ADB root is not working on emulator (cannot run as root in production builds)
adb, android, android-emulator, root
Solution
To enable root access: Pick an emulator system image that is NOT labelled "Google Play". (The label text and other UI details vary by Android Studio version.)
Exception: As of 2020-10-08, the Release R "Android TV" system image will not run as root. Workaround: Use the Release Q (API level 29) Android TV system image instead.
Test it: Launch the emulator, then run `adb root`. It should say
- `restarting adbd as root`
or
- `adbd is already running as root`
not
- `adbd cannot run as root in production builds`
Alternate test: Run `adb shell`, and if the prompt ends with `$`, run `su`. It should show a `#` prompt.
Steps: To install and use an emulator image that can run as root:
- In Android Studio, use the menu command Tools > AVD Manager.
- Click the + Create Virtual Device... button.
- Select the virtual Hardware, and click Next.
- Select a System Image.
- Pick any image that does NOT say "(Google Play)" in the Target column.
- If you depend on Google APIs (Google Sign In, Google Fit, etc.), pick an image marked with "(Google APIs)".
- You might have to switch from the "Recommended" group to the "x86 Images" or "Other Images" group to find one.
- Click the Download button if needed.
- Finish creating your new AVD.
- Tip: Start the AVD Name with the API level number so the list of Virtual Devices will sort by API level.
- Launch your new AVD. (You can click the green "play" triangle in the AVD window.
[Credit belongs to @Merk but this should be posted as an answer rather than a comment.]
Problem
I have just updated emulator 26.0.3, now I cannot run `adb root` command for new created emulator. the error shown is below: `adbd cannot run as root in production builds` I have killed and restart `adbd` like: ``` adb kill-server adb devices ``` Nothing helps, any ideas? I am not sure what is the difference and how to select different build but, if following settings are enabled while creating, then it has root.