How to download ADB and Fastboot Tools without SDK or Android Studio

In the past, the only legitimate way to get the latest versions of ADB and Fastboot for your Mac, Linux or Windows computer was to download the Android SDK or Android Studio. Fortunately this is no longer the case.

In the past, users would had to get hold of a copy of the ADB (Android Device Bridge) and Fastboot tools themselves, which usually required the download and installation of the full Android Studio development suite. While there have always been unofficial channels where you could download ADB and Fastboot tools, but they were often older packages and nobody could ever truly confirm their legitimacy.

Google has now finally made ADB and Fastboot available outside of those large downloads, allowing hardcore Android users to to more easily sideload over-the-air updates or flash new ROMs on their devices. The downloads, part of a 3.5MB file downloadable now, are available for Windows, Mac and Linux, and can be downloaded directly from Google by following the links below.

• Latest ADB and Fastboot package for Windows
• Latest ADB and Fastboot package for Mac
• Latest ADB and Fastboot package for Linux

Google’s move to offer the tools itself removes an ambiguity, legitimizing the whole process. The arrival of the two tools as a separate download from the development suite, is thanks to two Googlers, as explained via a Google+ post.

Ever wanted to download adb or fastboot without having to download the whole of Android Studio?…but didn’t want to download executables from some random warez site?

These links will always return the adb/fastboot binaries currently shipping with Android Studio. No need to guess what the current version is, or update your own links: just follow these and get the latest binaries, direct from the source.

This is thanks to Siva Velusamy and Kevin Quinn.