Resolving “Command Not Found” Error for ADB on macOS

Resolving "Command Not Found" Error for ADB on macOS

30 November 2024 Stephan Petzl Leave a comment Tech-Help

When working with Android applications on macOS, you might encounter a “command not found” error when trying to execute ADB (Android Debug Bridge) commands in the terminal. This issue typically arises because the ADB executable is not included in your system’s PATH. Below, we provide a step-by-step guide to resolve this issue effectively.

Why the Error Occurs

The “command not found” error occurs because the terminal cannot locate the ADB executable in the directories listed in your PATH environment variable. This means that although ADB is installed, the system does not know where to find it when you run commands.

Steps to Resolve the Issue

1. Verify ADB’s Location

  • Open Android Studio and navigate to Preferences > Appearance & Behavior > System Settings > Android SDK.
  • Note the path for the Android SDK Location, typically ~/Library/Android/sdk.

2. Update Your Shell Profile

Depending on your shell (Bash or Zsh), you will need to update the appropriate profile file to include the ADB directory in your PATH.

For Bash Users:

nano ~/.bash_profile

Add the following line to the file:

export PATH="$HOME/Library/Android/sdk/platform-tools:$PATH"

Save the file and refresh the terminal:

source ~/.bash_profile

For Zsh Users:

nano ~/.zshrc

Add the following line to the file:

export PATH="$HOME/Library/Android/sdk/platform-tools:$PATH"

Save the file and refresh the terminal:

source ~/.zshrc

3. Verify the Solution

After updating your PATH, verify that ADB is accessible by running:

adb --version

If the command returns the version information, the issue is resolved.

Alternative Solution: Using Homebrew

If you prefer a package manager approach, you can install ADB using Homebrew:

brew install --cask android-platform-tools

This method automatically adds ADB to your PATH.

Enhancing Your Android Testing Workflow

For developers looking to streamline their testing processes on Android and iOS, consider using Repeato. Repeato is a no-code test automation tool that simplifies the creation, execution, and maintenance of tests. With built-in ADB support, Repeato allows you to execute ADB commands seamlessly, enhancing your test automation capabilities.

For more advanced testing techniques and configurations, you can explore our detailed documentation on advanced testing techniques.

For further assistance or inquiries, feel free to contact us.

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