ADB File Explorer

Simple cross-platform File Explorer for adb devices. Uses Python library adb-shell or command-line tool adb.

Note

• This project is currently not actively maintained. Bug reports, recommendations, and improvements are welcome via issues and pull requests.

Features:

• List of adb devices
• Connect via IP (TCP)
• Listing / Pulling / Pushing files
• Renaming and Deleting files

1. Screenshots

Devices & Notifications

Files

2. Requirements

• Python 3.8+ (older versions are not tested)
• PyQt5
• adb (Android Platform Tools) if you choose the external adb implementation (default)
• Optional: adb-shell and libusb1 (only needed if you choose the Python implementation of ADB inside the app)

External adb vs Python adb-shell

• You can choose which ADB core to use in settings.json:
  • external — use the system adb binary (default, recommended for simplicity). In this case you do NOT need libusb1 or adb-shell.
  • python — use adb-shell (pure Python). If you want to communicate over USB, you will need libusb1 plus OS-specific libs/drivers (below). For TCP/IP connections, libusb1 is not required.

3. Install

3.1 Prerequisites

Installing and preparing Python (if not already installed)

• Ubuntu/Debian (Linux)

  sudo apt-get update
  sudo apt-get install -y python3 python3-pip python3-venv
  python3 -m pip install --upgrade pip setuptools wheel
  

• macOS (Homebrew)

  brew update
  brew install python@3
  python3 -m pip install --upgrade pip setuptools wheel
  

• Windows (PowerShell)

  winget install Python.Python.3
  py -m pip install --upgrade pip setuptools wheel
  

OS-specific prerequisites only for adb-shell + libusb1 (skipped if you choose the external adb implementation)

• Linux: install libusb-1.0-0 (runtime) and set proper udev rules so that your user can access the device without root. For example:

  sudo apt-get install -y libusb-1.0-0
  # Optional but recommended: Android udev rules
  # See https://github.com/M0Rf30/android-udev-rules or your distro's package
  

• macOS: install libusb via Homebrew:

  brew install libusb
  

• Windows: install a WinUSB driver for your device using Zadig:
  • Download Zadig: https://zadig.akeo.ie/
  • Connect your Android device, open Zadig, select the device, choose WinUSB, and click Install Driver.
  • This is only required for the adb-shell + libusb1 path, not for the external adb binary.
  • Also for dependencies of adb-shell you may need Microsoft C++ Build Tools: https://visualstudio.microsoft.com/visual-cpp-build-tools/

3.2 Dependencies and environment

1. Download or git clone https://github.com/Aldeshov/ADBFileExplorer.git
2. cd ADBFileExplorer
3. Create virtual environment by running python3 -m venv venv (Linux/macOS) or py -m venv venv (Windows)
4. Activate virtual environment by running venv\Scripts\activate (Windows) or source venv/bin/activate (Linux/macOS)
5. Install requirements:
   • Option A: Full installation (external adb + optional python adb):

     pip install -r requirements.txt
     

   • Option B: Manual installation:

     pip install PyQt5 # (external adb only)
     pip install adb-shell libusb1 # (If you plan to use the Python adb implementation)
     

   • In newer python versions, you may need to install setuptools manually:

     pip install setuptools
     

4. App settings (src/app/settings.json)

{
  "adb_path": "adb", // Full adb path, or just "adb" if the executable is in `$PATH`
  "adb_core": "external", // Set to "external" to use system `adb` executable, or "python" to use `adb-shell`
  "adb_kill_server_at_exit": false, // Stop adb server on app exit
  "preserve_timestamp": true, // Preserve file timestamps when pushing files
  "adb_run_as_root": false // Run adb as root
}

Note: The example above uses JSON5-style comments for explanation. The actual file src/app/settings.json is standard JSON and does not support comments.

5. Run the app

• Using helper scripts:
  • Linux/macOS: ./run.sh
  • Windows: run.bat
• Or directly with Python from the project root:

  # Linux/macOS
  python3 -m src.app
  # Windows
  py -m src.app
  

6. License

ADB File Explorer [python-app]
Copyright (C) 2025  Azat Aldeshov

This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
(at your option) any later version.

This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
GNU General Public License for more details.

You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.