How to See Sqlite Database on Android Studio

Android Studio is a powerful integrated development environment (IDE) used by developers to build Android applications. One important aspect of app development is working with a database to store and retrieve data. SQLite is a popular choice for this purpose as it is lightweight and easy to integrate into Android applications. However, as a developer, you may wonder how to view the SQLite database while debugging your app in Android Studio. In this blog post, we will explore different methods to see the SQLite database on Android Studio and provide step-by-step instructions for each method.

Video Tutorial:

What’s Needed

Before we dive into the methods, there are a few prerequisites that you need to have in order to follow along.

1. Android Studio: Make sure you have the latest version of Android Studio installed on your machine. You can download it from the official Android Studio website.

2. Project Setup: You need to have an Android project set up in Android Studio that includes SQLite database functionality. If you don’t have an existing project, you can create a new one or use a sample project.

3. Emulator or Physical Device: You will need either an Android emulator or a physical Android device to run and debug your application.

Now that we have the necessary tools and setup, let’s move on to the methods to view the SQLite database in Android Studio.

What Requires Your Focus?

To view the SQLite database in Android Studio, you need to understand the file structure of an Android application and know where the database file is stored. The SQLite database file (.db) is created and stored in the internal storage of the application. By default, each Android application has its own private internal storage space, which can only be accessed by the application itself. Therefore, to view the database, we need to find a way to access this internal storage.

There are multiple methods to achieve this, and we will explore four different methods in this blog post:

1. Using Device File Explorer
2. Using ADB Shell Commands
3. Using Stetho Library
4. Using SQLite Database Browser

Now, let’s dive into each method and learn how to view the SQLite database in Android Studio step-by-step.

Method 1. How to See SQLite Database via Device File Explorer

Using the Device File Explorer in Android Studio, we can access the internal storage of our application and view or download the SQLite database file.

1. Open your Android project in Android Studio.
2. Connect your emulator or physical device to your computer.
3. Click on the "Device File Explorer" tab on the right side of the Android Studio IDE.
4. Navigate to the path `/data/data/{package_name}/databases/`. Replace `{package_name}` with your application’s package name.
5. Find the SQLite database file with the .db extension.
6. Right-click on the file and choose "Save As…" to download a copy of the database file to your local machine.

Method 2. How to See SQLite Database via ADB Shell Commands

ADB (Android Debug Bridge) is a command-line tool that allows communication between your computer and an Android device/emulator. Using ADB Shell commands, we can access the device’s internal storage and view the SQLite database file.

1. Open a terminal or command prompt on your computer.
2. Navigate to the directory where the ADB tool is located. This is usually in the Android SDK platform-tools folder.
3. Connect your device or emulator to your computer.
4. Run the command `adb devices` to verify that your device is recognized by ADB.
5. Run the command `adb shell` to open the ADB Shell.
6. Run the command `cd data/data/{package_name}/databases/`. Replace `{package_name}` with your application’s package name.
7. Run the command `sqlite3 {database_name}.db` to access the SQLite database. Replace `{database_name}` with the name of your database file.
8. Use SQLite commands such as `.tables`, `.schema`, and `SELECT` to inspect the database structure and query data.

Method 3. How to See SQLite Database Using Stetho Library

Stetho is a powerful debug bridge for Android applications developed by Facebook. It provides a Chrome Developer Tools interface to inspect and debug various aspects of an app, including the SQLite database.

1. Add the Stetho dependency to your app’s build.gradle file:

"`groovy
dependencies {
// Other dependencies
debugImplementation ‘com.facebook.stetho:stetho:1.5.1’
debugImplementation ‘com.facebook.stetho:stetho-okhttp:1.5.1’
}
"`

2. Initialize Stetho in your Application class or in your debug build variant:

"`java
import com.facebook.stetho.Stetho;

public class MyApplication extends Application {

@Override
public void onCreate() {
super.onCreate();
Stetho.initializeWithDefaults(this);
}
}
"`

3. Run your application in debug mode.
4. Open Google Chrome browser on your computer.
5. Go to `chrome://inspect` in the address bar.
6. Under the "Devices" section, you should see your connected device or emulator.
7. Click on the "inspect" button next to your app’s name.
8. In the Chrome Developer Tools window, navigate to the "Resources" tab.
9. Expand the "Web SQL" or "IndexedDB" section to find your SQLite database.
10. Click on the database file to view its tables and data.

Method 4. How to See SQLite Database Using SQLite Database Browser

SQLite Database Browser is a standalone application that allows you to browse and edit SQLite database files. It provides an intuitive and user-friendly interface to view and manipulate the database.

1. Download SQLite Database Browser from the official website: https://sqlitebrowser.org/
2. Install the application on your computer.
3. Open the SQLite Database Browser.
4. In Android Studio, navigate to the path `/data/data/{package_name}/databases/`. Replace `{package_name}` with your application’s package name.
5. Copy the SQLite database file with the .db extension to your computer.
6. Open the SQLite database file using the SQLite Database Browser.
7. Explore the tables, schema, and data in the database using the GUI interface.

Why Can’t I See My SQLite Database?

There could be various reasons why you can’t see your SQLite database while trying to debug your app in Android Studio. Let’s explore some common reasons and their fixes:

1. Incorrect Database Name: Make sure you are using the correct name for your database file. Double-check the file name and its extension (.db).

2. Database Not Created: Ensure that your application is creating the SQLite database and performing necessary operations to populate it with data. Verify your database creation code and data insertion logic.

3. Device Not Connected: Make sure your Android device or emulator is properly connected to your computer via USB. Check whether the device is recognized by running the `adb devices` command in the terminal.

4. Permission Issues: Ensure that your app has the necessary permissions to access and write to the internal storage. Add the required permissions in your app’s AndroidManifest.xml file.

If you have addressed the above issues and still can’t see your SQLite database, consider seeking help from the Android developer community or checking the official documentation for troubleshooting tips specific to your situation.

Implications and Recommendations

Based on our exploration of different methods to view the SQLite database in Android Studio, here are some implications and recommendations:

1. Choose the Right Method: Depending on your specific use case and requirements, select the method that best suits your needs. Consider factors such as ease of use, real-time updates, debugging capabilities, and the need for external tools or libraries.

2. Secure Your Database: Ensure that your app’s SQLite database is properly secured, especially if it contains sensitive user data. Implement encryption, obfuscation, or other security measures to protect the data stored in the database.

3. Use Debug-Specific Tools: Leverage debug-specific tools like Stetho, Android Debug Bridge (ADB), and Device File Explorer to gain deeper insights into your app’s database during the development and debugging phase. Remember to remove or disable these debug-specific tools in the production build to prevent unauthorized access.

4. Follow Best Practices: Follow best practices for database design, query optimization, and data manipulation to ensure efficient and reliable performance. Avoid unnecessary complexity, optimize your database schema, and use appropriate indexes and constraints.

5. Continuous Testing: Perform regular testing of your SQLite database operations to identify any potential issues or performance bottlenecks. Automate testing wherever possible to ensure consistent and reliable results.

6. Backup and Recovery: Implement backup and recovery mechanisms for your app’s SQLite database to prevent data loss in case of device failure, app updates, or other unforeseen circumstances. Consider integrating cloud-based backup solutions or implementing custom backup strategies.

5 FAQs about Viewing SQLite Database in Android Studio

Q1: Can I view the SQLite database on a physical Android device?

A: Yes, you can view the SQLite database on a physical Android device by following the same methods mentioned in this blog post. Ensure that you have the necessary permissions and access to the internal storage of the device.

Q2: Are there any limitations when using the Device File Explorer method?

A: The Device File Explorer method is limited to debugging and development purposes. In some cases, you may not have access to the database file due to restricted permissions or security measures applied by the device manufacturer or app distributor.

Q3: Can I update or modify the database when using the Stetho method?

A: Yes, you can update or modify the database in real-time using the Stetho method. Stetho provides a powerful interface to inspect and modify the database content during the debugging process.

Q4: Is it possible to view the SQLite database of a released/published app?

A: Generally, accessing the SQLite database of a released app is not possible due to security and privacy concerns. The methods mentioned in this blog post are primarily for debugging and development purposes.

Q5: Can I use the SQLite Database Browser method on a Mac or Linux machine?

A: Yes, the SQLite Database Browser is available for multiple platforms, including Mac and Linux. You can download and install the appropriate version for your operating system.

Final Words

Being able to view the SQLite database during Android app development is essential for debugging and troubleshooting purposes. In this blog post, we explored four different methods to view the SQLite database in Android Studio: using the Device File Explorer, ADB Shell commands, Stetho library, and SQLite Database Browser. Each method has its own pros and cons, and the choice depends on your specific requirements and preferences.

Remember to follow best practices for database management, security, and optimization to ensure the smooth functioning and performance of your app. Enjoy exploring and manipulating your app’s SQLite database while building amazing Android applications!