Resolving “No Permissions” Error When Setting Up Android Device for Development

Resolving "No Permissions" Error When Setting Up Android Device for Development

30 November 2024 Stephan Petzl Leave a comment Tech-Help

Developing Android applications on Ubuntu Linux can be a seamless experience, but sometimes you may encounter issues when trying to connect your device. A common problem is the “no permissions” error when running the adb devices command. This guide will walk you through the steps to resolve this issue effectively.

Understanding the Problem

The “no permissions” error typically occurs when your system does not have the correct udev rules to allow access to the Android device. This can prevent the device from being recognized properly when using Android Debug Bridge (ADB).

Steps to Resolve the “No Permissions” Error

1. Update Udev Rules

First, ensure that you have the correct udev rules set up on your system. Follow these steps:

  1. Create or edit the file /etc/udev/rules.d/51-android.rules with the following content:
  2. SUBSYSTEM=="usb", ATTR{idVendor}=="04E8", MODE="0666", GROUP="plugdev"
  3. Make the file readable:
  4. sudo chmod a+r /etc/udev/rules.d/51-android.rules
  5. Reload the udev rules:
  6. sudo udevadm control --reload-rules

2. Restart the ADB Server

After updating the udev rules, restart the ADB server to apply the changes:

sudo adb kill-server
sudo adb start-server

3. Verify Device Connection

Reconnect your Android device and run the following command to verify that it is recognized:

adb devices

Your device should now be listed without any permission errors.

Alternative Solutions

If the above steps do not resolve the issue, consider these additional solutions:

  • Switch the USB connection mode from MTP to PTP on your device.
  • Ensure that USB debugging is enabled on your Android device.
  • Check for any specific device rules that may need to be added, particularly if using a custom ROM.

Leveraging Repeato for Efficient Testing

While setting up your device for development, consider using tools like Repeato to streamline your testing process. As a no-code test automation tool, Repeato simplifies the creation, execution, and maintenance of automated tests for your Android apps. With built-in ADB support and the ability to execute ADB commands through script steps, Repeato ensures that your testing workflow is both efficient and effective.

By integrating Repeato into your development process, you can focus on building robust applications with confidence, knowing that your testing needs are well-covered.

For further reading on using ADB effectively, explore our articles on granting app permissions using ADB and resolving ADB backup issues.

Like this article? there’s more where that came from!