Device Management - APK Extractor

Overview

APK Extractor supports managing multiple Android devices simultaneously, whether connected via USB or WiFi. You can assign custom names, save WiFi devices for quick reconnection, and switch between devices instantly.

Device Types

USB Devices

Connected via USB cable with unique serial numbers

WiFi Devices

Connected wirelessly using Android’s wireless debugging feature (IP:port)

USB vs WiFi Comparison

Feature	USB	WiFi
Connection	USB cable required	Wireless (same network)
Speed	Fast (~40-50 MB/s)	Moderate (~10-20 MB/s)
Stability	Very stable	Can drop if network changes
Setup	Plug and play	Requires pairing (one-time)
Convenience	Requires physical cable	No cables needed
Serial Format	Alphanumeric (e.g., `1A2B3C4D5E6F`)	IP:Port (e.g., `192.168.1.100:5555`)

You can have both USB and WiFi devices connected simultaneously. APK Extractor handles them identically once connected.

Detecting Devices

Automatic Detection

APK Extractor automatically detects all connected devices:

// server.js:175-191 - Poll endpoint for real-time updates
app.get('/api/devices/poll', async (req, res) => {
  const out = await runAdb('devices', null, 5000);
  const lines = out.split('\n').slice(1);
  const serials = [];
  
  for (const line of lines) {
    const tabIdx = line.indexOf('\t');
    if (tabIdx === -1) continue;
    const serial = line.substring(0, tabIdx).trim();
    const status = line.substring(tabIdx).trim();
    if (status === 'device' && serial) serials.push(serial);
  }
  
  res.json({ serials });
});

Web Interface: Polls every 4 seconds (adjusts to 2s when active, 8s when inactive) CLI: Scans when you select “Listar dispositivos conectados” from the main menu

Device Information

When a device is detected, APK Extractor fetches:

Basic Info
Detailed Info

Serial/IP:Port - Unique identifier
Brand - Manufacturer (e.g., Google, Samsung)
Model - Device model (e.g., Pixel 6)
Connection Type - USB or Wireless

Detailed info is fetched using getprop commands:

// server.js:210-225 - Parallel property fetching
const props = await runAdb(
  `shell "getprop ro.product.manufacturer && getprop ro.product.model"`,
  serial, 5000
);
const lines = props.trim().split('\n').map(l => l.trim());
const brand = lines[0] || '';
const model = lines[1] || '';
if (brand && model && brand !== 'N/A') label = `${brand} ${model}`;

All device property queries run in parallel for multiple devices, so even with 5+ devices connected, detection is fast.

Switching Between Devices

Web Interface

Click any device in the sidebar:

Instant switch - Shows cached app list immediately
Background refresh - Fetches latest data without blocking UI
Progress indicator - Shows when batch info is loading

// Instant device switch with cache
if (appListCache[newSerial]) {
  displayApps(appListCache[newSerial]); // Instant
  fetchBatchInfo(newSerial); // Background
} else {
  fetchApps(newSerial); // Full load
}

CLI

From the device list, enter the device number:

Dispositivos encontrados: 3

[1] Google Pixel 6  (1A2B3C4D5E6F)
[2] My Tablet  (192.168.1.100:5555)
[3] Test Device  (8G7H6I5J4K3L)

Selecciona un dispositivo [1-3]: 2

The CLI loads the selected device’s menu immediately.

Custom Device Names

Assign friendly names to devices for easier identification.

Why Use Custom Names?

Multiple Similar Devices

If you have several devices of the same model (e.g., “Pixel 6 - Personal”, “Pixel 6 - Work”, “Pixel 6 - Test”).

QA/Testing Teams

Label devices by purpose: “Staging Device”, “QA - Android 11”, “Nightly Build Device”.

Family Devices

Distinguish between family members: “Dad’s Phone”, “Mom’s Tablet”, “Kids’ Device”.

WiFi Devices

WiFi serials are just IP:port - custom names make them recognizable.

Setting Names

Web Interface
CLI

Click the device in the sidebar
Click the pencil icon or “Rename” button
Enter the new name in the modal
Click “Save”

// API call
await fetch(`/api/device-names/${encodeURIComponent(serial)}`, {
  method: 'PUT',
  headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
  body: JSON.stringify({ name: 'My Pixel 6' })
});

From the device menu:

[2] Asignar nombre al dispositivo

Nombre actual: (none)
Ingresa el nuevo nombre (dejar vacio para eliminar):

Nombre: Development Device

[OK] Dispositivo renombrado a: Development Device

Name Storage

Names are stored in device-names.json:

{
  "1A2B3C4D5E6F": "My Pixel 6",
  "192.168.1.100:5555": "WiFi Tablet",
  "8G7H6I5J4K3L": "Test Device"
}

Custom names are shared between web and CLI. Set a name in one interface, see it in both!

Removing Names

Open the rename modal
Clear the name field
Save (or use the Delete button if available)

Nombre: [leave empty]

[OK] Nombre eliminado.

curl -X DELETE http://localhost:3000/api/device-names/1A2B3C4D5E6F

Connecting Devices

USB Connection

Enable USB Debugging

On your Android device:

Go to Settings → About phone
Tap Build number 7 times to enable Developer Options
Go back to Settings → Developer Options
Enable USB debugging

Connect USB Cable

Plug in a USB cable between your PC and the Android device.

Authorize PC

A prompt appears on the device:“Allow USB debugging?”
Fingerprint: XX:XX:XX:…

Tap Allow (and optionally check “Always allow”)

Verify Connection

The device should appear in APK Extractor automatically within 4 seconds.

If the device shows as “unauthorized” in adb devices, you must accept the authorization prompt on the device. Disconnect and reconnect the cable to trigger the prompt again.

WiFi Connection

See the Wireless Debugging guide for complete WiFi setup instructions. Quick Summary:

Enable Wireless debugging in Developer Options (Android 11+)
Pair using IP, port, and 6-digit code
Connect using the connection port
Device is saved automatically for future quick reconnection

Disconnecting Devices

USB Devices

Simply unplug the USB cable. The device disappears from the list within 4-8 seconds.

WiFi Devices

Web Interface
CLI
On Device

Right-click the device in the sidebar (or long-press on mobile)
Select “Disconnect”
Confirm if prompted

Or use the API:

// Disconnect via ADB
await fetch('/api/adb/disconnect', {
  method: 'POST',
  body: JSON.stringify({ serial: '192.168.1.100:5555' })
});

From the main menu or device menu, select the disconnect option (if available), or manually:

adb disconnect 192.168.1.100:5555

Disconnecting a WiFi device does not remove it from saved devices. You can reconnect quickly later.

Saved WiFi Devices

WiFi devices are automatically saved to devices.json when you connect:

[
  {
    "id": "1678901234567",
    "label": "Google Pixel 6",
    "ip": "192.168.1.100",
    "port": "5555",
    "lastConnected": "2026-03-07T16:45:23.456Z"
  },
  {
    "id": "1678901234890",
    "label": "Samsung Galaxy Tab",
    "ip": "192.168.1.101",
    "port": "39021",
    "lastConnected": "2026-03-06T10:12:45.678Z"
  }
]

Quick Reconnection

Click “Add Device” or ”+” button → “Saved Devices” tab:

See all saved devices with last connected time
Click “Connect” for one-click reconnection
No need to enter IP, port, or pairing code again

Main menu → [3] Dispositivos guardados → [C] Conectar:

Dispositivos guardados: 2

[1] Google Pixel 6  (192.168.1.100:5555)
[2] Samsung Galaxy Tab  (192.168.1.101:39021)

Numero del dispositivo a conectar [1-2]: 1

Conectando a 192.168.1.100:5555...
[OK] Conectado a Google Pixel 6

Port Expiration

WiFi debugging ports change when:

The device restarts
Wireless debugging is toggled off/on
The device switches WiFi networks

If connection fails:

[!] No se pudo conectar. Los puertos pueden haber caducado.

¿Deseas re-vincular este dispositivo? [S/N]: S

IP: 192.168.1.100 (no modificable)
Nuevo puerto de vinculacion: 41823
Codigo de vinculacion: 987654

The CLI guides you through re-pairing with the same IP (preloaded), so you only need the new ports and code.

Use a static IP for your Android device in your router settings to avoid IP changes.

Managing Multiple Devices

Parallel Operations (Advanced)

While APK Extractor’s UI focuses on one device at a time, the API supports parallel operations:

// Extract APKs from multiple devices in parallel
const devices = ['1A2B3C4D5E6F', '192.168.1.100:5555'];
const package = 'com.example.app';

const extractions = await Promise.all(
  devices.map(serial => 
    fetch(`/api/devices/${serial}/apps/${package}/extract`, {
      method: 'POST'
    })
  )
);

console.log(`Extracted from ${extractions.length} devices`);

Device Information Comparison

Compare Android versions, models, or installed apps across devices:

// Fetch device info for all connected devices
const { devices } = await fetch('/api/devices').then(r => r.json());

devices.forEach(device => {
  console.log(`${device.label}: Android ${device.android} (API ${device.sdk})`);
});

Troubleshooting

Device not detected (USB)

Checklist:

USB debugging enabled on device?
USB cable supports data transfer (not charge-only)?
PC authorized on device?
Correct USB drivers installed? (Windows usually installs automatically)
Try a different USB port
Restart ADB: adb kill-server && adb start-server

Device shows as 'unauthorized'

You haven’t accepted the authorization prompt on the device:

Disconnect and reconnect USB cable
Look for the “Allow USB debugging?” prompt on the device screen
Tap Allow and optionally check “Always allow from this computer”

If the prompt doesn’t appear:

Revoke USB debugging authorizations in Developer Options
Reconnect the cable

WiFi device disconnects frequently

Common causes:

Weak WiFi signal - move device closer to router
Power saving mode - disable battery optimization for the wireless debugging service
Network switching - device may be switching between WiFi and mobile data
Router settings - check firewall or port blocking

Solutions:

Use USB for stable long-term connections
Set static IP for the Android device
Disable “Switch to mobile data” in WiFi settings

Custom name not showing

The name may not have saved:

Check device-names.json exists in the APK Extractor directory
Verify the file is valid JSON (not corrupted)
Try setting the name again
Restart APK Extractor (server or CLI)

The name should appear within seconds after saving.

Can't delete/modify saved device

For CLI:

Use [D] option in the saved devices menu

For web:

Use the delete button in the saved devices modal

Manual:

Edit devices.json and remove the device object
Or delete the entire file to clear all saved devices

Multiple devices with same name

Custom names don’t have to be unique. However, it’s recommended to use unique names to avoid confusion.If two devices share a name, they’re distinguished by:

Serial number (USB)
IP:port (WiFi)

displayed in parentheses next to the name.

Best Practices

Use Custom Names

Assign descriptive names to all devices, especially WiFi devices, for instant recognition.

Static IPs for WiFi

Configure your router to assign static IPs to devices you frequently connect wirelessly.

Keep USB Cables Handy

WiFi is convenient but USB is more stable for large operations (extracting 100+ apps).

Authorize PCs Permanently

Check “Always allow” when authorizing USB debugging to avoid repeated prompts.

Next Steps

Wireless Debugging

Complete WiFi debugging setup guide

Extracting APKs

Learn how to extract APKs from connected devices

Saved Devices Config

Understand devices.json format and management

Custom Names Feature

Deep dive into custom device naming

Device Detection

How automatic device detection works

Remote Connection

Connect to devices over the internet with Tailscale

Get Started

Guides

Features

Configuration

​Overview

​Device Types

USB Devices

WiFi Devices

​USB vs WiFi Comparison

​Detecting Devices

​Automatic Detection

​Device Information

​Switching Between Devices

​Web Interface

​CLI

​Custom Device Names

​Why Use Custom Names?

​Setting Names

​Name Storage

​Removing Names

​Connecting Devices

​USB Connection

​WiFi Connection

​Disconnecting Devices

​USB Devices

​WiFi Devices

​Saved WiFi Devices

​Quick Reconnection

​Port Expiration

​Managing Multiple Devices

​Parallel Operations (Advanced)

​Device Information Comparison

​Troubleshooting

​Best Practices

Use Custom Names

Static IPs for WiFi

Keep USB Cables Handy

Authorize PCs Permanently

​Next Steps

Wireless Debugging

Extracting APKs

Saved Devices Config

Custom Names Feature

Device Detection

Remote Connection

Build docs developers (and LLMs) love

Overview

Device Types

USB vs WiFi Comparison

Detecting Devices

Automatic Detection

Device Information

Switching Between Devices

Web Interface

CLI

Custom Device Names

Why Use Custom Names?

Setting Names

Name Storage

Removing Names

Connecting Devices

USB Connection

WiFi Connection

Disconnecting Devices

USB Devices

WiFi Devices

Saved WiFi Devices

Quick Reconnection

Port Expiration

Managing Multiple Devices

Parallel Operations (Advanced)

Device Information Comparison

Troubleshooting

Best Practices

Next Steps