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

The ‘cmd’ command is the Android service manager, which provides a way to interact with services on an Android device. It allows you to list all running services, call specific services, and pass arguments to those services.

Use case 1: List all running services

To list all running services, you can use the -l option.

Code:

cmd -l

Motivation: This use case can be helpful when you want to view all the currently running services on an Android device. It provides you with a comprehensive list of services to gain insights into the device’s current state.

Explanation: The -l option is used to list all running services. It queries the Android service manager for the list of active services and displays them in the terminal.

Example output:

Service A
Service B
Service C

Use case 2: Call a specific service

To call a specific service, you can simply provide the name of the service as an argument to the command.

Code:

cmd service

Motivation: Calling a specific service can be useful when you need to trigger a specific action or retrieve information from that service. For example, you might want to call a battery service to get the current battery level.

Explanation: In this use case, the command is followed by the name of the service you want to call. The Android service manager checks if the specified service is available and executes it if found.

Example output:

Service response: Success

Use case 3: Call a service with specific arguments

To call a service with specific arguments, you can provide them after the service name.

Code:

cmd service argument1 argument2 ...

Motivation: This use case allows you to interact with a service by passing specific arguments. Many services require input parameters to perform their tasks, and this feature enables you to provide those parameters.

Explanation: In this use case, the command is followed by the name of the service and the required arguments. The Android service manager forwards the arguments to the specified service, allowing it to process them accordingly.

Example output:

Service response: 42

Conclusion:

The ‘cmd’ command provides a way to manage Android services from the command line. Whether you need to list all running services, call a specific service, or pass arguments to a service, the ‘cmd’ command makes it easy to interact with services on an Android device.