How Can ADB Make You Feel Like a Hacker While Enhancing Android Use?

Article Highlights
Off On

If you want to feel like a hacker while using your Android phone, the Android Debug Bridge (ADB) is the perfect tool to get that experience. It’s simple to use and provides you with the ability to perform various tasks directly from your terminal, turning your smartphone into a powerful device. Whether you want to sideload apps, remove unwanted bloatware, or transfer photos without a USB cable, ADB enhances your Android experience and gives you that hacker vibe.

Initiate Screen Recording with ADB

One of the more advanced but awesome features of ADB is being able to trigger a screen recording. This might come in handy when you need to capture something specific on your phone’s screen without any UI elements obstructing the view. By using ADB, you initiate the screen recording directly from the command line and stop it whenever you back out of the running command.

Getting started is straightforward. Once you have ADB set up and your device connected, you can initiate the screen recording by running a simple command. This command bypasses all UI elements, ensuring a clean recording. Imagine the possibilities: capturing a gaming session, a live stream, or even troubleshooting a problem and sharing the recording with tech support. The control is entirely in your hands, and the process is incredibly efficient.

To give you a practical understanding, here’s how you would initiate a screen recording. First, connect your device and open your terminal. 

To stop the recording, simply back out of the command. This method of screen recording through ADB provides a seamless experience, making you feel like a pro. You can transfer the recorded file to your computer or keep it on your device for later review. It’s a small but powerful feature that makes ADB such a versatile and appealing tool for Android users.

Install Apps Using ADB

One of my favorite things to do with ADB is install apps. Why? Well, you can get an APK from anywhere, like from APK Mirror, and then sideload it directly onto your device. This is particularly useful if an app has been pulled from the Play Store or if a developer is distributing the application without paying Google’s fees. It allows you to bypass the official channels and still get your hands on the apps you want most.

To get started, download the APK from the Epic Games Store website. You might need to click “Retry Download” at the bottom of the page to initiate the APK download. Once you’ve got the APK on your device, you’ll feel like a true hacker using ADB to install it. The process is simple and gives you a sense of control and independence from the Play Store.

Here’s how to install an APK using ADB. Open your terminal and navigate to the directory where the APK file is located. 

This command tells ADB to install the Epic Games Store APK on your Android phone. It’s as simple as that. The app will be installed on your device, and you can start enjoying the games immediately. This method is not only fun but also empowers you to take full control of your app installations.

Remove Unwanted Pre-installed Apps

Many smartphone manufacturers ship their devices with an array of pre-installed and often useless bloatware. Sometimes, this bloatware isn’t user-removable without special permissions. Thankfully, ADB can fix that, allowing you to clean up your device and remove any apps you don’t want or need. This is a liberating experience, further enhancing the hacker-like feeling.

Once your device is connected, you’ll need to run the adb shell command. This command opens a terminal into your connected device, giving you access to the internal system. 

Replace “” with the specific name you’re targeting, such as “oneplus” or “samsung.” Make sure to use lowercase, as Linux subsystems, like Android, are case-sensitive.

Once you’ve identified the bloatware you want to remove, you’ll want to use the adb shell again to uninstall it. 

You should be greeted with a “Success” message if ADB successfully uninstalls the app. However, be cautious when removing core software, as it could break or brick your device. Use this method sparingly and focus on apps you are certain you don’t need. Removing unwanted apps not only frees up space but also can improve the performance of your device. You’ll definitely feel like a hacker as you clean up your Android device, making it more efficient and tailored to your own needs.

Transfer Photos to Your Computer Without a USB Cable

If you want to feel like a hacker using your Android phone, the Android Debug Bridge (ADB) is the perfect tool to achieve that sensation. ADB is easy to use and equips you with the ability to perform various tasks directly from your terminal, transforming your smartphone into a more powerful device. Whether you’re looking to sideload applications, remove unwanted bloatware, or transfer photos and files wirelessly, ADB significantly enhances your Android experience. Beyond basic functionalities, ADB also allows you to gain deeper control over your device, offering advanced options for developers and tech-savvy users alike. You can run shell commands, access hidden features, and even debug apps for better performance. By exploring the capabilities of ADB, you unlock a variety of features that make your smartphone more customizable and efficient. Not only does this tool improve your Android experience, but it also gives you that exciting hacker vibe, making everyday tasks more engaging and empowering.

Explore more

Hotels Must Rethink Recruitment to Attract Top Talent

With decades of experience guiding organizations through technological and cultural transformations, HRTech expert Ling-Yi Tsai has become a vital voice in the conversation around modern talent strategy. Specializing in the integration of analytics and technology across the entire employee lifecycle, she offers a sharp, data-driven perspective on why the hospitality industry’s traditional recruitment models are failing and what it takes

Trend Analysis: AI Disruption in Hiring

In a profound paradox of the modern era, the very artificial intelligence designed to connect and streamline our world is now systematically eroding the foundational trust of the hiring process. The advent of powerful generative AI has rendered traditional application materials, such as resumes and cover letters, into increasingly unreliable artifacts, compelling a fundamental and costly overhaul of recruitment methodologies.

Is AI Sparking a Hiring Race to the Bottom?

Submitting over 900 job applications only to face a wall of algorithmic silence has become an unsettlingly common narrative in the modern professional’s quest for employment. This staggering volume, once a sign of extreme dedication, now highlights a fundamental shift in the hiring landscape. The proliferation of Artificial Intelligence in recruitment, designed to streamline and simplify the process, has instead

Is Intel About to Reclaim the Laptop Crown?

A recently surfaced benchmark report has sent tremors through the tech industry, suggesting the long-established narrative of AMD’s mobile CPU dominance might be on the verge of a dramatic rewrite. For several product generations, the market has followed a predictable script: AMD’s Ryzen processors set the bar for performance and efficiency, while Intel worked diligently to close the gap. Now,

Trend Analysis: Hybrid Chiplet Processors

The long-reigning era of the monolithic chip, where a processor’s entire identity was etched into a single piece of silicon, is definitively drawing to a close, making way for a future built on modular, interconnected components. This fundamental shift toward hybrid chiplet technology represents more than just a new design philosophy; it is the industry’s strategic answer to the slowing