Use when testing Android apps on ADB-connected devices/emulators - UI automation, screenshots, location spoofing, navigation, app management. Triggers on ADB, emulator, Android testing, location mock, UI test, screenshot walkthrough.
adb exec-out screencap -p > /tmp/screen.png
Then use Read tool to VIEW the image.
# longitude, latitude
adb emu geo fix -74.006 40.7128 # NYC
adb emu geo fix 2.3522 48.8566 # Paris
IMPORTANT: for getting proper component location always use Element Discovery (uiautomator)
| Action | Command |
|---|---|
| Tap | adb shell input tap <x> <y> |
| Scroll up |
adb shell input swipe 500 1500 500 500 300 |
| Scroll down | adb shell input swipe 500 500 500 1500 300 |
| Back | adb shell input keyevent KEYCODE_BACK |
| Home | adb shell input keyevent KEYCODE_HOME |
| Text | adb shell input text "hello" |
| Long press | adb shell input swipe 500 500 500 500 1000 |
adb shell uiautomator dump /sdcard/ui.xml
adb pull /sdcard/ui.xml /tmp/ui.xml
# Parse bounds="[x1,y1][x2,y2]" → tap center
adb install -r app.apk
adb shell am start -n <package>/<activity>
adb shell am force-stop <package>
adb shell pm clear <package>
Copy this checklist:
Progress:
- [ ] Verify device connected (adb devices)
- [ ] Setup: install app, clear state, set location
- [ ] Screenshot initial state
- [ ] Execute test actions (tap/swipe)
- [ ] Wait after each action (sleep 0.5-1)
- [ ] Screenshot and verify each step
- [ ] Report results with evidence
1. Verify Connection
adb devices -l
No devices? Check USB debugging enabled, emulator running.
2. Setup
adb install -r /path/to/app.apk
adb shell pm clear <package>
adb emu geo fix <lon> <lat> # emulator only
adb shell am start -n <package>/<activity>
sleep 2
3. Test Loop
# Screenshot
adb exec-out screencap -p > /tmp/screen_01.png
# View screenshot with Read tool to analyze UI
# Identify tap coordinates from UI or uiautomator dump
adb shell input tap <x> <y>
sleep 1
# Screenshot to verify
adb exec-out screencap -p > /tmp/screen_02.png
4. Element Finding
adb shell uiautomator dump /sdcard/ui.xml
adb pull /sdcard/ui.xml /tmp/ui.xml
# Grep for element: bounds="[100,200][300,400]"
# Tap center: (100+300)/2=200, (200+400)/2=300
adb shell input tap 200 300
sleep 0.5-1)Device info:
adb shell wm size # resolution
adb shell getprop ro.product.model
Logs:
adb logcat -d | grep <package>
Screen recording:
adb shell screenrecord /sdcard/demo.mp4
# Ctrl+C to stop
adb pull /sdcard/demo.mp4 /tmp/
For complex testing scenarios: See ADVANCED.md