Resolving “Permission Denied” Errors in ADB

Resolving "Permission Denied" Errors in ADB

30 November 2024 Stephan Petzl Leave a comment Tech-Help

When working with Android Debug Bridge (ADB) for debugging or development purposes, encountering “Permission Denied” errors can be a common hurdle. This article will guide you through potential solutions to address these issues effectively.

Understanding the Issue

The “Permission Denied” error typically arises when attempting to access restricted directories or files on an Android device via ADB. Common scenarios include:

  • Executing commands in directories like /data without the necessary permissions.
  • Using ADB commands that require elevated privileges.

Solution Options

Using ADB Root

One straightforward approach to resolve permission issues is to restart the ADB daemon with root permissions. This method is viable if your device is rooted:

adb root

Note: This command restarts the ADB daemon with root permissions, enabling access to restricted directories. However, it’s dependent on your device being rooted and the build type allowing root access.

Accessing Application Data Without Root

If rooting your device is not an option, you can use the run-as command to access your application’s data:

adb exec-out run-as com.yourcompany.app ls -R /data/data/com.yourcompany.app/

This command allows you to execute actions within the context of your application, bypassing the need for root access.

Alternative Solutions

  • Developer Options: Ensure that developer options are enabled and that root access is granted for ADB in the settings.
  • Android Studio Tools: Utilize tools such as Device Explorer and App Inspection for accessing application data if your app is debuggable.

Practical Example

Consider a scenario where you need to access shared preferences for debugging:

adb shell "run-as com.yourcompany.app cat /data/data/com.yourcompany.app/shared_prefs/SHARED_PREF_PROTECTED.xml" > SHARED_PREF_PROTECTED.xml

This command allows you to export specific shared preferences without requiring root access.

Enhancing Your Testing Workflow with Repeato

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With built-in ADB support, Repeato enables you to execute ADB commands seamlessly. This feature is particularly beneficial for automating tasks that require precise timing and command sequencing, ensuring a robust and reliable testing environment.

Explore how Repeato can enhance your testing capabilities by visiting our documentation page.

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