ADB is a common term among those Android users who are into a bit of advanced stuffs like customizing, flashing, rooting and more.
Basically an ADB is a bridge between your computer and your Android device. ADB lets you modify your Android device’s software via the PC command line. ADB is usually packed along with the Google Android SDK and lets you even run Shell commands on your device via the command line.
Although the ADB comes with the Android SDK, You need not have the complete SDK in order to use ADB. You can download a portable and small version consisting of just the ADB and Fastboot (required to flash via fastboot mode) from here : Portable ADB & Fastboot (540KB).
Conventionally ADB is used by connecting your USB Debugging enabled Android via USB cable to the PC, Then firing up a Command Prompt > Navigating to the folder which contains ADB and executing your ADB Commands.
But we all know using a USB cable is painstaking and we like to go Wireless and this is possible even with ADB by enabling ADB over Wifi on your Android. Both the PC and Android need to be connected to the same Wifi network for this to work.
Note: You should be aware that while using ADB over Wifi, Your device is exposed to threats from other people who know your device’s IP Address and are connected to the same Wifi network. They can execute ADB commands on your device without your knowledge.
ADB over Wifi can be enabled on both Rooted and Non Rooted Androids, While it is easier on a Rooted device the unrooted one takes two to three lines of code to be typed in.
Let us start with Non Rooted Android.
Enabling ADB over Wifi on Non Rooted Android.
Step 1. Enable USB Debugging (Android Settings > Developer options > Tick Enable USB Debugging).
Step 2. Connect your device to PC via USB.
Step 3. Open command prompt > navigate to the folder containing ADB and type in:
adb tcpip 5555
This will give you an output:
restarting in TCP mode port: 5555
Quick tip : On Windows 7 to open a command prompt in a folder, Hold Shift > Right click anywhere > Open command window here. So you don’t have to use ‘cd’ command to navigate there.
Step 4. Now find your Android’s IP Address by going to Settings > Wifi > Advanced. Note down your IP Address to a notepad.
Step 5. In the command prompt type in:
adb connect <IP Address>
Replace <IP Address> with the one in your notepad.
This would give you an output:
connected to <IP Address>
Step 6. Now to check if you are connected to ADB over Wifi, Disconnect your device from USB and type in:
This should give you an output:
You have successfully enabled ADB over Wifi on your Android.
Disabling ADB over Wifi on Non Rooted Android.
Step 1. Open command prompt in the ADB folder.
Step 2. In the command prompt, Type in:
You have successfully disabled ADB over Wifi on your Android.
Enabling ADB over Wifi on Rooted Android.
Step 1. Visit Play Store and search for ADB Wifi app and install it.
Step 2. Open it > Accept Root permissions.
Step 3. Click the Red Bug to enable ADB over Wifi.
Step 4. Open command prompt in ADB folder and type in:
adb connect <IP Address>
Replace <IP Address> with the one the app shows.
Disabling ADB over Wifi on Rooted Android.
Step 1. Open the app again and click on the Green Bug to disable ADB over Wifi.
You have learned how to enable and disable ADB over Wifi on both Rooted and Non Rooted Android devices, Now utilize this and make your Android customizations faster and wireless.
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