Resolving “Unauthorized” Error for Nexus 4 on ADB

30 November 2024 Stephan Petzl Leave a comment Tech-Help

Connecting a Nexus 4 running Android 4.3 to a Windows 7 64-bit system can sometimes result in an “unauthorized” error when using ADB (Android Debug Bridge). This issue can be frustrating, but there are several potential solutions you can try to resolve it.

Steps to Resolve the “Unauthorized” Error

1. Re-enable USB Debugging

• On your Nexus 4, navigate to Settings > Developer Options.
• Toggle the USB Debugging option off and then on again.
• Unplug and replug the USB cable to your computer.
• A prompt should appear on your device asking you to authorize the connection. Confirm this authorization.

2. Restart ADB Server

• Ensure that all applications using ADB are closed (e.g., Eclipse, Android Device Monitor).
• Open a command prompt and enter the following commands:

adb kill-server
adb start-server

3. Change USB Connection Mode

• Go to Settings > Storage on your device.
• Change the USB connection mode from MTP (Media Transfer Protocol) to Camera (PTP) or Mass Storage.
• Reconnect the device to your computer and look for the authorization prompt.

4. Ensure Proper Driver Installation

• Verify that you have the latest USB drivers installed for your device. You can download the latest drivers from the Android developer website.
• If necessary, update drivers via the Device Manager in Windows.

5. Additional Troubleshooting

• Try using a different USB cable or port.
• Restart your device and computer.
• If on Linux, ensure proper UDEV rules are set up for your device.

Automate Testing with Repeato

While resolving “unauthorized” errors manually is possible, automating your testing workflow can save time and reduce frustration. Our product, Repeato, offers a no-code test automation solution for iOS and Android apps. It simplifies creating, running, and maintaining automated tests using computer vision and AI.

Repeato also integrates ADB commands seamlessly, allowing you to execute them via script steps to ensure proper timing and sequence. This feature can significantly ease the process of setting up and maintaining your testing environment. For more information, visit our documentation page.

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