The Ultimate Encyclopedia of ADB, Dumpsys & Android Internals

Android Internals Team

2025-08-28

5 min read

The Ultimate Encyclopedia of ADB, Dumpsys & Android Internals

📘 Introduction

The Android Debug Bridge (ADB) is the single most critical tool for anyone working seriously with the Android platform. It's the command-line interface that provides a direct line into the heart of the Android system, allowing for unparalleled control and introspection.

This encyclopedia is the definitive guide, merging all important ADB commands with system-level dumpsys and service commands. It's designed to be a one-stop reference, packed with: ✔ Real AOSP package names for practical, ready-to-use examples ✔ Sample commands and outputs ✔ Clear interpretation of what the data means ✔ Expert-level "magical" commands that save hours of debugging time ✔ Specific sections for Android Automotive, native debugging, and performance analysis

Whether you're debugging your first app or diagnosing a deep kernel-level performance issue, this guide has you covered.

📋 Index

Fundamentals & Server Management
Device Management & Info
App & File Management
Logging & Bug Reporting
Key Debugging Techniques
Expert-Level "Magical" Commands
Advanced Internals & Native Debugging
Runtime Properties & SELinux
Android Automotive Commands
Dumpsys Encyclopedia
Automation & UI
Advanced Commands: Backup, Sideload & Fastboot
Debugging Scenarios
References
Conclusion

⚙️ Fundamentals & Server Management

Manage the ADB daemon itself and establish device connections.

bash
# Stop the ADB server process
adb kill-server

# Ensure the ADB server process is running
adb start-server

# List all connected devices and their state (device, offline, unauthorized)
adb devices

# Start a remote shell on the target device
adb shell

# Reconnect to a device whose connection may be stale, without a full server restart
adb reconnect device

Modern Wireless Debugging (Android 11+): Instead of adb tcpip, modern Android offers a simpler flow in Developer Options > Wireless debugging. You can pair using a QR code or a pairing code with the adb pair <ip_address>:<port> command shown on the device screen. Once paired, you connect using adb connect <ip_address>:<port>.

📱 Device Management & Info

Commands for controlling the device's state, power, and retrieving key information.

bash
# Reboot the device
adb reboot

# Reboot into recovery mode
adb reboot recovery

# Reboot into the bootloader (fastboot mode)
adb reboot bootloader

# Restart adb with root permissions on the device (for debug builds)
adb root

# Get a specific system property's value (e.g., Android version)
adb shell getprop ro.build.version.release

📦 App & File Management

Manage applications (install, uninstall, permissions) and transfer files.

bash
# Install an APK. The '-r' flag allows re-installing an existing app, keeping its data.
adb install -r YourApp.apk

# Grant all runtime permissions on install (useful for testing)
adb install -g YourApp.apk

# Uninstall an app. This will fail for core system apps on production builds.
adb uninstall com.android.calculator2

# Clear all data associated with the Settings app
adb shell pm clear com.android.settings

# Grant the CAMERA permission to the Android Camera app
adb shell pm grant com.android.camera2 android.permission.CAMERA

# Get the path to the installed APK file for the Settings app
adb shell pm path com.android.settings

# Copy a file from the device to your computer
adb pull /sdcard/bugreport.zip ./

# Copy a file from your computer to the device
adb push ./local_file.txt /sdcard/

🗂️ Logging & Bug Reporting

Capturing logs and system state is crucial for debugging.

bash
# View the device logcat stream. *:E filters for Error level messages only.
adb logcat *:E

# Clear all existing logs from the buffer
adb logcat -c

# Write logcat output to a file and exit
adb logcat -d > device_logs.txt

# Capture a complete bugreport, which includes dumpsys, logs, and other diagnostics
adb bugreport ./bugreport.zip

# Take a screenshot and save it on the device
adb shell screencap /sdcard/screenshot.png

💡 Key Debugging Techniques

This section covers critical ADB features for network, settings, and performance diagnostics that are essential for modern development.

🌐 Network Port Forwarding (`forward` & `reverse`)

Bridge the network connection between the Android device and your development machine.

bash
# Forward: Access a port on the device from your computer's localhost.
# Example: Access a web server on the device at port 8080 via your computer's localhost:9090
adb forward tcp:9090 tcp:8080

# Reverse: Allow the device to access a port on your computer's localhost.
# Example: Let your app connect to a backend server on your computer at localhost:3000
adb reverse tcp:8000 tcp:3000

Use Case for forward: Debugging an app's web view or local server directly from your desktop browser.

Use Case for reverse: Developing an app that communicates with a backend server that you are running locally on your development machine.

⚙️ Interacting with the Settings Provider (`settings`)

Directly query, modify, or delete system settings. This is incredibly useful for test automation and debugging.

Namespaces: system, secure, global

bash
# List all settings in a specific namespace
adb shell settings list secure

# Get the value of a specific setting
adb shell settings get system screen_brightness

# Put (write or create) a value for a setting
# Example: Enable "Stay awake while charging"
adb shell settings put global stay_on_while_plugged_in 3

😴 Simulating System States (Doze & App Standby)

Force the device into power-saving modes to test how your app behaves. Requires root access.

bash
# --- Simulating Doze Mode ---
# Put the device into an idle (Doze) state
adb shell dumpsys deviceidle force-idle

# Take the device out of idle mode
adb shell dumpsys deviceidle step

# --- Simulating App Standby ---
# Put a specific app into standby mode
adb shell dumpsys battery unplug
adb shell am set-inactive com.example.myapp true

# Take an app out of standby mode
adb shell am set-inactive com.example.myapp false

🔍 Process & Memory Analysis

Monitor and analyze running processes and memory usage.

bash
# Get a list of running processes
adb shell ps

# Get detailed memory information for a specific process
adb shell dumpsys meminfo com.android.settings

# Get CPU usage statistics
adb shell top -m 10

# Get battery statistics
adb shell dumpsys batterystats

🎯 Expert-Level "Magical" Commands

These advanced commands can save hours of debugging time and provide deep system insights.

🔗 Direct Binder Service Calls (`service call`)

Make direct calls to Android system services through the Binder interface.

bash
# Call the ActivityManager service to get the current top activity
adb shell service call activity 51

# Call the PackageManager service to get package info
adb shell service call package 1 s16 com.android.settings

📊 System-Wide Performance Tracing (`perfetto`)

Capture detailed performance traces for analysis.

bash
# Start a trace with default configuration
adb shell perfetto --txt -c /data/misc/perfetto-configs/trace_config.pbtxt -o /data/misc/perfetto-traces/trace.pftrace

# Pull the trace file to your computer
adb pull /data/misc/perfetto-traces/trace.pftrace ./

🎮 Low-Level Input Injection (`sendevent`)

Send low-level input events directly to the device.

bash
# Send a tap event at coordinates (500, 1000)
adb shell sendevent /dev/input/event2 3 57 0
adb shell sendevent /dev/input/event2 1 330 1
adb shell sendevent /dev/input/event2 3 53 500
adb shell sendevent /dev/input/event2 3 54 1000
adb shell sendevent /dev/input/event2 0 0 0
adb shell sendevent /dev/input/event2 3 57 4294967295
adb shell sendevent /dev/input/event2 1 330 0
adb shell sendevent /dev/input/event2 0 0 0

🗄️ Quick Database & Content Provider Inspection

Directly inspect app databases and content providers.

bash
# List all databases for an app
adb shell run-as com.example.myapp ls databases/

# Query a content provider
adb shell content query --uri content://com.example.myapp.provider/data

# Insert data into a content provider
adb shell content insert --uri content://com.example.myapp.provider/data --bind name:s:"Test Item"

🔧 Advanced Internals & Native Debugging

Deep dive into Android's internal systems and native components.

🆕 The Modern `cmd` Service Interface

The modern way to interact with system services (Android 10+).

bash
# List all available cmd services
adb shell cmd -l

# Interact with the overlay service
adb shell cmd overlay list

# Interact with the device config service
adb shell cmd device_config list

🔌 Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL) Introspection (`lshal`)

Inspect the Hardware Abstraction Layer services.

bash
# List all HAL services
adb shell lshal

# Get detailed information about a specific HAL service
adb shell lshal -i android.hardware.camera.provider@2.4::ICameraProvider

📝 Accessing Specific Logcat Buffers

Access different logcat buffers for specific debugging needs.

bash
# Access the radio buffer (telephony-related logs)
adb logcat -b radio

# Access the events buffer (system events)
adb logcat -b events

# Access the main buffer (default)
adb logcat -b main

# Access all buffers
adb logcat -b all

💀 Analyzing Native Crashes (Tombstones)

Investigate native crashes and system-level issues.

bash
# List all tombstone files
adb shell ls /data/tombstones/

# Pull a specific tombstone file
adb pull /data/tombstones/tombstone_01 ./

# Get crash information from the system
adb shell dumpsys dropbox --print

🔐 Runtime Properties & SELinux

Manage system properties and security contexts.

bash
# Get all system properties
adb shell getprop

# Set a system property (requires root)
adb shell setprop debug.sf.showupdates 1

# Check SELinux status
adb shell getenforce

# Set SELinux to permissive mode (requires root)
adb shell setenforce 0

# Get SELinux context for a process
adb shell ps -Z | grep com.android.settings

🚗 Android Automotive Commands

Specialized commands for Android Automotive development and testing.

🎮 Car Service Interaction (`car_service`)

Interact with the Android Automotive car service.

bash
# List all car services
adb shell cmd car_service list

# Get car service information
adb shell dumpsys car_service

# Control car features
adb shell cmd car_service set-property com.android.car.CAR_PROPERTY_ID_SPEED 60

🎛️ Controlling Automotive Features

Control various automotive features for testing.

bash
# Simulate vehicle speed
adb shell cmd car_service set-property com.android.car.CAR_PROPERTY_ID_SPEED 80

# Simulate gear position
adb shell cmd car_service set-property com.android.car.CAR_PROPERTY_ID_GEAR_SELECTION 1

# Simulate fuel level
adb shell cmd car_service set-property com.android.car.CAR_PROPERTY_ID_FUEL_LEVEL 75

🔌 Simulating Hardware with VHAL Injection

Simulate Vehicle Hardware Abstraction Layer (VHAL) events.

bash
# Inject a VHAL event
adb shell cmd car_service inject-vhal-event com.android.car.CAR_PROPERTY_ID_SPEED 65

# Get VHAL information
adb shell dumpsys car_service | grep -A 10 "VHAL"

👤 Automotive User Management

Manage users in Android Automotive.

bash
# List all users
adb shell pm list-users

# Create a new user
adb shell pm create-user "Test User"

# Switch to a specific user
adb shell am switch-user 10

🛠️ Dumpsys Encyclopedia

The dumpsys command provides detailed information about system services. Here are the most important ones:

📱 Activity Manager (`am`)

Monitor and control activities and tasks.

bash
# Get detailed activity information
adb shell dumpsys activity

# Get information about a specific activity
adb shell dumpsys activity com.android.settings

Key Information:

Running activities and their states
Recent tasks and their history
Activity lifecycle information
ANR (Application Not Responding) details

📦 Package Manager (`pm`)

Manage packages and their permissions.

bash
# Get package information
adb shell dumpsys package com.android.settings

# List all packages
adb shell pm list packages

Key Information:

Installed packages and their versions
Permission grants and denials
Package signatures
Install locations

🪟 Window Manager (`wm`)

Monitor window states and display information.

bash
# Get window information
adb shell dumpsys window

# Get display information
adb shell dumpsys display

Key Information:

Active windows and their states
Display metrics and orientation
Window animations and transitions
Focus information

🎵 Media Services

Monitor audio, video, and camera services.

bash
# Get audio information
adb shell dumpsys audio

# Get camera information
adb shell dumpsys media.camera

# Get media session information
adb shell dumpsys media_session

🔋 Battery & Power

Monitor battery and power management.

bash
# Get battery information
adb shell dumpsys battery

# Get power information
adb shell dumpsys power

# Get battery statistics
adb shell dumpsys batterystats

🌐 Connectivity

Monitor network connectivity and statistics.

bash
# Get connectivity information
adb shell dumpsys connectivity

# Get Wi-Fi information
adb shell dumpsys wifi

# Get network statistics
adb shell dumpsys netstats

🖲️ Automation & UI

Automate UI interactions and capture UI information.

bash
# Capture UI hierarchy
adb shell uiautomator dump /sdcard/view.xml

# Pull the UI hierarchy file
adb pull /sdcard/view.xml ./

# Take a screenshot
adb shell screencap /sdcard/screenshot.png

# Record screen (Android 4.4+)
adb shell screenrecord /sdcard/demo.mp4

📦 Advanced Commands: Backup, Sideload & Fastboot

💾 Backup & Restore

bash
# Create a backup of an app
adb backup -f backup.ab com.example.myapp

# Restore an app from backup
adb restore backup.ab

# Create a full system backup (requires root)
adb shell su -c "tar -czf /sdcard/system_backup.tar.gz /data"

📱 Sideload & OTA

bash
# Install an OTA update via sideload
adb sideload update.zip

# Reboot into recovery mode for sideload
adb reboot recovery

⚡ Fastboot Commands

bash
# Reboot into fastboot mode
adb reboot bootloader

# List fastboot devices
fastboot devices

# Flash a partition
fastboot flash system system.img

# Unlock bootloader (warning: erases all data)
fastboot oem unlock

🐞 Debugging Scenarios

🔍 App Crashes

bash
# Monitor app crashes
adb logcat | grep -i "fatal\|crash\|exception"

# Get crash information
adb shell dumpsys dropbox --print | grep -i crash

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

🔋 Battery Drain

bash
# Get battery statistics
adb shell dumpsys batterystats

# Reset battery statistics
adb shell dumpsys batterystats --reset

# Get wake lock information
adb shell dumpsys power | grep -A 10 "Wake Locks"

🌐 Network Issues

bash
# Check network connectivity
adb shell dumpsys connectivity

# Get network statistics
adb shell dumpsys netstats

# Check Wi-Fi state
adb shell dumpsys wifi

🎮 Performance Issues

bash
# Get graphics performance information
adb shell dumpsys gfxinfo com.example.myapp

# Get memory information
adb shell dumpsys meminfo com.example.myapp

# Get CPU usage
adb shell top -m 10

📚 References

✅ Conclusion

This comprehensive encyclopedia serves as the definitive reference for Android Debug Bridge (ADB) and system-level debugging. You've learned:

Fundamental ADB operations for device management and file transfer
Advanced debugging techniques including network forwarding and settings manipulation
Expert-level commands that provide deep system insights
Android Automotive-specific commands for automotive development
Performance analysis tools for optimizing Android applications
Real-world debugging scenarios with practical solutions

This guide is designed to be your go-to reference for Android development, testing, and system analysis. Whether you're a beginner learning ADB basics or an expert looking for advanced techniques, this encyclopedia provides the knowledge and tools you need to master Android debugging.

Remember that ADB is a powerful tool that can significantly impact device behavior. Always test commands in a safe environment and understand their implications before using them in production scenarios.

The Ultimate Encyclopedia of ADB, Dumpsys & Android Internals

The Ultimate Encyclopedia of ADB, Dumpsys & Android Internals

📘 Introduction

📋 Index

⚙️ Fundamentals & Server Management

📱 Device Management & Info

📦 App & File Management

🗂️ Logging & Bug Reporting

💡 Key Debugging Techniques

🌐 Network Port Forwarding (forward & reverse)

⚙️ Interacting with the Settings Provider (settings)

😴 Simulating System States (Doze & App Standby)

🔍 Process & Memory Analysis

🎯 Expert-Level "Magical" Commands

🔗 Direct Binder Service Calls (service call)

📊 System-Wide Performance Tracing (perfetto)

🎮 Low-Level Input Injection (sendevent)

🗄️ Quick Database & Content Provider Inspection

🔧 Advanced Internals & Native Debugging

🆕 The Modern cmd Service Interface

🔌 Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL) Introspection (lshal)

📝 Accessing Specific Logcat Buffers

💀 Analyzing Native Crashes (Tombstones)

🔐 Runtime Properties & SELinux

🚗 Android Automotive Commands

🎮 Car Service Interaction (car_service)

🎛️ Controlling Automotive Features

🔌 Simulating Hardware with VHAL Injection

👤 Automotive User Management

🛠️ Dumpsys Encyclopedia

📱 Activity Manager (am)

📦 Package Manager (pm)

🪟 Window Manager (wm)

🎵 Media Services

🔋 Battery & Power

🌐 Connectivity

🖲️ Automation & UI

📦 Advanced Commands: Backup, Sideload & Fastboot

💾 Backup & Restore

📱 Sideload & OTA

⚡ Fastboot Commands

🐞 Debugging Scenarios

🔍 App Crashes

🔋 Battery Drain

🌐 Network Issues

🎮 Performance Issues

📚 References

✅ Conclusion

🌐 Network Port Forwarding (`forward` & `reverse`)

⚙️ Interacting with the Settings Provider (`settings`)

🔗 Direct Binder Service Calls (`service call`)

📊 System-Wide Performance Tracing (`perfetto`)

🎮 Low-Level Input Injection (`sendevent`)

🆕 The Modern `cmd` Service Interface

🔌 Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL) Introspection (`lshal`)

🎮 Car Service Interaction (`car_service`)

📱 Activity Manager (`am`)

📦 Package Manager (`pm`)

🪟 Window Manager (`wm`)