ADB stands for Android Debug Bridge, and it allows you to perform various actions on your Android device from your computer. While the full ADB suite lets you use the Command Line on your machine to interact with your device, a new app for the Chrome browser lets you execute commands on your device right from Chrome on your machine.
With ADB for Chrome, you do not have to leave your browsing session in order to send a command to your device. The app makes it possible for you to issue commands right off your browser. It works much the same way as the standard ADB method, and you can issue whatever ADB command you want from this app.
Here’s how you can use it on your machine.
Using ADB for Chrome to Send ADB Commands to an Android Device
Since it is a Chrome app, you need to visit the Chrome Web Store to download and install it.
Head over to the ADB for Chrome download page at the Chrome Web Store and click on the “ADD TO CHROME” button given in the top right corner.
You will be prompted if you really want to add the app to your browser. Click on the button that says “Add,” and the app will be added to your browser.
Once the app has finished downloading, click on its icon in the Chrome App launcher to launch it.
If you are using a Windows-based computer, you will be required to install the ADB drivers. To do so, click on the link for the drivers given on the main screen of the app to download the latest ADB drivers to your computer.
If you are using a Mac or a Linux-based computer, you do not need to install the drivers.
In order for the app to be able to interact with your device, you need to have the USB debugging option enabled on your Android device. To enable it, follow these steps.
Enabling USB Debugging on an Android Device
Go to Menu and tap on Settings to open the settings menu.
Scroll all the way down until you see Developer options. Tap on it to locate the USB debugging option.
If you do not see Developer options in your settings menu, you need to follow our guide here to enable it on your device.
Once in Developer options, turn on the USB debugging option. When that is done, exit the settings menu on your device.
Plug in your device to your machine using a USB cable.
Get back to the ADB for Chrome screen to get started using the app.
On the main screen of the app, you will find three options. Those are for: commands, screenshot, and screen recording.
Since your aim is to execute commands on your device, click on the command line icon and it will launch.
On the screen that follows, you should be able to type the commands that you want to be executed on your device. Just type them in and press Enter, and they will be executed.
You can check out the most common ADB commands list to learn the commands that can be executed on your device.
Conclusion
For those who just never want to close their browsers to perform a task, ADB for Chrome helps them send commands to their Android device right from their browser without having to close any website tabs. That is really cool, isn’t it?
Mahesh Makvana is a freelance tech writer who’s written thousands of posts about various tech topics on various sites. He specializes in writing about Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android tech posts. He’s been into the field for last eight years and hasn’t spent a single day without tinkering around his devices.
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