Efficiently Pushing Multiple Files to Android Devices Using ADB

Efficiently Pushing Multiple Files to Android Devices Using ADB

30 November 2024 Stephan Petzl Leave a comment Tech-Help

Transferring files to an Android device using ADB (Android Debug Bridge) can sometimes be challenging, especially when dealing with multiple files of the same type. In this article, we will explore a straightforward method to push multiple files with the same extension to your Android device using a single command.

Problem Overview

You may encounter a scenario where you need to push several files of the same type, such as image files (.img), to a specific directory on your Android device. A common attempt might be using a wildcard in the command, like so:

adb push *.img /sdcard/

However, this approach does not work as expected, because ADB does not support wildcard usage in this manner.

Solution: Using a Directory for Transfer

A practical solution is to first move all the files you wish to transfer into an empty directory and then push the entire directory to the target location on your device. This method leverages ADB’s ability to transfer directories, thereby including all files within it.

adb push /path/to/directory /storage/sdcard0/

Ensure that the destination path is correct and supported by your device’s Android version, as the path to external storage may vary.

Alternative Methods

If you prefer using a command-line approach, consider using a loop to iterate over the files and push them individually. Here’s how you can achieve this on different operating systems:

For Windows Users

for %i in (*.img) do adb push %i /sdcard/folderName/%i

If saving as a batch file, use:

for %%i in (*.img) do adb push %%i /sdcard/folderName/%%i

For Linux Users

for f in *.img; do adb push $f /sdcard/folderName/$f; done

Enhancing Your Testing Workflow with Repeato

While managing file transfers via ADB, it’s also beneficial to streamline your testing processes. Consider using Repeato, a no-code test automation tool for iOS and Android. Repeato simplifies the creation, execution, and maintenance of automated tests using computer vision and AI. It supports ADB commands through script steps, allowing precise command execution, which is particularly useful for testing sequences that involve file transfers and other device interactions.

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