What is ADB Sideload?
ADB Sideload is an android device ADB command line that can be used to push files into an android device.The command can be used with both custom and stock recoveries however, you can pretty do much less with the command when you are having stock recovery on your android device.
To fully utilize the usefulness of the ADB Sideload command, you need to have to custom recovery flashed on the phone.
You may refer to this page on how to flash custom recovery on most rooted android devices (Qualcomm Powered). How to flash custom recovery on MTK android device here or the specific instruction for flashing custom recovery on Samsung android devices here.
When Can I Use ADB Sideload?
Because the ADB Sideload command is being used to pushing files like ROM, recovery.img files among others on android devices while in recovery, you can ONLY use the ADB Sideload command when you are in recovery mode and that the sysem could identify your device in recovery mode.
In What Situation Can the ADB Sideload Command Help Me?
Although, this command line is useful in reviving most android devices, it would still be useless if your android device does meet any or some of the situations narrated below:1- For HTC android devices;
i- Your HTC android device must be S-Off. More information on S-Off here.
ii- If your HTC android is not S-Off, you should have custom recovery flashed on the phone prior to using ADB Sideload command.
iii- If your HTC android is not S-Off and do not have custom recovery flashed on it, you must be using an HTC signed ROM, Recovery or any other files for the phone.
2- For Samsung Androids;
i- You must have custom recovery flashed on the phone otherwise, ADB Sideload might not work for you.
3- For MTK Androids such as; Tecno, Infinix, Oppson, etc.
i- You must have custom recovery flashed on the phone.
ii- You must be using the phone's specific file. If your phone has a working custom ROM, you can use it for it or find another type of that phone, extract its ROM or other file(s) you might need on it and flash it.
Learn how to extract MTK android ROM here.
How Do I Use the ADB Sideload Command?
Please, note that you must first setup ADB Tools on your PC.For info on how to setup ADB Tools, go here.
1- Install Specific Android Drivers for your Phone:
If you do not have android drivers installed on your PC, simply download and install it. PDanet, Moborobo and Mobogenie are known to be very good universal android drivers.
NOTE:2- Boot the Phone to Recovery:
I don't think any of them work well for iTel. iTel android users should look for specific android drivers for their phones.
Once you have installed the necessary drivers, boot the phone to recovery using the right key combination for booting the phone to recovery or; by any means you see fit. Just boot it to recovery.
3- Connect the Phone to your PC:
Now, you should connect the phone to your PC using the compatible USB Cable, wait few seconds for the PC to install the necessary drivers then; proceed.
4- Lunch Command Prompt on your PC:
Lunch command prompt on your PC and navigate to the folder where your ADB Tools are packed by typing;
i- cd c:/the-name-of-the-folder e.g cd c:/adb and press "enter" buttonNOTE:
ii- On your phone, enable the sideload option.
TWRP recovery user should tap Advance >> ADB Sideload.
Mark Wipe Delvik Cache and Wipe Cache then; Swipe to Start Sideload
iii- On Command Prompt, type adb sideload the-name-of-file-you-want-to-push-on-the-phone then, press "enter".
You may also drag the file to Command Prompt and press enter.
5- Wait Until the File is Successfully Transfered:
Here, you have to be patient until the transfer process is completed. Once completed, the phone will attempt to flash the ROM straight away -this is the reason you have to make sure that you are pushing the exact file for the phone on it.
Although, if it's a wrong file, the phone maynot flash it meanwhile; some phones will flash it and that could worsen the phone's situation.
Still don't understand the process? Below I have attached a video that displays a live ADB Sideload illustration.