Browse the filesystem of a running Android emulator (or connected device) directly inside Visual Studio - no need to launch Android Studio just to look at files, no annoying command line "pull" to get files, just do it right inside Visual Studio in a standard VS window pane which you can place anywhere in your layout.
Features
📱 Live device browsing - Connect to any running emulator or USB-connected device via ADB
📂 Full filesystem access - Browse the complete directory tree of your device
⬇️ Download files & folders - Copy individual files or recursively download entire folders to your drive
📝 Open in VS - Double-click a file on your device to extract it and open it via Windows' default file extension handler
🔌 Multiple device support - Switch between connected emulators and devices from the toolbar dropdown
🛡️ Root support - Optionally use adb root for full filesystem access
Getting Started
Install the extension via the Visual Studio Marketplace
Connect a device - start an Android emulator or connect a physical device with USB debugging enabled
Open the tool window - Tools → Android Emulator File Browser
Select your device from the phone icon dropdown in the toolbar
Browse - double-click folders to explore, double-click files to open them
Requirements
Visual Studio 2022 or 2026 (Community, Professional, or Enterprise)
Android SDK platform-tools (adb.exe) available on your PATH or in the standard SDK location
A running Android emulator or connected device with USB debugging enabled
FAQ / Troubleshooting
Issue
Solution
Device not detected
Ensure ADB is in your PATH, or click the Scan button. Run adb devices from a terminal to verify connectivity.
"ADB not found"
Install Android SDK platform-tools, or add the path to adb.exe to your system PATH.
"Device offline"
Check USB debugging is enabled on your device and accept the RSA key authorisation prompt.
"Permission denied"
The app will attempt adb root automatically. If your device does not support root, files in protected directories will not be accessible.
Extension not appearing
Open View → Other Windows → Android Emulator File Browser. If missing, reinstall the extension.
Privacy
This extension communicates only with your locally attached Android devices via the Android Debug Bridge (ADB). No data is sent to any external server. Settings are stored locally in %AppData%\AndroidFileBrowser\config.json.
