Retrieving a device’s model name through the Termux shell can sometimes feel cumbersome. While commands like termux-info
provide this information, they come with unnecessary overhead, output complexity, and unexpected behaviors like copying data to the clipboard. This guide explores a more efficient way to fetch the device model name without these drawbacks.
The Challenge with termux-info
The termux-info
command outputs extensive data, including package and upgradeable package information. While useful in some contexts, it’s:
- Time-consuming: Generating the output can take several seconds.
- Not script-friendly: Parsing this data programmatically can be challenging.
- Unexpected clipboard actions: Scripts that invoke
termux-info
might inadvertently copy information to the clipboard, causing annoyance and potential disruptions.
Instead, there’s a lightweight alternative using the getprop
command.
The Efficient Solution: getprop
The Android system offers the getprop
command, a straightforward utility for accessing system properties. To fetch the device model, use:
/system/bin/getprop ro.product.model
Example Usage termux
- Retrieve the Device Model:
model=$(getprop ro.product.model) echo "Device Model: $model"
Output:Device Model: Pixel 2 XL
- Retrieve Additional Properties:The
getprop
command can fetch various device-specific details. For instance:getprop | grep ro.product
Sample Output:[ro.product.manufacturer]: [Google]
[ro.product.model]: [Pixel 2 XL]
[ro.product.name]: [taimen]
manufacturer=$(getprop ro.product.manufacturer)
if [ "$manufacturer" == "Samsung" ]; then
echo -e 'LD_PRELOAD=/system/lib64/libskcodec.so\npulseaudio --start --load="module-native-protocol-tcp auth-ip-acl=127.0.0.1 auth-anonymous=1" --exit-idle-time=-1' | tee -a ../usr/etc/bash.bashrc
else
pulseaudio --start --load="module-native-protocol-tcp auth-ip-acl=127.0.0.1 auth-anonymous=1" --exit-idle-time=-1
fi
Why getprop
is Better
- Lightweight: Directly fetches the required property without parsing extra data.
- Fast: Executes almost instantly compared to
termux-info
. - Script-friendly: Outputs clean, single-line values for easy integration into scripts.
Beyond the Basics
For advanced users, consider combining getprop
with other commands to streamline information retrieval:
echo "Device Manufacturer: $(getprop ro.product.manufacturer)"
echo "Device Model: $(getprop ro.product.model)"
echo "Device Name: $(getprop ro.product.name)"
Output:
Device Manufacturer: Google
Device Model: Pixel 2 XL
Device Name: taimen
This approach ensures that your shell scripts remain efficient, clean, and focused on the task at hand.
Conclusion
By leveraging getprop
, you can simplify the process of retrieving device-specific information in Termux. This method not only saves time but also avoids the pitfalls associated with heavier commands like termux-info
. Whether you’re writing scripts or debugging, getprop
is a reliable tool in your Termux arsenal.
Ready to enhance your Termux setup? Share your experiences or favorite Termux tips in the comments below!