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Command line install

Command line install

The primary way to install Limit is via the web installer.

The same steps can also be done on the command line if this is something you’re comfortable with.

  • ⚠️ This guide is technical.
  • ⚠️ You follow this guide at your own risk.
  • ⚠️ We do not take any responsibility for dataloss or damage to your device.
  • ⚠️ If you’re not comfortable with using a command line, please use the web installer

Backup your phone

Before starting this procedure, please make sure you backup your device.

Install adb

Install adb on your computer.

When it’s installed correctly typing adb --version into your command line will look like this:

adb --version
Android Debug Bridge version 1.0.41
...

Enable USB debugging on your device

Enable Developer Options

  • Open the Settings app

  • Open ‘About phone’

  • Tap ‘Build number’ 8 times quickly

Detailed guide

Enable USB Debugging

  • Open the Settings app

  • Search ‘developer options’

  • Tap ‘Build number’ 8 times quickly

Detailed guide

Download the Limit apk

You can download the latest Limit apk here: https://api.limitphone.com/apks/limit-app

Download it on the command line:

curl -o limit.apk https://api.limitphone.com/apks/limit-app

Install Limit on your device

adb install limit.apk

Remove your device’s accounts

To grant Limit ‘Device Owner’ permissions on Android you must ensure there are no accounts present on the device.

To remove accounts:

  • Open the Settings app
  • Search for: “accounts”
  • Open: “Passwords & accounts” settings

You can then remove your accounts:

See which accounts are blocking granting permissions

adb shell dumpsys accounts

Here is the part of the output which shows you which accounts are still on the device:

$ adb shell dumpsys account

User UserInfo{0:Owner:c13}:
  Accounts: 2
    Account {[email protected], type=com.google}
    Account {name=Reddit for Android, type=com.reddit.account}
...
...
...

Grant Limit Permissions

adb shell dpm set-device-owner com.limitphone.limit/.DeviceOwnerReceiver

If this fails:

  • Check you’ve removed all accounts in the previous step.
  • Sometimes it can take up to 10 minutes for the accounts to be fully removed. Be patient…and rerun the command.
  • Rerun adb shell dumpsys accounts to see which accounts are blocking setting the permissions.

Re-add your google accounts

  • Open the Settings app
  • Search for: “accounts”
  • Open: “Passwords & accounts” settings

Add your Google account(s) back.

Accounts related to apps (whatsapp, reddit, airbnb etc.) will be restored when you open the app later.

Set Limit Browser as your default browser

⚠️ Not setting Limit Browser as your default browser can cause other apps to not work properly

When opening Limit Browser for the first time it will prompt you to set it as the default browser.

You can also set it via the setting app. Search for “default” in the settings app.

Open the Limit app

Post install steps (optional)

Once Limit is successfully setup it’s a good idea to disable Developer mode on your phone again.

  • Open the settings app
  • Search for “developer options” in the search bar
  • Toggle “Developer Options” off