While ADB works when the phone is turned on, Fastboot works when the phone is in . This is a special mode that runs before the Android OS loads, allowing you to modify the system partition.
The Android Software Development Kit (SDK) is divided into several components, among which are essential for device communication. Unlike build tools (e.g., aapt , dex ) or emulator images, Platform-Tools provide low-level interaction with physical devices and emulators.
Unlike standard Windows or Mac programs, Platform-Tools do not come with an "installer" wizard. They are portable executable files.
| Tool | Primary Use | Example Command | |------|-------------|------------------| | adb | App install, shell access, log collection, file transfer | adb install app.apk | | fastboot | Flash system partitions, unlock bootloader | fastboot flash boot boot.img | | systrace | Capture system-level performance traces | python systrace.py --time=5 -o trace.html |
