You can use the following command from adb:
adb shell am activity/service/broadcast -a ACTION -c CATEGORY -n NAME
for example:
adb shell am broadcast -a android.intent.action.BOOT_COMPLETED -c android.intent.category.HOME -n package_name/class_name
Note that class name and package names need to be as defined in the Manifest.
This will generate the Intent you want , directed only to the component you want (otherwise you system will go crazy with BOOT_COMPLETED sent...)
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To emulate a broadcast action, you can connect via adb to the emulator/device and open a shell:
adb shell
Then, you can broadcast the action you want to test:
am broadcast -a android.intent.action.BOOT_COMPLETED
Please note that, in the latest Android versions, broadcasting the *android.intent.action.BOOT_COMPLETED* action will actually reboot your emulator/device.