Develop Reference

Phone is rooted but can't pull files from /data/data folder

My phone Samsung Galaxy S5 mini is rooted. I'm trying to pull files from /data/data/myapp.package/ to folder on my PC.
adb pull /data/data/myapp.package E:\myapp\myapp.package
it gives me this error
adb: error: failed to copy '/data/data/myapp.package' to 'E:\myapp\myapp.package': Permission denied
I found many questions like mine but no answer solved my problem. Some suggested to execute this command adb root before pulling files. Some suggested to install adbd insecure app to enable root access. In fact after installing that app, phone disappeared from adb terminal. Both solution didn't work for me.
BTW, I can copy files using cp command from adb shell but I have to copy files to sdcard and then pull from sdcard. I'm looking for solution which allows me to copy files directly from /data/data/myapp.package to my PC
Any solution?

For your adb to be able to access /data/data directly (for adb pull), your adbd should be running as root - which can generally be done by adb root command.
adb root would not work on commercial devices like Samsung Galaxy S5 mini as commercial devices have ro.secure=1, i.e., the adbd can't be restarted as root due to a check of property called ro.secure. adbd insecure app circumvents this and restarts adbd in root mode to enable adb pull, etc. to work.
In short, if adbd insecure app doesn't work for you, it's not possible to do adb pull from /data/data in your existing ROM. It might be possible if you change the ROM / do some boot.img tweaks, but I would probably suggest trying latest version / different versions of adbd insecure app before going for ROM changes.
Read more on rooting here.

First you need to hit these two command from command line
adb root
adb remount
then
adb pull /data/data/myapp.package E:\myapp\myapp.package

This is my example pulling DB file from the root directory
adb -e shell "run-as com.example.project cp /data/data/com.example.project/databases/project.db /sdcard"
The key is run-as

Here's a one-liner that lets you pull a file without installing anything else and without having to copy it to a public location on the device to then pull it to your computer:
adb exec-out su -c cat /data/data/myapp.package/my_file.apk > my_file.apk
What this does:
adb exec-out runs a command and outputs the raw binary output
su -c runs the provided command as root
cat <file> prints out the file contents
> <file> redirects the output from adb (i.e. the raw file contents) to a local file.

Where does android studio save sqlite db on Linux dev machine?

I'd like to insert data directly into the sqlite database of my app but I cannot find it anywhere on android studio path, even on my root path:
$sudo find / -type f -name 'myapp.db'
I know several similar questions have been asked before but the answers for Windows did not help me on Ubuntu Linux. So appreciate your help.

Android Studio does not store the database locally in your computer. The databases only exist in the devices & every time you deploy to a new device, your database will be created new in that new device. That is why you can't find it in your computer. Here is where the database is located in the device:
/data/data/full_qualified_java_package_name/databases/database_name.db
Now if you would like to insert data directly, you can use the terminal in Android Studio & use ADB to pull the database off the emulator, modify it, and push it back in. Heck I am sure that if you know enough Linux you could probably insert what you need into it without pulling it from the device. Here are some sample commands for the Android Studio terminal for that:
~/Android/Sdk/platform-tools/adb devices
Get the device number, then:
~/Android/Sdk/platform-tools/adb -s emulator-#### pull /data/data/full_qualified_java_package_name/databases/database_name.db <local-filepath>
And to send it back in, it is just:
~/Android/Sdk/platform-tools/adb -s emulator-#### push <local-filepath> /data/data/full_qualified_java_package_name/databases/database_name.db
Example:
~/Android/Sdk/platform-tools/adb -s emulator-5554 pull /data/data/com.danielkaparunakis.stackoverflowquestions/databases/Questiondatabase.db /Users/DanielKaparunakis/Desktop
Additional tip: If you leave the blank when you pull like this:
~/Android/Sdk/platform-tools/adb -s emulator-5554 pull /data/data/com.danielkaparunakis.stackoverflowquestions/databases/Questiondatabase.db
It will automatically pull it to your project's root folder.

It will save it in the internal storage of every device, if you don't have a rooted device it will not allow you to pull it, but, if you are using an emulator you will be able to pull it.
https://developer.android.com/training/basics/data-storage/databases.html

You app's db is only on the device. You can pull it from any connected device – non-rooted physical devices as well. This script pulls it from the first device.
This trick is run-as <package name> which runs a shell the app's directory with full access to the app's data.
Replace $package with your app's package name and replace $db with the name of you app's db.
$ LC_ALL=C adb exec-out run-as $package cat databases/$db >db.sqlite
LC_ALL=C is to avoid some strange locale behavior on some systems.
adb is by default installed by Android Studio to ~/Android/Sdk/platform-tools/adb.
Update
The program 'adb' is currently not installed. To run 'adb' please ask your administrator to install the package 'android-tools-adb'
This is Ubuntu telling you that you can install it from the Ubuntu package manager.
Normally you would already have it as a part of Android Studio.
Update 2
I don't have a script yet for pushing it back since push and run-as don't work together. You would have to do something like this (untested).
$ adb push db.sqlite /sdcard/temp.sqlite
$ cat <<EOF | adb shell
run-as $package
cat /sdcard/temp.sqlite >databases/$db
exit
exit
EOF

Copy folder from Android app to local Windows directory

I'm trying to use the Android Adb Command Prompt to copy a folder inside the app container to a local Windows folder. The device is running Android 5.1.1 and is not rooted.
adb pull or cp aren't working. How can I copy a folder?
The following approaches aren't working:
Approach 1
adb shell
adb pull /data/data/DroidSample.DroidSample/files/MetroLog/MetroLogs C:/temp/test
error: device not found
Inside the shell you can't see to do adb pull. See here.
Approach 2
DDMS can't access the data folder.
Approach 3
adb shell
run-as DroidSample.DroidSample
cp /files/MetroLog/MetroLogs/ C:/temp/test
cp: /files/MetroLog/MetroLogs/: No such file or directory
Approach 4
adb shell
run-as DroidSample.DroidSample
cp /data/data/DroidSample.DroidSample/files/MetroLog/MetroLogs/ C:/temp/test
cp: /data/data/DroidSample.DroidSample/files/MetroLog/MetroLogs is a directory (not copied).
This is also not working.
Approach 5
adb shell
run-as DroidSample.DroidSample
chmod 777 /files/MetroLog/MetroLogs
exit
exit
adb pull /data/data/DroidSample.DroidSample/files/MetroLog/MetroLogs C:/temp/test
adb shell run-as DroidSample.DroidSample
chmod 700 /files/MetroLog/Metrologs
remote object '/data/data/DroidSample.DroidSample/files/MetroLog/MetroLogs' does not exist
So also this isn't working.
Approach 6
adb shell
mkdir /sdcard/tmp
cp /data/data/DroidSample.DroidSample/files/MetroLog/MetroLogs /sdcard/tmp
cp: /data/data/DroidSample.DroidSample/files/MetroLog/MetroLogs: Permission denied
This is also not working.
Approach 7
The only thing which half work is this
adb exec-out run-as DroidSample.DroidSample cat "files/MetroLog/MetroLogs/Log - 20160509.log" > C:/temp/test/test.log
But here I don't get the original file and I also have to know the exact file name. Additionally, that I loose line breaks and I have to do this for each file. Not that what I want.
So I'm running out of ideas. How can I access the internal stored files and copy them over?

You have almost solved the problem. As the storage of this kind is secured, you need to do one additional step. You need to copy the file from secured location to sdcard of the device. And then you can copy it anywhere via usb or android pull. Here are the command sequence I executed successfully.
adb shell
run-as DroidSample.DroidSample
cd shared_prefs
cp DroidSample.DroidSample_preferences.xml /sdcard/DroidSample.DroidSample_preferences.xml
exit
exit
adb pull /sdcard/DroidSample.DroidSample_preferences.xml C:/test/
That's it.
And I really appreciate the way you posted your question. Best of luck.

You're trying to gain read access to /data partition on actual android device. Such thing is not possible without root access, even if the app folder is yours. For the reason that permissions to read /data partition are not granted and cannot be granted, unless you're using an emulator. On emulator, which by default is with admin privileges for developer, you can access the data partition to read and write. On actual device you cannot. Not with adb, not with DDMS.
So basically speaking, anything that requires access to those files under /data is not going to work. Whether you sue cp command or pull command. The moment your kernel reads the beginning of your path which starts with /data/... it says: Oops, no can do.

You are trying to access /data folder of android device which is not accessible in unrooted device.

How to install or get access to sqlite3 from adb shell

I need a way to install or somehow get access to sqlite3 in the adb shell. I have rooted my device.
I've tried to find an answer but the closed I could come is:
Why do I get a "sqlite3: not found" error on a rooted Nexus One when I try to open a database using the adb shell?
But I don't think it's good idea to push my windows sqlite3.exe on a linux system?
So is it possible to install the sqlite3 terminal browser somehow?
[SOLUTION]
From the different comments and some asking around at #android-dev (irc), I found a solution. First I copied the database file to my desktop. But fist I had to install BusyBox, because cp isn't included?!? After that ran I into the problem that I couldn't pull or push from anywhere but /sdcard/ . I could then use /sdcard/ as a "middle station" and pull/push my db.
Then I got exhausted! I really had to have my sqlite terminal explore. Then I got the idea to start the emulator pull the sqlite binary from /system/xbin/sqlite3. Then remount /system with rw:
# mount -o remount,rw -t yaffs2 /dev/block/mtdblock3 /system
and push sqlite to the /sdcard/, and from there copy it to /system/xbin/
Now it works :D

Download this app from google play will help you install sqlite3 on android https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ptSoft.util.sqlite3forroot

You don't need root to pull the database from your device. Simply run the following commands:
adb shell run-as <package-name> "cp databases/<db_name>.db /sdcard/ && exit"
adb pull /sdcard/<db_name>.db ~/Downloads/
From there, you can use sqlite3 for whatever operating system you're using (http://www.sqlite.org/download.html), or a sqlite browser such as "DB Browser for SQLite" (http://sqlitebrowser.org/)

I use Rajath's technique... Adb "Pull" the db from the emulator/device, work on it, then adb "push" it back onto/into the emulator device.
also:
I use the free SQLite Editor from the Android Market. I have not rooted my LG Ally and therefor can only edit database tables on my sdcard with SQLite Editor.
Rajath suggests using the adb to push and pull the databases to and from the emulator/device. The work on the database with the windows (or whatever) sqlite3 program you have. He does not suggest pusing the windows sqlite3 onto the Android device, IMHO.
I note that java/android "query()" sends actual SQL commands programmacitacly to ones program with user input. I conclude that sqlite3 is in Android somewhere.
When using the emulator Dev Tools is available, and way down at the bottom of the list is the Terminal Emulator. This allows exploration of file structure of Android in the emulator. However using "adb shell" from the PC has root permissions.
good luck. cactus mitch

You can do this with adb shell without issue.
In terminal or CMD (assuming you have the ADB path set and your phone has ROOT) type:
$ adb shell
$ cd data/data/com.nameofyourpackage/databases/
$ ls to find the name of your database
$ sqlite3 nameofyourdb.db
Then you can use .tables .schema to see the data you need to create the appropriate query.

Android ADB commands missing

I've got Android 2.2 on my phone and I'm doing some DB development. I've been trying to query my DB using sqlite3, but it looks like sqlite3 is missing from my phone. So then I tried a few other commands (su, find etc) and they ALL seem to be missing.
Can anyone tell me where they have gone please? I read somewhere that sqlite3 at least might have been accidentally left out of 2.2, but surely they can't all have been missed off can they?
Thanks

With the new release, adb has moved to platform-tools while all other tools are still under tools folder.
You can either copy them or add them to the Windows Path (if you are using windows).

Try:
$ adb -s <serialno> shell type sqlite3
sqlite3 is /system/xbin/sqlite3
to determine if sqlite3 is available or not on you device.
The command you entered in one of your comments is malformed, it should be (after you determined that sqlite3 is available):
$ adb -s <serialno> shell sqlite3 /data/data/com.example.google.rss.rssexample/databases/rssitems.db
SQLite version 3.6.22
Enter ".help" for instructions
Enter SQL statements terminated with a ";"
sqlite>

Those aren't adb commands those are binaries usually installed on rooted devices. If your device isn't rooted you aren't going to be able to install them either.
However, what you can do to get into your apps database. Use the activity manager command set-debug-app [options] <PACKAGE> This will let you access your apps database without being rooted, then you can pull it to your desktop and use sqlite3 from there.
Something like this:
adb shell
am set-debug-app com.example.appname
exit ##exit adb shell
adb pull data/data/com.example.appname/databases/exampledb.db exampledb.db
sqlite3 exampledb.db
Your app needs to be set to debugging true in the manifest for this to work.