adb-forward

Forward a TCP port to the only connected emulator or device

$ adb forward tcp:[local_port] tcp:[remote_port]

$ adb -s [device_ID] forward tcp:[local_port] tcp:[remote_port]

$ adb forward --list

$ adb forward --remove tcp:[local_port]

$ adb forward --remove-all

adb forward [--list | --kill | --remove local | --no-rebind] [local] [remote]

--list
    List all active port forwards.

--kill
    Remove all port forwards.

--remove local
    Remove specific forward by local specifier (e.g., tcp:8080).

--no-rebind
    Forward without rebinding if port already in use.

local
    Host-side specifier: tcp:port, localabstract:name, localreserved:name, local:shellcmd, devicename:name.

remote
    Device-side specifier: tcp:port, localabstract:name, localreserved:name, jdwp:pid.

adb forward is a key subcommand of the Android Debug Bridge (ADB) tool, used to create port forwarding tunnels from the host machine to an Android device or emulator. This allows developers to access services running on the device via localhost ports on the host, ideal for testing web apps, APIs, or debug servers without public exposure.

For instance, forwarding a device's HTTP server on port 8080 to the host's port 8080 enables browsing http://localhost:8080 in a host browser, which proxies to the device. Tunnels remain active until removed, adb restart, or disconnection.

It supports flexible socket specifiers: TCP ports (tcp:port), Unix abstract/reserved sockets (localabstract:name, localreserved:name), shell commands (local:command), device names (devicename:name), or JDWP processes (jdwp:pid for remote only). Use --no-rebind to reuse existing binds. Management options like --list, --remove, and --kill provide control.

Requires USB debugging enabled, authorized device, and adb server running. Essential for mobile development workflows.

Forwards lost on device reboot, adb restart, or disconnect. Host ports must be free. Some specifiers require device permissions. TCP packet size optional via tcp:port/packetsize. Not for production; use VPNs for secure tunnels.

adb forward tcp:8080 tcp:8080
Access device port 8080 via host localhost:8080.
adb forward tcp:5005 jdwp:1234
Forward JDWP debugger.
adb forward --list
adb forward --kill

localany:packetsize binds any host port.
localreserved:name for filesystem Unix sockets.
Remote jdwp:pid for app debugging.

Introduced in Android SDK Platform-Tools ~2007 with Android 1.0. Evolved for better socket support; maintained by Google AOSP for developer tools.

adb(1), adb reverse, socat(1), nc(1)