You can use CLI with ADB to connect to and control Android cloud phones from your terminal. This helps you run commands, automate workflows, and manage cloud phones without relying only on manual actions in the app.

ADB (Android Debug Bridge) is a tool that lets your computer communicate with an Android device. In Multilogin, you can use ADB with cloud phones running Android 11 or later.

Step 1: launch CLI

Open CLI before you start working with cloud phones. You can open it from the app folder or your computer terminal. Follow the article for more details: How to start working with CLI. Also look for the following article: How to use CLI commands for cloud phones.

Step 2: log in to authenticate

To get your API token, log in to your account using the login command. Select your OS and follow the instructions below.

Windows

1. Paste this prompt to log in: 

   xcli login --username 'your username' --password 'your password'

2. Replace values of the flags  (--username and --password) with your email and password

 

 

macOS

1. Paste this prompt to log in: 

   ./xcli login --username 'your username' --password 'your password'

2. Replace values of the flags  (--username and --password) with your email and password

 

 

Linux

1. Paste this prompt to log in: 

   ./xcli login --username 'your username' --password 'your password'

2. Replace values of the flags  (--username and --password) with your email and password

 

 

Step 3: type the command and flags

1. Copy the ID of your cloud phone, you can find it via the following command:
   1. Windows:
      

      cli mobile-profiles-phone-list

   2. macOS/Linux:
      

      ./xcli mobile-profiles-phone-list

2. Launch the profile:
   1. Windows:
      

      cli mobile-phone-launch <ID>

   2. macOS/Linux:
      

      ./xcli mobile-phone-launch <ID>

mobile-profiles-phone-start

3. After the cloud phone has finished loading, enable ADB for the cloud phone:
   1. Windows:
      

      cli mobile-profiles-adb-set --ids <ID> --enable

   2. macOS/Linux:
      

      ./xcli mobile-profiles-adb-set --ids <ID> --enable

4. Type the following command to copy info for ADB access via terminal:
   1. Windows:
      

      cli mobile-profiles-adb-info --ids <ID>

   2. macOS/Linux:
      

      ./xcli mobile-profiles-adb-info --ids <ID>

Save the IP, port, and pwd values. You will need them to connect through ADB.

Step 4: connect from your terminal

Copy the values from the previous step and use them with the commands below.

1. Copy the connection command – it'll look like this: 

   adb connect IP:port

2. Run the command in the terminal – you’ll see a message: connected to IP:port
3. Copy the authentication command – it'll look like this:

   adb -s IP:port shell glogin pwd

4. Run the command in the terminal – you’ll see a message: glogin success

After authentication, you can run ADB commands on your cloud phone. If you work with several cloud phones at the same time, always include this part: -s IP:port. 

FAQ

Why cannot I connect to ADB?

Check that:

• Your cloud phone is running
• The Android version is 11 or later
• You enabled ADB for this phone

Does ADB work after I stop my cloud phone?

No. ADB disconnects automatically when the cloud phone stops.

Can I control multiple cloud phones?

Yes. Add -s IP:port to your commands to select a specific cloud phone.

• Learn more about CLI commands: How to use CLI commands for cloud phones
• Learn how to automate cloud phone workflows: How to automate Pinterest posting on cloud phones with Appium