ADB, short for Android Debug Bridge, is a powerful command-line tool used for communication between an Android device and a computer. In other words, it acts as a bridge between the Android device and the computer and enables developers to perform a wide range of operations on the device. It is the primary method of communication between the Android device and the computer, especially when debugging apps.
However, there are situations where ADB does not start properly or behaves abnormally, resulting in issues with connection and other activities that rely on the ADB process. In such cases, developers might need to restart the ADB server or kill it entirely. Here, we will look at what ADB server is, the reasons we might want to kill or restart it, and how to perform these operations using command-line codes.
What is ADB Server?
As mentioned earlier, ADB stands for Android Debug Bridge, which is a command-line tool that enables communication between an Android device and a computer. ADB server, on the other hand, is a vital component of the ADB that acts as a middle-man between the computer and the Android device.
Whenever an ADB command is executed, it is sent from the computer to the ADB server on the device. The ADB server then executes the command on the device and sends the result back to the computer. The server runs in the background on the device and listens for incoming ADB connection requests.
The ADB server runs automatically every time the device boots up and continues running until the device is turned off or until the server is explicitly killed. Though it runs mainly in the background, the ADB server can sometimes create issues that require the server to be restarted or killed.
When to Kill or Restart ADB Server
There are several situations when killing or restarting the ADB server would be necessary. Some of these situations include:
-
When connection Issues Occur – There may arise instances where you are unable to connect your device to your computer. In some cases, restarting the ADB server can resolve this issue.
-
When Multiple Devices are Connected – If multiple devices are connected to the computer, it may become difficult for ADB to identify and connect the particular device you want to work with.
-
ADB Commands not Executing – When ADB commands are not executing properly, it may be necessary to restart the ADB server to clear any issues that may have arisen.
-
Device Authentication Issues – Sometimes, your device may fail to authenticate with the ADB server. In such cases, restarting the server may help.
Examples of ADB Server Kill and Start
As mentioned earlier, ADB is a command-line tool, meaning that killing or starting the ADB server is done using command lines. Below are examples of how to execute these processes:
- ADB Server Kill – This command stops the ADB server, and all ADB connections are lost.
First, you need to open your computer's Command Prompt or Terminal and enter the following commands:
// For Windows:
adb kill-server
// For Mac and Linux:
$ adb kill-server
- ADB Server Start – This command starts the ADB daemon server on the device.
Similarly, to start the ADB server, you need to open your Command Prompt or Terminal and enter the following commands:
// For Windows:
adb start-server
// For Mac and Linux:
$ adb start-server
- ADB Server Restart – To restart the ADB server, you first need to kill it using the "adb kill-server" command, then use the "adb start-server" command to start it again.
// For Windows:
adb kill-server
adb start-server
// For Mac and Linux:
$ adb kill-server
$ adb start-server
Conclusion
In conclusion, ADB server is a vital component of the Android Debug Bridge tool that enables communication between Android devices and computers. It may become necessary to kill or restart the server in certain circumstances to resolve connectivity or authentication issues, or to reset the daemon server for ADB commands to execute properly. By following the command-line codes outlined above, you can easily kill or start the ADB server and get back to developing your Android apps smoothly.
let's further expand on the previous topics.
ADB Server Kill
When executing the "ADB server kill" command, you may experience several outcomes, depending on the scenario. For instance, if the server is running on the connected device, this command stops the server and disconnected all devices connected to it. However, if the server is not running, executing this command will have no effect.
In some cases, when you execute this command, it may fail to stop the server due to internal issues. If that occurs, you can force-stop the server using the following command:
// For Windows:
adb kill-server
// For Mac and Linux:
$ adb kill-server
The command above sets up the ADB daemon on the device and instructs it to stop immediately.
ADB Server Start
Starting the ADB server involves executing the "adb start-server" command from the command prompt or terminal. This command initiates the ADB daemon on the device and the server starts running in the background. When the server is running, you can use it to connect to the device and execute ADB commands.
If the ADB server is already running on the device, executing this command will have no effect. However, if there are any issues with the server, the command can help to reset the ADB daemon and the device will initiate a new instance of the server.
ADB Server Restart
To restart the ADB server, you have to first kill it and then initiate it again with the "adb start-server" command. The process of stopping and starting the server usually resolves issues that could arise during the server's operation. Here's the command to perform a restart:
// For Windows:
adb kill-server
adb start-server
// For Mac and Linux:
$ adb kill-server
$ adb start-server
In some instances, the "adb start-server" may encounter issues trying to reinitiate the server. When this happens, you need to disconnect the device from the PC and reconnect it. Once you reconnect, and if the ADB server is not running, ADB will start the daemon service automatically.
In conclusion, knowing how to kill, start, or restart the ADB server could prove invaluable, especially when developing Android applications. These commands are essential when debugging or running applications, as they help in resolving any internal issues that could arise with the server. With the detailed explanations provided in this article, you should be able to execute these commands smoothly and get back to developing your Android apps in no time.
Popular questions
Sure, here are five questions with their respective answers:
Q1. What is ADB server?
A1. ADB server is a component of the Android Debug Bridge tool that acts as a middle-man between the computer and the Android device. It listens to incoming ADB connection requests and executes ADB commands on the device.
Q2. When might one want to kill or restart ADB server?
A2. One might want to kill or restart ADB server in situations where there are connection issues, multiple devices are connected, ADB commands are not executing, and device authentication problems, among others.
Q3. How is the ADB server killed on a device?
A3. The ADB server is killed on a device by running the command "adb kill-server" from the command prompt or terminal.
Q4. How is the ADB server started on a device?
A4. The ADB server is started on a device by running the command "adb start-server" from the command prompt or terminal.
Q5. What is the process for restarting the ADB server?
A5. To restart the ADB server, you first need to kill it using the "adb kill-server" command, then start it again using the "adb start-server" command. The complete command for the restart process is as follows:
// For Windows:
adb kill-server
adb start-server
// For Mac and Linux:
$ adb kill-server
$ adb start-server
Tag
"Debugging"
