14

I need to run my Android app from a remote computer via SSH, but I'm not a command-line expert.

So I would like to know: how to run a specific action (not just open) of an app? Which implies: how to KNOW the exact syntax of possible actions of an app?

Example: I want to start an audio-recording app on my phone from my computer, AND start recording from a remote. Is it possible?

Andrew T.
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Andrea
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3 Answers3

12

Use this:

am start -a android.intent.action.MAIN -n <package_name>/<full_class_name>

To control an app, you'll have to put correct values of <package_name> and <full_class_name> in the command. For example, you can use com.google.gmail/com.google.gmail.check_mail (Hypothetical names) as last part of command.

Obtaining package name of an app is easy, but obtaining class name of action isn't. There are two problems:

  1. Many app developers keep class info private.

  2. Not all developers do smart modular programming. Its good habit to divide an app in multiple classes which could be triggered by intents, but not all developers are smart.

Solution of 1st problem: Decompile the app using apktool and see all info. There are also other ways, but this one is always-working method (unless app is based on NDK instead of SDK).

Solution of 2nd problem: Nothing.

Don't worry, most of popular apps follow best programming practice and they provide Public API from which you can get class info.

Community
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iOS Enthusiast
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9

Like Sachin Shekhar said, you must use the following command :

am start -a android.intent.action.MAIN -n <package_name>/<full_class_name>

See a concrete example :

  • getting the apk file from your Android device or any Market places
  • running this command :

aapt dump xmltree com.android.settings*.apk AndroidManifest.xml

I would like to start "tethering" menu, so I search an activity in the output :

(...)
   E: activity (line=190)
    A: android:name(0x01010003)=".TetherSettings" (Raw: ".TetherSettings")
(...)

So the final command is :

am start -a android.intent.action.MAIN -n com.android.settings/.TetherSettings

The aapt command is part of the Android SDK

Gilles Quénot
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0

Use a general purpose logging app (just search logcat on playstore). The logs should show you the app name, class and intent.
Following that run the command in an adb shell or from inside a terminal application in your device:

am start -a <intent> -n <class>
subtleseeker
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