Android Debug Bridge (ADB)
Shares rank 50 of 86 privilege escalation tools by recommenders
Free Android command-line tool for controlling and inspecting devices from a computer, with broad compatibility on newer Android versions, though critics worry about elevated shell access.
Free Android command-line tool for controlling and inspecting devices from a computer, with broad compatibility on newer Android versions, though critics worry about elevated shell access.
9 people gave an opinion
- recommend it
- 7
- criticize it
- 2
- approval share
- 78%
Recommended in 4 of 13 months
- November 2025: recommended
- December 2025: recommended
- January 2026: not recommended
- February 2026: not recommended
- March 2026: not recommended
- April 2026: not recommended
- May 2026: not recommended
- June 2026: not recommended
- July 2026: recommended
- August 2026: recommended
- September 2026: not recommended
- October 2026: not recommended
- November 2026: not recommended (month in progress)
Why it doesn’t carry the badge
- 7 people recommend itNeeds 10 or more, not met.
- 3.5 recommenders for every criticNeeds 2 to 1 or better, met.
- Recommended in 4 of 13 monthsNeeds 4 or more, met.
The same three rules apply to every product, and the badge can’t be bought. How the badge works
What people say about it
The reasons people give, with the number of comments that give each one. Open a reason to read what they said.
Why people recommend it
Each mark is one comment
Broad device control and automation
“It's actually kinda amazing just watching it swipe, open the app launcher, and find issues to fix later.”
Comment from 15 Aug 2026 in “AI Driven Testing” “it provides broader device compatibility and control, especially on newer Android versions”
Comment from 11 Nov 2025 in “Show HN: DroidDock – A sleek macOS app for browsing Android device files via ADB” Works directly on the device
“Just put the ADB settings app on a split screen and it will work just fine.”
Comment from 13 Nov 2025 in “Android developer verification: Early access starts” “You don't have to distribute a signed apk just sign it fresh on device.”
Comment from 1 Nov 2025 on Hacker News
What people warn about
Each mark is one comment
Proposed loopback restriction draws objection
“proposing that ADB shouldn't be allowed to listen on loopback interfaces”
Comment from 25 Jul 2026 in “Android May Soon Restrict On-Device ADB” “If I want to bind ADB to localhost, _let me_. It's my device and my problem”
Comment from 25 Jul 2026 in “Android May Soon Restrict On-Device ADB” Elevated shell and coarse authentication
“Normalizing elevated shell permissions just to copy files just feels like going the wrong way about it.”
Comment from 10 Nov 2025 in “Show HN: DroidDock – A sleek macOS app for browsing Android device files via ADB” “the actual solution would be to have more granularity in authentication process”
Comment from 25 Jul 2026 in “Android May Soon Restrict On-Device ADB”
Other privilege escalation tools people recommend
The four most recommended other privilege escalation tools, with the same counts for each, so you can compare like for like. The tick on each bar marks the 2 to 1 line the badge needs.
See all 86 privilege escalation tools, rankedWhat people said
9 of the 10 comments that mention it, newest first. Each links to the original comment.
“It's actually kinda amazing just watching it swipe, open the app launcher, and find issues to fix later.”
“it takes me far more time than it should”
“proposing that ADB shouldn't be allowed to listen on loopback interfaces”
“the actual solution would be to have more granularity in authentication process”
“If I want to bind ADB to localhost, _let me_. It's my device and my problem”
“Just put the ADB settings app on a split screen and it will work just fine.”
“it provides broader device compatibility and control, especially on newer Android versions”
“Normalizing elevated shell permissions just to copy files just feels like going the wrong way about it.”
“You don't have to distribute a signed apk just sign it fresh on device.”
Counts come from 1,795,640 Hacker News comments, November 2025 to November 2026. How we count. Report a mistake.