How can I run Linux commands on an Android device?

Question

On some Android devices, in the ADB shell, I can only run echo, cd, ls. When I run:

tar -cvf //mnt/sdcard/BackUp1669/apk/test.tar /mnt/sdcard/test.apk

Or the command cp, it returns:

sh: tar: not found

Why can I not run these commands? Some devices support these commands. My end goal is to copy a file from the /data/data folder to SD card. I got su and I got the following code:

int timeout = 1000;
String command = "tar -cvf /" + Environment.getExternalStorageDirectory() + "/cp/"
        + packageName + ".tar" + " " + path;
DataOutputStream os = new DataOutputStream(process.getOutputStream());
BufferedReader is = new BufferedReader(new InputStreamReader(new DataInputStream(
        process.getInputStream())), 64);

String inLine;
try {
    StringBuilder sbCommand = new StringBuilder();
    sbCommand.append(command).append(" ");
    sbCommand.append("\n");
    os.writeBytes(command.toString());
    if (is != null) {
        for (int i = 0; i < timeout; i++) {
            if (is.ready())
                break;
            try {
                Thread.sleep(5);
            } catch (InterruptedException e) {
                e.printStackTrace();
            }
        }
        if (is.ready()) {
            inLine = is.readLine();
        } else {
        }
    }

} catch (IOException e) {
    e.printStackTrace();
}

It always stops in is.ready(), and when I changed it to process.waitfor() it also stopped. Why?

You do realize, that the android shell is far more restricted than a standard Linux os right? — jtt
– jtt, Commented Apr 23, 2012 at 9:18

waqaslam · Accepted Answer · 2012-04-23 09:21:43Z

14

As far as i know, the only way to run shell commands is:

Process proc = Runtime.getRuntime().exec("your command");

answered Apr 23, 2012 at 9:21

waqaslam

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Comments

Ben Weiss · Accepted Answer · 2012-04-23 09:22:36Z

12

You can run Linux commands on Android. But there are usually just very few pre-installed. If you want to add more commands you might want to root your device and install busybox on it.

This is not for productive use within an application but can help you to work with your device.

answered Apr 23, 2012 at 9:22

Ben Weiss

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2 Comments

Wendy Chen Over a year ago

Thanks, I know where the problem is. But my problem still not been resolved.

IgorGanapolsky Over a year ago

So how can I run locate command on Android for searching files? It seems this is not an applet in BusyBox.

onur güngör · Accepted Answer · 2012-04-23 09:22:57Z

2

If you have the binaries for your system, you can run anything on your system.

Saying that you have to understand that you have to find the binaries for tar.

Look here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=872438

And possibly other places..

answered Apr 23, 2012 at 9:22

onur güngör

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Zoe - Save the data dump · Accepted Answer · 2020-05-05 21:24:55Z

0

You can probably get this done by using a Terminal Emulator app. As you wrote above, I don't know how well DOS commands will work. But, a Terminal Emulator works without root.

edited May 5, 2020 at 21:24

Zoe - Save the data dump

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answered May 5, 2020 at 21:02

CorgiButt Studios

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1 Comment

Md. Yamin Mollah Over a year ago

You should provide more context to your answer. If you do not provide much context then give the questioner a suggestion in the comment section.

Farid Abdi · Accepted Answer · 2021-12-06 00:09:46Z

0

You can install Termux app on your android device and run Linux command by using that app

answered Dec 6, 2021 at 0:09

Farid Abdi

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Comments

MahaRaja · Accepted Answer · 2017-06-08 09:53:01Z

-1

Install busybox, then type the command in the following format:

busybox [linux command]

You cannot use all the linux commands without busybox, because Android doesn't have all the binaries that are available in a standard linux operating system.

FYI, a binary is just a file that contains compiled code. A lot of the default binaries are stored in /system/bin/sh directory. All these commands like 'cp' 'ls' 'get' etc, are actually binaries. You can view them through:

ls -a /system/bin/sh

Hope this helps.

answered Jun 8, 2017 at 9:53

MahaRaja

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TheGoldenTree · Accepted Answer · 2021-10-06 13:33:18Z

-2

In reply to Igor Ganapolsky, You would have to have a database set up for locate.

Probably find would be adequate for your needs.

example:

find -name *.apk

edited Oct 6, 2021 at 13:33

TheGoldenTree

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answered Apr 15, 2017 at 17:13

Don Giovanni

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