docs/html/tools/help/shell.jd

page.title=ADB Shell Commands
parent.title=Tools
parent.link=index.html
page.tags=shell,adb,am,pm,screenrecord,screencap
@jd:body

<div id="qv-wrapper">
<div id="qv">
  <h2>In this document</h2>
<ol>
  <li><a href="#shellcommands">Issuing Shell Commands</a>
  <li><a href="#am">Using activity manager (am)</a></li>
  <li><a href="#pm">Using package manager (pm)</a></li>
  <li><a href="#screencap">Taking a device screenshot</a></li>
  <li><a href="#screenrecord">Recording a device screen</a></li>
  <li><a href="#othershellcommands">Other shell commands</a></li>
  </li>
</ol>

</div>
</div>

<p>The <a href="{@docRoot}tools/help/adb.html">Android Debug Bridge</a> (adb) provides a Unix shell
that you can use to run a variety of commands on an emulator or connected device. The command
binaries are stored in the file system of the emulator or device, at <code>/system/bin/...</code>
</p>

<h2 id="shellcommands">Issuing Shell Commands</h2>

<p>You can use the <code>shell</code> command to issue commands, with or without entering
the adb remote shell on the emulator/device. To issue a single command without entering a
remote shell, use the <code>shell</code> command like this: </p>

  <pre class="no-pretty-print">adb [-d|-e|-s &lt;serialNumber&gt;] shell &lt;shell_command&gt;</pre>

<p>Or enter a remote shell on an emulator/device like this:</p>

  <pre class="no-pretty-print">adb [-d|-e|-s &lt;serialNumber&gt;] shell</pre>

<p>When you are ready to exit the remote shell, press CTRL+D or type
<code>exit</code>. </p>





<h2 id="am">Using activity manager (am)</h2>

<p>Within an adb shell, you can issue commands with the activity manager ({@code am}) tool to
perform various system actions, such as start an activity, force-stop a process,
broadcast an intent, modify the device screen properties, and more. While in a shell,
the syntax is:</p>
<pre class="no-pretty-print">
am &lt;command>
</pre>

<p>You can also issue an activity manager command directly from adb
without entering a remote shell. For example:</p>
<pre class="no-pretty-print">
adb shell am start -a android.intent.action.VIEW
</pre>


<p class="table-caption"><strong>Table 2.</strong> Available activity manager commands</p>
<table>
<tr>
  <th>Command</th>
  <th>Description</th>
</tr>

<tr>
<td><code>
start [options] &lt;INTENT>
</code></td>
<td>Start an {@link android.app.Activity} specified by {@code &lt;INTENT>}. <p>See the
<a href="#IntentSpec">Specification for &lt;INTENT> arguments</a>.
<p>Options are:
<ul>
    <li>{@code -D}: Enable debugging.
    <li>{@code -W}: Wait for launch to complete.
    <li>{@code --start-profiler &lt;FILE>}: Start profiler and send results to {@code &lt;FILE>}.
    <li>{@code -P &lt;FILE>}: Like <code>--start-profiler</code>,
        but profiling stops when the app goes idle.
    <li>{@code -R}: Repeat the activity launch {@code &lt;COUNT>} times.  Prior to each repeat,
        the top activity will be finished.
    <li>{@code -S}: Force stop the target app before starting the activity.
    <li>{@code --opengl-trace}: Enable tracing of OpenGL functions.
    <li>{@code --user &lt;USER_ID> | current}: Specify which user to run as; if not
        specified, then run as the current user.
</ul>
</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<td><code>
startservice [options] &lt;INTENT>
</code></td>
<td>Start the {@link android.app.Service} specified by {@code &lt;INTENT>}. <p>See the
<a href="#IntentSpec">Specification for &lt;INTENT> arguments</a>.
<p>Options are:
<ul>
    <li>{@code --user &lt;USER_ID> | current}: Specify which user to run as; if not
        specified, then run as the current user.
</ul>
</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<td><code>
force-stop &lt;PACKAGE>
</code></td>
<td>Force stop everything associated with {@code &lt;PACKAGE>} (the app's package name).
</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<td><code>
kill  [options] &lt;PACKAGE>
</code></td>
<td> Kill all processes associated with {@code &lt;PACKAGE>}
  (the app's package name).  This command kills only
  processes that are safe to kill and that will not impact the user
  experience.
  <p>Options are:
  <ul>
      <li>{@code --user &lt;USER_ID> | all | current}: Specify user whose processes to kill;
        all users if not specified.
  </ul>
</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<td><code>
kill-all
</code></td>
<td>Kill all background processes.
</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<td><code>
broadcast [options] &lt;INTENT>
</code></td>
<td>Issue a broadcast intent. <p>See the
<a href="#IntentSpec">Specification for &lt;INTENT> arguments</a>.
<p>Options are:
<ul>
    <li>{@code [--user &lt;USER_ID> | all | current]}: Specify which user to send to; if not
        specified then send to all users.
</ul>
</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<td><code>
instrument [options] &lt;COMPONENT>
</code></td>
<td>Start monitoring with an {@link android.app.Instrumentation} instance.
  Typically the target {@code &lt;COMPONENT>}
  is the form {@code &lt;TEST_PACKAGE>/&lt;RUNNER_CLASS>}.  <p>Options are:
<ul>
    <li>{@code -r}: Print raw results (otherwise decode
        {@code &lt;REPORT_KEY_STREAMRESULT>}).  Use with
        {@code [-e perf true]} to generate raw output for performance measurements.

    <li>{@code -e &lt;NAME> &lt;VALUE>}: Set argument {@code &lt;NAME>} to {@code &lt;VALUE>}.
        For test runners a common form is {@code
        -e &lt;testrunner_flag> &lt;value>[,&lt;value>...]}.

    <li>{@code -p &lt;FILE>}: Write profiling data to {@code &lt;FILE>}.

    <li>{@code -w}: Wait for instrumentation to finish before returning.  Required for
        test runners.

    <li>{@code --no-window-animation}: Turn off window animations while running.
    <li>{@code --user &lt;USER_ID> | current}: Specify which user instrumentation runs in;
        current user if not specified.
</ul>

</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<td><code>
profile start &lt;PROCESS> &lt;FILE>
</code></td>
<td>Start profiler on {@code &lt;PROCESS>}, write results to {@code &lt;FILE>}.
</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<td><code>
profile stop &lt;PROCESS>
</code></td>
<td>Stop profiler on {@code &lt;PROCESS>}.
</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<td style="white-space:nowrap"><code>
dumpheap [options] &lt;PROCESS> &lt;FILE>
</code></td>
<td>Dump the heap of {@code &lt;PROCESS>}, write to {@code &lt;FILE>}. <p>Options are:
<ul>
    <li>{@code --user [&lt;USER_ID>|current]}: When supplying a process name,
        specify user of process to dump; uses current user if not specified.
    <li>{@code -n}: Dump native heap instead of managed heap.
</ul>
</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<td><code>
set-debug-app [options] &lt;PACKAGE>
</code></td>
<td>Set application {@code &lt;PACKAGE>} to debug.  <p>Options are:
<ul>
    <li>{@code -w}: Wait for debugger when application starts.
    <li>{@code --persistent}: Retain this value.
</ul>
</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<td><code>
clear-debug-app
</code></td>
<td>Clear the package previous set for debugging with {@code set-debug-app}.
</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<td><code>
monitor [options]
</code></td>
<td>Start monitoring for crashes or ANRs.  <p>Options are:
<ul>
    <li>{@code --gdb}: Start gdbserv on the given port at crash/ANR.
</ul>
</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<td><code>
screen-compat [on|off] &lt;PACKAGE>
</code></td>
<td>Control <a href="{@docRoot}guide/practices/screen-compat-mode.html">screen
compatibility</a> mode of {@code &lt;PACKAGE>}.</p>
</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<td><code>
display-size [reset|&lt;WxH>]
</code></td>
<td>Override emulator/device display size.
This command is helpful for testing your app across different screen sizes by mimicking a small
screen resolution using a device with a large screen, and vice versa.
<p>Example:<br><code>am display-size 1280x800</code>
</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<td><code>
display-density &lt;dpi>
</code></td>
<td>Override emulator/device display density.
This command is helpful for testing your app across different screen densities on high-density
screen environment using a low density screen, and vice versa.
<p>Example:<br><code>am display-density 480</code>
</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<td><code>
to-uri &lt;INTENT>
</code></td>
<td>Print the given intent specification as a URI. <p>See the
<a href="#IntentSpec">Specification for &lt;INTENT> arguments</a>.
</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<td><code>
to-intent-uri &lt;INTENT>
</code></td>
<td>Print the given intent specification as an {@code intent:} URI. <p>See the
<a href="#IntentSpec">Specification for &lt;INTENT> arguments</a>.
</td>
</tr>
</table>





<h3 id="IntentSpec">
  <a href="" class="expandable" onclick="toggleExpandable(this,'.intents');
return false">Specification for &lt;INTENT> arguments</a></h3>

<div class="intents" style="display:none">

<p>For activity manager commands that take a {@code &lt;INTENT>} argument, you can
specify the intent with the following options:</p>

<dl>
  <dt>{@code -a &lt;ACTION>}</dt>
      <dd>Specify the intent action, such as "android.intent.action.VIEW".
      You can declare this only once.

  <dt>{@code -d &lt;DATA_URI>}</dt>
      <dd>Specify the intent data URI, such as "content://contacts/people/1".
      You can declare this only once.

  <dt>{@code -t &lt;MIME_TYPE>}</dt>
      <dd>Specify the intent MIME type, such as "image/png".
      You can declare this only once.

  <dt>{@code -c &lt;CATEGORY>}</dt>
      <dd>Specify an intent category, such as "android.intent.category.APP_CONTACTS".

  <dt>{@code -n &lt;COMPONENT>}</dt>
      <dd>Specify the component name with package name prefix to create an explicit intent, such
      as "com.example.app/.ExampleActivity".

  <dt>{@code -f &lt;FLAGS>}</dt>
      <dd>Add flags to the intent, as supported by {@link
        android.content.Intent#setFlags setFlags()}.

  <dt>{@code --esn &lt;EXTRA_KEY>}</dt>
      <dd>Add a null extra. This option is not supported for URI intents.

  <dt>{@code -e|--es &lt;EXTRA_KEY> &lt;EXTRA_STRING_VALUE>}</dt>
      <dd>Add string data as a key-value pair.

  <dt>{@code --ez &lt;EXTRA_KEY> &lt;EXTRA_BOOLEAN_VALUE>}</dt>
      <dd>Add boolean data as a key-value pair.

  <dt>{@code --ei &lt;EXTRA_KEY> &lt;EXTRA_INT_VALUE>}</dt>
      <dd>Add integer data as a key-value pair.

  <dt>{@code --el &lt;EXTRA_KEY> &lt;EXTRA_LONG_VALUE>}</dt>
      <dd>Add long data as a key-value pair.

  <dt>{@code --ef &lt;EXTRA_KEY> &lt;EXTRA_FLOAT_VALUE>}</dt>
      <dd>Add float data as a key-value pair.

  <dt>{@code --eu &lt;EXTRA_KEY> &lt;EXTRA_URI_VALUE>}</dt>
      <dd>Add URI data as a key-value pair.

  <dt>{@code --ecn &lt;EXTRA_KEY> &lt;EXTRA_COMPONENT_NAME_VALUE>}</dt>
      <dd>Add a component name, which is converted and passed as
      a {@link android.content.ComponentName} object.

  <dt>{@code --eia &lt;EXTRA_KEY> &lt;EXTRA_INT_VALUE>[,&lt;EXTRA_INT_VALUE...]}</dt>
      <dd>Add an array of integers.

  <dt>{@code --ela &lt;EXTRA_KEY> &lt;EXTRA_LONG_VALUE>[,&lt;EXTRA_LONG_VALUE...]}</dt>
      <dd>Add an array of longs.

  <dt>{@code --efa &lt;EXTRA_KEY> &lt;EXTRA_FLOAT_VALUE>[,&lt;EXTRA_FLOAT_VALUE...]}</dt>
      <dd>Add an array of floats.

  <dt>{@code --grant-read-uri-permission}</dt>
      <dd>Include the flag {@link android.content.Intent#FLAG_GRANT_READ_URI_PERMISSION}.

  <dt>{@code --grant-write-uri-permission}</dt>
      <dd>Include the flag {@link android.content.Intent#FLAG_GRANT_WRITE_URI_PERMISSION}.

  <dt>{@code --debug-log-resolution}</dt>
      <dd>Include the flag {@link android.content.Intent#FLAG_DEBUG_LOG_RESOLUTION}.

  <dt>{@code --exclude-stopped-packages}</dt>
      <dd>Include the flag {@link android.content.Intent#FLAG_EXCLUDE_STOPPED_PACKAGES}.

  <dt>{@code --include-stopped-packages}</dt>
      <dd>Include the flag {@link android.content.Intent#FLAG_INCLUDE_STOPPED_PACKAGES}.

  <dt>{@code --activity-brought-to-front}</dt>
      <dd>Include the flag {@link android.content.Intent#FLAG_ACTIVITY_BROUGHT_TO_FRONT}.

  <dt>{@code --activity-clear-top}</dt>
      <dd>Include the flag {@link android.content.Intent#FLAG_ACTIVITY_CLEAR_TOP}.

  <dt>{@code --activity-clear-when-task-reset}</dt>
      <dd>Include the flag {@link android.content.Intent#FLAG_ACTIVITY_CLEAR_WHEN_TASK_RESET}.

  <dt>{@code --activity-exclude-from-recents}</dt>
      <dd>Include the flag {@link android.content.Intent#FLAG_ACTIVITY_EXCLUDE_FROM_RECENTS}.

  <dt>{@code --activity-launched-from-history}</dt>
      <dd>Include the flag {@link android.content.Intent#FLAG_ACTIVITY_LAUNCHED_FROM_HISTORY}.

  <dt>{@code --activity-multiple-task}</dt>
      <dd>Include the flag {@link android.content.Intent#FLAG_ACTIVITY_MULTIPLE_TASK}.

  <dt>{@code --activity-no-animation}</dt>
      <dd>Include the flag {@link android.content.Intent#FLAG_ACTIVITY_NO_ANIMATION}.

  <dt>{@code --activity-no-history}</dt>
      <dd>Include the flag {@link android.content.Intent#FLAG_ACTIVITY_NO_HISTORY}.

  <dt>{@code --activity-no-user-action}</dt>
      <dd>Include the flag {@link android.content.Intent#FLAG_ACTIVITY_NO_USER_ACTION}.

  <dt>{@code --activity-previous-is-top}</dt>
      <dd>Include the flag {@link android.content.Intent#FLAG_ACTIVITY_PREVIOUS_IS_TOP}.

  <dt>{@code --activity-reorder-to-front}</dt>
      <dd>Include the flag {@link android.content.Intent#FLAG_ACTIVITY_REORDER_TO_FRONT}.

  <dt>{@code --activity-reset-task-if-needed}</dt>
      <dd>Include the flag {@link android.content.Intent#FLAG_ACTIVITY_RESET_TASK_IF_NEEDED}.

  <dt>{@code --activity-single-top}</dt>
      <dd>Include the flag {@link android.content.Intent#FLAG_ACTIVITY_SINGLE_TOP}.

  <dt>{@code --activity-clear-task}</dt>
      <dd>Include the flag {@link android.content.Intent#FLAG_ACTIVITY_CLEAR_TASK}.

  <dt>{@code --activity-task-on-home}</dt>
      <dd>Include the flag {@link android.content.Intent#FLAG_ACTIVITY_TASK_ON_HOME}.

  <dt>{@code --receiver-registered-only}</dt>
      <dd>Include the flag {@link android.content.Intent#FLAG_RECEIVER_REGISTERED_ONLY}.

  <dt>{@code --receiver-replace-pending}</dt>
      <dd>Include the flag {@link android.content.Intent#FLAG_RECEIVER_REPLACE_PENDING}.

  <dt>{@code --selector}</dt>
      <dd>Requires the use of {@code -d} and {@code -t} options to set the intent data and type.

  <dt>{@code &lt;URI> &lt;COMPONENT> &lt;PACKAGE>}</dt>
      <dd>You can directly specify a URI, package name, and component name when not qualified
      by one of the above options. When an argument is unqualified, the tool assumes the argument
      is a URI if it contains a ":" (colon); it assumes the argument is a component name if it
      contains a "/" (forward-slash); otherwise it assumes the argument is a package name.

</dl>
</div><!-- end 'intents' -->
<script>
  $(window).hashchange( function(){
    if ((location.hash == "#IntentSpec") && !($("#IntentSpec a").hasClass("expanded"))) {
      $("#IntentSpec a").click();
    }
  });
</script>



<h2 id="pm">Using package manager (pm)</h2>

<p>Within an adb shell, you can issue commands with the package manager ({@code pm}) tool to
perform actions and queries on application packages installed on the device. While in a shell,
the syntax is:</p>
<pre class="no-pretty-print">
pm &lt;command>
</pre>

<p>You can also issue a package manager command directly from adb
without entering a remote shell. For example:</p>
<pre class="no-pretty-print">
adb shell pm uninstall com.example.MyApp
</pre>

<p class="table-caption"><strong>Table 3.</strong> Available package manager commands.</p>
<table>
<tr>
  <th>Command</th>
  <th>Description</th>
</tr>

<tr>
<td><code>
list packages [options] &lt;FILTER>
</code></td>
<td>Prints all packages, optionally only
  those whose package name contains the text in {@code &lt;FILTER>}.  <p>Options:
<ul>
    <li>{@code -f}: See their associated file.
    <li>{@code -d}: Filter to only show disabled packages.
    <li>{@code -e}: Filter to only show enabled packages.
    <li>{@code -s}: Filter to only show system packages.
    <li>{@code -3}: Filter to only show third party packages.
    <li>{@code -i}: See the installer for the packages.
    <li>{@code -u}: Also include uninstalled packages.
    <li>{@code --user &lt;USER_ID>}: The user space to query.
</ul>
</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<td><code>
list permission-groups
</code></td>
<td>Prints all known permission groups.
</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<td><code>
list permissions [options] &lt;GROUP>
</code></td>
<td>Prints all known permissions, optionally only
  those in {@code &lt;GROUP>}.  <p>Options:
<ul>
    <li>{@code -g}: Organize by group.
    <li>{@code -f}: Print all information.
    <li>{@code -s}: Short summary.
    <li>{@code -d}: Only list dangerous permissions.
    <li>{@code -u}: List only the permissions users will see.
</ul>
</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<td><code>
list instrumentation
</code></td>
<td>List all test packages.  <p>Options:
  <ul>
    <li>{@code -f}: List the APK file for the test package.
    <li>{@code &lt;TARGET_PACKAGE>}: List test packages for only this app.
  </ul>
</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<td><code>
list features
</code></td>
<td>Prints all features of the system.
</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<td><code>
list libraries
</code></td>
<td>Prints all the libraries supported by the current device.
</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<td><code>
list users
</code></td>
<td>Prints all users on the system.
</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<td><code>
path &lt;PACKAGE>
</code></td>
<td>Print the path to the APK of the given {@code &lt;PACKAGE>}.
</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<td><code>
install [options]  &lt;PATH>
</code></td>
<td>Installs a package (specified by {@code &lt;PATH>}) to the system.  <p>Options:
  <ul>
    <li>{@code -l}: Install the package with forward lock.
    <li>{@code -r}: Reinstall an exisiting app, keeping its data.
    <li>{@code -t}: Allow test APKs to be installed.
    <li>{@code -i &lt;INSTALLER_PACKAGE_NAME>}: Specify the installer package name.
    <li>{@code -s}: Install package on the shared mass storage (such as sdcard).
    <li>{@code -f}: Install package on the internal system memory.
    <li>{@code -d}: Allow version code downgrade.
    <li>{@code -g}: Grant all permissions listed in the app manifest.
  </ul>
</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<td><code>
uninstall [options] &lt;PACKAGE>
</code></td>
<td>Removes a package from the system. <p>Options:
  <ul>
    <li>{@code -k}: Keep the data and cache directories around after package removal.
  </ul>
</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<td><code>
clear &lt;PACKAGE>
</code></td>
<td>Deletes all data associated with a package.
</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<td><code>
enable &lt;PACKAGE_OR_COMPONENT>
</code></td>
<td>Enable the given package or component (written as "package/class").
</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<td><code>
disable &lt;PACKAGE_OR_COMPONENT>
</code></td>
<td>Disable the given package or component (written as "package/class").
</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<td style="white-space:nowrap"><code>
disable-user [options] &lt;PACKAGE_OR_COMPONENT>
</code></td>
<td><p>Options:
  <ul>
    <li>{@code --user &lt;USER_ID>}: The user to disable.
  </ul>
</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<td><code>
grant &lt;PACKAGE_NAME&gt; &lt;PERMISSION&gt;
</code></td>
<td>Grant a permission to an app. On devices running Android 6.0 (API level 23)
and higher, may be any permission declared in the app manifest. On devices
running Android 5.1 (API level 22) and lower, must be an optional permission defined by the
app.
</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<td><code>
revoke &lt;PACKAGE_NAME&gt; &lt;PERMISSION&gt;
</code></td>
<td>Revoke a permission from an app. On devices running Android 6.0 (API level
23) and higher, may be any permission declared in the app manifest. On devices
running Android 5.1 (API level 22) and lower, must be an optional permission defined by the
app.
</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<td><code>
set-install-location &lt;LOCATION>
</code></td>
<td>Changes the default install location. Location values:
<ul>
    <li>{@code 0}: Auto&mdash;Let system decide the best location.
    <li>{@code 1}: Internal&mdash;install on internal device storage.
    <li>{@code 2}: External&mdash;install on external media.
</ul>
<p class="note"><strong>Note:</strong> This is only intended for debugging; using this can cause
  applications to break and other undesireable behavior.</p>
</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<td><code>
get-install-location
</code></td>
<td>Returns the current install location. Return values:
<ul>
  <li>{@code 0 [auto]}: Lets system decide the best location
  <li>{@code 1 [internal]}: Installs on internal device storage
  <li>{@code 2 [external]}: Installs on external media
</ul>
</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<td><code>
set-permission-enforced &lt;PERMISSION> [true|false]
</code></td>
<td>Specifies whether the given permission should be enforced.
</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<td><code>
trim-caches &lt;DESIRED_FREE_SPACE>
</code></td>
<td>Trim cache files to reach the given free space.
</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<td><code>
create-user &lt;USER_NAME>
</code></td>
<td>Create a new user with the given {@code &lt;USER_NAME>},
  printing the new user identifier of the user.
</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<td><code>
remove-user &lt;USER_ID>
</code></td>
<td>Remove the user with the given {@code &lt;USER_IDENTIFIER>},
  deleting all data associated with that user
</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<td><code>
get-max-users
</code></td>
<td>Prints the maximum number of users supported by the device.
</td>
</tr>

</table>


<h2 id="screencap">Taking a device screenshot</h2>

<p>The {@code screencap} command is a shell utility for taking a screenshot of a device display.
While in a shell, the syntax is:
</p>

<pre class="no-pretty-print">
screencap &lt;filename>
</pre>


<p>To use the {@code screencap} from the command line, type the following:

<pre>
$ adb shell screencap /sdcard/screen.png
</pre>

<p>Here's an example screenshot session, using the adb shell to capture the screenshot and the
{@code pull} command to download the file from the device:<p>

<pre>
$ adb shell
shell@ $ screencap /sdcard/screen.png
shell@ $ exit
$ adb pull /sdcard/screen.png
</pre>


<h2 id="screenrecord">Recording a device screen</h2>

<p>The {@code screenrecord} command is a shell utility for recording the display of devices
  running Android 4.4 (API level 19) and higher. The utility records screen activity to an MPEG-4
  file.</p>

<p class="note"><strong>Note:</strong> Audio is not recorded with the video file.</p>

<p>A developer can use this file to create promotional or training videos. While in a shell, the syntax is:</p>

<pre class="no-pretty-print">
screenrecord [options] &lt;filename>
</pre>

<p>To use {@code screenrecord} from the command line, type the following:

<pre>
$ adb shell screenrecord /sdcard/demo.mp4
</pre>

<p>Stop the screen recording by pressing Ctrl-C, otherwise the recording stops automatically
at three minutes or the time limit set by {@code --time-limit}.</p>

<p>To begin recording your device screen, run the {@code screenrecord} command to record
the video. Then, run the {@code pull} command to download the video from the device to the host
computer. Here's an example recording session:<p>

<pre>
$ adb shell
shell@ $ screenrecord --verbose /sdcard/demo.mp4
(press Ctrl-C to stop)
shell@ $ exit
$ adb pull /sdcard/demo.mp4
</pre>

<p>The {@code screenrecord} utility can record at any supported resolution and bit rate you
  request, while retaining the aspect ratio of the device display. The utility records at the native
  display resolution and orientation by default, with a maximum length of three minutes.</p>

<p>There are some known limitations of the {@code screenrecord} utility that you should be aware
  of when using it:</p>

<ul>
  <li>Some devices may not be able to record at their native display resolution.
    If you encounter problems with screen recording, try using a lower screen resolution.</li>
  <li>Rotation of the screen during recording is not supported. If the screen does rotate during
    recording, some of the screen is cut off in the recording.</li>
</ul>


<p class="table-caption"><strong>Table 4.</strong> {@code screenrecord} options</p>

<table>
  <tr>
    <th>Options</th>
    <th>Description</th>
  </tr>

  <tr>
    <td><code>--help</code>
    </td>
    <td>Displays command syntax and options</td>
  </tr>

  <tr>
    <td style="white-space:nowrap">
      <code>--size &lt;WIDTHxHEIGHT&gt;</code>
    </td>
    <td>Sets the video size: {@code 1280x720}. The default value is the device's native
      display resolution (if supported), 1280x720 if not. For best results, use a size supported
      by your device's Advanced Video Coding (AVC) encoder.</td>
  </tr>

  <tr>
    <td><code>--bit-rate &lt;RATE&gt;</code></td>
    <td>Sets the video bit rate for the video, in megabits per second. The default value is 4Mbps.
      You can increase the bit rate to improve video quality, but doing so results in larger movie
      files. The following example sets the recording bit rate to 6Mbps:
      <pre>screenrecord --bit-rate 6000000 &#47;sdcard&#47;demo.mp4</pre>
      </td>
  </tr>

  <tr>
    <td><code>--time-limit &lt;TIME&gt;</code></td>
    <td>Sets the maximum recording time, in seconds. The default and maximum value is 180
      (3 minutes).</td>
  </tr>

  <tr>
    <td><code>--rotate</code></td>
    <td>Rotates the output 90 degrees. This feature is experimental.</td>
  </tr>

  <tr>
    <td><code>--verbose</code></td>
    <td>Displays log information on the command-line screen. If you do not set this option,
      the utility does not display any information while running.</td>
  </tr>

</table>


<h2 id="othershellcommands">Other shell commands</h2>

<p>For a list of all the available shell programs, use the following command:</p>

<pre class="no-pretty-print">adb shell ls /system/bin</pre>

<p>Help is available for most of the commands. </p>

<p>Table 5 lists some of the more common adb shell commands.</p>

<p class="table-caption"><strong>Table 5.</strong> Some other adb shell commands</p>
<table>
<tr>
  <th>Shell Command</th>
  <th>Description</th>
  <th>Comments</th>
</tr>

<tr>
<td><code>dumpsys</code></td>
<td>Dumps system data to the screen.</td>
<td rowspan=4">The <a href="{@docRoot}tools/debugging/ddms.html">Dalvik Debug Monitor Server</a>
(DDMS) tool offers an integrated debug environment that you may find easier to use.
</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<td><code>dumpstate</code></td>
<td>Dumps state to a file.</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<td><code>logcat&nbsp;[option]...&nbsp;[filter-spec]...</code></td>
<td>Enables system and app logging and prints output to the screen. </td>
</tr>

<tr>
<td><code>dmesg</code></td>
<td>Prints kernel debugging messages to the screen. </td>
</tr>

<tr>
<td><code>start</code></td>
<td>Starts (restarts) an emulator/device instance.</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
</tr>

<tr>
<td><code>stop</code></td>
<td>Stops execution of an emulator/device instance.</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
</tr>

</table>