Android 12 DALLOW_ADBD_ROOT

[Android 12]( is the latest version of the Android operating system, bringing several improvements and new features to enhance user experience and security. One of the notable features introduced in Android 12 is DALLOW_ADBD_ROOT, which allows the ADB daemon (adbd) to run as root.

Understanding ADB

ADB (Android Debug Bridge) is a versatile command-line tool that allows communication between a computer and an Android device. It is commonly used by developers for various tasks, such as installing apps, debugging, and accessing device internals. By default, adbd runs as a non-root user, limiting certain actions that require elevated privileges.

The Need for DALLOW_ADBD_ROOT

In previous Android versions, in order to perform privileged tasks using ADB, developers had to either root their device or use complex workarounds. However, with the introduction of DALLOW_ADBD_ROOT in Android 12, developers can enable adbd to run as root directly, simplifying the process.

Enabling DALLOW_ADBD_ROOT

To enable DALLOW_ADBD_ROOT, follow these steps:

  1. Ensure that you have [enabled Developer Options]( on your Android 12 device.

  2. Open the Developer Options settings and scroll down to find the "Local terminal" section.

  3. Tap on "Enable adbd root" to enable DALLOW_ADBD_ROOT.

  4. Reboot your device for the changes to take effect.

Once DALLOW_ADBD_ROOT is enabled, you can use ADB with root access. However, it is important to note that enabling this feature can have security implications, as it provides elevated privileges to ADB.

Example Usage

Here is an example of how to use ADB with root access:

# Connect your Android 12 device to your computer

# Start an ADB shell with root access
adb root

# Remount the system partition as writable
adb remount

# Push a file to the device's system partition
adb push local_file.txt /system/

# Set the correct permissions for the pushed file
adb shell chmod 644 /system/local_file.txt

# Reboot the device
adb reboot

In this example, we connect the Android 12 device to the computer and use adb root to start an ADB shell with root access. Then, we remount the system partition as writable, push a file to the system partition, set the correct permissions, and finally reboot the device.

Journey of DALLOW_ADBD_ROOT

journey
  title Journey of DALLOW_ADBD_ROOT
  section Enabling Developer Options
  section Finding "Enable adbd root" Option
  section Enabling DALLOW_ADBD_ROOT
  section Rebooting the Device

State Diagram for DALLOW_ADBD_ROOT

stateDiagram
  [*] --> DeveloperOptionsEnabled
  DeveloperOptionsEnabled --> EnableAdbdRoot
  EnableAdbdRoot --> RebootDevice
  RebootDevice --> [*]

In the state diagram, the initial state [] represents the device in its default state. The device transitions to the "DeveloperOptionsEnabled" state when the developer options are enabled. From there, it moves to the "EnableAdbdRoot" state when the "Enable adbd root" option is selected. Finally, the device transitions to the "RebootDevice" state after the user reboots the device, and it goes back to the initial state [].

Conclusion

The DALLOW_ADBD_ROOT feature in Android 12 simplifies the process of using ADB with root access, eliminating the need for device rooting or complex workarounds. However, it is crucial to use this feature responsibly and consider the security implications it may have. With DALLOW_ADBD_ROOT, developers can now perform privileged tasks more efficiently, enhancing their productivity in the Android development process.