How to Install Android Apps via ADB

Sideloading apps from your computer to your Android device can often be a time-consuming process, but not always. If you're willing to put in a little extra effort and use ADB, you can quickly install apps on any Android device.

ADB is a remarkable tool that can help you achieve many feats, including remotely sideloading apps. In this article, TipsMake will show you how to install ADB and use it to install apps on your Android device, making the process as efficient as possible.

1. Install ADB on your computer

First, you need to install ADB on your computer . ADB is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux. We will be using a Windows device for this article.

There are two ways you can install ADB. The first method is to download ADB and unzip it to your computer. The second and preferred method is to install it using a command line installer, such as Scoop for Windows or Homebrew for Mac.

Installing ADB via the command line installer allows you to use it in any folder on your computer. Once you have installed Scoop, you can install ADB on Windows by running the following command:

scoop install adb

This command will automatically download and install ADB. Scoop will tell you if you are missing any dependencies. If prompted to install, type Y and press Enter on your keyboard to allow it.

ADB is now ready to deploy. You will need to enter different commands if you are using other platforms. The command for Linux would be:

sudo apt-get install android-tools-adb

For Homebrew on Mac:

brew install android-platform-tools

2. Locate the APK file

Now it's time to locate the files you want to install on your Android device. Whether you've already downloaded them or you're a developer and want to test your app, you should place all of your APK files in a dedicated folder.

Store APK files in a folder of your choice. Keep file names short and concise to reduce inaccuracies when entering file names in ADB.

3. Launch Terminal

You can use a terminal like Command Prompt to run ADB. To make things as efficient as possible, it's best to launch Command Prompt in the same folder as your APK files. Here's how you can do that on Windows:

1. Open the folder in File Explorer.

2. On your keyboard, press Alt + D . This will highlight the address bar.

3. In the address bar, type cmd and press Enter.

4. This will open a version of Command Prompt in that folder so you don't have to reference each file's location.

4. Connect to Android device using ADB

You need to enable USB debugging to connect to your Android device. When USB debugging is enabled, connecting your device to your computer with a USB cable will automatically connect your device to ADB. If a prompt appears on your Android device, accept it to grant your computer the necessary permissions.

To make sure you are connected, run the command below in Command Prompt:

adb devices

This command will list the connected devices. Your Android device serial number will be displayed in the list.

Wireless connection

If you want to connect wirelessly, go to your Android device's Developer options, then enable Wireless debugging and Wireless ADB debugging.

Then go back to Settings , go to About phone and tap Status. Scroll down and note down the local IP of the device.

Once everything is ready, it's time to connect your Android device wirelessly. Make sure both devices are on the same connection (for example, your home WiFi). Open Command Prompt, replace the IP in the command below with your device's IP, and run it.

adb connect 192.168.1.128

When you run this command, a prompt will appear on your Android device. Allow it to grant debugging permission to your computer. Now, run the command below to see a list of connected devices. The IP address of the device will be listed.

adb devices

4. Install APK using ADB

Finally, it's time to install the APK file on your Android device. This last step is a piece of cake — assuming you've opened Command Prompt in the same folder as the APK files and are connected to your Android device.

Just one simple command to install APK files with ADB:

adb install file.apk

Replace file.apk with your file name in the command above and run it in Command Prompt. The .apk extension is required, so don't omit it!

ADB will respond with Performing Streamed Install . This will take a while, depending on the application and your device. Once the installation is complete, ADB will return a Success message.

Your APK file is now successfully sideloaded on your Android device and you don't even have to move the files. You will have to accept some prompts on your Android device to grant the necessary permissions since this is the first time, after that all you need to do is connect and install. It's that simple!