Galaxy Nexus and Ubuntu 10.04 – adb

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This combination is not working by default, there is work to be done. But first, why I’m using Ubuntu 10.04 and not upgrading? Because 10.04 is long term support (LTS) and for me stability is more important than features, even on desktop/laptop.

I have finally succeeded to see my Galaxy Nexus when connected with USB cable but it wasn’t easy. Here are some links that helped me:

  • http://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2011/12/how-to-connect-your-android-ice-cream-sandwich-phone-to-ubuntu-for-file-access/
  • http://ohheyitslou.blogspot.com/2011/12/galaxy-nexus-enable-mtp-file-transfer.html
  • https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/util-linux/+question/183144
  • http://www.reddit.com/r/Android/comments/ne6ud/mount_your_new_galaxy_nexus_from_the_unity/

The first step is to have adb (Android debug interface) working. In case you didn’t have already installed adb, you’ll have to do it:

  • http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=10746225&postcount=1
  • or search google install adb ubuntu

When you connect the Galaxy Nexus with the USB cable and run adb devices you’ll something with many question marks. This can be easily repaired by adding a line to udev rules: edit (as root or with sudo) the file /etc/udev/rules.d/99-android.rules and add

SUBSYSTEM=="usb", ATTR{idVendor}=="04e8", MODE="0666", GROUP="plugdev"

then restart udev (sudo service udev restart).  Now, pay attention:

  1. run adb kill-server
  2. pull the phone out
  3. on the phone, under settings, developer options, tick USB debugging
  4. insert the cable again
  5. run adb devices

If everything is ok, you should see your phone listed WITHOUT ?????:

 adb devices
 * daemon not running. starting it now on port 5037 *
 * daemon started successfully *
 List of devices attached
 01498B3016013017    device

Why is all this adb stuff usefull? Just run adb help and you’ll see:

  • adb shell ls -la # list files
  • adb push <local> <remote> # copy file/dir to device
  • adb pull <remote> [<local>] # copy file/dir from device
  • adb install file.apk # push this file and install it (how can you otherwise do this if you don’t have a file manager and the market isnt setuped yet?)

In the next article I’ll describe how I have managed to setup MTP, but until then you can start copying files with adb push/pull ;-) One last thing here, I wonder if a fuse-adb would be usefull.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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