How to Identify the Current Activity on Your Android Device Using ADB

How to Identify the Current Activity on Your Android Device Using ADB

30 November 2024 Stephan Petzl Leave a comment Tech-Help

Understanding which activity is currently running on your Android device can be crucial for debugging and development purposes. This guide will walk you through various methods to determine the current activity using ADB (Android Debug Bridge) commands. Each method has its advantages, and your choice may depend on your operating system and Android version.

Using ADB to Find the Current Activity

One effective way to determine the currently running activity is by utilizing the dumpsys command. Below are the steps and corresponding commands you can use:

Method 1: Using dumpsys window windows

This method involves using the mCurrentFocus and mFocusedApp attributes from the window service:

adb shell "dumpsys window windows | grep -E 'mCurrentFocus|mFocusedApp'"

This command is useful for identifying the current focus on the screen, which includes activities like the lock screen or recent tasks list.

Method 2: Using dumpsys activity activities

For devices running Android Q and newer, the following command has proven effective:

adb shell "dumpsys activity activities | grep ResumedActivity"

This command will provide the ResumedActivity, indicating the activity currently in the foreground.

Method 3: Using dumpsys activity top

For a detailed view of the activity stack, you can use:

adb shell dumpsys activity top | grep "ACTIVITY"

This command gives a list of activities, with the one in the foreground listed last.

Considerations for Different Operating Systems

When using these commands on Windows, ensure that you use double quotes around the command string. This ensures that the command is executed within the Android shell rather than your host OS.

Leveraging Automation with Repeato

While manual methods are effective, automating your testing process can save time and reduce errors. Our product, Repeato, a no-code test automation tool for iOS and Android, can significantly streamline this process. With features like ADB command execution and AI-driven test automation, Repeato allows for precise control and rapid testing iterations. This can be especially beneficial when dealing with complex activity transitions and ensuring that your app behaves as expected across different scenarios.

For more advanced testing techniques, visit our documentation.

Whether you’re debugging or developing new features, understanding the current activity state is crucial. By using the methods outlined above and integrating tools like Repeato, you can enhance your development workflow and ensure robust app performance.

Like this article? there’s more where that came from!