Getting started

Install Install Dock on your computer, connect an Android device over USB, and deploy an APK from Targets.

Follow these steps in order. All processing stays on your computer — confirm every mutating action before it runs.

Download for desktop

1. Install the desktop app

  1. Download the installer for your operating system from the Download page.
  2. Run the installer and open Install Dock from your applications menu or desktop.
  3. On first launch, read the privacy notice — processing stays on this computer.
  4. No account or network connection is required to operate the app.

2. Prepare ADB

  1. Ensure adb is on your PATH, bundled next to the app, or set explicitly in Settings → Advanced Mode.
  2. Confirm the ADB daemon can start on localhost (127.0.0.1:5037).
  3. On Windows, install OEM USB drivers if the device is not detected.

3. Enable USB debugging

  1. On the Android device, open Developer options and enable USB debugging.
  2. Connect a USB data cable — charge-only cables will not work.
  3. Accept the RSA fingerprint prompt on the device when prompted.
  4. In Install Dock, open Targets and confirm the device shows Connected.

4. Deploy an APK from Targets

  1. Open Targets, pick the USB device from the dropdown, and add a local APK (file picker or drag-and-drop).
  2. Review parsed metadata: package name, versionCode, SHA-256 prefix, and operation badge.
  3. Review preflight findings (PASS / INFO / WARNING / BLOCKING) before you confirm.
  4. Confirm device, package, operation, and hash before proceeding.
  5. For downgrades, complete the second confirmation when prompted.
  6. Verify the installed versionCode on the device matches your expectation.

5. Inspect & read data

  1. Use Targets to browse installed apps and local builds for the selected device.
  2. Use Read data to browse that app’s allowed storage — exports and deletes require confirmation.
  3. Privacy Mode redacts serials and paths until you choose to reveal them.

6. Open View device (optional)

  1. With a Connected USB Android target selected, open View device from the Targets header or device card.
  2. Use the local mirror for tap, swipe, and keyboard input on that serial only.
  3. See the View device guide for quality presets, gestures, and drop-APK install.

7. When to use Diagnostics

  1. Open Diagnostics if the device will not appear, stays Unauthorized, or installs fail unexpectedly.
  2. Run ADB Doctor and review target health probes before blaming the APK.
  3. Restart the local ADB server only when Doctor recommends it — USB drivers are not rewritten for you.

Next: View device guide · Honest limits · Advanced Mode

Common issues

  • Device shows Unauthorized

    Revoke USB debugging authorizations on the device, reconnect, and accept the RSA prompt.

  • Install fails on POS hardware

    The app uses adb install --no-streaming and falls back to push + pm install when needed.

  • Empty private app folders

    Expected on production builds without Install Dock Data Bridge and All files access — not a bypass target.

  • Session shows Interrupted

    USB disconnect or timeout ended the session honestly. Verify the installed version before confirming another mutating action.