1. System Logs: Contains information about Android OS processes as well as services.
2. Application Logs: Records application usage through application logs to track both errors and app debugging reports.
3. Radio Logs: Provides network-related log monitoring for cellular, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth events.
4. Kernel Logs: Offers hardware status together with device drivers and low-level system information.
Android Log Viewer: Get & View Android Logs Easily
A case to explain why Android logs are important: A retail chain relies on Android tablets for point-of-sale systems. Employees report frequent freezing during transactions, leading to customer dissatisfaction. By accessing Android crash logs, the IT team discovers that a recent app update is causing compatibility issues. They promptly roll back the update, restoring functionality and minimizing downtime.
There are many Android logs viewer for IT teams to manage Android devices, troubleshoot issues by getting crash logs from android device, optimize performance, and maintain the highest possible security measures. In this guide, we will delve into two best methods to get and view Android logs:
Method 1: Android Debug Bridge (ADB) – View android system logs in real-time from PC through command lines.
Method 2: Third-Party Solutions – Software or services provided by external vendors can also display log information remotely.
Compared | Method 1: Android Debug Bridge (ADB) | Method 2: Third Pary Solution - MDM |
|---|---|---|
| Operation Difficulty | Complex, requires command-line knowledge and familiarity with ADB, Logcat, etc. | Simple, zero learning curve, accessible to all users |
| Advantages | Lightweight, highly flexible, no additional dependencies | Remote-friendly, unified management platform, multi-device monitoring, feature-rich |
1What are Android Logs?
Android logs serve as comprehensive records maintained by your Android device's operating system. They are continuously updated with critical information about events, issues, and debugged data.
What Valuable Information Can Be Extracted from Android Logs?
With an android log viewer, various infos can be extracted:
- Stack Traces: Stack traces helps pinpoint the exact location and cause of application crashes or exceptions.
- App Flow: Logs allow developers to track the flow of their application and identify potential logical errors or unexpected behaviors.
- Network Activity: Logs can show network-related information, helping diagnose connectivity issues or data transmission problems.
- System Events: System logs provide insights into various device events, such as battery status, screen rotation, and hardware changes.
Analyzing Android logs is essential
- Debugging and Troubleshooting: Developers can use information gathered from logs to troubleshoot problems like crashes, errors, and unusual behavior in their software.
- Performance Optimization: Developers can improve their programmes' efficiency by analyzing logs for signs of performance obstacles, leaks of memory, or excessive resource utilization.
- Security and Privacy: Logs can reveal potential security vulnerabilities and instances of logging sensitive user data, ensuring proper handling and redaction of such information.
Method 1 : Android Debug Bridge (ADB)
For those who want to get logs from android device, Android Debug Bridge (ADB) is a potent command-line tool within the Android SDK. It allows seamless interaction with Android devices and emulators from a computer, offering real-time logging with LogCat, app installation, file system access, and device interaction through the command line. ADB proves indispensable during app development, debugging, and testing processes. It also empowers advanced users to undertake tasks like rooting devices and installing custom ROMs.
Prerequisites for viewing log files on android deviceA Windows, Mac, or Linux PC with ADB installed (Download ADB). A USB cable to connect your Android device to the PC. Enable USB Debugging on the Android device.
Step 1.Download and Extract the Android SDK Platform Tools
Visit the official Android Developer Platform Tools page. And download the SDK Platform Tools for Windows.
Locate the downloaded ZIP file and extract it to a folder.
Step 2. Add ADB to System Path
This step is optional, but recommended— it allows running ADB commands from any location in the command prompt without navigating to the installation folder.
Press Win + R, type sysdm.cpl, and hit Enter.
Click the Advanced tab → Click Environment Variables.
Under User Variables, find and select Path, then click Edit.
Click New and enter the path of platform-tools. Then, click OK and restart your computer.
Step 3. Verify ADB Installation
Open Command Prompt and type: adb version.
- If ADB is installed correctly, you should see output like: Android Debug Bridge version X.X.X
- If ADB is not recognized, recheck the Path variable and restart your PC.
Step 4. Enable Developer Mode & USB Debugging
Open Settings on your Android device. Scroll down and tap About Phone. Find Build Number and tap it 7 times until you see “You are now a developer!”.
Go back to Settings, then Developer Options. Enable USB Debugging.
Step 5. Connect Your Device to the PC
Plug the Android device into the PC using a USB cable. On your phone, a pop-up might ask, "Allow USB Debugging?" → Tap Allow.
Open Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (Mac/Linux) on your PC.
Step 6. Verify ADB Connection
In the command prompt or terminal, type: adb devices.
Note : You should see a list of connected devices with an identifier.If no device appears, check your USB connection and drivers.
Step 7. Start Viewing Android Logs
Run the following command: adb logcat. You will see real-time logs scrolling in the terminal.
If you need to filter logs by level:
IT staff members utilize filtering abilities to extract seminal log data through different priority levels of Android logs.
Important Warnings & Notes for viewing Android logs
- 1.ADB Must Be Enabled On Your Phone: If your device does not appear, ensure that the USB Debugging option is enabled, and if prompted, tap ‘Allow.’
- 2. Installation of Device Drivers may be required: If your device is not detected, then install the necessary USB drivers provided by your device manufacturer.
- 3. Log Output Can Be Overwhelming: Only errors should be displayed using filtering (adb logcat *: E).
- 4. Permission Problems: Some logs can be unavailable due to the security features of the Android operating system.
- 5. Logs May Contain Sensitive Information: Be careful when sharing log output with others, as it may detail sensitive information regarding your Android device.
Before sharing, manually review logs and remove any private details. Use filtering (adb logcat *:E) to limit logs to critical errors and only share logs with trusted developers or IT professionals.
Understanding LogCat: Logcat is a system intergrated log viewer and debugging tool embedded within ADB. It captures real-time log messages from the Android OS and apps on a device, making it an invaluable resource for developers to identify bugs and exceptions during app development. App testers and quality assurance teams also rely on LogCat to capture logs for detailed bug reports, assisting developers in reproducing and resolving issues accurately.
Method 2 : Third-party Solutions to Get Logs from Android Device
Third-party solutions, like mobile device management (MDM) and enterprise mobility management (EMM), refer to software or services external vendors provide that help organizations, businesses, and IT administrators remotely manage, monitor, and secure mobile devices within their network.
By leveraging third-party solutions, organizations can streamline workflows, enforce compliance, and protect sensitive data.
Step 1. Select an MDM Solution
Find a reliable MDM software vendor, such as AirDroid Business, that can cater to your business' specific requirements. Think about things like functionality, scalability, security, and Android device compatibility.
Step 2. Sign Up and Set Up the MDM Account
Create an account on the preferred MDM platform. Set up your company's profile in accordance with the provider's guidelines.
Step 3. Enroll Android Devices
Enrolling Android devices in AirDroid Business is effortless. There are several options, including QR code, deployment code, Android Enterprise, zero-touch, and connecting via a USB cable.
Step 4. View Android Logs
After enrollment, viewing the Android logs is seamless. Simply remote into the required device and access the logs from internal storage.
Take Advantage of AirDroid for Business’s Other Features
AirDroid Business effectively handles basic log tracking since it retrieves error reports from Android devices automatically. Through automated error report retrieval, RD teams can spot essential error details without manual efforts. The IT team can save debugging time because this feature shows only essential logs while hiding an excessive amount of data that does not aid investigation processes.
AirDroid Business also helps you check how your Android devices perform, including data, battery and RAM usage, and device info like Wi-Fi address, location, and network. IT teams can conduct remote device monitoring to troubleshoot issues, send out notifications, and update or remove apps.
FAQs About Viewing Android Logs
What are the types of Android logs?
Where are Android logs saved?
By default Android stores all logs in the system memory before they are deleted from the device storage. The data retrieval occurs from the following sources:
1. Logcat (ADB Command): Logs are kept for a short time and can be obtained by using: adb logcat
2. System Log Files Location(for Rooted Devices): "/var/log" or "/data/log"
3. App-Specific Logs: Some applications log information and store it in the application data directory (e.g. /data/data//files/).
1. Logcat (ADB Command): Logs are kept for a short time and can be obtained by using: adb logcat
2. System Log Files Location(for Rooted Devices): "/var/log" or "/data/log"
3. App-Specific Logs: Some applications log information and store it in the application data directory (e.g. /data/data/
How to use logcat to investigate crash reports on Android?
To debug crashes, look for relevant log messages in Logcat by searching for specific words:
1. To log the messages, use the following command: adb logcat *:E
2. Pay attention to the crash-related keywords: Fatal > Crash > AndroidRuntime > Exception > Error
3. Use the adb bugreport command to create a comprehensive report: adb bugreport bugreport.zip
4. Open the bug report and look for FATAL EXCEPTION to identify the source of the problem.
1. To log the messages, use the following command: adb logcat *:E
2. Pay attention to the crash-related keywords: Fatal > Crash > AndroidRuntime > Exception > Error
3. Use the adb bugreport command to create a comprehensive report: adb bugreport bugreport.zip
4. Open the bug report and look for FATAL EXCEPTION to identify the source of the problem.
What types of valuable information can be found in Android logs?
Android logs provide valuable information such as stack traces to pinpoint application crashes or exceptions, app flow tracking to identify logical errors or unexpected behaviors, network activity details to diagnose connectivity or data transmission issues, and system events insights like battery status, screen rotation, and hardware changes.
How Long Android Logs Can Be Saved For?
Android logs are stored in a circular buffer with no fixed time period. Instead, they get overwritten as new ones are generated and if the buffer is full. Logs can also be cleared every time the device is rebooted. If the logs need to be saved indefinitely, they’re best copied/pasted into text files.
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