How to use ADB Shell when Multiple Devices are connected? Fails with "error: more than one device and emulator"

How to Use ADB Shell When Multiple Devices are Connected?

If you are an Android developer or enthusiast, chances are you have encountered the issue of having multiple devices or emulators connected to your computer while running ADB commands. The error message "error: more than one device and emulator" can be frustrating, but fear not! In this blog post, we will explore common issues when encountering this error and provide easy solutions to help you navigate through this problem.

Understanding the Problem

When you run the adb devices command, it lists all the devices and emulators currently connected to your computer. In our example, we have two devices listed: emulator-5554 and 7f1c864e. Now, let's say you want to run an ADB shell command specifically on the device with the serial number 7f1c864e. You would try running the following command: adb shell -s 7f1c864e. However, this is where the error occurs, stating that there are "more than one device and emulator".

The Solution

To resolve this issue, we need to provide ADB with a clear and unambiguous identifier for the device we want to target. There are two approaches you can take:

Using the Device Serial Number

As mentioned earlier, each device or emulator connected to your computer has a unique serial number. To use ADB shell for a specific device, you can include the -s option followed by the serial number in your ADB command. For example:

$ adb shell -s 7f1c864e

This command explicitly tells ADB to target the device with the specified serial number. Replace 7f1c864e with the serial number of the device you want to access.

Unplugging Other Devices or Emulators

Alternatively, if you do not require simultaneous access to multiple devices or emulators, you can simply unplug the unwanted devices from your computer. By reducing the number of connected devices, you will eliminate the need for ADB to ask you which device to target.

Conclusion

Encountering the "error: more than one device and emulator" message while using ADB shell can be a common stumbling block for Android developers. However, armed with the knowledge and solutions shared in this blog post, you can tackle this problem head-on. Whether you choose to use the device serial number or unplug unwanted devices, you now have the tools to achieve success with ADB shell.

We hope this guide has been helpful in resolving this issue for you. If you have any questions or additional tips to share, please leave a comment below. Happy ADB-ing!

👉 Pro Tip: Remember to refer to the official ADB documentation or consult Android developer forums for more advanced troubleshooting and specific scenarios. Keep exploring and experimenting with ADB to unleash its full potential!