How to Use ADB Sideload in Android [Stock and TWRP Recovery]

In this guide, we will show you the steps to use the ADB Sideload feature on your Android device to flash or install ZIP files in both the stock and custom recovery (TWRP). IF you are ever going to prepare a list of the most useful functionalities that you could carry out via ADB commands, the Sideload feature would definitely occupy a respectable spot in this list. This is one of the very few commands that are equally used by tech enthusiasts and general users alike. The former set of users could use it to install files when their device is booted to TWRP.

On the other hand, everyday users could use it to install official OTA updates via stock recovery. However, in spite of all the goodies involved, there is still some confusion surrounding this feature. But with this guide, you could put all these doubts to rest. Today, we will show you all the required information on how you could use the ADB Sideload feature to flash or install ZIP files in both the stock and custom recovery like TWRP. Follow along.

What is ADB Sideload in Android

ADB sideload is the feature in Android devices that allows you to directly install or flash ZIP files onto your device via a single ADB command. Its usage scenario depends on the user set, the enthusiasts mostly use it to flash mods and tweaks that come in ZIP packages. On the other hand, the general user makes use of this feature to manually install OTA updates.

However, no matter to which domain you belong, one thing stays the same- you can only install ZIP files via it. Furthermore, for the users who would be using it via TWRP, there’s another thing to keep in mind. The Sideload feature isn’t used to transfer files from your PC to your device. Rather, it will directly install the ZIP file onto your device.

If you are just looking to transfer files, then you should instead look out for other TWRP options such as Mount, MTP, among others. Likewise, the same stands true in the case of stock recovery. The OTA update file will directly be installed onto your device, without being transferred first.

So with this, we hope that you have got a decent idea regarding the adb sideload command and its importance. Let’s now check out the steps to use ADB Sideload in Android and install ZIP files in stock and TWRP Recovery. The requirements are slightly different for both these methods, so we have mentioned them in separate sections. Follow along.

How to Use ADB Sideload in Android via Stock Recovery

Before starting, please take a backup of all the data on our device. Droidwin and its members wouldn’t be held responsible in case of a thermonuclear war, your alarm doesn’t wake you up, or if anything happens to your device and data by performing the below steps to install ZIP via adb sideload and TWRP or stock recovery.

Download Android SDK Platform Tools

First and foremost, you will have to install the Android SDK Platform Tools on your PC. This is the official ADB and Fastboot binary provided by Google and is the only recommended one. So download it and then extract it to any convenient location on your PC. Doing so will give you the platform tools folder, which will be used throughout this guide.

Enable USB Debugging

Next up, you will have to enable USB Debugging so that your device is recognizable by the PC in ADB mode. This will then allow you to boot your device to Recovery Mode. So head over to Settings > About Phone > Tap on Build Number 7 times > Go back to Settings > System > Advanced > Developer Options > Enable USB Debugging.

Download Firmware/OTA

1. Next up, download the OTA/Factory Image Image for your device from your device’s official site or any trusted third-party site.
2. Once you have downloaded the firmware, transfer it to the platform tools folder on your PC.
   
3. Likewise, rename the file to update, so that the complete name becomes update.zip.
4. This renaming is done just to make the file name easier to type in Command Prompt.

Boot Device to Recovery

1. Connect your device to the PC via a USB cable. Make sure USB Debugging is enabled.
2. Then head over to the platform-tools folder, type in CMD in the address bar, and hit Enter. This will launch the Command Prompt.
3. After that, type in the following command in the CMD window to boot your device to the stock recovery

   adb reboot recovery

4. Your Pixel 8/Pro will now boot to the No Command screen.
   
5. To exit this screen, press and hold the Power Button and while doing, so press and release the Volume Up key and then release the Power key as well. You will now be taken to the stock recovery.
   

Use ADB Sideload to Manually Install OTA Update

1. Once your device boots to stock recovery, use the Volume keys to select the “Apply Update from ADB” option and press the Power key to confirm.
   
2. You should now see a message along the following lines on your device:
   
3. Now head over to the platform-tools folder, type in CMD in the address bar, and hit Enter. This will launch the Command Prompt.
4. Type in the following command in the CMD window to verify the ADB Sideload Connection:

   adb devices

   

5. If you get the sideload keyword in the Command Prompt, then the connection stands successful and you may proceed ahead.
6. So go to the CMD window (that you have opened inside platform-tools) and type in the below command to install the file:

   adb sideload update.zip

   

7. In the above command, update.zip is the name of the file to be flashed (rename it accordingly, if needed). The installation process shall now begin and could take a few minutes.
8. Once done, use the Volume keys to select the Reboot System Now option and press the Power key to confirm it.

That’s it, your device will now boot to the newly installed update. So these were the steps to use the ADB sideload command in the stock recovery. Let’s now turn our attention towards the usage of this adb sideload feature in the custom development field i.e. TWRP Recovery.

How to Use ADB Sideload in TWRP Recovery

While the usage of Sideload in TWRP is also limited to flashing ZIP files, but in this instance, this file takes a broader approach. As opposed to stock recovery usage where the ZIP was treated as a firmware update file, here a ZIP file could mold into various scenarios. For example, it could be a Magisk Module or even a Custom ROM. With that said, it is still recommended to use the Install feature of TWRP, unless stated by the developer to strictly use Sideload.

Install Android SDK Platform Tools

First and foremost, you will have to install the Android SDK Platform Tools on your PC. This is the official ADB and Fastboot binary provided by Google and is the only recommended one. So download it and then extract it to any convenient location on your PC. Doing so will give you the platform tools folder, which will be used throughout this guide.

Unlock the Bootloader

Next up, you will have to unlock the device’s bootloader (this is the first prerequisite for installing a custom recovery like TWRP). Do keep in mind that doing so will wipe off all the data from your device and might also make the warranty null and void. So if that’s well and good, then refer to our guide to Unlock the Bootloader of Any Android Device.

Install TWRP Recovery

Next up, you will also have to install TWRP Recovery on your Android device. To do so, there are two different approaches- you could either temporarily install TWRP for one-time usage or permanently install it. Here are the instructions for both:

• Temporary Installation How to Boot into TWRP Recovery
• Permanent Installation: How to Install TWRP Recovery on Android

Boot Android Device to TWRP Recovery

1. Connect your device to the PC via USB cable. Make sure USB Debugging is enabled.
2. Then head over to the platform-tools folder, type in CMD in the address bar, and hit Enter. This will launch the Command Prompt.
3. Type in the following command in the CMD window:

   adb reboot recovery

   

4. Your device will now boot to the TWRP Recovery. You may now proceed to the next step to flash the required ZIP file via adb sideload and TWRP.

Root your device [Optional, Depends on the File Type]

This is an optional step and depends on the type of ZIP files that you are going to flash via adb sideload and TWRP. If it’s a custom ROM, then you don’t need to root your device. On the other hand, if you are planning to flash a Magisk module or any related mods, then rooting is a must. For this, you may refer to our following guides:

• How to Root Android Devices via TWRP Recovery
• Root Android Devices Without TWRP Recovery
• How to Root any MediaTek ARMv8 Device
• Root Spreadtrum Devices via Magisk Patched boot.img
• Root any MediaTek Device on Locked Bootloader

Install ZIP via TWRP ADB Sideload

1. First off, transfer the required ZIP file to the platform-tools folder on your PC.
2. Furthermore, rename it to something shorter, say mod.zip so that it becomes easier to type in the CMD window.
3. Likewise, type in CMD in this folder’s address bar to open Command Prompt.
4. Now from the TWRP’s home screen, go to Advanced and select ADB Sideload.
   
5. Then perform a right swipe on the Swipe to Start Sideload button situated at the bottom.
6. After this, go to the CMD window and type in the below command, and hit Enter.

   adb sideload mod.zip

7. In the above command, mod.zip is the name of the file being flashed via TWRP.
8. Once the flashing is complete, you may reboot the device to OS via the Reboot > System option in TWRP.

How to Use ADB SIdeload in AOSP Recovery

Nowadays, most of the custom ROMs comes with their own recovery as well [such as LineageOS, Pixel Experience, etc]. Likewise, the developers the develoeprs recommend you to flash their ROM using their recovery only. However, these recoveries doesn’t have the Install options, instead you’ll have to use the Sideload feature. The steps for that are near about same to what we have discussed above, but just for reference, here’s what it looks like:

1. From the Pixel Experience Recovery, go to Apply Update > Apply from ADB.
2. Then head over to the platform-tools folder, type in CMD in the address bar, and hit Enter.
3. This will launch the Command Prompt. So type in the below command to flash the ROM file via Sideload:

   adb sideload rom.zip

   

4. The process will now begin and once done, you shall get the Total xfer: 1.00x message [Got an error? See FAQ below].
   
5. Now go back to the home screen of the recovery and select Reboot System Now. Your device will now boot to the newly installed OS.
   

That’s it, the process stands complete. So with this, we conclude the guide on how to use the adb sideload command on both the stock as well as custom TWRP Recovery on your Android device. If you have any queries concerning the aforementioned steps, do let us know in the comments. We will get back to you with a solution at the earliest.