entry of your device then you are ready to perform sevral actions using adb.

adb reboot : this command reboots your phone.

adb reboot recovery :  This will reboot your device to the recovery mode

adb reboot bootloader : This reboots yout device to the bootloader. Once the device is in this mode you can communicate the device via fastboot mode.

adb push [ directory of your computer / dateiname.endung] [ directory of the smartphone] : This command moves the file from the stated folder of your computer to the stated folder of your smartphone.

adb pull [ directory in smartphone / dateiname.endung ] [ directory of your computer] : This command will save file from your smartphone to your computer without specifying the computer directory. It will be saved in the path of ADB executable or /home directory.

adb shell screencap -p /sdcard/screenshot.png

adb pull /sdcard/screenshot.png

adb shell rm /sdcard/screenshot.png  : To take a screenshot, this will be saved to your computer.

adb help : It overviews all the adb commands, syantax and help related issue.

Flashing/ installing files using ADB

adb sidelog update.zip : This command is used to install files such as officaial device update file. Custom Rom's are insalled using fastboot interface.

adb install [android app].apk : This command is used to Install the app from your computer to the smartphone.

ADB Errors

command not found : This appears when you make a mistake or the command is not compatible to your version of ADB. In this case try to have a look in adb help or upate your ADB.

device not found : This appears when the device is not in contact to your computer try changing USB cable, try diffrent ports of your computer.

server is out of date : The version of adb tools and the android smartphone should be compatible. If they are not this errors occurs.

waiting for device : this is same as device not found try reconnecting your smartphone.

Now What?

Now dear friends you are aware of modifing your android smartphone to updating, installing, rooting, and installing diffrent firmware to your device. Now you have full control of your smartphones in you hand.