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adbLink (adbFire) Changelog

What's new in adbLink (adbFire) 6.1

Apr 13, 2024
  • File manager dialog geometry saved between sessions.
  • Start program dialog:
  • The Start program choice is now saved between sessions
  • Stop program dialog:
  • The Stop program choice is now saved between sessions
  • Send text to device:
  • Send text string to active input field on connected device
  • Quest headset (beta):
  • Change various settings on the Quest headset.
  • Tested with Quest 2/3. Changes are not persistent,
  • and are cleared by rebooting the device.

New in adbLink (adbFire) 6.0 (Jan 24, 2024)

  • Sleep off/on fixed for max4K stick and Android 11
  • Timer dialog added to adblink2 and wsalink utility menu

New in adbLink (adbFire) 5.9 (Dec 2, 2023)

  • Log viewer fails with scoped storage. Fixed.

New in adbLink (adbFire) 5.8 (Nov 20, 2023)

  • Scoped storage detection fails for Android 12. Fixed.

New in adbLink (adbFire) 5.7 (Oct 5, 2023)

  • Aapt binary added for Windows & Mac. For Linux
  • Users, adbfiles has a symlink to
  • /usr/bin/aapt which will need to be installed
  • Via apt-get.

New in adbLink (adbFire) 5.6 (Aug 8, 2023)

  • Busybox location bug fixed
  • File Manager now uses drag and drop for pushing files
  • And directories from the local filesystem to the
  • Android device. Although deprecated, the previous
  • Method of pushing files can still be used by
  • Checking "Use old file manager" in preferences.
  • Application preferences now saved in a JSON file
  • APK install directory retains last location used.
  • Backup/restore directory retains last location used.
  • Scrcpy arguments dialog is now optional via preferences.
  • Utility menu function added to clear database
  • When notified a new version of adbLink is ready
  • For download, view changelog is now an option. A
  • Utility menu function has been added to view changelog
  • As well.
  • Utility menu function added to view system information:
  • (architecture, devicename, manufacturer,
  • Filesystem scope status and Android version)
  • Ad hoc IP now accepts a port.
  • Enter ip with format: <ip>:<port>
  • Default is port 5555.
  • Edit Kodi XML files (scoped storage) bugfix
  • Edit Kodi XML files (non-Android) bugfix
  • Scoped storage restrictions are now detected
  • Automatically for Android 11 or greater devices.
  • For adbLink and adbLink2, WSA (Windows Subsystem for Android)
  • Devices are connected via a utility menu selection.
  • QT C++ framework updated to 5.15.2 for all platforms.
  • Windows scrcpy updated to scrcpy-win64-v2.1
  • Windows adblink/adblink2/wsalink are now x86_64 only.

New in adbLink (adbFire) 5.5 (May 27, 2023)

  • ugfix for null directory values in file manager
  • Bugfix for port misallocation when connecting via ad hoc ip, and possibly at other times as well.

New in adbLink (adbFire) 5.4 (Apr 23, 2023)

  • File manager fixes
  • Dropdown menu regression for kodi fixed.

New in adbLink (adbFire) 5.3 (Apr 20, 2023)

  • File manager resize bug fixed

New in adbLink (adbFire) 5.2 (Apr 10, 2023)

  • AdbLink, adbLink2 and wsaLink codebases merged into version 5.2

New in adbLink (adbFire) 5.1 (Aug 8, 2022)

  • Internal script directory made uniform for all architectures.
  • Terminal selection expanded.
  • Preferences now allows you tochoose Windows Terminal or
  • Command Prompt for Windows,Terminal or iTerm for macOS,
  • and Gnome Terminal, KDE Consoleor XFCE4 Terminal for Linux.
  • Initial support for Intel ChromeOS.
  • Tested with ChromeOS Flex.

New in adbLink (adbFire) 5.0 (Apr 22, 2022)

  • Display scaling mode changed.
  • Routine for Android 11 Kodi data area creation added
  • Keycode for remote keypad menu button corrected
  • Support email changed from [email protected] to [email protected]
  • Optional arguments can be passed to scrcpy

New in adbLink (adbFire) 4.9 (Apr 20, 2022)

  • Display scaling mode changed.
  • Routine for Android 11 Kodi
  • data area creation added
  • Keycode for remote keypad menu
  • button corrected
  • Support email changed from [email protected]
  • to [email protected]
  • Optional arguments can be passed to scrcpy

New in adbLink (adbFire) 4.8 (Dec 4, 2021)

  • File manager sorting added

New in adbLink (adbFire) 4.6 (Nov 3, 2021)

  • StrCopy tooltip fixed
  • Cleanup code within File Manager subroutine
  • Support for Microsoft Subsystem for Android added
  • adbLink spun off into adbLink2, a version without Kodi support.
  • sqlite3 binary added to bundle

New in adbLink (adbFire) 4.5 (Sep 21, 2021)

  • Logcat function fixed.
  • Delete Thumbnails function added. Note: 4.5 fixes a thumbnail-related backup bug
  • ScrCpy launch button
  • Scrcpy provides display and control of Android devices connected via USB or TCP/IP. It does not require any root access. Scrcpy works on Windows GNU/Linux, and macOS.
  • It focuses on:
  • Lightness (native, displays only the device screen)
  • Performance (30~60fps)
  • Quality (1920x1080 or above)
  • Low latency (35~70ms)
  • Low startup time (~1 second to display the first image)

New in adbLink (adbFire) 4.4 (Sep 20, 2021)

  • Logcat function fixed.
  • Delete Thumbnails function added. See Thumbnails note at
  • http://www.jocala.com/thumbnails.html or view topic Thumbnails
  • in adbLink help.
  • SpcCpy:
  • For Android 11, Google has implemented scoped storage which removes the ability for external applications to write in /sdcard/Android/data/. This has the unfortunate side-effect of preventing adbLink from accessing Kodi data at /sdcard/Android/data/org.xbmc.kodi, meaning no backup/restore, no edit of xml files, or any function requiring write access.
  • adbLink now has the ability to relocate Kodi's files to /sdcard/kodi_data/ where they are accessible for backup/restore, edit, etc.
  • This workaround is mainly for Android 11, but it works with other Android versions as well.
  • Root: mount r/w - r/o now affects / not /system

New in adbLink (adbFire) 4.3 (Jan 24, 2020)

  • Fix for spurious "device unauthorized" when connecting
  • Internal support links reverted to http from https

New in adbLink (adbFire) 4.2 (Jul 14, 2019)

  • Global Features:
  • Manage multiple Kodi devices from one PC
  • Edit XML and other files on your devices
  • Clone Kodi setups to new devices
  • Backup/Restore Kodi setups
  • Custom Cache Support for Kodi
  • Log file viewer for adbLink/Kodi logs
  • Hyperlinked HTML Help
  • Android Features:
  • Install Programs without Android SDK
  • ADB/Fastboot enabled command-line
  • Busybox for root and non-root
  • Built-in WIFI/USB remote
  • Move Kodi data to external drives
  • Manage devices via USB or IP address
  • Root-aware File Manager
  • Install/Uninstall Apps

New in adbLink (adbFire) 4.1 (Apr 10, 2019)

  • Folder push recursion fixed.
  • Utility menu/Program start: Window title corrected.

New in adbLink (adbFire) 3.9 (Jan 4, 2019)

  • Global Features:
  • Manage multiple Kodi devices from one PC
  • Edit XML and other files on your devices
  • Clone Kodi setups to new devices
  • Backup/Restore Kodi setups
  • Custom Cache Support for Kodi
  • Log file viewer for adbLink/Kodi logs
  • Hyperlinked HTML Help
  • Android Features:
  • Install Programs without Android SDK
  • ADB/Fastboot enabled command-line
  • Busybox for root and non-root
  • Built-in WIFI/USB remote
  • Move Kodi data to external drives
  • Manage devices via USB or IP address
  • Root-aware File Manager
  • Install/Uninstall Apps

New in adbLink (adbFire) 3.8 (Oct 15, 2018)

  • adbLink c++ framework updated
  • from Qt 5.10.1 to Qt 5.11.2
  • OpenSSL support added for https format
  • (jocala.com address moved from http to https)
  • Windows dependencies removed for:
  • libgcc_s_dw2-1.dll
  • libstdc++-6.dll
  • libwinpthread-1.dll
  • These dll files are no longer
  • required by adbLink for Windows.
  • Linux: Support for KDE Konsole added. Select
  • KDE Konsole in adbLink preferences, otherwise
  • the default of Gnome terminal is used for
  • adbLink's Console.
  • Window titles added where missing
  • Job number removed from running jobs display
  • icons folder added to linux adbfiles directory.
  • This contains adbLink icons in png,ico and icns
  • formats.

New in adbLink (adbFire) 3.7 (Aug 14, 2018)

  • AdbLink c++ framework updated
  • From Qt 5.6 to Qt 5.10.1
  • Message popups have been adjusted to work
  • With multi-monitor systems.
  • Toast-style message popups fail
  • With multi-monitor systems.
  • Currently disabled.
  • AdbLink update checking routine updated.

New in adbLink (adbFire) 3.6 (Mar 1, 2018)

  • /sdcard, /data/local/tmp, & /storage added to presets for file manager
  • Activity indicator for local restores now properly resets when job is done.
  • File manager checks that preset or ad hoc path exists prior to directory change via go button.
  • Android Debug Bridge updated Version 1.0.39 - 0.0.1-4500957
  • File manager updated to work with adb v1.0.39
  • Fastboot updated Version 0.0.1-4500957

New in adbLink (adbFire) 3.5 (Oct 2, 2017)

  • Labeling system for long running processes modified.
  • Forum and WIKI Help links updated.
  • Busybox permissions check added.
  • Utility menu function added: Re-install Busybox.
  • Help menu item added for Re-install Busybox.

New in adbLink (adbFire) 3.4 (Jun 28, 2017)

  • Cconnect/disconnect buttons are disabled when the device OS isn't Android.
  • The pull directory in the device record now overrides the global default pull directory in in preferences.
  • A check box, "Disable root", has been added to the device dialog. If you have a rooted device that fails to display the file manager correctly, try checking this box. See help for more detail on this.

New in adbLink (adbFire) 3.3 (May 16, 2017)

  • Remote keypad bug fixed
  • Check for preference database table bug fixed.
  • Keyboard shortcuts added for main screen buttons. Hover over button to see tooltip and key assignment or see help topic "Shortcuts".
  • Shortcut topic added to help.
  • Lists tooltip and keyboard shortcuts for main screen buttons.

New in adbLink (adbFire) 3.2 (May 7, 2017)

  • Check for updates bug fixed
  • File Manager progress bar bug fixed
  • Windows XP database/logfile creation bug fixed
  • XP/Win7 form misalignment fixed
  • Mac Local restore bug fixed

New in adbLink (adbFire) 3.00 (Mar 6, 2017)

  • Parallel background processes: Potentially lengthy jobs (backup,restore,etc) are now assigned a job ID and the running state is displayed in a listbox
  • New file manager: Easy move/copy/delete of files and folders on Android devices Copy multiple files and folders from Android devices to PC/Mac ofrom PC/Mac to Android device
  • The progress bar style activity indicator has been replaced by a color-changing icon It turns green while background processes are running, blue when the job queue is empty
  • The listbox of connected devices now shows device name not IP address/USB serial number For USB-connected devices, the serial number is displayed only for devices that have not been entered into the adbLink database
  • File selection dialogs, log viewers and editors are now resizeable
  • Fixed: adbLink not working in space-embedded folder
  • Uninstall APK search filter fixed
  • Keypad button help/tooltip corrected
  • Easy edit of Kodi XML files on any platform
  • Local IP address reported in log file
  • Toast-style notifications added
  • Message added for device connection errors
  • Stop ADB button focus issue fixed
  • Root menu restored for /system partition mount
  • Check for updates button in device record restored
  • Menu function: Kodi Data Usage added Shows amount of space used by Kodi data
  • Menu function: ADB/WIFI Enables ADB debugging over WIFI for devices that lack this feature
  • Moving Kodi data updates Kodi partition in device record
  • Data move routine now checks for valid media center data before writing /sdcard/xbmc_envproperties file

New in adbLink (adbFire) 2.07 (Dec 9, 2016)

  • Windows: If installing on top of an existing installation, preexisting
  • database and log files will be erased.
  • Select multiple apk files for installation to Android device
  • Select multiple files for push to Android device
  • Start/Stop Android apps on connected device
  • Logs menu item added: view adbLink/Kodi logs
  • Download SPMC file menu function added
  • Double-print of port in logfile corrected
  • Parallel adb processes functionality restored
  • ADB Port is not reset when switching OS in preferences: fixed
  • Root menu removed

New in adbLink (adbFire) 2.06 (Nov 1, 2016)

  • adbLink now works with Kodi for Android/Windows/macOS/Linux for non-Android functions such as backup/restore, edit XML, etc.
  • Built-in XML/Text editor.
  • Kodi 17 cache xml settings added.
  • Cache help html rewritten to reflect changes
  • Error handler for Android ADB added (hopefully will prevent adb error loops)
  • Test (logcat) function for ADB connections added
  • Uninstall APK: filter added for search
  • Cache settings can now be copied to clipboard then pasted into existing advancedsettings.xml
  • Help files re-added (missed in changeover to new adbLink name)
  • Help files for various new functions added.
  • Copy path to clipboard: This function will make busybox applets available to ADB shell.
  • QT_AUTO_SCREEN_SCALE_FACTOR=1 added for high DPI screen scaling

New in adbLink (adbFire) 2.05 (Sep 15, 2016)

  • View/copy Kodi log files
  • Bug condition in busybox installation fixed.
  • Screen capture function restored. See help.
  • "Device Unauthorized" help file added.
  • For drive mounting & samba please use play store services.

New in adbLink (adbFire) 2.04 (Sep 15, 2016)

  • Name change from per demand from Amazon's lawyers.
  • New name: adbLink
  • QT framework updated to v5.6
  • Deprecated Fire OS functions removed
  • 3rd-party root functions removed

New in adbLink (adbFire) 2.03 (Sep 15, 2016)

  • SPMC package name changed
  • Minor code cleanup

New in adbLink (adbFire) 2.02b (Sep 15, 2016)

  • More fixes to restore routines

New in adbLink (adbFire) 2.02a (Sep 15, 2016)

  • Fixes to restore routines.

New in adbLink (adbFire) 2.02 (Sep 15, 2016)

  • adbLink is now compatible with most Android devices
  • WIFI/USB Remote control added
  • Installs rbox v3 recovery on 4K AFTVs
  • Windows download is now an installer instead of zip file
  • Kodi partiton value initialzed for new devices.
  • Routine added to detect Amazon OS5.
  • Routine added to identify Amazon/Nvidia devices.
  • Dropbear removed, OpenSSH added. Root no longer required
  • FireStarter install moved to the menu->file section
  • Help Backup section expanded.
  • Device Offline status detected.
  • Device Unauthorized status detected.
  • FireStarter installation moved to File->Menu
  • For rooted Lollipop devices:
  • SELinux set to permissive with external drive mounts.
  • SELinux set to Enforcing after external drive umounts.
  • At boot options require a rom with configurable startup script.

New in adbLink (adbFire) 2.01 (Sep 15, 2016)

  • Auto-connect turned off, no auto-connect at startup, edit or other routines.
  • Edit validation routines added for description, device address, package-name and file path.
  • New field "root path" added to device record. Tracks where Kodi data is installed.
  • e.g. /sdcard/, /storage/sdcard1/, etc. cache write to advancedsettings.xml
  • moved to standalone dialog
  • XBMC preset removed from device setup.
  • MainWindow set to fixed size.
  • Splash Screen and Cache buttons added to main window
  • Standard and root function buttons moved into separate groups

New in adbLink (adbFire) 2,00 (Sep 15, 2016)

  • Updated for Fire TV 2.0 - Fire OS 5
  • Data relocation destinations added:
  • /storage/sdcard1
  • /storage/usbotg
  • /storage/usbdisk
  • Backup now recognizes external locations
  • Backup now works with drives other than C:
  • Restore now restores to external locations
  • Various bugfixes

New in adbLink (adbFire) 1.31 (Sep 15, 2016)

  • Splash Screen install fixed
  • USB drivers updated
  • FireStarter install added
  • Llama options screen updated
  • Various bug fixes

New in adbLink (adbFire) 1.30 (Sep 15, 2016)

  • Root users: "Busybox not installed" error fixed
  • All users: TubiTV no longer works as a Kodi launcher,
  • removed from Llama Options.

New in adbLink (adbFire) 1.29 (Sep 15, 2016)

  • adbLink database supports unlimited devices
  • USB mode now automatic
  • See connected devices at a glance
  • Ad Hoc directory browsing for push/pull/delete
  • Updated hyperlinked help
  • Many bug fixes