Overview
This lecture covers installing Android Studio, setting up multiple Android virtual devices (AVDs), rooting emulators, and intercepting network traffic using Burp Suite.
Installing Android Studio
- Visit developer.android.com/studio and download Android Studio.
- Accept terms and conditions, then install the downloaded file.
- Follow the setup wizard, using default options, and complete installation.
- At least 16GB of RAM is recommended for smooth operation.
Setting Up Virtual Devices (AVDs)
- Open Android Studio and go to Virtual Device Manager under "More Actions."
- Create new virtual devices by clicking "+" and selecting device types and Android versions.
- Download and install the desired Android images (e.g., API 34 for Android 14).
- Start AVDs using the play button; multiple versions can run simultaneously.
Rooting an Android Emulator
- Ensure ADB (Android Debug Bridge) and Git are installed.
- Download RootAVD from getlab.com and install it using Git.
- List available AVDs and use rootavd commands to root a selected emulator.
- The root process installs Magisk and reboots the emulator.
- Open Magisk in the emulator and follow prompts for final setup.
Verifying Root Access
- Use ADB shell and the "su" command in the emulator to check for root privileges.
- Alternatively, install the "Root Checker" app from the Play Store to verify root status.
Intercepting Traffic with Burp Suite
- Download and install the Burp Suite Community Edition.
- Configure Burp Suite proxy to a chosen local IP address and port (e.g., 192.168.1.183:8080).
- On the Android emulator, configure Wi-Fi proxy settings to point to the Burp Suite proxy.
- Download and install the Burp CA certificate on the emulator via settings > security > install CA certificate.
- Turn on interception in Burp and observe, forward, or analyze HTTP(S) requests made by apps in the emulator.
Use Cases for Rooted Emulators
- Rooted emulators enable penetration testing, reverse engineering, and enhanced feature access.
- Useful for testing apps that require root or for security research.
Troubleshooting Tips
- Restart Android Studio, emulator, or Burp Suite if interception fails.
- Re-enter proxy settings in Burp Suite after restarting, since settings may not persist.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Android Studio — Official IDE for Android app development and emulator management.
- AVD (Android Virtual Device) — An emulator representing a device configuration.
- ADB (Android Debug Bridge) — Tool for communicating with Android devices via command line.
- Rooting — Process of gaining administrative (root) privileges on Android.
- Magisk — A tool for rooting Android devices.
- Burp Suite — Software for intercepting and analyzing network traffic.
- CA Certificate — Certificate Authority file needed for trusted HTTPS interception.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Download and install Android Studio and required virtual device images.
- Set up RootAVD and root at least one emulator.
- Install and test Burp Suite with proxy and certificate setup.
- (Optional) Download the Root Checker app to confirm rooting.
- Review troubleshooting steps if issues with proxy or root arise.