Android ADB not detecting device in Mac OS X although device is detected by Android File Transfer

Question

After installing android studio, I installed ADB as well. However, for some reason ADB doesn't detect my device. To make a note I think I have done all the basic stuff I found online, i.e.:

• Set device in Developer mode and enable USB debugging

• Cable works well (Android file transfer automatically opens when I connect the device)

• Installed Java JDK 8

• I have done 'adb kill-server', restarted my device and Mac but still not working

I'm using Android Studio 2.2 and running Mac OS X Sierra on my Laptop, and the android phone is running Android 5.0.1 (on an LG Phone)

NB: I have tried the other solutions on stack overflow but thats not the problem.

ADB (is installed) and works from the command line, but when I run :

• 'adb usb' command, it says 'error: no devices/emulators found'
• 'adb devices' command, it prints 'List of devices attached' with an empty line beneath.

I believe this is a specific issue and the general solutions to install ADB or restart doesn't work here as I have tried all that.

• I have removed and reinstalled android studio, still not working.

• I have removed and reinstalled adb and adb & fastboot, still not working.

• I have restarted my device, disabled and re-enabled developer mode, still not working.

• Obviously, I have unplugged and plugged the cable back in several times, still not working (only Android File Transfer keeps coming up)

Just in case, I have rooted my device, could that be the problem or that doesn't matter?

Solution 1

You basically need to set the USB mode to PTP mode instead of Media Transfer Protocol (MTP) mode.

When I connected the device via USB the USB icon and Debugging Mode Icon appeared on the status bar on the device.

If you open control center by swiping down from the top, you should see a "Media device MTP" - Tap for more USB options. Tap it and switch the mode to "Send Images (PTP)" mode and it should ask you if you want to enable USB debugging. Enable it and the device should be recognized by ADB and Android Studio now.

Solution 2

I just clean installed my MBP and encountered the same issue. I tried the things suggested here but nothing worked.

What I had to do to fix it was "Revoke USB debugging authorizations" from the Developer options.

Once I did that, it offered up the usual "did you want to allow debugging on this device" option, and everything was back to normal.

Solution 3

I was already in USB debugging enabled state and also had switched USB configuration to PTP. It was still in always charging mode no matter what I do. I had even reinstalled all Android related stuff, tried on multiple devices to find a fix. Finally what worked for me was getting a new cable.

I had posted a question here (now marked as duplicate) since these answers didn't suffice my situation.

Solution 4

Go to developer options and enable USB Debugging:

Settings > More > Developer Options > Debugging > USB Debugging.

Note:

You have to enable developer mode on your phone first

Solution 5

If anyone is still having problems, consider the cable you are using. Not all USB cables are created equal! Some will charge but not allow data transfer. See this post.

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