Install Android Debug Bridge - Here's how

The Android Debug Bridge (short: ADB) is the computer interface to the Android OS. This practical tip shows you how to install it on your computer.

Setup of the Android smartphone for the ADB

To connect to the computer interface, you must also prepare the Android device yourself:

1. Activate "USB debugging" in the system settings under "Developer options" - this is the only way the smartphone reacts to ADB commands after connecting to the PC via USB cable.
2. For full functionality, you also need root access on your device. We explain how to get it here. Caution is advised here, because under certain circumstances you can irreparably destroy your device at the system level.

Lean installation of the Android Debug Bridge on Windows

Usually, the ADB is supplied with the entire Android development environment (SDK), which contains almost exclusively absolute professional tools. For the pure connection via Android Debug Bridge with the Android smartphone, slimmed-down versions are completely sufficient.

1. Without a driver, there is no ADB: You can download the necessary ADB drivers here - make sure that the smartphone has been correctly installed with the USB cable connected and USB debugging activated. If you don't already have it, install the "Java SDK" (link for 64-bit systems).
2. The ADB tool: Here you will find the download of the small, lean program "Minimal ADB & Fastboot". Do this with administrator rights.
3. Installation & Start: Follow the installation steps - then the Windows command prompt opens, in which you can enter the appropriate commands when the Android device is connected.
4. Enter the line "adb devices" here if your Android smartphone is displayed with the serial number. If so, the Android Debug Bridge has been successfully installed.

Android Debug Bridge on Mac - Here's how

Even on Macs, a small script is sufficient for ADB instead of the complete Android SDK:

• Download: Download the ZIP file from this Google website and unzip it.
• Installation: Run the relevant SH file on your Mac - ADB is already installed.
• Uninstall: The folder also contains a script to remove the tools - small, light and convenient.

You can also create a backup of your Android phone or tablet via the Android Debug Bridge - even without root rights. Read more about this here.