[android] "unable to locate adb" using Android Studio

I have been trying to test my app on real device. I keep receiving error message that "unable to locate adb". I have the USB driver for my phone installed. Thank you for the help. The snap shot is shown below. Snap shot

This question is related to android android-studio adb

The answer is


Due to some problem my adb.exe, was lost. My space of work suffered an electrical energy interruption, after that, I could not run or compile android programs.

Adb.exe is a file which should be located in your [android directory]/sdk/platform-tools. In my case, the file dissapeared, however the platform-tools was ther. My solution was as follows:

  • I changed the name directory of [android directory]/sdk/platform-tools towards platform-tools_OLD, in order to hide it for android studio without erase it.
  • In [android directory]/sdk there is a file SDK Manager.exe, ... I launched it.
  • A window of "Android SDK Manager" is shown, then, in the Tools folder I chose "Android SDK Platform Tools" and then, Install packages.
  • Enter to Android Studio

This was well for me


Else this will helps you

The ADB is now located in the Android SDK platform-tools.

Check your [sdk directory]/platform-tools directory and if it does not exist, then open the SDK manager in the Android Studio (a button somewhere in the top menu, android logo with a down arrow), switch to SDK tools tab and and select/install the Android SDK Platform-tools.

Alternatively, you can try the standalone SDK Manager: Open the SDK manager and you should see a "Launch Standalone SDK manager" link somewhere at the bottom of the settings window. Click and open the standalone SDK manager, then install/update the

"Tools > Android SDK platform tools". If the above does not solve the problem, try reinstalling the tools: open the "Standalone SDK manager" and uninstall the Android SDK platform-tools, delete the [your sdk directory]/platform-tools directory completely and install it again using the SDK manager.

Hope this helps!


(I am using Android Studio 3.0.1)

  1. I downloaded "SDK Platform-Tools" from https://developer.android.com/studio/releases/platform-tools
  2. Copied 'adb.exe' to C:\Users\user\AppData\Local\Android\Sdk\platform-tools.
  3. Then I got no errors when running the app.
  4. I also added C:\Users\user\AppData\Local\Android\Sdk\platform-tools\adb.exe to the exception list of my anti-virus tool

Check your [sdk directory]/platform-tools directory and if it does not exist, then open the SDK manager in the Android Studio (a button somewhere in the top menu, android logo with a down arrow), switch to SDK tools tab and and select/install the Android SDK Platform-tools.

Alternatively, you can try the standalone SDK Manager: Open the SDK manager and you should see a "Launch Standalone SDK manager" link somewhere at the bottom of the settings window. Click and open the standalone SDK manager, then install/update the

"Tools > Android SDK platform tools". If the above does not solve the problem, try reinstalling the tools: open the "Standalone SDK manager" and uninstall the Android SDK platform-tools, delete the [your sdk directory]/platform-tools directory completely and install it again using the SDK manager.

Hope this helps!


I had the same problem, and I solved it by doing:

  • (You should be connected to the internet)
  • click the logo of the SDK Manager
  • click Launch StandAlone SDK Manager (wait a moment)
  • if the dialog of the SDK manager shows, you click cexbox [Tools] and Install all packages
  • if the download is finished, you restart android studio and boot again..

After that, it should work.


I fixed this issue by deleting and inserting new platform-tools folder inside android sdk folder. But it is caused by my Avast anti virus software. Where I can found my adb.exe in Avast chest. You can also solve by restoring it from Avast chest.


open Studio settings-->System settings --> Android SDK --> select SDK tool tab -->> select "Android SDK platform tool" and install


I use android studio in Windows 7 and i have AVG for antivirus. The first time you launch adb, AVG prompts you to add avg.exe in antivirus vault. If you accept, then you android studio dont have access to run adb.exe. So open avg >> options >> Virus Vault >> Restore (select the adb file)


  1. on your android studio at the top right corner beside the search icon you can find the SDK Manager.
  2. view android SDK location (this will show you your sdk path)
  3. navigate to file explorer on your system, and locate the file path, this should be found something like Windows=> c://Users/johndoe/AppData/local/android (you can now see the sdk.) Mac=>/Users/johndoe/Library/Android/sdk
  4. check the platform tools folder and see if you would see anything like adb.exe (it should be missing probably because it was corrupted and your antivirus or windows defender has quarantined it)
  5. delete the platform tools folder
  6. go back to android studio and from where you left off navigate to sdk tools (this should be right under android sdk location)
  7. uncheck android sdk platform-tools and select ok. (this will uninstall the platform tools from your ide) wait till it is done and then your gradle will sync.
  8. after sync is complete, go back and check the box of android sdk platform-tools (this will install a fresh one with new adb.exe) wait till it is done and sync project and then you are good to go.

I hope this saves someone some hours of pain.


Got it to work go to the local.properties file under your build.gradle files to find out the PATH to your SDK, from the SDK location go into the platform-tools folder and look and see if you have adb.exe. If not go to http://adbshell.com/downloads and download ADB KITS. Copy the zip folder's contents into the platform-tools folder and re-make your project.

I didn't need to update the PATH in the Extended Controls Settings section on the emulator, I left Use detected ADB location settings on. Hope this makes this faster for you !


In Android Studio, Click on 'Tools' on the top tab bar of android studio

Tools >> Android >> SDK Manager >> Launch Standalone Sdk manager

there you can clearly see which platform tool is missing , then just install that and your adb will start working properly.In Image You Can see every thing


If you are using Anti-Virus, you can first check virus chest and restore from there. Otherwise, just go to your SDK Manager and install Android SDK Tools.


if using avast go for virus chest,will find adb,restore it by clicking right button..thats all,perfectly works


Examples related to android

Under what circumstances can I call findViewById with an Options Menu / Action Bar item? How to implement a simple scenario the OO way My eclipse won't open, i download the bundle pack it keeps saying error log getting " (1) no such column: _id10 " error java doesn't run if structure inside of onclick listener Cannot retrieve string(s) from preferences (settings) strange error in my Animation Drawable how to put image in a bundle and pass it to another activity FragmentActivity to Fragment A failure occurred while executing com.android.build.gradle.internal.tasks

Examples related to android-studio

A failure occurred while executing com.android.build.gradle.internal.tasks "Failed to install the following Android SDK packages as some licences have not been accepted" error Android Gradle 5.0 Update:Cause: org.jetbrains.plugins.gradle.tooling.util This version of Android Studio cannot open this project, please retry with Android Studio 3.4 or newer WARNING: API 'variant.getJavaCompile()' is obsolete and has been replaced with 'variant.getJavaCompileProvider()' Flutter plugin not installed error;. When running flutter doctor ADB.exe is obsolete and has serious performance problems Android design support library for API 28 (P) not working Flutter command not found How to find the path of Flutter SDK

Examples related to adb

ADB server version (36) doesn't match this client (39) {Not using Genymotion} ADB device list is empty "unable to locate adb" using Android Studio Run react-native on android emulator Solving "adb server version doesn't match this client" error Adb install failure: INSTALL_CANCELED_BY_USER Session 'app': Error Installing APK Where is adb.exe in windows 10 located? How to debug in Android Studio using adb over WiFi Set adb vendor keys