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

The getprop command is a powerful tool used in Android to retrieve system property information. It can be used to fetch details about the device’s current state, configuration, and runtime environment. This command is especially useful for developers, system administrators, or advanced users who need to troubleshoot issues, inspect particular settings, or verify configuration details on Android devices. Below are some examples showcasing different ways this command can be used.

Use case 1: Display information about Android system properties

Code:

getprop

Motivation:

This command is used to list all current system properties on an Android device. It can be extremely helpful for developers or users attempting to gain a complete overview of the system’s state and configuration at a given moment.

Explanation:

When you run getprop without any arguments, it outputs a comprehensive list of key-value pairs, with each pair representing a system property and its corresponding value. This does not filter the properties, so it gives you the full picture of the system’s properties.

Example Output:

[ro.build.version.sdk]: [30]
[ro.build.version.release]: [11]
[ro.vendor.product.model]: [Pixel 3]
...

Use case 2: Display information about a specific property

Code:

getprop property

Motivation:

At times, you might want to check a specific system property without having to sift through the entire list. This command allows you to specify and narrow down to one property, making it quicker and easier to find what you need.

Explanation:

Replace “property” with the actual property name you’re interested in. This tells getprop to only retrieve the value for that individual property.

Example Output:

[getprop ro.build.version.sdk]: [30]

This output shows the specific property you requested (the SDK API level) and its value.

Use case 3: Display the SDK API level

Code:

getprop ro.build.version.sdk

Motivation:

Developers often need to know the SDK API level of an Android device to ensure compatibility of applications they are developing or testing. Knowing the API level helps in confirming that the app is running on a suitable platform version.

Explanation:

The ro.build.version.sdk property holds the Android API level information. By specifying this property with the getprop command, you directly fetch the API level without extra details.

Example Output:

[getprop ro.build.version.sdk]: [30]

Use case 4: Display the Android version

Code:

getprop ro.build.version.release

Motivation:

Users or developers may need to verify the exact version of the Android OS that is running on the device. This is particularly useful for troubleshooting and verifying whether a device is running the latest updates.

Explanation:

The ro.build.version.release property contains the Android OS version number in a human-readable format. Using this property with getprop gives you the version information directly.

Example Output:

[getprop ro.build.version.release]: [11]

Use case 5: Display the Android device model

Code:

getprop ro.vendor.product.model

Motivation:

If you have multiple devices or need to verify the make and model of a particular device, this command provides a way to fetch the model details programmatically. This can aid in inventory management or device-specific development tasks.

Explanation:

ro.vendor.product.model is the property that specifies the device model name. By querying this property, you retrieve the model information of the Android device quickly.

Example Output:

[getprop ro.vendor.product.model]: [Pixel 3]

Use case 6: Display the OEM unlock status

Code:

getprop ro.oem_unlock_supported

Motivation:

OEM unlocking is crucial for developers who need to unlock the bootloader to install custom ROMs or perform low-level modifications. Checking this status helps confirm whether the device supports this feature.

Explanation:

The ro.oem_unlock_supported property indicates whether the device allows bootloader unlocking. A result of 1 indicates it’s supported, while 0 means it’s not.

Example Output:

[getprop ro.oem_unlock_supported]: [1]

Use case 7: Display the MAC address of the Android’s Wi-Fi card

Code:

getprop ro.boot.wifimacaddr

Motivation:

Retrieving the MAC address can be essential for setting up Wi-Fi networks, establishing device tracking systems, or testing network security. This information is crucial for network administrators and developers working with connectivity-related applications.

Explanation:

The ro.boot.wifimacaddr property contains the MAC address of the Wi-Fi card. When accessed through getprop, it shows the hardware MAC address, aiding in network configuration tasks.

Example Output:

[getprop ro.boot.wifimacaddr]: [02:00:00:12:34:56]

Conclusion:

The getprop command is a versatile and essential tool in the Android ecosystem for querying system properties. It provides a broad range of information about the device, from the operating system version and API level to specific hardware details like the Wi-Fi MAC address. Understanding and using getprop commands effectively can vastly improve device management and application compatibility checks in the Android environment.