What is ADB Sideload? The many uses of ADB Sideload

What is ADB Sideload and how can I use it?

What is ADB sideload?

ADB sideload is a new feature that was added to AOSP recovery in Jelly Bean. As of version 2.3, TWRP now supports ADB sideload mode. ADB sideload is a different ADB mode that you can use to push and install a zip using one command from your computer. Most likely ADB sideload won't be very useful for your average recovery user, but ADB sideload can be a huge time-saver for a ROM developer.

How do I use ADB sideload?

Have a recovery installed on your device that supports ADB sideload like TWRP 2.3 or higher
Have newer ADB binaries installed on your computer? If it's been a while since you installed ADB on your computer, you may need to get the latest ADB binaries in platform-tools from the Android SDK. You will need version 1.0.29 or higher (1.0.32 or higher is required for TWRP versions 2.8.2.0 and higher). You can find your current version by typing "ADB version" at the command line.
Set the device into ADB sideload mode. In TWRP you do this by going to Advanced then ADB Sideload.
From the command line, type ADB sideload /path/to/rom.zip

For TWRP versions lower than 2.8.2.0, the file will be copied to your device to whatever the current storage location is that you have selected in the mount page. It will always be placed in the root of that storage location and named sideload.zip (e.g. /sdcard/sideload.zip) and it will automatically delete/overwrite any existing sideload.zip you may have on your device. As soon as the file is copied to your device, it will automatically be installed. When the install is finished you will be presented with a reboot system button so that you can reboot to test your zip.

TWRP versions 2.8.2.0 and higher will stream the zip from your PC without storing it on your device. If you wish to store the zip on your device for later, you should not use sideload and instead use ADB push or some other method to copy the zip to the device.

Note that sideload mode is a separate ADB mode. While in sideload mode, regular ADB commands will not work. Once the zip has been copied to the device and the install starts (or if you hit the cancel button) regular ADB mode will resume.

Why do you need ADB Sideload? Basically, ADB consists of a set of ADB tools or files. This is all you need to bring about some changes in your operating system. All these tools have the ability to root your mobile phones, install TWRP/CWM recovery, and remove bloatware.

The commands and tools used in ADB are as follows:

Commands for pushing files, which help transfer your files from your desktop to your mobile phones. However, you cannot transfer ROM from your desktop to your cell.

Commands for pulling files, which pulls a file from your device and inserts it into the desktop.

Commands for installation of apps, which helps download an APK file from your desktop to your mobile phone. ADB receives a notification so that the app can be reinstalled on the phone. It also ensures that the data already present in the device is safe. This command can be used when your device needs apps that are already backed up on your desktop.

There are several other commands associated with ADB Sideload, which help you achieve complicated matters in minutes.

Convinced? Now let us move on to how you can install ADB Sideload on your computer. The steps are as follows:

Search for ADB and download the installer file

Then you have to choose a file and right-click on it. Select “running as” from the dropdown list.

Type in “Y” and press enter. Proceed to set the environment variables. The ’N’ should be pressed to install the drivers only.

This is a little time consuming, so keep some patience.

To verify the setup, click on prompt. If you receive a subsequent message, then you can rest assured that your installation is complete.

Some of the latest and most attractive features of AIB Sideload include:

Its small size, which is why it does not take up too much space on your desktop.

The previous installation process was time-consuming. But now it is easy and convenient- it can be done in seconds.

There is no need to download any other files to run ADB Sideload.

You will not require 1 GB of Android SDK to get ADB Sideload.

If used and downloaded carefully, ADB Sideload can help debug your computer, as well as improve your operating system in a number of ways. There are several ways to download this software, but make sure that you use the one that is most conducive to your platform.

Install OTA update via ADB Sideload

Note: Again, you’ll probably need a stock recovery.

Setup ADB and Fastboot on your PC.
Download the OTA update .zip file on your PC and rename it to ota.zip.
Enable USB debugging:
- Go to your phone’s settings » About phone » and tap “Build number” Seven times. This will enable Developer options on your phone.
- Now go to Settings » Developer options » and tick the USB debugging checkbox.
Connect your phone to PC.
Now open the folder where you downloaded the OTA update .zip file and then open a command window inside the folder. To do that, do a “Shift + Right click” on any empty white space inside the folder and select “Open command window here” from the context menu.
Now issue the following command into the command window to reboot your device into recovery mode:
```
 adb reboot recovery
```
└ Check your phone’s screen, if it asks for “Allow USB debugging”, accept it by selecting OK/Yes.
Once in recovery mode, use Volume buttons to navigate up and down between options and Power button to select an option.
Select the “Apply update from ADB” option.
Now issue the following command to finally begin installing the OTA:
```
adb sideload ota.zip
```
└ This will begin the OTA installation.
Once the OTA zip is installed, select reboot from the main menu of recovery.