# hdc command guide: connect, install apps and debug OpenHarmony devices

> hdc (OpenHarmony Device Connector) is the command-line tool for connecting to and debugging OpenHarmony and HarmonyOS devices. Common commands for devices, apps, files, logs and ports.

Source: https://ohosify.com/en/blog/hdc-command-guide
Published: 2026-10-01

**Short answer:** hdc (OpenHarmony Device Connector) is the command-line tool for connecting to and debugging OpenHarmony and HarmonyOS devices or emulators. It does what adb does on Android: list devices, install apps, move files, open a shell and read logs.

## What is hdc?

hdc has three parts:

- **Client:** runs on your computer and executes the commands you type in a terminal or from an IDE.
- **Server:** a background process on your computer that manages communication between the client and the device, including connection multiplexing and data transfer.
- **Daemon:** runs on the device and handles requests from the client.

## Where do I get hdc?

hdc is packaged in the SDK. DevEco Studio includes it in the SDK's `toolchains` directory (for example `.../sdk/default/openharmony/toolchains`). Add that directory to your `PATH` to run `hdc` from any terminal. The source code is in the [developtools_hdc repository](https://gitcode.com/openharmony/developtools_hdc).

Check that it works:

```
hdc -v
```

## What are the most useful hdc commands?

### Devices

```
hdc list targets        # list connected devices
hdc list targets -v     # list with details (connection type, state)
```

### Install and remove apps

```
hdc install path/to/app.hap     # install a package
hdc uninstall com.example.app   # remove an app by bundle name
```

### Transfer files

```
hdc file send <local-path> <device-path>   # computer -> device
hdc file recv <device-path> <local-path>   # device -> computer
```

### Shell and app management

```
hdc shell                                  # interactive shell on the device
hdc shell bm dump -a                       # list all installed bundles
hdc shell bm dump -n <bundle-name>         # details of one bundle
hdc shell aa start -a <ability> -b <bundle>   # start an ability
hdc shell aa force-stop <bundle>              # force-stop an app
```

### Logs

```
hdc hilog               # stream device logs
```

### Port forwarding

```
hdc fport tcp:<local-port> tcp:<device-port>   # forward a computer port to the device
hdc fport ls                                    # list forward rules
hdc rport tcp:<device-port> tcp:<local-port>    # reverse forwarding (device -> computer)
```

### Server control

```
hdc kill                # stop the hdc server
hdc start -r            # restart the server
```

## Why does hdc not show my device?

1. Make sure developer mode and USB debugging are enabled on the device, and use a data-capable USB cable.
2. Run `hdc list targets`. An empty result means that no device is connected or authorized.
3. Restart the server with `hdc kill` and then `hdc start -r`.
4. Check that only one version of hdc is on your `PATH`, because several SDKs installed on one machine can cause version conflicts.
5. Reconnect the device and run `hdc list targets` again.

## Next steps

- [Your first ArkTS app](/en/blog/first-arkts-app)
- [How to install DevEco Studio](/en/blog/install-deveco-studio)
- Official hdc documentation: [HUAWEI Developers](https://developer.huawei.com/consumer/cn/doc/harmonyos-guides/hdc)