How to Use the 'settings' Command in Android (with examples)

The ‘settings’ command in Android is an invaluable tool for developers and advanced users who wish to view, modify, or delete various settings on their devices. It interacts directly with the Android operating system’s various settings namespaces: global, system, and secure. This command can be used via the Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which allows users to execute commands on a connected Android device from a computer. These commands can control device behaviors, access settings, or modify the system environment on Android devices.

Use case 1: List the settings in the global namespace

Code:

settings list global

Motivation:

Listing the settings within the global namespace is often necessary when you need an overview of all global configuration states and their values on an Android device. This can help developers or system administrators check the configurations affecting multiple users or system-wide features, such as network connectivity or system performance settings.

Explanation:

• settings: This invokes the Android ‘settings’ utility.
• list: This action specifies that we want to retrieve and list current settings.
• global: This argument points to the global namespace, which consists of settings that apply globally across all users on the device.

Example output:

adb_enabled=0
airplane_mode_on=1
wifi_on=0
network_preference=1

The output lists each setting’s key and value pairs under the global namespace, giving insight into the current global configurations.

Use case 2: Get a value of a specific setting

Code:

settings get global airplane_mode_on

Motivation:

Retrieving the value of a specific setting allows users to confirm the current state of system features. For instance, knowing if the airplane mode is turned on is crucial for debugging network issues or developing apps that involve wireless communication.

Explanation:

• settings: This command calls the Android ‘settings’ utility.
• get: This action retrieves the value of a specified setting.
• global: Indicates the namespace from which the setting will be fetched.
• airplane_mode_on: This is the specific setting whose value is requested, determining if airplane mode is active (1) or not (0).

Example output:

1

This output indicates that the airplane mode is currently enabled on the device.

Use case 3: Set a specific value of a setting

Code:

settings put system screen_brightness 42

Motivation:

Being able to set the value of a specific system setting allows for programmatic control over device behaviors without manually changing settings through the user interface. For example, adjusting the screen brightness can be useful for developers who need to test app behavior under various lighting conditions or for automating user experience tests.

Explanation:

• settings: Invokes the Android ‘settings’ tool.
• put: This action updates or assigns a specific value to a setting.
• system: Designates the namespace where the setting resides, in this case, system-wide settings.
• screen_brightness: The specific setting being modified, which controls the brightness level of the screen.
• 42: The new value assigned to the setting, representing the screen brightness level on a scale from 0 (darkest) to 255 (brightest).

Example output:

There is typically no output if the command executes successfully, as it alters the value directly without returning feedback unless an error occurs.

Use case 4: Delete a specific setting

Code:

settings delete secure screensaver_enabled

Motivation:

Deleting a specific setting might be necessary when you want to reset a feature to its default behavior or if you’re troubleshooting issues that may be affected by custom configurations. For example, removing an overridden secure setting like screensaver_enabled can help diagnose whether custom settings affect the device’s default sleep behavior.

Explanation:

• settings: This invokes the Android ‘settings’ tool.
• delete: This action specifies the removal of a setting.
• secure: The namespace from which the setting will be removed. Secure settings typically contain settings related to security or user data.
• screensaver_enabled: The particular setting that is being deleted, which usually controls the screensaver status.

Example output:

Upon successful execution, this command does not produce a return message, indicating the setting has been removed.

Conclusion:

The ‘settings’ command in Android offers extensive control over device settings across the global, system, and secure namespaces. Whether listing current settings, retrieving the value of specific options, modifying settings, or deleting them, this tool is indispensable for anyone needing intricate control over an Android device’s system environment. Through these examples, we’ve explored practical applications of this command, highlighting its utility for both troubleshooting and customizing device configurations.