10 Android Debug Bridge Interview Questions and Answers

Android Debug Bridge (ADB) is a versatile command-line tool that allows developers to communicate with an Android device. It facilitates a variety of device actions, such as installing and debugging apps, and provides access to a Unix shell that can be used to run various commands on a device. ADB is an essential tool for Android developers, enabling efficient testing and debugging processes.

This article offers a curated selection of ADB-related interview questions designed to help you demonstrate your proficiency with this critical tool. By familiarizing yourself with these questions and their answers, you can confidently showcase your technical expertise and problem-solving abilities in your upcoming interview.

Android Debug Bridge Interview Questions and Answers

1. What command would you use to check if your device is properly connected to ADB?

To check if your device is connected to ADB, use:

adb devices

This command lists all devices recognized by ADB. If your device is connected, it will appear in this list.

2. Write the command to push a file named “example.txt” from your local machine to the “/sdcard/” directory on the connected device.

To push “example.txt” to the “/sdcard/” directory on a connected device, use:

adb push example.txt /sdcard/

This command copies the file from your local machine to the specified directory on the device.

3. Write the commands to install an APK file named “app.apk” and then uninstall it from the device.

To install an APK named “app.apk” on an Android device, use:

adb install app.apk

To uninstall it, you need the package name, e.g., “com.example.app”:

adb uninstall com.example.app

4. Describe the steps and provide the command to set up wireless debugging with ADB.

To set up wireless debugging with ADB:

1. Connect your device via USB and enable USB debugging.
2. Find your device’s IP address:

   adb shell ip -f inet addr show wlan0

3. Connect over Wi-Fi:

   adb tcpip 5555
   adb connect <device_ip_address>:5555

4. Disconnect the USB cable and verify the connection:

   adb devices

5. Write a simple script that uses ADB to take a screenshot and pull it to your local machine.

To take a screenshot using ADB and transfer it to your local machine, use this script:

#!/bin/bash

# Capture a screenshot on the device
adb shell screencap /sdcard/screenshot.png

# Transfer the screenshot to the local machine
adb pull /sdcard/screenshot.png .

# Optionally, delete the screenshot from the device
adb shell rm /sdcard/screenshot.png

6. How do you specify which device to target when multiple devices are connected to your ADB server?

To target a specific device when multiple are connected, use the device’s serial number. List connected devices with:

adb devices

To direct commands to a specific device, use the -s option with the serial number. For example:

adb -s emulator-5554 install your_app.apk

7. Discuss the potential security risks associated with enabling ADB on a device.

Enabling ADB can expose a device to security risks:

• Unauthorized Access: ADB can be accessed by unauthorized users if the device is on an unsecured network, leading to data theft or manipulation.
• Data Leakage: ADB access to the file system can expose sensitive data.
• Malware Installation: Malicious software can be installed without consent.
• System Integrity Compromise: ADB provides root access, which can alter system files and settings.
• Debugging Information Exposure: Debugging data can reveal device vulnerabilities.

8. How do you restart the ADB server?

To restart the ADB server:

1. Open a command-line interface.
2. Stop the server with:

   adb kill-server

3. Start the server again with:

   adb start-server

These steps can resolve connectivity issues between your development environment and the device.

9. Describe how to use ADB to grant or revoke permissions for an app.

To manage app permissions using ADB, use the pm command:

Grant a permission:

adb shell pm grant <package_name> <permission_name>

Revoke a permission:

adb shell pm revoke <package_name> <permission_name>

For example, to grant READ_CONTACTS to com.example.app:

adb shell pm grant com.example.app android.permission.READ_CONTACTS

To revoke it:

adb shell pm revoke com.example.app android.permission.READ_CONTACTS

10. What command would you use to capture a bug report from a connected device?

To capture a bug report from a connected device, use:

adb bugreport <path-to-save-report>

This command generates a comprehensive report, including system logs and diagnostic information, saved to the specified path.