Develop Reference

Unzip files in phone from ADB terminal

I am trying to unzip files in my android (11) phone with ADB from the terminal (Ubuntu 20.04). I need to run a script from my Ubuntu laptop to unzip files on my phone.
I have already tried Busybox from this suggestion. With this app, I can unzip files after accessing the shell. I mean -
$ adb shell
a60q:/ $ cd /sdcard/
a60q:/sdcard $ unzip data.zip
Archive: data.zip
inflating: Screenshot from 2020-11-30 16-45-46 (7th copy).png
inflating: Screenshot from 2020-11-30 16-45-46 (10th copy).png
But when I try to use the direct command, it shows an error.
$ adb shell unzip /sdcard/data.zip
unzip: couldn't create file Screenshot from 2020-11-30 16-45-46 (7th copy).png: Read-only file system
Archive: /sdcard/data.zip
Rooting phone isn't an option. My questions are -
What can I do here to unzip from the terminal?
Is there any tool to make compressed zip files (in Android) from the terminal?

In order to successfully invoke the unzip command from the terminal you should explicitly specify the folder where the zip's content will be extracted, for instance:
adb shell unzip /sdcard/data.zip -d /sdcard
By invoking unzip --help you will get more information on the other parameters available as well.

How to get list of currently working commands in Cygwin?

Currently working with the linphone-android integration. I have installed some packages during installation of Cygwin.
When I try some of the commands like ls, rm, cd, wget, tar and etc.. are working fine. But few commands like shell, clean are not working. It gives error command not found.
So, my question is,
Is there any way to get list of working commands for Cygwin?
Is there any way to install packages for these commands rather than installing them manually?

In my opinion the most elegant solution is to use the compgen command:
compgen -c lists all the available commands
compgen -a lists all the available aliases
You can also try a more brute approach:
Get all the paths from cygwin using echo $PATH and then for each folder execute ls -h <folder_name>

For installing a package the best way is to install first the equavalent of apt-get: apt-cyg from https://github.com/transcode-open/apt-cyg and put it in /usr/local/bin:
wget raw.github.com/transcode-open/apt-cyg/master/apt-cyg<br>
chmod +x apt-cyg<br>
mv apt-cyg /usr/local/bin<br>
You can also try running the setup executable used to install cygwin setup.exe -q -n -N -d -R c:\cygwin -s http://mirror_site_to_use -l c:\local_package_folder for a local package or setup.exe -q -P package_name to let the setup download the package

How do I execute a shell file?

I'm trying to download Whatsapp on my laptop. I am using Ubuntu desktop software. I've installed Android Emulator from http://dl.google.com/android/android-sdk_r16-linux.tgz
I unzipped the file, opened the folder, Android-sdk-linux, opened Tools and now I'm supposed to execute the file Android, and I'm not sure how to do that. Can anyone give me any help?
Ok, so this is what I thought I was supposed to do:
shell#shell:~$ cd Desktop
shell#shell:~/Desktop$ ./android.sh
bash: ./android.sh: No such file or directory
but then that happens...

Make the file executable first with
chmod +x filename.sh
Then start the script with
./filename.sh
or
/full/path/to/filename.sh

sh filename.sh
OR
bash filename.sh

Use the following command to install the WhatsApp on Ubuntu:
wget https://www.thefanclub.co.za/sites/all/modules/pubdlcnt/pubdlcnt.php?file=https://www.thefanclub.co.za/sites/default/files/public/downloads/whatsapp-webapp_1.0_all.deb&nid=200 && sudo dpkg -i whatsapp-webapp_1.0_all.deb
Then enter the password and open WhatsApp using the application key.

by default permission for any shell script is "-rw-rw-r--" first we need to change the permissions using the "chmod command" then we can run the shell script in the same way in which we run the C executable code.
To debug the shell script we need to run the shell script with the "bash -x" option as follow : $ bash -x ./

How to install an app in system/app while developing from android studio

Is there a way to make an app install directly in the system/app folder while developing on Android Studio (the device is rooted)?
Meaning, when I press on the 'Run app' button, I want the apk to be placed in system/app.
If this is not possible, what is the recommended most convenient way to work on building and testing a system app?

Deploy automatically system app from AS
You can create a script that will do the job, and run it automatically each time you hit run in AS.
1. Create the script
You can adapt this script that I've created from my needs. Place it in: project_directory/installSystem.sh
#!/bin/bash
# CHANGE THESE FOR YOUR APP
app_package="com.example"
dir_app_name="MySysApp"
MAIN_ACTIVITY="SysAppMainActivity"
ADB="adb" # how you execute adb
ADB_SH="$ADB shell" # this script assumes using `adb root`. for `adb su` see `Caveats`
path_sysapp="/system/priv-app" # assuming the app is priviledged
apk_host="./app/build/outputs/apk/app-debug.apk"
apk_name=$dir_app_name".apk"
apk_target_dir="$path_sysapp/$dir_app_name"
apk_target_sys="$apk_target_dir/$apk_name"
# Delete previous APK
rm -f $apk_host
# Compile the APK: you can adapt this for production build, flavors, etc.
./gradlew assembleDebug || exit -1 # exit on failure
# Install APK: using adb root
$ADB root 2> /dev/null
$ADB remount # mount system
$ADB push $apk_host $apk_target_sys
# Give permissions
$ADB_SH "chmod 755 $apk_target_dir"
$ADB_SH "chmod 644 $apk_target_sys"
#Unmount system
$ADB_SH "mount -o remount,ro /"
# Stop the app
$ADB shell "am force-stop $app_package"
# Re execute the app
$ADB shell "am start -n \"$app_package/$app_package.$MAIN_ACTIVITY\" -a android.intent.action.MAIN -c android.intent.category.LAUNCHER"
2. Bind it with AS Run
Go to Run -> Edit Configurations
Do the following changes on General tab (of your module)
Installation Options->Deplay: Nothing
Launch Options->Launch: Nothing
Before launch: press +, then Run External Tool, to select your script.
In the new dialog:
set any name.
On 'Tool Settings'->Program: navigate to the project's dir, and select your script
Caveats :
First installation
The device needs to be restarted (adb reboot) only once, on the very first installation of your app. Afterwards, you can simply press Run and everything will happen automatically.
This is because the host compiler (dex2oat) is not invoked automatically. Somehow the OS is not yet informed for this new system app. Calling dex2oat manually should solve this, but I had no luck. If anyone solves it please share.
adb root issues
Sometimes (usually the initial execution after the restart) the call to adb root does not find the device. You can simply re-play from AStudio, or sleep for a second after a successful adb root.
using su instead of adb root
adb push won't be working despite mounting system and giving permissions. To make it work replace the ADB_SH variable and the install section of the script with the following:
..
ADB_SH="$ADB shell su -c"
..
# Install APK: using adb su
$ADB_SH "mount -o rw,remount /system"
$ADB_SH "chmod 777 /system/lib/"
$ADB_SH "mkdir -p /sdcard/tmp" 2> /dev/null
$ADB_SH "mkdir -p $apk_target_dir" 2> /dev/null
$ADB push $apk_host /sdcard/tmp/$apk_name 2> /dev/null
$ADB_SH "mv /sdcard/tmp/$apk_name $apk_target_sys"
$ADB_SH "rmdir /sdcard/tmp" 2> /dev/null

Windows script for those interested:
Store this file the same way: in the root of your project directory (installSysPrivApp.bat)
::WIN BATCH SCRIPT
:: CHANGE THESE
set app_package=com.example.package
set dir_app_name=app
set MAIN_ACTIVITY=MainActivity
set ADB="adb"
::ADB_SH="%ADB% shell" # this script assumes using `adb root`. for `adb su`
see `Caveats`
set path_sysapp=/system/priv-app
set apk_host=.\Application\build\outputs\apk\Application-debug.apk
set apk_name=%dir_app_name%.apk
set apk_target_dir=%path_sysapp%/%dir_app_name%
set apk_target_sys=%apk_target_dir%/%apk_name%
:: Delete previous APK
del %apk_host%
:: Compile the APK: you can adapt this for production build, flavors, etc.
call gradlew assembleDebug
set ADB_SH=%ADB% shell su -c
:: Install APK: using adb su
%ADB_SH% mount -o rw,remount /system
%ADB_SH% chmod 777 /system/lib/
%ADB_SH% mkdir -p /sdcard/tmp
%ADB_SH% mkdir -p %apk_target_dir%
%ADB% push %apk_host% /sdcard/tmp/%apk_name%
%ADB_SH% mv /sdcard/tmp/%apk_name% %apk_target_sys%
%ADB_SH% rmdir /sdcard/tmp
:: Give permissions
%ADB_SH% chmod 755 %apk_target_dir%
%ADB_SH% chmod 644 %apk_target_sys%
::Unmount system
%ADB_SH% mount -o remount,ro /
:: Stop the app
%ADB% shell am force-stop %app_package%
:: Re execute the app
%ADB% shell am start -n \"%app_package%/%app_package%.%MAIN_ACTIVITY%\" -a android.intent.action.MAIN -c android.intent.category.LAUNCHER

To bypass reboot issue from the #paschalis answer reinstall application with a help of package manager before remounting system to read only:
# Reinstall app
$ADB_SH "pm install -r $apk_target_sys"
# Unmount system
$ADB_SH "mount -o remount,ro /"
Package manager will invoke dex2oat by itself.

(Android Q >> Windows)
::WIN BATCH SCRIPT
::setup emulator https://stackoverflow.com/a/64397712/13361987
:: CHANGE THESE
set app_package=com.project.package
set dir_app_name=NewApkName
set MAIN_ACTIVITY=Package.MainActivity
set ADB="adb"
set path_sysapp=/system/priv-app
set apk_host=.\app\build\outputs\apk\debug\app-debug.apk
set apk_name=%dir_app_name%.apk
set apk_target_dir=%path_sysapp%/%dir_app_name%
set apk_target_sys=%apk_target_dir%/%apk_name%
:: Delete previous APK
del %apk_host%
:: Compile the APK: you can adapt this for production build, flavors, etc.
call gradlew assembleDebug
set ADB_SH=%ADB% shell su 0
:: Install APK: using adb su
%ADB_SH% mount -o remount,rw /system
%ADB_SH% chmod 777 /system/lib/
%ADB_SH% mkdir -p /sdcard/tmp
%ADB_SH% mkdir -p %apk_target_dir%
%ADB% push %apk_host% /sdcard/tmp/%apk_name%
%ADB_SH% mv /sdcard/tmp/%apk_name% %apk_target_sys%
%ADB_SH% rm -r /sdcard/tmp
:: Give permissions
%ADB_SH% chmod 755 %apk_target_dir%
%ADB_SH% chmod 644 %apk_target_sys%
:: Unmount system
%ADB_SH% mount -o remount,ro /
:: Stop the app
%ADB% shell am force-stop %app_package%
:: Re execute the app
%ADB% shell am start -n \"%app_package%/%app_package%.%MAIN_ACTIVITY%\" -a android.intent.action.MAIN -c android.intent.category.LAUNCHER
:: from >> https://stackoverflow.com/questions/28302833/how-to-install-an-app-in-system-app-while-developing-from-android-studio

For mac
By using the script of #Paschalis I got 3 problems first I couldn't mount the system from adb so I did it with "terminal emulator for android" from jack palevich only (needed once) https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=jackpal.androidterm
mount -o rw,remount /system
the second problem was the JRE that was not the same as Android studio.
so I added
export JAVA_HOME=/Applications/Android\ Studio.app/Contents/jre/jdk/Contents/Home/
to have the same version of java that android studio was using ("ctrl + ;" in android studio to get this path)
And the last problem because of adb root that can not run in production build so I flashed this zip with magisk
https://github.com/evdenis/adb_root
Android: adbd cannot run as root in production builds
but then my phone was not detected anymore so I removed adb root and this time all works well.
Also try to run the script manually line by line in a terminal to debug this script android studio does not give all the error.

I think adb push *.apk /system/app/*.apk should do just fine.
I don't know about Android Studio, but if you are on Linux you can get try to create an alias for
adb install
that points to that command, It should work!

How to delete folders in sdcard of file explorer?

I created several folders in the sdcard (Eclipse) by running an Android application in the emulator. Now I want to delete the folders which I have created on the sdcard.
I am able to delete files in the folders but I could not delete the folders in the sdcard.
How can I do this? Is there a way to delete folders?

Using adb command you can delete folders.
click Run - > CMD-> type adb shell --> cd sdcard -> rmdir {dirname}
Note : Make sure your dir should be empty.
For non-empty directory use.
click Run - > CMD-> type adb shell --> cd sdcard -> rm -r {dirname}

Well, answer from Brijesh Thakur is really helpful.
I just tried this and it worked fine for me to some extent. I would like to mention that if your directory contains any files then the rmdir command will not work. You will have to use rm -r command for that.
To make it more easy for beginners I am explaining the process as follows.
First you need to locate your adb folder, mine was at D:\Android SDK\platform-tools>
Now execute adb shell in a command prompt as:
D:\Android SDK\platform-tools>adb shell
A hash (#) symbol or dollar sign ($) will appear, then enter the following command:
# cd sdcard
Now you are in the sdcard of the device. If your folder is a sub folder then further locate its parent folder using the cd command. Finally, use the rm -r command to remove the folder recursively as follows. This will delete all files and directories in the folder.
# rm -r FolderName
Please note that if you want to remove a single file you can use the rm command only and then the file name (with extension probably). And you can also use rmdir command if the directory you trying to delete is empty.

Using adb shell with rm command you can delete(nonempty as well as empty) folders.
click Run -- > CMD--> type adb shell --> cd sdcard --> rm -r {dirname}

We can do it in a single command line as under:
adb shell rm -r sdcard/<dirname>

If you want to delete everything in your android file system, you need to get its storage name from adb!
# adb shell echo $EXTERNAL_STORAGE
It will give you the path where everything is stored!It will print the storage name in command line, for few devices it is /sdcard and for few, it is /storage/emulated/legacy etc
Now you want to delete everything in that, you need
# adb shell rm -r /sdcard/
that /sdcard/ is not same for all devices, it could be /storage/emulated/legacy/ for some devices!
warning-: It will delete every folder in your file manager except "android" folder
now if you want to delete a particular folder in that file manager
# adb shell rm -r /sdcard/FolderName

remount the sdcard with read and write permission:
adb shell mount -o remount,rw /
Go to adb shell:
adb shell
Delete file you want:
rm -r /sdcard/file_name
It will work most better.