How to use the command 'bugreport' (with examples)

The bugreport command is a powerful tool for Android developers and IT professionals to extract comprehensive information about an Android device’s state at a specific moment. It aggregates a vast array of system data, logs, and diagnostic details crucial for troubleshooting, performance analysis, and debugging purposes. By leveraging the adb shell, users can access insights directly from connected Android devices, which can be invaluable in identifying and resolving issues impacting device functionality or app performance.

Use case 1: Display a complete bug report of an Android device

Code:

adb shell bugreport

Motivation:

The primary motivation for using the bugreport command is to capture a complete snapshot of an Android device’s current status. This function is indispensable for developers, support engineers, and quality assurance teams who need to diagnose issues, verify system integrity, or assess performance metrics. When an app is crashing or a device is behaving unexpectedly, the bug report provides a thorough look into system and application logs, network data, and other relevant information that can pinpoint the underlying cause.

Explanation:

The command adb shell bugreport is executed in a terminal where the Android Debug Bridge (adb) is installed, and a device is connected. Here’s a breakdown of the command:

• adb: This stands for Android Debug Bridge, a versatile command-line tool that facilitates communication with Android devices. It’s necessary to establish the initial connection and send commands to the device.

• shell: This argument tells adb to execute the following command (bugreport) directly on the Android device’s shell environment. It effectively provides a bridge into the device’s native command interface.

• bugreport: This is the command executed within the device’s shell, which generates the bug report. It collates extensive diagnostic information, including system logs, memory dumps, radio data, and configuration details.

Example output:

Upon executing the command, the output is typically extensive and can include several sections such as system properties, memory usage, running processes, network statistics, and detailed logs. Here’s a truncated and illustrative snippet of a potential output:

========================================================
SYSTEM OVERVIEW
--------------------------------------------------------

CPU: 2 cores, Max freq: 2200 MHz, Min freq: 300 MHz
Memory: Total: 2048 MB, Free: 512 MB, Cached: 256 MB

Current Kernel Version: 4.14.117
Build: android-8.1.0_r1
Security Patch Level: 2023-07-05

========================================================
LOGS
--------------------------------------------------------

[LOGCAT]
07-12 10:22:11.123 I/SystemService: Starting system service: connectivity
07-12 10:22:14.789 D/ActivityManager: Start proc com.example.app for activity com.example/.MainActivity

...

[EVENT LOG]
07-12 10:23:18.444 am_proc_start: {12345, com.example.app}

[NETWORK]
Active network: Mobile data
Signal Strength: -85 dBm

...

========================================================

This output snippet is a simplified example, and the actual bug report can be much larger, containing hundreds of lines of detailed information. Typically, this output is redirected to a file so it can be reviewed thoroughly.

Conclusion:

The bugreport command is an essential tool in the Android development and support toolkit. It provides detailed state and log information that is crucial for diagnosing issues and improving the performance and reliability of Android devices and applications. The examples showcase the command’s utility, illustrating how the details it provides are foundational in understanding the nuanced behaviors of apps and devices in the field. Whether for detailed troubleshooting or routine examination, bugreport aids in uncovering insights that might otherwise remain obscured.