22 April 2024 Leave a comment Tech-Help
When managing Android applications directly from your computer, you may occasionally need to uninstall an app from a connected device. While there are commands for silent uninstallation, sometimes it’s necessary to prompt the user for confirmation. This guide will walk you through the process of triggering the uninstallation dialog for an Android package using ADB (Android Debug Bridge).
Prerequisites
- ADB installed on your computer
- USB debugging enabled on your Android device
- Device connected to your computer in debugging mode
Triggering the Uninstall Dialog
To prompt the user with the uninstall dialog for a specific application package, you can use the following ADB command:
adb shell am start -a android.intent.action.DELETE -d package:<your app package>Replace <your app package> with the actual package name of the application you wish to uninstall. For instance, if you want to uninstall the app with the package name com.example.app, the command would be:
adb shell am start -a android.intent.action.DELETE -d package:com.example.appUnderstanding the Command
The command consists of several parts:
adb shell: This initiates a remote shell command.am start: This starts an Activity Manager command.-a: This indicates the action to be performed, in this case,android.intent.action.DELETE.-d: This specifies the data URI, which in this context is the package to uninstall.
Upon running the command, the user will see the standard uninstallation dialog, where they can choose to confirm or cancel the uninstallation.
Handling Multiple Devices
If you have more than one device connected to your computer, you’ll need to specify the device. You can find your device’s serial number using:
adb devices -lThen, use the serial number in the command as follows:
adb -s <device-serial> shell am start -a android.intent.action.DELETE -d package:<your app package>Enhancing Your Testing Workflow with Repeato
If you’re handling app uninstallation as part of a broader testing strategy, you may be interested in Repeato, a No-code test automation tool for iOS and Android.
Repeato simplifies the creation, execution, and maintenance of automated tests for your apps. It’s especially efficient for editing and running tests, thanks to its use of computer vision and AI. Repeato works across various app frameworks like React Native, Flutter, and Unity, among others.
Moreover, Repeato comes with ADB onboard, enabling you to execute ADB commands directly within your test scripts. This feature can be incredibly useful for integrating uninstallation prompts or other device management tasks into your automated testing routines.
Conclusion
Triggering the uninstall dialog on an Android device using ADB is a straightforward process. It allows for user confirmation, providing a safety net against accidental uninstallations. For those managing multiple devices or seeking to incorporate this process into automated testing, Repeato offers an elegant solution for a streamlined testing workflow.
