Develop Bugs

How To Use ADB On Mac With Htc Hero

I've spent hours trying to workout how to use adb
I'm using Amon_RA's recovery image and want to run a BART backup but it forces you to use adb, which i can't workout
help please!!!

Did you download the Android SDK for OS X?
Please give us some more information, such as the steps you've taken and any errors or other information you get from the Terminal.

yes i have downloaded the sdk from the website
but everytime i even check what devices are connected etc it fails
i open terminal, drag the tools folder into it, it then ses its created a directory
when i try to put in the commands "adb devices" or "bart" however, it ses there is no such command
do i need to put my phone into recovery, or mass storage or something
im stumped

You need to add the tools directory to PATH variable on your computer
Here's how you do it (the alternative way is easier):
Run this in Terminal
Code:
cd
nano .bash_profile
a text editor will open. add this:
Code:
export PATH=${PATH}:/path-to-android-sdk/tools
where you replace "path-to-android-sdk" with the real path.
Alternatively you could run this command in the terminal:
Code:
echo -e "\nexport PATH=${PATH}:/path-to-android-sdk/tools" >> .bash_profile
What you have done is to tell the shell to also look inside the tools directory when entering a command

Oh, in addition to Repp's suggestions, I know in Linux (and I dunno about everyone else) I need to be root to run adb properly. So maybe become root on the Mac. To do so, you need to be an Admin user, not a regular user, and at the Terminal, type
Code:
sudo -s
and then enter your user password when prompted.

okay ive done that, i dont know if it came back with the right response tho
i tried the first method and got into the text editor, i then typed what you said and it returned no response, i dont know if this is correct?
if so what do i do next?

Rather than altering your path, you can also navigate to the sdk/tools directory and run adb like so:
Code:
./adb devices
But you have to be inside the directory where the "adb" command lies.
Also, see my note above regarding root users.

Aah sorry. Just save and exit (press Ctrl+X and answer yes to whether or not you want to save). You could also try the alternative way.
craig0r said:
Oh, in addition to Repp's suggestions, I know in Linux (and I dunno about everyone else) I need to be root to run adb properly. So maybe become root on the Mac. To do so, you need to be an Admin user, not a regular user, and at the Terminal, type
Code:
sudo -s
and then enter your user password when prompted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have always used it as normal user and it has worked. Don't know why you would need to be root

how dyou get into the directory?
i usually just drag the tools folder into terminal.
is this correct?

DaNiEl FrEnCh said:
how dyou get into the directory?
i usually just drag the tools folder into terminal.
is this correct?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
At the Terminal type
Code:
cd /Users/YourUserName/path/to/android_sdk/tools/
./adb devices
Repp said:
I have always used it as normal user and it has worked. Don't know why you would need to be root
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, it's weird, but it works for me.

You change directory in the terminal with the command cd. So if I wanted to go to the Desktop directory I would write:
Code:
cd ~/Desktop
(~ is like a shortcut for your home directory which is the same as the directory /Users/your-username)
Did any of the methods work (they should )?

to repp, ive done that, all i need to know now is how to use the bart backup function from Amon_RA's recovery image, in adb

craig0r said:
Yeah, it's weird, but it works for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And it doesn't if you're not root?

DaNiEl FrEnCh said:
to repp, ive done that, all i need to know now is how to use the bart backup function from Amon_RA's recovery image, in adb
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And it worked?
Unfortunately I have never done that so I can't help you there

how can i check if it worked?

Just run adb from any directory which is not the tools directory.
For example:
Code:
cd
adb devices
where the first line (cd) changes directory to your home directory (the command cd without a path does that) and the other one should list connected devices. As long as it doesn't say
Code:
-bash: adb: command not found
or anything like that, you should be fine
EDIT: If you want to use adb, you don't have to do the "cd" part first. This time only

its working now i can seee what devices i have
Code:
Dans-MacBook:tools Dan$ ./adb devices
* daemon not running. starting it now *
* daemon started successfully *
List of devices attached
HT98DL900002 device

but the main reason i want to use it, is to use it with Amon_RA's recovery
i neeed to do a BART backup so i can switch from the 2.1 rom from lox too 3.0 from modaco

I have never used BART, but unless I'm mistaken, it does almost the same thing as a nandroid backup (?). You could try that instead. Don't know about Amon_RA, but it's possible from MoDaCo's fastboot (linked to and explained how to install here)
other than that, there's nothing I can do

Repp said:
And it doesn't if you're not root?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's right. Probably something to do with permissions in /dev/. It doesn't bother me enough to go hunting the problem down.

Ok, seriously...what is a shell?!?!

- on your PC open a shell again and do:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have tried and tried to find a simple explanation of 'what is a shell?' and get more and more confused.
Is this ADB? What is ADB and where is all that code everyone says to type supposed to go? I have the sdk, I have eclipse...I have never found 'a shell'
Now...here is what I think I know...
- Is that DOS window you get from run>command line a shell?
- What is with some people running ADB from C: directory and others saying you have to get all the way to the sdk directory?
(BTW...at one point I went into command window and ran some adb kill command on a running app in my emulator...it worked...but I still have NO idea what I did.)
So...is there an "Extremely" simple explanation of what this is all about"?
---------
From a wiki I got this "COMMAND.COM – shell for various DOS versions including Windows 95-98-ME, also present in the operating systems of the Windows NT-2000 and XP substreams. MS-DOS Command.com is directly available when using OS/2 on a dual-boot configuration." which is why I attempted the above.
But if command.com is a shell why dont we say that...why all this shell business?
I know many of you are shaking your head...but lets assume I am like 70 and need you to teach me how to double click...lets go with that...

Shell is the command line, there are a few different programs that are run as command shells; bash (is the default one for most linux distros) and command.com (is the default for windows). If you use ADB Shell it basicly routes your phones bash shell through to your command line (be it windows or linux) You need to use a terminal emulator to access the shell on your phone directly (they can be found in the market)
ADB is the Android Debug Bridge it allows us to remotely access phones shell, push files to the phone, pull files from the phone, some other stuff to. It is part of the Android SDK and thus is bundled with it. I do belive HTC Sync might install it as well, however.

adb shell
'nuff said

midri said:
Shell is the command line, there are a few different programs that are run as command shells; bash (is the default one for most linux distros) and command.com (is the default for windows). If you use ADB Shell it basicly routes your phones bash shell through to your command line (be it windows or linux) You need to use a terminal emulator to access the shell on your phone directly (they can be found in the market)
ADB is the Android Debug Bridge it allows us to remotely access phones shell, push files to the phone, pull files from the phone, some other stuff to. It is part of the Android SDK and thus is bundled with it. I do belive HTC Sync might install it as well, however.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok...thanks for trying to clear it up.
Now..you run the command....adb shell...from command.com (in windows?) So are you actually setting up a shell inside a shell? Earlier I found a post that said...
- on your PC open a shell again and do:
adb shell
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now I tried that...I cd back to C:\ and typed in adb shell...and got an error about adb not being recognized internal/external command.
So...see...still so much newbies can't find...

SteelH said:
adb shell
'nuff said
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
uhm....see and that helps no one...ok well doesn't help me at all. If you asked me to explain the adenosine tri-phosphate cycle and I said...ATP baby...would that help at all?
I thought not.

sablesurfer said:
Now I tried that...I cd back to C:\ and typed in adb shell...and got an error about adb not being recognized internal/external command.
So...see...still so much newbies can't find...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
because you either have to do it from the "android-sdk/tools" folder or add the path to the environment variables in the advanced system properties.

t3project said:
because you either have to do it from the "android-sdk/tools" folder or add the path to the environment variables in the advanced system properties.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah hah...ok. I recall just following the instructions on the error message that popped up and it had the whole path in there. (Had to reach back to my DOS (win3.1) days to do that in command window.)
Ok...so this is what I figured out from a video and your comment. Right click 'my computer'...'advanced' tab...'environment variables' button. Then find the 'Path' option in the system variables section and ADD...';C:\path\to\folder\android'
Once I have that then just from any old prompt it will find ADB? I can be at c:\> or c:\documents and Settings\sablesurfer>
Is that right?
Ok...all this research lead to next question about the shells...if you type adb shell....does that mean the phone must be connected to computer? I guess so now that I write that out...because you only use adb shell to interact with the phone in first place...right?

You need to add the /tools folder in the android ask folder to your path. i.e. c:\android-sdk\tools if that is where you extracted it. All the tools like adb.exe and fastboot.exe are in the tools did not the android-sdk folder.

frankenstein\ said:
You need to add the /tools folder in the android ask folder to your path. i.e. c:\android-sdk\tools if that is where you extracted it. All the tools like adb.exe and fastboot.exe are in the tools did not the android-sdk folder.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, good to know!
Thanks everyone for being patient!

So found this reference to shell that is different from what I have seen so far...
"1 After switching to a root shell (# prompt), type mount and press Enter."
What is 'a root shell'? From little bit of research it seems you type sudo su to get to a root shell? Where are you typing that? On the pc or on the phone? In command.com on pc or ... in what on the phone?

[GUIDE] Using ADB & FASTBOOT in OSX / Mac

Hi,
I thought I'd add this here because I've recently starting using OSX after building my own hackintosh out of PC parts. I got very fed up with Windows and the need for drivers all over the shop so I'm moved over now.
I've also just got into flashing my HTC Desire and it was made very easy by lots of the guys here. One thing that will always be useful when rooting and flashing your phone is ADB. There are lots of guides out there for ADB on Windows but I wanted to run in natively in OSX.
After a lot of research and a few failed attempts .... I've now worked out how to run ADB in OSX.
What you will need:
A Mac
USB cable
Android SDK for OSX- http://developer.android.com/sdk/index.html
At the time of writing this the version was "android-sdk_r08-mac_86" so please have a look at the above link and let me know if you can't find that same version.
So download the zip file and I would extract it to a folder where you are happy to keep it such as within your user home folder i.e. Macintosh HD/Users/{Your User Name} and for my mac it is Users/siedkins which is how I have my OSX set up.
Then open then still in Finder, open "android-sdk-mac_86" then "tools".
Now launch Terminal - ⌘ + space then type Terminal or Applications>Utilities>Terminal
Now drag and drop the file called "android" in the "tools" folder into your terminal window and you should see something like:
/Users/siedkins/android-sdk-mac_86/tools/android
Then hit enter - this should load Android SDK
Next go to Available Packages on the left and Android Repository > Android SDK Platform-tools, revision 1 -tick the box and hit "Install Selected"
It should download and install the Platform Tools which includes ADB !!!!
Now quit Android SDK after it has downloaded and go back into Finder. Now you should see a new folder "platform-tools" in the "android-sdk-mac_86" folder. Open that and you can now see a file called adb.
Now .... I am going to show you how to make your life a lot easier in Terminal to run ADB without having to navigate to the folder every time you want to launch it.
Go back to your Terminal window and type (or copy & paste):
Code:
cd ~
The screen should then look like
NAME_OF_YOUR_MACHINE:~ USERNAME$
For me I have:
Mac-Pro:~ siedkins$
Next, type
Code:
touch .bash_profile
to create your new bash / path file
Next, type
Code:
open -e .bash_profile
to open it in TextEdit.
Now into Text Edit please copy:
Code:
export PATH=${PATH}:
Then go into Finder and navigate your your "android-sdk-mac_86" folder. Then click on the "platform-tools" folder and drag and drop this into TextEdit at the end of the code above that you copied. Mine looks like:
export PATH=${PATH}:/Users/siedkins/android-sdk-mac_86/platform-tools/
Yours should look like:
export PATH=${PATH}:insert your path to the "platform-tools" folder in your Android SDK here
All you need is that one line. Then Save and exit TextEdit and then very importantly QUIT TERMINAL.
***** If you have issues being able to save the file at all then please jump to the bottom of the post*****
Now ........ to turn on USB Debugging in your handset Settings > Applications > Development > USB Debugging - ticked and also go to Settings > Connect to PC > Default connection type > Charge Only and also UNTICK "Ask me ..." there also. You can always go back here and change these settings back.
Now plug in your phone to a USB port. I noticed that if I plugged my phone into one of the standard USB ports on the front of my machine I couldn't see the phone further down the line and if I plugged it into a powered USB port on the front (I have an "akasa AK-ICR-08" which has a powered connector behind the 5 USB ports. But you guys will probably be using a MacBook or MacPro and there shouldn't be any issues with the power to your USB ports.
Now to launch ADB - re-open terminal (remember that you had quit it - very important!) then type in:
Code:
adb devices
And you should see:
List of devices attached
HXXXXXXXXXX device
where XXXXXXXX is your unique phone ID.
Now you can run all of your favourite ADB commands straight by typing:
adb shell
etc straight into Terminal. I won't go into that here as there are plenty of guides about what to do with ADB once it's installed!
Now you have ADB setup on your Mac and can run it without the need for installing HTC Sync - un-installing it - loading some modified drivers over the top !!!!
It all just works !!!!!!
Please drop me a line if you have any queries about this !
******************
If you are have user account issues such as Terminal or TextEdit says that you can't do anything then try adding "sudo" to the front of your terminal command as this will allow you to execute the account as a superuser or root user for OSX! ROOT!!! Note that you will have to enter your password to enable the superuser access rights and you won't see anything as you type in your password.
i.e. try:
Code:
sudo touch .bash_profile
then
Code:
sudo /Applications/TextEdit.app/Contents/MacOS/TextEdit .bash_profile
(slight change in the coding here to ensure that TextEdit opens
Or you could do:
Code:
sudo pico .bash_profile
This will open up the Pico text editor instead of TextEdit. Here you will have to type out all of the text then you press "ctrl+x" to exit and then you can save on the next screen. To check that has worked you can then open the file in terminal again and check it with the normal command:
Code:
open -e .bash_profile
******************
Please see post #37 for How To Use ADB Over WIRELESS !!!!
************************************************************************
EDIT - 27th JAN 2010
FastBoot
I've now found you all a precompiled version of Fast Boot:
http://developer.htc.com/adp.html
Please download and unzip the precompiled version for OSX to your "SDK/platform-tools" folder.
Rename the unzipped file from "fastboot-mac" just to "fastboot". You need to fix the permissions of the fastboot file using CHMOD in Terminal.
In Terminal navigate to your "SDK/platform-tools" folder and then type:
Code:
ls
You should see all of the files in your "platform-tools" folder such as adb, aapt, fastboot, etc.
Then type:
Code:
chmod 777 fastboot
PLEASE NOTE THAT I AM ASSUMING THAT YOU HAVE CHANGED THE FILE NAME ABOVE !
Now with the permissions fixed you should be able to run fastboot.
Connect your phone via USB and set to "charging only". Then turn off your phone and leave the USB in. Then hold the back key and then turn your phone on again. You will have a white screen with 3 skateboarding androids on.
Now in Terminal type:
Code:
fastboot devices
And you should see your unqiue phone ID! (Note that you have to be at that white screen with the skateboarders for the "fastboot devices" code to run!
Now you have a fully working fastboot !!!
Sorry this explanation is a bit short - I did write out a longer one but my browser crashed and I lost it all. However if you cannot follow the above then I think it's maybe best that you don't use fastboot as you could seriously brick your phone.
NOTE - I HAVE NEVER USED FASTBOOT TO FLASH A RADIO OR PHONE SO I PROBABLY WON'T BE ABLE TO HELP IF YOU GET ERRORS IN USING FASTBOOT OR FLASHING YOUR DEVICE ! The above information is how to shortcut the navigation to the folder. Please don't blame me if you break the recovery image of your phone!

Thanks for such a thorough step by step guide. But Im having a problem I followed the directions and at the last step I get "permission denied". Any tips for me would be truly appreciated. Thanks

dhoshman said:
Thanks for such a thorough step by step guide. But Im having a problem I followed the directions and at the last step I get "permission denied". Any tips for me would be truly appreciated. Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
which last step ?

dhoshman said:
Thanks for such a thorough step by step guide. But Im having a problem I followed the directions and at the last step I get "permission denied". Any tips for me would be truly appreciated. Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What version of MacOS? Also are you sure your device is properly rooted? I'm assuming you are getting the error when typing "adb devices"?
EDIT: That's what I get for being distracted while typing this.. ;-)

The easiest way to get the sdk is by using homebrew, which is an amazingly useful tool. https://github.com/mxcl/homebrew
Code:
brew install android-sdk
It doesn't add adb to your path however, you have to do that manually by adding /usr/local/Cellar/android-sdk/r8/platform-tools to your path.
Hope that makes it a little bit easier.

I found that on my mac using terminal I have to always start the adb commands with a ./ otherwise it wouldn't work right. This might be common knowledge for some, but I'm a terminal newbie
So, for example:
./adb devices

Thanks for the walk through
This work great. I put the the SDK folder on the root of Macintosh HD and renamed it to AndroidSDK. Then in the .bash_profile my path was /AndroidSDK/platform-tools/ . I then made a backup of my SD card with adb pull from /mnt/sdcard to my local machine.

mun-key said:
I found that on my mac using terminal I have to always start the adb commands with a ./ otherwise it wouldn't work right. This might be common knowledge for some, but I'm a terminal newbie
So, for example:
./adb devices
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Kind of weird. To me that would mean that you're path variable isn't setup correctly. Usually the ./ before a command means to run the command from the current directory and ignore the path variable.

It doesn't even have to be this complicated. Download the sdk, whatever files you want to push to your phone put it in the same folder. Then do the commands (./adb push). Simple.

Great and easy tutorial! Got it working in 5min ^_^

madj42 said:
Kind of weird. To me that would mean that you're path variable isn't setup correctly. Usually the ./ before a command means to run the command from the current directory and ignore the path variable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok - that makes sense now. And reading Krisrk's reply, that's exactly how I did it.
On my device I only needed to push a single file. Don't really need adb anymore. Your post was like 12-hours too late for me though. I spent 3 hours trying to figure out why it wouldn't work, then saw the ./ in a youtube video. After that I was rooted with a new rom in minutes
thanks for all the great info guys

Just wanted to thank you! I already had ADB working on my Mac OSX but didn't have the "environment variables" in the .bash_profile. So now I can just use adb commands directly without going into the finder and find the adb!
Also, kudos for the very detailed guide with your own examples, that reads very well!

Thanks for the comments guys.
I know that you can navigate to the SDK folder and just run it from there but I thought that people might like the above guide to do the shortcut once and then never have to jump around folders again in terminal which is a bit of a pain. Plus my method removes the need for the "./" prefix.
anyways I'm easy I'm sure that everyone will have their own preferred method if you already use adb on OSX

i cannot get beyond the command:
touch .bash_profile
the terminal returns permission denied. what do i need to add or what am i doing wrong?

What type of user account do you have set up in OSX?
System Prefs > Accounts
Also what about trying the following in Terminal
Code:
sudo touch .bash_profile
And then enter the password for your user profile?
Any better?

Thanks for this!!!!!
Nobody ever shows macs love.
Sent From My HTC Evo 4G Using Tapa Talk Pro!

siedkins said:
What type of user account do you have set up in OSX?
System Prefs > Accounts
Also what about trying the following in Terminal
Code:
sudo touch .bash_profile
And then enter the password for your user profile?
Any better?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it popped up and asked my password, then it said i entered the wrong one and i never was asked this again. this is incredibly frustrating as i cannot even get it to work in windows
edit: ok got to the part where i bring up text edit, but it will not let me save. states i do not have permission to save. is there a way i can turn off this password crap for the time being? all i want to do is push files to my phone, i can't even get this far

Ok...
I'm trying not to look stupid, but for gods sake, im stuck at the first command. I copy paste cd~ and nothing happens. press enter nothing. I've been reading up on terminal and i still feel quite stupid considering how im stuck on step one
edit: got it! I got lost going back into the same terminal and not closing the android sdk window. there fore I was still in the sdk and not telling the computer anything. a dur. Opening a new terminal and doing all of the steps did the trick. Thanks for this btw!

thanks for the detailed guide. i've been looking all over the web for a guide to setup adb for MAC. followed the steps here and now, i'm able to use ADB on my macbook. YAY!!

monstereo said:
thanks for the detailed guide. i've been looking all over the web for a guide to setup adb for MAC. followed the steps here and now, i'm able to use ADB on my macbook. YAY!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey just a random note, nice prof pic stig ftw

G2; How to initiate/ launch adb

ok,,,noob here.. but not a dummy. I want to load music on my sd card. I have downloaded everything I think I'm supposed to have.. SDK, adb, drivers eclipse java program...I'm running vista 32 and have created C:\program files\Android\android-sdk-windows. I have extracted all files I think all the drivers. I have spent some considerable time (wee hours ..) I can start the sdk .exe and the java eclipse but how do I use it to connect to my usb connected phone? I want to load data onto my sd card. BTW I have temprooted with VISIONary r14.
The cmd prompt window that comes up with the sdk .exe does not respond to typing in it. Commands typed into the computer's cmd prompt are not recognized. Or maybe I'm typing the wrong thing. I can't navigate to the android folder, to find my usb'd phone. I have read a lot of posts here trying to figure this out..I'm really at wits end anybody please help!!! I thought there'd be a desktop lauch icon..haha.

There's a guide for using ADB in the dev forum: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=865685
If you are just trying to put music on your SD card though, I don't think you need to do all of this. Just mount the SD card once your phone is connected to your computer (there will be an option that appears in your notification drawer to do this). Your SD card will then show up as a drive on your computer...

I saw that guide..Step 4 doent apply on vista.."My Computer" and the path that is described is not on Vista, or anything similar. I can't "update your Path variable." It did not say HOW TO LAUNCH! What is it application that I need to work from for adb? I have read every post I could find here..and that one maybe four or 5 times. I want to use adb I can see and browse my SD card as drive F..thanks..I still want to run adb.. I cant type into the sdk cmd pane.

captmack007 said:
I saw that guide..Step 4 doent apply on vista.."My Computer" and the path that is described is not on Vista, or anything similar. I can't "update your Path variable." It did not say HOW TO LAUNCH! What is it application that I need to work from for adb? I have read every post I could find here..and that one maybe four or 5 times. I want to use adb I can see and browse my SD card as drive F..thanks..I still want to run adb.. I cant type into the sdk cmd pane.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Whoa whoa whoa! If all you want to do is load music on your phone and your using Windows, either just install Doubletwist on it. It's kind of like iTunes for everything. Or just make a music folder and load your music onto that. No adb needed.
Now, about adb; there is no program to run. You don't really need to set your path either, it just makes things easier. Just cd to the sdk tools folder.
Sent from my HTC Vision

It's not all i want to do...i should not have mentioned it.
cd to the ??
If I wish to make an adb command, what and where do I go/do to do that....on a vista puter....thnkx
I can see tghe adb android interface is there ...I figured out to right click on "computer" "manage", which opens Computer Manager. There in the left column is "Device Manager" clicked on that and I see the Android Phone listed, with subcatagory android adb interface. and down at the bottom under "Portable Devices" HTC is shown. All drivers are showing up and say they are functioning properly.
appreciate the help..

captmack007 said:
It's not all i want to do...i should not have mentioned it.
cd to the ??
appreciate the help..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh I see. You first mentioned simply putting music on your phone and the next thing you've got a full development emvironment! Lol!
Cd to the tools folder of the android sdk. (Bear with me as I haven't done this on windows in a good long while). For example, open command prompt, then type "cd C:\androidsdk\tools", where the androidsdk part is whatever the sdk is called.
Sent from my HTC Vision

Once you have the android sdk on your computer- change the folder name to something simple so typing is easier. You'll also want to edit the enviornment variables (google is your friend, but I'll post a link tomorrow to help). The latest sdk is missing a dll file - I'm sure one of us can upload it, I just don't remember which one it is right now.
Now that you've got that done open command prompt an type:
cd c:\where\you\put\it (the sdk)
Then type:
adb devices
Or
adb start-server
If you get an error it means you did something wrong.

"cd C:\androidsdk\tools
I'll ad that to the list of command that do nuttin...lol
I downloaded all the sh*t I was told in these threads to dowload...yeah..everything to create an app. lol
I still am waiting to read or be informed of the precise command line that will let me into adb... tfn

thks KCRic... I will give that a shot.. nice tip on renaming the folder..I did not type cd C: first.. (the tuts I've been rackin my brain on did not say that..
I had read that it was missing and found it downloaded it and put it in tools..
the edit the environment variables is what I can't find where to do that.. thanks.
I added the missingAdbWinApi.dll and AdbWinUsbApi.dll and Adb.exe (of course) into the tools folder...

I renamed the folder in Programs\Android..."android-sdk-windows" simply "sdk"
I typed in:
cd c:\program files\Android\sdk\tools
I got in..opened a port..gave me my phones serial #
so this is where adb commands are made? (stupid question perhaps)
I thought the other cmd screen that opens with the sdk.exe was it. And I cant type anything there anyway.

If you have got "adb devices" to show you your phone's serial number, then adb is working find, and you can start using the other adb commands.
Sent from my HTC Desire Z

captmack007 said:
I renamed the folder in Programs\Android..."android-sdk-windows" simply "sdk"
I typed in:
cd c:\program files\Android\sdk\tools
I got in..opened a port..gave me my phones serial #
so this is where adb commands are made? (stupid question perhaps)
I thought the other cmd screen that opens with the sdk.exe was it. And I cant type anything there anyway.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just type "adb", no quotes, and that will give you an output of all the adb commands.

captmack007 said:
I renamed the folder in Programs\Android..."android-sdk-windows" simply "sdk"
I typed in:
cd c:\program files\Android\sdk\tools
I got in..opened a port..gave me my phones serial #
so this is where adb commands are made? (stupid question perhaps)
I thought the other cmd screen that opens with the sdk.exe was it. And I cant type anything there anyway.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah you're up and running now. If you typed adb devices or adb usb and got it to list your phones serial # then it's connected and running.
As far as adb commands, you can type adb help to get a list of some and they're pretty easy. Some of them are:
adb push <path\to\file> <where\to\push> - copies files to your phone
adb pull <path\to\file> <where\to\put\it> - copies files from the phone to your computer
adb remount - remounts your device
adb reboot - self explanatory
adb install <path\to\file> - self explanatory
adb start-server - starts adb service
adb kill-server - kills adb process (I always type this in when I'm done, sometimes it doesn't terminate and causes issues)
adb shell <linux type command> - runs command in the device shell
adb shell [enter] - operates in the devices shell until you type {exit}
Once you enter the shell you can type {su} to enter superuser. All commands in the shell are in linux format so if you're unfamiliar with that then do some reading.
HERE is a link that should help with adb also.

KCRic said:
As far as adb commands, you can type adb help to get a list of some and they're pretty easy. Some of them are:
adb push <path\to\file> <where\to\push> - copies files to your phone
adb pull <path\to\file> <where\to\put\it> - copies files from the phone to your computer
adb remount - remounts your device
adb reboot - self explanatory
adb install <path\to\file> - self explanatory
adb start-server - starts adb service
adb kill-server - kills adb process (I always type this in when I'm done, sometimes it doesn't terminate and causes issues)
adb shell <linux type command> - runs command in the device shell
adb shell [enter] - operates in the devices shell until you type {exit}
Once you enter the shell you can type {su} to enter superuser. All commands in the shell are in linux format so if you're unfamiliar with that then do some reading.
HERE is a link that should help with adb also.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Apologies if you've seen it already, but most of that is covered in the adb guide on the dev forums, with that link also - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=865685

Thanks for the great info... Now I'm standing at the gate (maybe the precipice..lol)
As far as completing the pathway...
I found (through excrutiating trial and error) the Vista path for step 4 on that tut.
So under "Environment Variables" there are two editable windows, and the bottom with the "Path" that the tut says to edit says to ad the path to the tools folder and the platform folders...
The question is, when I double click to edit the Path line,(C:\Program Files\JavaFX-sdk1.3....) it changes to a different path (~1C:\Program Files\Quicktime\QTSystem\
So am I to delete that line and ad a new path or ad to the Quicktime line..
ty

The existing path was probably just too long to show up on the screen (so you saw the beginning of the line initially and the end of the line when you tried to edit it). Just add a semi-colon and then the path you want to add. You don't want to delete what you already have there since it might mess with other software installed on you computer.
So for example:
...C:\Program Files\Quicktime\QTSystem\;C:\android-sdk-windows\tools

Quicktime and android are both separatefolders under program files... so....no.. that's not it. I don't even know why java showsthere... my sdk is in C:/Program Files/Android/sdk/tools...
p.s. how you do backslash on this keyboard....lol
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using XDA App

The path is simply a listing of directories separated by semi-colons. When executing a command, Windows will check the local directory you are in first for the program, and then parse through the directories listed in your path. This is why this step is even needed (it allows you to run adb.exe from any directory instead of always having to change to the tools directory). This is also why I said it's not a good idea to simply delete what is already there. You just want to add the tools directory where adb.exe is located to the existing listing.
So in your case, the end of the path variable will look like this:
...C:\Program Files\Quicktime\QTSystem\;C:\Program Files\Android\sdk\tools
Alternatively, you could stick it in the beginning of the path (so double-click to edit the variable, hit Home to go to the beginning, and add the directory there with a semi-colon). It should look like this in your case:
C:\Program Files\Android\sdk\tools;C:\Program Files\JavaFX-sdk1.3...
And there is no backslash on the G2 hardware keyboard (as you noticed), but you can access it by hitting the Alt key and then space to pull up a dialog box of additional symbols.

Word of advice to anyone reading this:
When adding the adb to your path make sure and don't put a space after the the semicolan. When I set mine up I spent 4 hours trying to figure out why it wasn't working, and it was the stupid space lol.
I haven't looked at the wiki since I did it back in October so maybe they've updated it to be clearer but just want to throw it out there.
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA App

Guide to fixing a soft brick after editing build.prop

I've noticed several users having trouble with their phone when editing the build.prop. They will edit the file, reboot, anxious to use Google Wallet, and be greeted with a black screen of death. Their heart will jump in their throat and they think... "Oh no... I didn't nandroid backup... What's a nandroid backup anyway?" No worries! I have the solution for all of you. Hopefully this short guide will get you going again.
I'm going to run through a quick setup of the Android SDK so that you can use adb if you choose to go this route. The SDK will be useful all though rooted phone usage, so I suggest you download it and use it. ADB is a very powerful tool. First, Google Android SDK. The first result should be the official site for the Google developer section. Just open that top link and the page should have a huge button that says "Download the SDK for (Windows or Mac or whatever)". Click it. Mac users.. Yours does not actually setup. You need to find the SDK Manager app within that zipped download and run it. Windows users... Run the setup. When it's done it will open the SDK manager. Both Users... Check the box next to the "Android SDK Platform-tools". Bottom Right, Install x Packages. Make sure you take note of the SDK path displayed at the top of the manager. EG. C:\Users\Josh\AppData\Local\Android\android-sdk. Mac users: Yours will be in the downloaded folder that you extracted. All Users: Navigate to that folder via terminal (mac) or cmd.exe (windows). Windows: cd C:\Users\Josh\AppData\Local\Android\android-sdk ... Mac: cd /Users/josh/Downloads/android-sdk/ ... Then navigate to the platform-tools folder that is within the SDK folder. Here is where ADB is located.
You also need the naked ADB drivers if you're a Windows user... Here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1379875
Once you reboot your phone into recovery: Open start menu, right click on Computer, click properties. This will open the system panel. Top left, click device manager. Somewhere along there, see if you see your device name (something like "Samsung-SGH_I747") with an exclamation point or question mark. Double click it if it does. Click update driver in the window that opened. Click "Browse My Computer...." "Let me pick..." "All devices / next"... "Browse". Now go find where you downloaded and extracted the naked driver zip. Open the folder and double click on one of the available .ini files. You'll get some compatibility warnings, just continue.
Windows instructions:
Download adb.exe, either through the Android SDK or elsewhere. Use Google.
Connect phone to computer via USB.
Boot phone into recovery.
Use cmd.exe (Use Windows key+R, and type cmd in the run window) to navigate to the folder containing adb.
E.g. "cd c:\Users\Josh\Downloads\adb"
Run "adb shell"
This should initiate a shell to the phone allowing you to run commands on the phone. If you get an error, make sure you have the drivers loaded for your phone.
Run "cd /system"
Run "chmod 644 build.prop"
Optional: Run "ls -l" and make sure that the permissions on build.prop show RW-R--R--.
Reboot phone.
Mac Instructions:
Download the adb application, either through the Android SDK or elsewhere. Use Google. Make sure you download the Mac version, not the Windows or Linux version.
Connect phone to Mac.
Reboot phone into recovery.
Open Terminal on Mac. /Applications/Utilities/Terminal.app or use spotlight to find it.
Navigate to folder containing the adb app. E.g. "cd /Users/josh/Downloads/adb/"
Run "adb shell"
This should initiate a shell to the phone allowing you to run commands on the phone.
Run "cd /system"
Run "chmod 644 build.prop"
Optional: Run "ls -l" and make sure that the permissions on build.prop show RW-R--R--.
Reboot phone.

Thanks, worked like a charm on my SII. And I finally have ADB set up for any future hiccups!

ibanezbass said:
I've noticed several users having trouble with their phone when editing the build.prop. They will edit the file, reboot, anxious to use Google Wallet, and be greeted with a black screen of death. Their heart will jump in their throat and they think... "Oh no... I didn't nandroid backup... What's a nandroid backup anyway?" No worries! I have the solution for all of you. Hopefully this short guide will get you going again.
I'm going to run through a quick setup of the Android SDK so that you can use adb if you choose to go this route. The SDK will be useful all though rooted phone usage, so I suggest you download it and use it. ADB is a very powerful tool. First, Google Android SDK. The first result should be the official site for the Google developer section. Just open that top link and the page should have a huge button that says "Download the SDK for (Windows or Mac or whatever)". Click it. Mac users.. Yours does not actually setup. You need to find the SDK Manager app within that zipped download and run it. Windows users... Run the setup. When it's done it will open the SDK manager. Both Users... Check the box next to the "Android SDK Platform-tools". Bottom Right, Install x Packages. Make sure you take note of the SDK path displayed at the top of the manager. EG. C:\Users\Josh\AppData\Local\Android\android-sdk. Mac users: Yours will be in the downloaded folder that you extracted. All Users: Navigate to that folder via terminal (mac) or cmd.exe (windows). Windows: cd C:\Users\Josh\AppData\Local\Android\android-sdk ... Mac: cd /Users/josh/Downloads/android-sdk/ ... Then navigate to the platform-tools folder that is within the SDK folder. Here is where ADB is located.
You also need the naked ADB drivers if you're a Windows user... Here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1379875
Once you reboot your phone into recovery: Open start menu, right click on Computer, click properties. This will open the system panel. Top left, click device manager. Somewhere along there, see if you see your device name (something like "Samsung-SGH_I747") with an exclamation point or question mark. Double click it if it does. Click update driver in the window that opened. Click "Browse My Computer...." "Let me pick..." "All devices / next"... "Browse". Now go find where you downloaded and extracted the naked driver zip. Open the folder and double click on one of the available .ini files. You'll get some compatibility warnings, just continue.
Windows instructions:
Download adb.exe, either through the Android SDK or elsewhere. Use Google.
Connect phone to computer via USB.
Boot phone into recovery.
Use cmd.exe (Use Windows key+R, and type cmd in the run window) to navigate to the folder containing adb.
E.g. "cd c:\Users\Josh\Downloads\adb"
Run "adb shell"
This should initiate a shell to the phone allowing you to run commands on the phone. If you get an error, make sure you have the drivers loaded for your phone.
Run "cd /system"
Run "chmod 644 build.prop"
Optional: Run "ls -l" and make sure that the permissions on build.prop show RW-R--R--.
Reboot phone.
Mac Instructions:
Download the adb application, either through the Android SDK or elsewhere. Use Google. Make sure you download the Mac version, not the Windows or Linux version.
Connect phone to Mac.
Reboot phone into recovery.
Open Terminal on Mac. /Applications/Utilities/Terminal.app or use spotlight to find it.
Navigate to folder containing the adb app. E.g. "cd /Users/josh/Downloads/adb/"
Run "adb shell"
This should initiate a shell to the phone allowing you to run commands on the phone.
Run "cd /system"
Run "chmod 644 build.prop"
Optional: Run "ls -l" and make sure that the permissions on build.prop show RW-R--R--.
Reboot phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm having the same issue; I did the above procedures (using a Mac) but every time I type "adb shell", I get this:
"-bash: adb: command not found"
Help, please....
Thanks!

Nevermind, I figured it out.

good write up, thank you

Seems to be only when you use a gnex as build prop.
HTC jewel works great
I had two softbricks worked great
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium

very helpful. Thanks!

This doesn't do anything for me. It still shows rw-rw-rw after running that command in adb. Any other ideas?
It also seems like it doesn't modify any of the files at all. I even tried renaming because i have a build.prop.bak file that i want to use and it doesn't seem to rename it.
[update] I am using the Odin method just to reflash it to the stock rom. I have moved on from this useless method.

Hi i just edited the /system/build.prop
for able to play gameloft games
now my tablet cant boot
i use this room : http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=1816795
i tried your method
i got this error
>adb shell
error: device not found
what can i do i don't want lose data
i tried to recovery mode and normal booted mode no lucks

please help. ican't find my device in device manager

Thank You !!!!!!!
Thank You, Thank You, Thank You, Thank You, Thank You, Thank You - I was hours away from taking my phone back ... I found my build.prop file with 0 bytes but fortunately I already had a build.prop.bak in there. I'm fairly certain I softbricked my phone by not following the instructions closely on rahpyqui utube Google Wallet process. Thanks SO MUCH!

isn't just easier to re-install the ROM you are running? You don't loose any settings.

unable to chmod build.prop
Help me!!
Error: unable to chmod build.prop: Operation not permitted

lyrictenor1 said:
Nevermind, I figured it out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm having the same problem, how did you solve it?

IMEI unknown - invalid
I have problem with IMEI ,no sim cards work in lenovo A660.I have done some factory resets and tried all possible solutions referred in xda forums but none worked.DOu think that build.prop could cuz problem to the IMEI somehow? i had to overwrite a build.prop file from a friendly site because i couldnt use 160 characters in sms and they said that this would help.BUt now , no IMEI.Can anyone help?

Thank you for the info:highfive::highfive:

Help!!!
How do I boot my Xperia S into Recovery Mode? Do I have to press the power button + VOL UP Button so that the LED gets blue?
Anyways I did it that way, expecting it to be in Recovery Mode, but when I run the adb shell it says "Device not found." Can somebody help?:crying::crying::crying:
I guess its because I didnt install the naked drivers but I cant do it because I wont find my device in the device manager... Why not?

Very nice guide, thanks!!!:victory:

THANK YOU!

permission denied
I am getting this when starting adb shell
- exec '/system/bin/sh' failed: Permission denied (13)
is this just a driver issue as I installed the naked driver and rebooted after.