Resolving Android Device Detection Issues on macOS

30 November 2024 Stephan Petzl Leave a comment Tech-Help

Encountering issues where your macOS system fails to recognize your Android device via ADB (Android Debug Bridge) can be frustrating, especially when everything seems to be connected correctly. This guide will provide a step-by-step approach to troubleshoot and resolve common ADB device detection problems on macOS.

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Guide

1. Restart ADB Server

Often, restarting the ADB server can resolve detection issues. Follow these steps:

• Unplug your Android device from the computer.
• Open Terminal on your macOS.
• Execute the following commands:

  adb kill-server
  adb start-server

• Re-plug your device and run adb devices to check if it is recognized.

2. Modify ADB Configuration

If restarting the server doesn’t work, modifying the ADB configuration file might help:

• Navigate to the .android directory in your home folder.
• Edit the adb_usb.ini file to include the line 0x04e8.
• Restart the ADB server using the commands mentioned above.

3. Update ADB

Ensure you have the latest version of ADB installed. Run the following command:

android update adb

After updating, restart the ADB server and check device connectivity again.

4. Check USB Cable and Ports

Sometimes the issue might be as simple as a faulty USB cable. Try using the original cable that came with your device. Additionally, test different USB ports on your Mac to rule out port-specific issues.

Additional Considerations

Ensure that USB debugging is enabled on your Android device. You can verify this by navigating to Settings > Developer Options > USB Debugging on your phone.

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

• How to Debug Android Applications Over Wi-Fi
• Connecting to Android Devices Using ADB Over TCP
• Setting Up ADB on macOS: A Comprehensive Guide
• Resolving “More Than One Device and Emulator” Error in ADB Shell
• How to Extract APK Files from Your Android Device