Can I edit files inside the Android ADB shell?

Question

From android shell, is there a way I can edit a file?

In order to edit files like .rc and similar scripts, I am currently using adb pull to pull them, then edit them and then push them back adb push. This is certainly inefficient.

Is there a way I can edit these files in android shell (like the vim editor in Linux shell)

I have root permissions on my device. So if necessary, I can install root applications.

Solution 1

You can create text files using:

 adb shell
 $ cat > filename.txt

You can add lines to a text files using:

 $ cat >> filename.txt

Both commands can be terminated using ctrl-D.

Solution 2

You can install BusyBox from the F-Droid store and if you have rooted your device you are able to use vi to edit files.

adb shell
busybox vi /sdcard/Download/test.txt

Solution 3

I've also noticed that the default shell is sh and after entering bash I could use nano.

Solution 4

A simplified version of vi for Android is contained in Busybox. Assuming you're running Windows, once you've installed Busybox (and you do need root permissions to do so), I recommend you follow the instructions at https://stackoverflow.com/a/29033010/5025060 to accomplish full screen text editing on your Android device from your Windows PC screen.

Solution 5

Deepak's answer (using cat > or >>) is good for creating a file from scratch or appending to a file.

To change a piece of an existing file, sed is another option, on phones that don't have vi:

$ sed -i 's/old_regex/replacement/' filename.ext

View more solutions

Comments

[Giszmo]

provided there is no better answer, I feel sad for you getting down-voted :) Solved my issue with echo "..." > filename.

[jiggunjer]

I can use vi on a Sony Xperia running JB.

[julien_c]

How do you enter bash?

[Lohmar ASHAR]

I that case I've meant just type "bash" and hit "enter", but lately I've noticed that my advice is not always valid. Different phones come with different setups, some have bash some don't. I just try everything until I find something useful: "bash", "busybox", "toybox", last resort I use adb pull and adb push to move the file between the phone and my PC.

[CODE-REaD]

@Shubashree, I'm sorry my answer was not clear: I'm recommending you install Busybox on your Android device (click the Busybox link above to do so).

[Joseph Garrone]

echo 'right click past the content of the file' > filename.txt use ' insted of " for multi ligne.

[Tom Russell]

bash not available on my stock Marshmallow ROM.

[frakman1]

The question is specifically about editing a file with vi within an ADB shell

[Tom Russell]

I noticed that. Thanks. Not sure what I was thinking. I'll edit it.