The Android Debug Bridge (ADB) lets you debug your Android device, sideload apps, install custom ROMs, and remove bloatware. It’s also used for entering Android’s recovery mode if you can’t access the recovery menu through your Android device. While you need to run it from an external device, compatible devices only need to run Windows, macOS, or Linux. Linux support means you can run ADB commands from our favorite budget Chromebooks.
Wireless ADB commands mean you don’t need a cable to debug your device. It’s convenient and straightforward to set up, and we’re here to walk you through each step.
Using the ADB wirelessly does not restrict you from using any ADB features. You can still sideload any app you want, install your monthly OTA update manually, or tweak interface settings on your device. However, the wireless debugging experience may be slightly laggier than in some cases, depending on your home Wi-Fi setup.
Before you get started with wireless ADB commands, check that you’re ready by following these steps:
You don’t need to install Android Studio to use the wireless ADB feature. That program is only necessary if you’re an app developer. After fulfilling these requirements, follow the steps below to get started.
If you have an Android device running Android 10 or earlier, use the adb tcpip command method. Check the steps for this method on the official Android Developers page.
You must activate the hidden Developer options before using wireless ADB on your Android smartphone. Depending on your device manufacturer, the steps might be slightly different.
Enable Developer options on a Google Pixel device
Enable Developer options on a OnePlus device
Enable Developer options on a Samsung device
Now that you have activated Developer options, you can turn on wireless debugging.
Enable wireless debugging on a Google Pixel device
Enable wireless debugging on a Samsung device
Enable wireless debugging on a OnePlus device
After activating Developer options and Wireless debugging, you can use ADB wirelessly on your Android device. You don’t need to install ADB on your computer. You can use the Android SDK folder to execute commands. We use a Mac to show this, but the steps are the same on Windows and Linux devices.
The difference is that you don’t add “./”before running ADB commands on Windows Command Prompt. For example, run the ./adb devices command on Mac to find the list of devices; on Windows, run the adb devices command.
To use wireless ADB on your Android device, follow these steps:
You have now set up wireless ADB on your Android device and can run any ADB command. To ensure everything works properly, run the ./adb devices for Mac or adb devices commandon Windowsto check your connected device. If the device is busy or not responding, try the adb kill-server command to stop the service. Then, enter adb devices again to start fresh.
Using ADB wirelessly is a convenient way to run ADB commands on your Android device. Whether installing an APK file, sideloading a system update, or removing unwanted apps, wireless ADB makes debugging your device a breeze.
ADB commands open the door to a variety of powerful tools. One of these is Shizuku, which offers an easy way to mod your device without rooting your phone.
Maybe if we start telling people the brain is an app they will start using it!
