ADB Captain: On-Device ADB Terminal

ADB Captain is a tools app by eatenlamp that lets you run ADB commands directly on your Android device. It requires Android 7.0 or newer and about 28 MB of storage. Instead of connecting to a computer, this app uses Shizuku to grant the necessary permissions, so you can execute commands like pm, am, dumpsys, settings, and input right from your phone. This makes it a practical choice for developers, power users, and anyone who wants to manage their device more deeply without rooting it or using a PC.

The app is structured around several dedicated workspaces. The terminal allows multiple simultaneous sessions, with autocomplete based on your command history and the ability to pin frequently used commands. For debugging, there is a workspace where you can create bug report ZIP files, record timed sessions that capture logs while you reproduce crashes, save macros for repetitive command chains, and view crash logs grouped by app with full stack traces. The apps section lists every installed package, separating user and system apps, and provides a safety rating for each so you know what can be safely disabled or removed. You can also inspect an app's components (activities, services, receivers, providers) and the permissions they require, and even launch intents manually.

Beyond these, the app includes a process manager with detailed information like PID, parent, user, and memory, along with force-stop functionality. The devices tab shows model, Android version, battery status, and offers reboot and screenshot options. Wireless ADB lets you pair and connect to other devices over Wi-Fi, with saved devices and auto-reconnect. Logcat provides a live system log that you can filter by level and text, follow the foreground app, save to a file, or share as Markdown for bug reports. Additional tools include sideloading APKs from storage, screen recording, toggling Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or airplane mode, typing text, and opening links. The interface follows Material 3 Expressive design with light/dark themes, five accent palettes, and Material You support. The app is free, open source (AGPL-3.0), and contains no ads, analytics, or account requirements.

Key features

• Terminal with multiple simultaneous sessions, autocomplete from history, and pinned commands
• Debugging workspace: bug report ZIP, timed session with log buffering, macros, and per-app crash logs with stack traces
• Apps list with user/system separation, safety ratings, component inspector, and intent launcher
• Process manager with PID, parent, user, memory, and force-stop
• Device info: model, Android version, battery, connection status, reboot, and screenshots
• Wireless ADB pairing and connection with saved devices and auto-reconnect
• Logcat viewer with filtering, follow foreground app, save to file, and share as Markdown
• Sideload APKs, screen recording, toggle Wi-Fi/Bluetooth/airplane mode, type text, open links
• Material 3 Expressive UI with light/dark theme, five accent palettes, and Material You

How to install

1. Tap the download button on this page to get the APK file (28 MB).
2. When Android prompts, allow your browser or file manager to install apps by enabling the 'Install unknown apps' setting.
3. Open the downloaded APK file from your notifications or file manager.
4. Tap Install and wait for the process to finish.
5. Open ADB Captain and follow the on-screen instructions to set up Shizuku.

ADB Captain is ideal for Android enthusiasts, developers, and power users who want to run ADB commands on their device without a computer or root access. It is also useful for testers who need to capture logs and debug crashes, and for anyone who wants to manage apps and system processes in detail.

Before disabling or removing any system app, check its safety rating and research what it does to avoid breaking functionality. Use the timed session feature when reproducing crashes to automatically capture relevant logs. Save frequently used command sequences as macros to speed up your workflow.

ADB Captain brings the power of ADB to your phone, eliminating the need for a PC or root. With its wide range of features and intuitive design, it's a valuable tool for anyone who wants to explore and manage their Android device more deeply. While the initial setup with Shizuku may take a few minutes, the capabilities it unlocks are well worth the effort.