How To Set Up ADB/USB Drivers & Fastboot for Android Devices (Updated 09/23/15)(Video)

So most people won’t have to use ADB (Android Debug Bridge) ever, but if you want to learn how or want to get a little more technical with your Android phone, here’s how to get it set up.

What is ADB & Fastboot?

ADB is generally used for development when trying to run applications on the phone from the computer so you can debug (hence the name) issues with your app you are creating. Let’s be real though, most of the time, it’s used for rooting Android devices.

Since ADB allows you to communicate with an attached Android phone on a development level it’s extremely handy when we want to issue commands that allow us to, for example, push files to the device and then execute those files all in an effort to root the phone.

Fastboot is similar to ADB in that it’s used for issuing commands to the attached device, but in fastboot mode it’s really more for flashing different parts of Android (i.e. updating the system with a newer version, erasing all the user data, etc.). This mode is more used for manufacturers to diagnose and fix devices with software issues, but, like with ADB, it can also be pretty instrumental in helping our rooting efforts.

We can use fastboot to flash a new recovery image that then allows us to then gain root access that way.

Long story short, when trying to root your Android device, both ADB and Fastboot are tools you’ll probably need to have all setup.

Because ADB and Fastboot are meant really for developers, they aren’t the most intuitive when it comes to setting them up. Because of this, I’m going to layout the easiest ways to get both working on the two most popular operating systems that you guys might have: Windows and Mac (sorry, Linux).

How to Setup ADB/Fastboot on Windows

I. Download and Install ADB & Fastboot

So, back in the day, you would need to download the entire Android SDK to get ADB and Fastboot to work, but thanks to some clever developers out there, you can get away with just downloading minimal versions that only setup ADB and Fastboot and leave the rest of the SDK out, for, you know, real developers.

1. Head to this developer’s page on XDA and download the 15 Second ADB Installer (download link in the first post, download whichever one he says is stable).

ADB Fastboot Installer for Windows

2. Right click the exe that downloads and select Run As Administrator.

3. When it opens, hit y and enter for each of the questions as it guides you through. (This will install ADB system wide so any user of the computer can access it and also install the drivers, which is a huge help as it can be the hardest part of all this to get to work).

4. When it’s all done, restart the computer to ensure they were installed.

5. On your phone, go to Settings > About Phone and continually tap on Build Number until it tells you you are a developer.

6. Hit Back.

7. Go to Developer Options and turn on USB Debugging.

8. Plug your device in via USB cable and wait for it to install drivers.

9. Now, on the PC, Open File Explorer and head to C: then adb and hold shift on your keyboard and right-click in a blank spot anywhere inside the folder (inside that folder you should see adb and fastboot along with a couple other files) and select Open Command Window Here.

10. Type the following into the command prompt window (hitting enter at the end of every line):

adb devices

11. If it’s a newer Android phone, a popup asking to allow the RSA keys will show up. Check Always Allow and accept it.

After that, you should see a serial number pop up, it’s the serial number of your phone. This means you are all set!

If you do not see a serial number, then we need to reinstall the drivers manually in Section II below.

II. Troubleshooting Driver Issues

Sometimes the drivers don’t install correctly and need a little coaxing to get them to work properly. Here’s common ways to do that.

Manually Tell Windows About the Drivers

1. On your computer, use the search feature (either using the search charm on Windows 8 or the search bar at the bottom of the screen in Windows 10) and search for Device Manager and then open it.

2. In the device manager. you should see an exclamation point on an item (this indicates that the drivers didn’t install for that item). Right-click that item and select Update Driver Software

3. Then select “Browse My Computer…”

4. Then select “Let Me Pick from a List…”

5. Select Android Device > Android ADB Device.

Now, unplug and plug the device back in and run the adb devices command from step 13 above and see if you get a serial number this time. If so, you are all set.

How to Setup ADB/Fastboot on Mac

ADB and Fastboot can also be installed on a Mac relatively easily thanks to another clever developer. Here’s how.

I. Download and Install ADB & Fastboot for Mac

1. Download the developer’s script from my Google Drive and save it to your desktop.

ADB & Fastboot Installer for Mac

2. Extract the newly downloaded zip file to your desktop so it creates a new folder called Android on your desktop.

3. Hit Cmd + Space bar to bring up Spotlight Search and search for Terminal and open it.

4. In Terminal, type the following with hitting enter at the end of each line:

cd Desktop/Android

./ADB-Install-Mac.sh

5. That should run the script so everything is installed and you can issue ABD/Fastboot commands from anywhere in Terminal. Let’s test it out, though.

6. On your phone, go to Settings > About Phone and continually tap on Build Number until it tells you you are a developer.

7. Hit Back.

8. Go to Developer Options and turn on USB Debugging.

9. Plug your device in via USB cable.

10. Type the following into the command prompt window (hitting enter at the end of every line):

cd Desktop/Android/Mac

./adb devices

11. If it’s a newer Android phone, a popup asking to allow the RSA keys will show up. Check Always Allow and accept it.

After that, you should see a serial number pop up, it’s the serial number of your phone. This means you are all set!

Some Common ADB/Fastboot Commands

ADB Commands

*For Mac users, simply add a ./ in front of the commands to get them to work.

adb devices – lists which devices are currently attached to your computer
adb install <packagename.apk> – lets you install an Android application on your phone
adb remount – Remounts your system in write mode – this lets you alter system files on your phone using ADB
adb push <localfile> <location on your phone> – lets you upload files to your phones filesystem
adb pull <location on your phone> <localfile> – lets you download files off your phones filesystem
adb logcat – starts dumping debugging information from your handset to the console – useful for debugging your apps
adb shell <command> – drops you into a basic linux command shell on your phone with no parameters, or lets you run commands directly

adb devices – lists which devices are currently attached to your computer

adb install <packagename.apk> – lets you install an Android application on your phone

adb remount – Remounts your system in write mode – this lets you alter system files on your phone using ADB

adb push <localfile> <location on your phone> – lets you upload files to your phones filesystem

adb pull <location on your phone> <localfile> – lets you download files off your phones filesystem

adb logcat – starts dumping debugging information from your handset to the console – useful for debugging your apps

adb shell <command> – drops you into a basic linux command shell on your phone with no parameters, or lets you run commands directly

Fastboot Commands

fastboot devices – lists which devices in fastboot mode are currently attached to your computer

fastboot boot <filename> – boots a rom stored on your pc specified by the filename

fastboot flash <partition> <filename> – flashes a rom stored on your PC, partition can be one of {boot, recovery, system, userdata}

fastboot update zip <zip filename> – updates the phone with a ROM stored on the PC.

Let me know if this worked for you in the comments below!

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712 thoughts on “How To Set Up ADB/USB Drivers & Fastboot for Android Devices (Updated 09/23/15)(Video)”

    1. I download the usbdeview and when i run as administrator

      all i get is Andriod devise and wen i unistall it , it still doesnt install

  1. Hi unlockr
    just a stupid question from a newbiee is this adb driver help solve the problem from some hero roms that consistantly when youre using a application the phone reboots to the htc screen.

    thanks for your help

    1. Hello Giovanny55,

      ADB is for sending and controlling stuff on the phone. It can’t make your phone run better.
      You just need to download the Maxisma ROM from the Downloads section, install it and also make sure to do the How To Speed Up Your Hero ROM and you should get rid of that.

  2. first of all THANKS, and what about eclipse ddms and etc? i need help with avd, i dont know why, but i put all the ffiles in the right place (system32 etc) but it just wont work!!!!!!!

  3. hello unlockr,

    first of thanks.i been trying to get this working for sometime and thanks to you i finally have.this site is my favorite site for all android help.thanks

  4. hey i did this and install the drive but doe not work still i type in the adb device and nothing shows up it just says list of device..no serial or nothing please help thanks

  5. Tried the same as James and it didn’t work and I ran as administrator too. No driver. I tried several times and uninstalled all the HTC and Android devices. Any help would be awesome.

  6. Wow! Ok so I figured out how to do this after trying just about everything I can think of for 2 days.

    This is to help anyone who is ready to end their existence.

    1. I’m running Vista Ultimate 64 bit on both my computers (Yes I tried it all on both!)
    2. I have a 32B Sapphire/MyTouch rooted and I’m running Cyanogen’s latest ROM. (If you don’t know what this is you shouldn’t be using this tutorial anyhow.)
    3. I used this tutorial exactly as shown in the video. Tried using USBDeview to uninstall the drivers and still wouldn’t recognize the drivers for my phone. Windows asks for the driver. So I went to the file in the C;/AndroidSDK for usb drivers. Windows tells you that it’s not there and can’t install it.
    4. Found a forum online telling me to edit the registry delete some files. (Think this process is for XP 64 bit operating systems. Either way it didn’t work.)

    This worked.
    1. Make sure first that you turn on USB Debugging on your phone by going to Settings > Applications > Development > USB debugging. (Leave phone unplugged from computer)
    2. Use USBDeview right-click to run as administrator. Delete anything labeled Android or HTC.
    3. Next you want to go to this link: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=446274
    Download the driver and extract to a location you’ll remember.
    4. The instructions in the link above are kind of vague so this should help for anyone as NOOB as me.

    You want to type “cmd” into your start search bar to bring up the command prompt right-click the cmd program and run as admin.
    5. You need to run Vista in Test Mode (Don’t ask… Pis*es me off too!) right where the the cursor is at the Command Prompt. No need to use cd.. or c:/ type this : “bcdedit /set testsigning on” (without parenthesis of course)
    6. Reboot your computer should have test mode in each corner when it restarts.
    7. Plug in your phone and when prompted let windows search for the driver. When it can’t find it install the driver manually from the file you downloaded and extracted the driver to.
    8. It will give you a brand new red window that tells you how windows doesn’t recognize it. Install it anyhow.
    9. Cha-Ching! Installed! Now do the reverse from the cmd prompt to get your computer out of test mode. And then reboot

    Thanks Unlockr this site has the best tutorials for Android on the Web! Keep up the good work.

    1. Hello hvrobel,

      Ha thanks, I appreciate it. I will definitely try 🙂

      And thanks for this, I’ll add it to the reported issues so others can find it easily. Great addition!

  7. Hey Unlockr, im using Windows XP, and when i “run” cmd. I get command prompt. Good so far, but then when i press enter it does not double space and i cannot type in cd/ and stuff to get my abd. so yeah plz message me back T_T. i needs abd

  8. “I get a message state windows system 32 is either not designed to run on windows or it contains an error. Try installing the program again using the original installation media or contact your ststem administrator or the software vendor for support” I got all to show ready but the most important one the dream composite abd interface. Any help would be great!

  9. I am running XP and when i go to USBDeview and try to run as administrator i dont have that option. I tried selecting the first option but I have 1 HTC driver.dont know how to run as admin, please help. Thanks in advance!

  10. I keep getting the same error for my USB : Code 10: Device Cannot Start. I’ve updated the driver using the location of the usbdriver in the SDK directory. My assumption is that there is something conflicting with the device that’s not letting it start, but I cant figure out what. (I have Project64 & GBA Emulators installed on my laptop as well, maybe that’s it?) In the device manager, there is the yellow exclamation mark. I’ve uninstalled using USBDeview, and my phone is on USB Debugging as well.

    Viewing in USBDeview mode, the serial number of my HTC device & all its informations shows when I click properties. My only problem is that it will not start. This is pretty funny to me, because the only reason I have downloaded Android SDK is so that I can take screenshots of my phone & possibly develop themes for it. Someone please help me!

    I’m using Windows Vista 32bit and I have a Tmobile G1, rooted, running CM4.2.3

  11. You should make sure that you add in the instructions that people need to go into Settings > Applications > Development and select USB Debugging, other wise, this will not work, and no matter how many times you uninstall and reinstall the drivers, it wont take.

  12. I tried the instructions above and I keep getting this error:

    adb server is out of date. Killing…
    ADB server didn’t ACK
    * failed to start daemon *
    error:

  13. I was wondering if you could help me out i have tried to get adb to work but as the drivers are installing the one that says adb does not install what should i do?

  14. when i search for it i get newdev.exe-bad image also a window pops up saying htc dream composite adb interface driver not intended for this platform

  15. Cant get this working AT ALL
    I tried the first time; no serial numbers appeared
    installed USBDeview ran it
    deleted the HTC files
    plugged it in again

    and the installation wizard says it cant find the necessary software to install the drivers every time. UGH

    what do I do?

  16. hey unlockr…
    i tried everything but in cmd it is not showing my device number ….after usbdeview when i connect my device it says adb drivers not found….but in devices & printers when i see hardware for android phone it shows me adb….so wat should i do ……i am desparate to have market in my hero

  17. I cannot get the drivers to install on my HTC Sprint Hero. I am running Windows XP and am stuck at this part. What am I doing wrong?

  18. hey GT Download this driver for your phone
    extract it to C: drive.

    http://www.4shared.com/file/97447244/1851aecc/android_adb_usb_driver.html

    then when u plug in your phone install the driver from that folder by clicking advanced, browse (find the driver folder) then install it.

    then command prompt will show u your serial number :]

    my problem was: when trying to install driver it was searching automatically on the phone but couldnt find it. so I used that driver I found

    adb works great now

  19. Ditto Jon Stanley and Chad. I have XP. I’ve uninstalled and reinstalled HTC and ADB drivers several times and never get the hardware connected. If I use the installation wizard, I get the can’t find necessary software error. If I try to do the advanced installation HTC device is not available by itself nor will it work if you choose portable device, or USB connection. So have yet to get the serial number in CMD window.

  20. Hey Jon…I hope you check back here. I did the two downloads above you suggest. Then when I go to advanced set up and go to my C drive to choose a folder, I can only choose either amd64 or x86. I can’t choose a folder with sub-folders, i.e. Android_adb_usb_driver or usb_driver. Any suggestions??

  21. @W W

    I think I just figured it out (yes it’s 2:20am).

    I installed everything as far as it would go, where it successfully installs 3 out of the 4 (the failed install being the “adb”).

    AFTER I do that I go into the device manager, and there is a device with a “!” next to it called “adb”.

    I right click on that, and “update driver”.

    I choose browser for driver and direct it to the correct directory – it installed successfully.

    Now I’m going to try and test it.

  22. Thank you very much theunlockr!! I needed a guide like this, I have a Mytouch 3G and I couldn’t “see” it on ADB until now… In my case, Windows XP didn’t detect the drivers for my phone, but I’d previously downloaded from SDK official page and I had just to pointed to that location…

    Thanks again!

  23. So i’m trying to root my Behold 2, been following the instructions on THE UNLOCKER, and want to connect it to ADB. I have the Android SDK on my C drive, and where I get stuck is when I put in the code to find the serial it gives me “LIST OF DEVICES:” and the serial is never there.

    I have downloaded the Behold 2 drivers, and it installs every one except the Samsung ADB Interface which it fails on. I use the USBDEVIEW software to uninstall and try again but everytime it’s the same failure, and yes the phone is set to USB debugged, and Samsung Studio.

    I’m running Windows Premium 64bit, I don’t know if running a 64 bit system has anything to do with this. Any help would be great! I thought I was a tech junkie until I ran into this.

  24. Hey, thanks for the guide. I have one problem though, when I plug in my G1 for it to install it’s own drivers, only its mass storage drivers are installed. Also when in device manager it lists my phone under disk drives.. Any idea whats up?

      1. Solo,

        I’m new to this web site. Is “Reported Issues” the name of a forum on this site?

        I’m experiencing the same issue with my Samsung Vibrant.

        Thanks,

        Mike

  25. Just FYI for those of you using wanting to Ubuntu.

    Since I started doing development in Ubuntu 9.10 (Karmic Koala) I didn’t wanna do it in Windows, so I did my research and finally I got ADB working on it. Here is what I did

    1. Login as root and create this file: /etc/udev/rules.d/70-android.rules

    For Gusty/Hardy, edit the file to read:
    SUBSYSTEM==”usb”, SYSFS{idVendor}==”0bb4″, MODE=”0666″

    For Dapper, edit the file to read:
    SUBSYSTEM==”usb_device”, SYSFS{idVendor}==”0bb4″, MODE=”0666″

    For Karmic Koala, edit the file to read:
    SUBSYSTEM==”usb”, SYSFS{idVendor}==”0bb4″, MODE=”0666″

    2. Now execute:
    chmod a+rx /etc/udev/rules.d/70-android.rules

    3. reboot

    Reference: http://developer.android.com/guide/developing/device.html#setting-up

    NOTE: For Gusty/Hardy, Dapper use 51-android.rules instead of 70-android.rules.
    NOTE: “0bb4” is the USB vendor ID for HTC, for more vendor IDs refer to http://developer.android.com/guide/developing/device.html#VendorIds

  26. So im a newbie at the whole android thing, and i need help. When i input cmd in the search and try step 6, it always says cdAndroidSDK\tools\ is not recognized as internal or external command

    1. PJ0906,

      You need a space between cd and AndroidSDK\tools\
      Then also make sure you renamed the sdk folder to AndroidSDK and it is on your C drive (not in any subfolders).
      Also try doing it step by step like this:
      cd c:\androidsdk
      cd tools

    1. Ben,

      Plug in your phone via USB cable to your computer.
      Pull down the notification bar on the phone and click Mount.
      When you can see the “Removable Disk” on your computer, drag the .img file and drop it onto the Removable Disk. (Same way you would save any music, etc.).

  27. hi unlocker, when im in CMD i put in everything like you said but when i put in:

    abd devices

    it says ‘abd’ is not recognized as and internal or external command, operable program, or a batch file. what did i do wrong?

  28. ^^^*facepalm* im such a dumb ass (and a little dyslectic)
    i put in abd, when i should have put in adb. hahahahha.
    sorry for posting 3 comments.

  29. ive tried everything it says bt my adb drive wont install i have a g1 and i cant do the settings thing ur talking about because im trying to activate my fone without a data plan plzz help

  30. TheUnlockr
    Hey Everytime I Put
    cd\
    cd AndroidSDK\tools\

    It Says “The System Cannot Find The Path Specified”
    Im running XP and I have a Sprint HTC Hero not rooted but trying
    Please Help

  31. I’m having problems, I follow all the steps
    But when I open command pront it says file path
    Not found.now di I open the file androidsdk and hit setup. ?cuz when I do it says can’t installed HTML not found, pls I need help I’ve been trying for 3days now

    1. Jae,

      If it cant find the system path it is because you did not rename the folder AndroidSDK and you did not put it on the C drive (not in any folders).
      Also check to make sure there isnt any extra folder inside the SDK folder (i.e. AndroidSDK/androidsdk/tools).
      Good luck!

  32. Unlockr,
    I keep getting to the driver installation and come up with this message ” The file ‘androidusb.sys’ on ADB interface Installation Disk is needed” Please help man ?

  33. ok so i got all the way through adb and the device isn’t up….the problem is to begin with im doing all of this because i dont have the data plan so i cant activate it, and it is required to do this to activate…so my question is how to a activate debugging on my phone if i cant get into it??

  34. i have a few questions that i would like to ask! a lil birdy told me that i could use adb to remove unused widgets from my current hero rom? i was told that this would free up internal memory and speed up the rom? if this is so, what commands would i need to input? and if i did this and later decided that i want to switch back to cyanogen, would i ever get them back? any info would help! thanks!
    -unused widgets-
    andriod analog clock
    andriod music
    only need one or two of the htc clocks…
    htc photo album
    htc photo frame
    stocks

  35. The window’s 7 ways is super complicated. i dont understand the lingo on that site. could you give me a tutorial? it would help alot.

  36. Hello Unlockr,

    Thanks for everything. I followed your instructions and can find my device when I use ADB devices.
    However, when I use command fastboot devices, it does nothing but goes back to the c:\androidSDK\tools.
    Does that mean fastboot is not recognizing my device?

  37. Never mind. I think I got it. I have to get the phone on fastboot mode (volume down/power) and then connect to the computer via USB and then cmd on Windows, right?

  38. I’m trying to register my phone without sim or data plan…..I downloaded the SDK but why is windows only installing it as a USB mass storage how do I get the “HTC dream adb interface” driver to install on my comp when my phone is unregistered or has no sim card? People are saying turn on USB Debugging option but I can’t even go into my phone without being registered first.

  39. hello Unlockr,

    I cannot seem to get the drivers installed correctly. This is my second phone which I am rooting and didn’t have any issues with the first one. I tryed everything I could think of. Running Windows XP and get the popup window asking if I would like to search for the drivers. It searches, then sais it could not install device……. Any Ideas?

  40. Hi.
    I just get this error message:
    adb server is out of date. killing…
    ADB server didn’t ACK
    * failed to start daemon *
    error:

    Can you provide any help on this?

  41. ADB USB DRIVER

    I’m running windows XP and could not get this thing to install on my laptop. It did install on my work PC however. Anyway I finally got it to work by doing the following:

    1. download http://android-roms.googlecode.com/files/android_usb_windows.zip

    2. unzip to c:\AndroidSDK (files will be unzipped to c:\AndroidSDK\android_usb_windows)

    3. unplug and plug USB from PC

    4. When windows asks for driver location, point it to c:\AndroidSDK\android_usb_windows.

    This is what worked for me.

  42. if someone can help me out please i have did a few steps but i am stuck if i can get someone to be kind enough to maybe help by walking through with me personally helping me the directions here aren’t working for me i can’t get the cmp to recognize my commands please if you yahoo messenger feel free add me supa.dave2k7 or email me at supa.dave2k8@gmail.com i am tryna do it with a mytouch 3g on a windows vista 64bit please help am so fustrated

  43. Well I done everything said and I still nothing but I had a problem downloading the driver for the Nexus One it says I need a password on the Mega upload website in order for me to download it.

  44. unlockr please help me… i have sucessfully loaded the adb and all htc drivers but when i do my commands i make it all the way to the final command adb devices and my command prompt keeps telling me that “adb” is not a recognized internal or external command…lol ive been on this thing for hours no if you could please either email me personally or help me on here either way THX!!! btw….i have rooted completly fine but in order to flash a rom a do have to set this up.. THX AGAIN!!!

    1. Dustin,

      That means you are not in the folder where adb is when you type the command. If you saved the sdk as androidsdk on your C: drive, then you need to type the c: \androidsdk\tools command first.

  45. unlockr,

    in my command prompt i type:
    cd
    c: androidsdktools
    adb devices……and this comes up right as i enter
    adb is not recognized as an internal or external command, operal program or batch file.

    man ive been reading for days i appreciate you replying if you can help me it would be greatly apreciated!

  46. i cannot install the adb.. my g1 is not detecting the driver.. crazy.. i have the sdk and updating now.. how can i get my phone to work. i restarted both pc and phone nothing is still connect.. idk what to do?!

  47. unlockr,

    in my command prompt i type:
    cd
    c: androidsdktools
    adb devices……and this comes up right as i enter
    adb is not recognized as an internal or external command, operal program or batch file.

    man ive been reading for days i appreciate you replying if you can help me it would be greatly apreciated!

    1. Dustin,

      Go into your C drive in My Computer, then goto AndroidSDK then tools. Do you see a program called adb in there? If not then redo the Setup ADB procedure.
      Also, in your second line “c: \androidsdk\tools\” it should be:
      cd c:\androidsdk\tools
      then hit enter

  48. i did everything and when i do the cmd
    cd\
    cd c:\AndroidSDK\tools
    the system can not find the path specified

    can you please tell me what went wrong

  49. i did the cmd but all that came up was “list of devices attached” and no serial number.. what am i doing wrong?

  50. So any word yet on how to officialy work past the problem with the drivers not installing properly? cause i still cant figure out a way to bring up the serial numbers. USBDeview is telling me that the computer see’s the driver, but of course when i run the comand’s to check for the serial nothing comes up…and still no actuall answer to solve this problem. I think this problem is most apparent with xp users like myself?

    1. Jared,

      You need to manually install the drivers. Read this part (if your drivers are not listed there Google them or goto the manufacturer’s website for them, i.e. HTC):

      *Otherwise, if you don’t see an ADB driver for your phone then install the drivers for your specific phone manually.
      Download your phone’s driver’s below then click Update Driver > Browse > Let me pick > Computer > Have Disk > Browse > Then select the driver you downloaded below:

      Motorola Droid Drivers (unzip the file once you download it).

      Motorola CLIQ Drivers (follow the instructions on the page).

      Nexus One Drivers (unzip the file once you download it).

      !!!!You can also goto Device Manager > Right Click Android Phone > Properties > Update Driver > Browse My Computer > Goto the Android SDK Folder > And click USB Driver folder then click ok and it should install the ADB driver.!!!!

  51. Hey, thanks for the quick response. I have tried everything in the guide you recommended and I have searched all over Google for my driver. The only driver I could find is the android sdk manager tool which downloads the usb adb drive. I have read on the xda forums that my model of HTC hero is the 130 model. I don’t know if that helps you help me but that’s where Im at now. If you perhaps have a link or can direct me to a link that has the driver for my phone I would love you even more than I do now. 🙂

  52. I think i did everything correctly , but when i go to CMD it says ” *daemon not running. Starting it now *
    * daemon started succesfully * then it says , List of devices attached , the serial doesnt come up . Im trying to Activate my G1 without Data Plan and im downgraded all the way to RC29 but is still not working .

  53. First of all, great website. I rooted my mt3g using your methods. Here is my scenario, I’m trying to root my nexus but when using the command window I get the following *daemon not running. Stating it now* *daemon started succesfuly* after this no serial number comes up. Using the USBDeview I noticed that while having the phone plugged to the computer it shows me a serial number, my question is, on the commnad promp window, is it neccessary for the serial number to show up or am I good to go given the fact that I’m able to see the number using USBDeview app?

    Thank you very much.

    1. Dante,

      Thanks!
      The serial number has to show up in the command prompt (this means that ADB can see the phone, which is necessary).
      Download the Nexus drivers manually on this page and follow the instructions in Section III to install them.

  54. So i guess this is the first HTC Hero that theunlockr can’t crack judging by the lack of a response? hmmmm, i think the only people that know how to root a Hero130 is the xda-developers site.

    They seem pretty quick to responde too, Just an F.Y.I for anyone who has a Telus HTC Hero that theunlockr can’t figure out how to root.

    cheers gl to everyone.

  55. Hi,

    I have a question regarding changing the setting on my HTC Tattoo (Orange UK). I cannot get passed by the either “Insert SIM card to place calls” screen when no sim installed. Or when sim installed passed the “Insert your unlock code” screen.

    Any help would be much appreciated.
    Peter

    1. Peter,

      That means your SIM card has a lock code on it. Either put in your passcode to unlock it (you created it if it your SIM card), or use a different SIM card.

  56. Hi I’m want to repair my droid and I’m trying to learn about adb. The site seems geared towards windows users. I would like to know how do I install android sdk to a mac, and work from there. Thanks.

    1. Mark Moore,

      Google Android SDK and on Google’s home page for it download the Mac version instead of Windows and continue just replacing command prompt with terminal.

  57. This is not working for me. I have the Samsung Behold 2 and when I plug it in (With USB Debugging on), it shows up but says cannot find the device driver. I try to install this manually but it is still not working. Any help?

  58. Dustin Covington

    I have an unlocked moto cliq. I have everything installed and everything in the right folders. When I get to

    cd\
    cd c:\AndroidSDK\tools

    C:\AndroidSDK\tools>adb devices

    I get this:

    C:\AndroidSDK\tools>adb devices
    List of devices attached

    C:\AndroidSDK\tools

    Please help

  59. The Stumbling Block

    Just not working at all. My laptop refuses to allow the installation of drivers because of some code that says it can’t find the “digital signature” of the drivers, and that’s where it stops with me. I can’t get it to do anything at all, so all my attempts to figure out this confusing, frustrating bunch of bullcrap that I have to go through so that my overpriced, ridiculous piece of crap called a Samsung Behold II, can become tolerable to use, is proving to me that I’d rather just have a goddammed Pong game. What the hell are we blowing all this money on this tiny device that makes us have to go through all this baloney and still not work right anyway?

  60. I have read through this entire post. I have tried all the things people have suggested. But it still won’t work. Right now I am at the point where I enter it into command prompt but get the system can not find specified path message. it is on the c drive in its own folder with the correct name and the adb program is in the tools folder. please help. thanks!

    1. Kasey,

      Try to cd one step at a time. Type:
      cd\
      cd androidsdk\

      (if that is what you renamed your SDK folder like you were supposed to) and see if that brings up C:\ANDROIDSDK\
      Then type:
      cd tools\
      and see if it comes up with C:\ANDROIDSDK\TOOLS\ if not, then you know that it cant find the tools folder. Go look in the androidsdk folder and make sure the tools folder is right in front of you the minute you open that folder (if there is another folder you have to click through to get to it then you did not follow the directions and need to take everything out of that folder and place it in the androidsdk so that the tools folder is visible the minute you open the sdk folder, got it?)
      Good luck

  61. my question is how do i put my phone on the settings to put it on usb debugging when i have no data plan and stuff all there is are apn settings and there are no applications windows there

    1. Dareel,

      Are you talking about a phone you have not activated yet? You need to get past the Welcome screen and get to the actual phone home screen. Then push Settings, and Applications etc.

  62. @David this happened me too, check that the tools folder isn’t within another subfolder in the AndroidSDK folder with windows explorer

  63. For everyone using a Behold 2 and has a 64bit system you can still root! Restart your computer and press R8. After you do that disable Driver Signing. If the drivers were already installed you should be able to see that everything for this device is installed correctly.

  64. Unlockr,

    In the command prompt i’ll type in

    cd C:\
    AndroidSDK\tools
    ADB Devices

    and then it says

    list of devices attached
    (then a blank line underneath and then…)
    C:\ AndroidSDK\tools

    any help? my phone is an HTC Hero (Telus) … The canadian model.

    Thanks in advance

  65. Also,

    I’ll download the HERO drivers off the web and then when I try and update specifically to that folder it will say it cannot complete the wizard because the wizard cannot find a better match for my hardware than the software i currently have installed

    1. Mitchell,

      Follow the part of our procedure that tells you how to USB USBDeview and use that to uninstall all the htc drivers, then unplug and plug the phone back in and reinstall them manually (stop windows from checking windows update for the drivers when it tries).
      Good luck!

  66. You say this guide is for Mytouch Fender but you don’t have any drivers listed for the Fender? I’ve searched literally over an hour and still can’t find the Fender driver??

  67. So, after after option 1 failed. I downloaded the drivers from the Workaround site located in Option 1. I then went to Option 3, once the Android driver failed, I installed the driver I downloaded from the Workaround Site.
    I am now able to see my serial number, and adb into my phone. Thanks Unlockr. Love your site. Learned how to root my MT3G from you as well as install my 1st rom.

  68. Unlockr, I’m running XP and as you said before I need to stop windows from checking windows update for the drivers… how do I do that? Thanks in advance

  69. I did everything that you told me to do. When i go on cmd and put cd C:\
    AndroidSDK\tools
    ADB Devices

    and then it says

    list of devices attached
    (then a blank line underneath and then…)
    C:\ AndroidSDK\tools

    I dont give me a Serial Number.
    Im using the Behold 2. and i have all the drivers?
    Do i go to have it on Samsung PC Studio or Mass Storage.
    Can you please email me the full intructions.
    email is: Chippyoung@Hotmail.com Thanks~!

  70. hi unlocker, my phones comes on but when i try to log into my motoblur account it says “there is a problem with the clock contact costumer service”.please what should i do?

  71. obinna,
    That is a normal problem with the 1.3.18 update on the cliq. What all did you do to your phone before you got that message? Root? flash rom? Gonna need more info than that

  72. Hi there,

    ON XP trying to get gold card, but when I connect phone to pc, it searches for the ADB driver and finds nothing at all.

    So i’m totally stuck now.

    Any help please would be appreciated.

  73. when i typed “adb device”
    list of devices attached.

    and i reinstall the driver again, and My HTC is ready to use.
    but.. i get the same result.
    list of devices attached.

    how can i get out of this?

  74. the reason why your seeing that is because you dont have debug turned on go to setting and applications and click development and turn it on then try again

  75. Hi,

    I have tried the following:

    Try to cd one step at a time. Type:
    cd\
    cd androidsdk\

    (if that is what you renamed your SDK folder like you were supposed to) and see if that brings up C:\ANDROIDSDK\
    Then type:
    cd tools\
    and see if it comes up with C:\ANDROIDSDK\TOOLS\ if not, then you know that it cant find the tools folder. Go look in the androidsdk folder and make sure the tools folder is right in front of you the minute you open that folder (if there is another folder you have to click through to get to it then you did not follow the directions and need to take everything out of that folder and place it in the androidsdk so that the tools folder is visible the minute you open the sdk folder, got it?)
    Good luck.

    I can get to cd androidsdk\ but not C:\ANDROIDSDK\TOOLS\.

    I have checked the androidsdk folder in my c drive and the tools folder is present as soon as i open it.

    Any ideas on what is going wrong?

    Thanks.

  76. I have read through all posts on this page, I have tried all instructions and workarounds. My PC will not recognize my N1 (unknown device) and when I try to manually install drivers – “best drivers already installed”

    followed these instruction:
    hit Windows Key + r
    Type in devmgmt.msc
    right click on nexus one
    click update
    update from location on computer.
    select that folder.

    I keep getting: “the best drivers are already installed”

    my device remains unknown…

    please help
    ================================================== ====== update=========================================== 05.23.10========================================== =======
    uninstalled all HTC drivers via USBDview, no luck
    uninstalled ALL drivers at the ‘unknown device’ – no luck

    My PC keeps seeing my N1 as “unknown device”, pointing update drivers to SDK -6, comes up with: “best drivers already installed”

    what is the work around to get my PC to recognize the N1?

  77. Everytime i get to AndroidSDK\tools\
    and i type adb devices all i get is list of devices attached. I’ve reinstalled the drivers and still says the samething. Help please

    I’m also running on windows xp
    Mytouch 3G Fender

  78. Trying to setup ADB on a Samsung Behold2. Forums were completely empty for this device.

    The problem I’ve run into is that adb says my device is offline. When I type “adb devices” to the command prompt, I get:

    “List of devices attached”
    ” offline”

    any ideas on how to get this device online?

    running Windows 7 32-bit, device is a Samsung Behold2

  79. hmmm, my last post looks funny, let me correct it.

    I meant to say,

    “List of devices attached”
    “(serial #) offline”

    sorry for any confusion.

  80. Hey unlockr How Do you set the sdk up on a windows 7 64 bit and set the path and what java do i need install im so lost please help me unlockr.

  81. thx for the tutorial unlockr, but iwant to ask u something.after i hit adb devices, i didnt get the serial number but i get the type of the phone samsung behold2(SGH-T939).did i do wrong? btw im running on window xp.

  82. Hi Unlockr,

    I followed your steps correctly and manually reinstalled drivers using USB deview program. It works perfectly but when I got in cmd screen it won’t show its serial number. It goes back to C: prompt “access is denied”. Here it is:

    C:\>AndroidSDK\tools>adb devices
    Access is denied.

    Btw, I’m running Microsoft Vista home basic. Your help is greatly appreacited. Thanks.

  83. Jonathan Healey

    Can someone rewrite this for me because im in Macbook Pro. and i would love to know how to do this…thanks.

  84. @Jonathan Healey – It’s basically the same process for a MacBook Pro, except that you do not have to install anything, just download the latest Android SDK, inside that folder there is a folder named “tools”, open a terminal window, browse to that folder, but instead of typing just “adb devices” type “./adb devices” and the serial number should pop up….and of course the obvious, have USB Debugging is on and yout phone plugged in. Have fun 🙂

  85. Unlockr, problem with getting to the home screen on the G1 is that we can’t because we don’t have a data plan so its not possible to do this tutorial.

  86. I went throw driver installation in my old laptop which is running Windows XP SP2.
    I did install drivers for HTC myTouch 3G and Samsung Behold 2.
    Everything is working properly for both devices, no problem at all. Right now I am ready to root my phones.
    In the order to process and illuminate any kind of potential problem I did install .NET Framework 3.5 and latest JDK. Then I unpack Android SDK and find out it is not usb_drivers folder in there, under folder. When I execute Setup SDK under folder I got an error about HTTPS access which was easy to solve inside by selecting Force HTTPS under Settings section. After that it took a while to get packages and USB drivers for HTC. Anyway I did install as well drivers from the link for Behold 2.
    After all at all my phones I went to Application settings > Development and selected USB debugging and Stay awake. Connected one phone and waited for drivers installation and then for other one the same action.
    Command line execution showed proper information for both phones.
    Thank you guys for your advices and solutions.
    I can tell base on my installation experience – it is working for HTC myTouch 3G and Samsung Behold 2.

  87. what am i doing wrong?? i cant get adb to install. keep getting errors saying not specified path not found and some others too when i go to the command prompt and type in the info.

    1. i cant seem to locate my cliq… i reinstalled the program a few times and no luck.. im a newbie im rooting phones… will someone tell what im doing wrong

  88. 2Paul, link to driver for Samsung Behold 2 is still okay. It was working before and I did check 5 min ago. Firefox prompted to save ZIP file.
    2jtc442, are you in Android SDK folder? Check if you did install packages at Setup SDK application. If okay, then use CD at CMD to reach Android SDK folder and then tools.

  89. Please help!!
    I’m pulling my hair put trying to figure out how to install all of the htc g1 drivers. I’m in the phone set up, and in order to adb all the drivers need to be activated? idk i’m really stuck. I’m running windows 7 32bit.

  90. I was setting up the ADB and I got stuck on the cmd part. I typed to the part “adb devices” and instead of a serial number pop up, it was a sentence “List of devices attached”.
    So I skip to Step 3 to check the USBDeview, but there was no HTC driver to delete.
    I don’t know what is wrong with my process, please help!

  91. Folks
    I am an old guy 80 Retired Military just bought a Sprint HTC
    Had an old Pearl with ATT. I could turn it on and off accept calls.
    Well this Sprint is really something and my brain is trying to digest
    The features.
    Well I thought I would be cute and try to add to the phone and PC.
    Bought Radio Time so I could access all radio Stations on Sprint HTC.
    No luck in that department. They E-mailed the below file and I have no idea
    What to do to add it to my Sprint HTC.

    rt.201004.apk

    Geneo
    Jacksonville FL

    1. Geneo,

      An apk file is a program file for Android (the OS your phone is running, like how your computer is running Windows OS).
      Simply plug you phone in via USB cable to your computer, pull down the notification bar at the top and select the USB notification that came up. Then click mount.
      Now you should be able to transfer files to the sd card folder that just popped up on your computer when you hit mount.
      Transfer that .apk file to the sd card, then unplug the usb cable.
      Now goto the Market on your phone and search for ‘Linda’ (without the quotes). Download and install the Linda File Manager Free program.
      Once that is installed open it from your application list and click on sdcard then click on the .apk file you just saved to the card. If it gives you a warning click on the settings button and check Allow non market apps, then hit back and click on the apk again. Choose install. Once it is done installing, go back to your application list and it’ll be there.

  92. damn!!!!
    all these rooting, adb processes etc are way too difficult for me atleast.
    loading iOS is kindda easy. 🙁

  93. hey how come it doesnt get the serial number after i follow all the steps i have a g1 and im using windows xp
    no serial number shown

  94. ive tryed to do everything you said and on the cmd it says is not recognised as an internal or external command, operable batch file or batch file. im trying to activate my g1 without a dats plan also but it wont work

  95. Great tutorials on this site no doubt!

    Seems like other people were having the same issue as me: the drivers not installing for the htc magic. The magic (and G1, others) are conspicuous in their absence in the list of drivers above. Also in the lack of replys to comments relating to difficulty with those drivers.

    The adb driver was not installing for me, until I installed htc sync – then it worked fine. I was trying to avoid installing htc sync, but no way to do that that was obvious to me.

  96. now its saying to download thee drivers because its missing on my phone….whats the next step????????im so lost…..:(

  97. all usb drivers are installed properly in my pc n ready to use it but the thing is when i connect my samsung galaxy spica in download mode it is not showing any drivers n am not able to root my phone so plz help me out

  98. I am running windows 7. I can’t get the custom recovery up and running. Tried using RSD lite and Android SDK command prompts to no success. Can you help? I really want to load the custom rom to my phone. thanks

  99. hey guys i need sum help 🙁 when i was unstallin my phone again as a usb drive the I never got the ADB INTERFACE ….. why is that?

  100. It took me forever to find out why I could not find my device, but I finally found that my phone was not set to
    ALLOW USB DEBUGGING. Simple oversight but it must be checked.

  101. this is frustrating me, after deleting devices over and over, still cant get it to install the drivers.
    mytouch3g

  102. Hey i followed steps and my computer has android phones file and the adb thing so my driver is installed but on the comand prompt the cd AndroidSDK\tools\ comes up not recognized as internal or external command plz help ive tried reinstalling the android sdk and it still doesnt work. and yes i extracted it just like it says

    1. Joshua Servin

      After the message comes up where it says it failed to fetch URL, close the window and then cancel on the next window. And now on the left, click settings. On the bottom, under “Misc” check the box that says “Force https://…”. Close the program and reboot. Hope it helps 😀

  103. Ok, So I thought I had done this install the ADB correctly. When I ran the cmd menu and the Serial number is suppoed to show up it came up the t939 and I thought I was set. Now no matter where I plug it in it cannot read the device. on top of that it fails to install the driver (manually or automatically) even if I run SDK setup.. Help? I can no longer access my phone at all unless I take out my memory card and plug it in seperate..

  104. I can’t install the drivers for my HTC.
    It is a HTC Desire, and when I plug it in it says i reqiure a disc which should have come with my phone. but no disc came with it, What should I do?

  105. Hey Unlockr,
    I have a Samsung Behold 2 and running on Window Vista 32bit.
    I tried by follow the step by step but the Serial number did not show up, the USB Debugging is on and installed the driver manually and automatically, download the USBDeview and tried….still no luck! Does it matter if I have a data plan or not? Not sure what I did wrong…

    Can you or anyone provide any help on this?
    Thank You

  106. It still says “List of devices attached” and nothing below it. i followed all the steps, please help me.

  107. The behold 2 doesn’t have HTC on the USB Files..

    So do we still have to erase something?

    cause im not getting the serial number. :/

  108. HELP ! this doesnt wok on any of my windows. p.s or my macbook. Do you need to do this to have ROMS themes ? and this guy told me not to do this it can screw up your android badly HELPPPPPP!

    1. Phil,

      1. This cannot screw up your phone. It doesn’t touch your phone its a tool for developers to communicate with their phone and create applications…
      2. You need to click How Tis at the top of the site, then Android then your phone. Do the How To Root then How To Load a ROM. After that you can change your phones themes etc

  109. I’ve tried this process three times even after reinstalling the drivers of my phone and also redownloading the sdk file and I can’t get my computer to pull up the serial number. I am using windows xp and I did the “How To: Root my HTC Evo” before this. Will that cause the error I am having or what is it exactly I’m doing wrong? I’m just trying to get the Nand so I can download the Cyanogan ROM.

  110. Hello, I have a MyTouch 3G (the one with the 3.5mm headphone jack, and its running 1.6). I get up to the part where its supposed to show your serial number, but all it displays is nothing (no errors or anything, just a blank line). I’ve tried putting my phone in with USB debugging turned on, but still nothing (Am I supposed to mount it or just plug it into the computer?). By the way I’m running a 32bit Windows XP Professional. Please any help is great.

  111. My debug is checked on and I am still having the same issue. When I open my cmd it and type what is prompted it says ‘The system cannot find the path specified.’

  112. Does ANYBODY know where I can get the MyTouch 3G (New 1.2 & fender) drivers for download? At the top they aren’t provided…..

  113. Hi, I was wondering does any one of this site knows how to do this HowTo videos on linux? I REALLY want to root my behold 2 but I have no idea how to do it with linux any help? thanks

  114. i did everything didnt get a serial number, did the second step still didnt get a serial number. please help!!

  115. Ok im having a problem.. im trying to do ADB i have a MacBook Pro everytime i use terminal n i get into were i have androidsdk i type adb devices i get this code:

    -bash: adb: command not found

    Anyone know why im getting this code? if you can help that’ll be great.. thanks

  116. I have a MyTouch 3G (the one with the 3.5mm headphone jack, and its running 1.6). I get up to the part where its supposed to show your serial number, but all it displays is nothing (no errors or anything, just a blank line). I’ve tried putting my phone in with USB debugging turned on, but still nothing what else should I do? By the way I’m running a 32bit Windows XP Please any help is great

  117. Like a few others, I don’t have a service plan for the g1.
    There is no way to reach the home screen, or settings screen to turn on debugging. (or at least that I know of)
    Pretty much can’t do anything to the phone except marvel at our paper weights.

    How can we get the serial number if we can’t debug?

    also only HTC Mass Storage driver appears when I try to reinstall drivers.
    and its the only one there when I uninstall.

    Are we pretty much outta luck?

  118. I cannot get the ADB to mount the system file

    i am typing

    adb shell mount /system

    and i keep getting back an error that the system is busy, what am i doing wrong?

    i am running MoDaCo r5 ROM with Froyo

    thanks

  119. Hi Mr. Unlockr,

    My Vista 32-bit computer gives the notification, that there is an unknown device, when looking at the Devices selection, i tried the things you wrote above, but nothing helps, i still can’t access my phone via usb, which is kinda shitty because i want to root and set a custom rom on my Htc Hero 2.1.

    And another question, can you root and custom when you’re on fw 2.1update1 (eclair)
    It’s unbranded btw, no sprint or other plans.

    I hope you can help me, because i really want the latest villianrom on my hero 🙁

    Thanks in Advance.

  120. absolutly confused… when you plug in the phone(evo) does it need to be on sync mode… ordisk drive or charge only?

    cannot find any of this stuff confused jesus help

  121. okay my phones rooted.. i just cant seem to get the adb to pop up… i look in my device manager and it says my HTC… i click on My HTC and i get this “Windows cannot initialize the device driver for this hardware. (Code 37)”
    what should i do?

  122. Hi Mr. Unlockr,

    My Vista 32-bit computer gives the notification, that there is an unknown device, when looking at the Devices selection, i tried the things you wrote above, but nothing helps, i still can’t access my phone via usb, which is kinda shitty because i want to root and set a custom rom on my Htc Hero 2.1.

    I tried to set up the adb, but it doesn’t give a serial number.
    Also i tried to manually install the drivers and soo on.

    And another question, is it able root and custom when you’re on fw 2.1update1 (eclair)
    It’s unbranded btw, no sprint or other plans.

    I hope you can help me, because i really want the latest villianrom on my hero

    Thanks in Advance.

  123. when i type in AndroidSDK/tools/ and press enter it says its not recognized as an internal or external command

  124. Hey Unlockr,

    i did the whole thing and my serial number showed up but next to it said “Offline” when yours said Recovery, why is that and when i tryed to root my mytouch slide, it said error phone offline, what did i do wrong or what am i missing!?

  125. hey. i tried to run the sdk on my PC, but is not accepting the |Drivers and the G1 android is not is the list of drivers you guys have. How can i get it?

  126. Hey Unlocker Great page i’ve lern a lot with it. But i’m having a major Problem i guess! i have a G1 and i’m trying to setup the Gmail account with a data plan (wifi) but my computer is only recognizing the device as a
    >Mass Storage< only . how can i get it Done to have it recognize with all the conponent

  127. OK, this is confusing I only wanted to install a ROM anyway I digress.

    I need to make a goldcard because I can’t unroot my HTC magic, I have followed all the instructions up to this point.

    – After typing the cmd lines in, it doesn’t show the serial number.

    – The HTC MAgic drivers are not included in your list.

    – So I downloaded USB deview, there were only 2 HTC drivers I tried unistalling only 1 would uninstall (Running as administrator)

    – I unplugged the USB and back in, and the updating drivers balloon doesn’t show and the device manager still shows the driver I was unable to uninstall

    – When I plug the phone’s USB cable back in, I get the error message “Windows – No Disk” – Exception Processing Message 0xc000… etc.

    – I have searched the comments you made about the Magic it reads,

    “Reason those devices are missing is because they are included in the USB driver folder of the SDK itself. Just install them from there.”

    What does this mean? I have searched the SDK folder for a USB drive folder I don’t see one. Do I have to put the SDK folder onto my phone’s SD card?

    Also am I receiveing the error message because I deleted the HTC driver and it isn’t re-installing?

    Thanks for your help.

    Much apprecieted.

  128. I have looked some more into it, is the problem with AndroidSDK folder I have downloaded?

    Should there be a USB Drives folder in there? When I open it up there are only 3 folders – addons, platforms and tools. And the SDK Setup.exe

  129. Hey Dave, so I figured it out and just wanna put it up in the comments in case anyone else has the same problem.

    ** Works for HTC Magic users **

    The link in this tutorial for the AndroidSDK.zip is the latest version and has no USB drivers folder.

    If you go to http://android-sdk.en.softonic.com/ it will give you an older version SDK 1.5 with the drivers.

    Continue on from step 2.

    Hope this helps.

    Dave, I dunno if you have any qualms about me linking to another site, if so I apologize. Also could you help me out I posted my problem in the How to Root your MyTouch 3G / Magic (GOLDCARD METHOD)

  130. i did everything perfect and it didnt work, then i did the manual driver install and still it didnt detect my phone. then i used the app to delete all htc drivers which didnt make sence but i did, them reinstalled the behold driver all 3 ways you tell us to and an still no detection. so now what??

  131. Hey, TheUnlockr, when I go into the command prompt and input the commands in the steps, it just says ” A list of devices attached” with no serial. Any help?

  132. hi David,
    I’m trying to create a “GOLD CARD” I’m following your video step to create it. but now i’m stuck in the middle where i needed to type in the command in the adb shell “$ cat /sys/class/mmc_host/mmc1/mmc1:*/cid”
    it come out with the message ” /sys/class/mmc_host/mmc1/mmc1:*/cid: No such file or directory” what is my problem here?
    I’m using HTC LEGEND.. plz help me~
    Thanks alot

  133. So’ I’ve done ALL the steps. Numerous times. And I can’t get it to work at all on my Cliq. And when I download the USBDeview there are NO HTC titles in there? Please help me! I don’t know what I’m doing wrong!

  134. OK, I had similar issue with adb when I try to list it.
    All you have to do is killing the server and restart it again.

    From the command line in the same tools location type these:

    adb kill-server
    adb start-server
    adb devices

    If you have all the drivers in your computer, these steps should solve that.
    Please update the post, to make easier to those people who are looking for that.

  135. I’ve tried 20 times to get the drivers to install is there a different process i should do if I’m using windows 7 because it’s still not finding the serial to my samsung behold 2?

  136. how do i download a driver for the my touch 3g there is no link and it wont automatically do it please reply and help!!!!

  137. Hi Unlockr,

    Great site, keep up the good work!

    I’m having problems loading the adb drivers on an XP machine. I have tried everything above, including USBDeview. Is there anywhere that I could get the INF driver file directly? I am using an HTC Legend.

    thanks
    _mccard

  138. Ok, I’m trying to activate my HTC G1 without a data plan. I’m stuck with the drivers, I know I’ve done everything else right becuase I tried it with a HTC Evo and was able to get the serial number so I know what I’m doing is right. However when I plug my G1 into the computer it always just shows up as a mass storage device. I have tried the usb dev thing, and have even tried to manually install the drivers but, honestly, I don’t really know what to look for, when I use the manual method it says that the driver isn’t the right driver. Any help you can provide would be really appreciated as I am at my wits end. Thanks

    1. i tried your steps but still get adb server killing,…list of devices, no serial. Curiously, when i used the device manager checking drivers on my HTC desire, it says drivers installed by HTC and the version number of it. The question i want to ask is if the HTC drivers and adb drivers are the same or not.

  139. hi unlocker, a quick question from a newbie here, you might have answered this already but it’s kinda hard to
    browse and read the post one by one, so heres my dilemma,

    i already followed the steps but i can’t install apps in my phone, i mean 8s saying error on adb composite, and i followed to check for the adb in the cmd prompt, and there were no serial numbers, so i tried to install it manually now, heres the thing, i’m still using WinXP and everytime i click on update drivers it’s prompting me to a choice, and after i downloaded the drivers which should be installed (btw my phone is samsung galaxy spica gt-5700 android v2.1) i has 2 folders, now im not sure what to install or update..

    my supposidly smart phone is as dumb our neighbor and i really really would appreciate it if you help me go through this… heheheh tnx lots….

  140. Just unpacked the latest android sdk by right clicking on the zip file and choosing Extract Files… then typing the name AndroidSDK and it creates an additional folder so, to get to the tools folder the correct address would now be:

    C:\AndroidSDK\android-sdk-windows\tools

    or you can just move all the files and folders in the android-sdk-windows folder iinto the AndroidSDK folder to follow this tut verbatim.

  141. behold 2 (firmware 1.6)
    vista basic (32-bit OS)
    C:\AndroidSDK <–it is renamed

    ok this has turned out to be an EPIC FAIL!!!
    like i said i have a behold 2. i owned it for a while now and had it loaded with apps. and i decided to do a "master rest" on the phone so it would be all original for all of this…….. basically i seen the videos on youtube of the behold 2 running on galaxy s ROM thanks to BH_Man. and u (theunlocker.com) give a vidoe of uploading this ROM. to do so the behold 2 must be ROOTED. in order to do so…. and in order to ROOT the behold 2 u need to do THIS "adb/usb BULLSHIT!!! i lost count of how many times i have tried to do this!!! i have downloaded ALL the files provided above ( in regards to behold 2) and i follow ALL the instructions exactly as instructed, and when i have the the files extrated to there proper locations: i downloaded "Android SDK" for windows, from the above link. the files were extracted to the Cdrive, and renamed AndroidSDK Ex. C:\ AndroidSDK. my behold 2's USB debugging was enabled.the samsung/android decive drivers were already installed, but were also uninstalled and reinstalled several times, using all metheds from above:manual and with ur drive pack. i tried using all three: samsung pc studio, mass storage, and jus charging. and when i go to the cmd and enter in all the commands i NEVER get a serial number at the end!!!!!

  142. Sorry, one question. I have a HTC touch and is bricked… can i make a goldcard for it?
    Is this solution only for android phones? Mine is windows mobile…
    Than’s

  143. Hi, can anyone tell me why I get to the command prompt and get the “list of devices” but nothing is listed? I’m stumped.

  144. Hi i am having problems getting windows virtual pc to put drivers on my phone. I used sdk and updated everything. When I go into cmd and type in the command lines it just says list of devices attached. I get no serial number. I then proceeded to download drivers manually for behold 2. I went in Device Manager and behold 2 isnt listed. There are yellow question marks where it says other devices> virtual pc integration system. If i click on the setup in the drivers folder it says installed successfully but still no recognization that behold 2 is connected. Also for clarification usddeview shows no drivers or devices hooked up to delete. Please help. Is there somewhere specific I am supposed to manually save drivers?

  145. Hi dude.

    I followed your instructions and I couldn’t get my phone’s serial number. When I typed adb devices it just said “list of devices” and there was nothing else. I used USBdeview and uninstalled and plugged my phone back in. All I got was a new driver just like the one I had before. It says HTC Android Phone USB Device. I still don’t have one that says ADB device or anything. I’ve tried over and over and it won’t work. I need to activate my phone but I don’t have a data plan. I also tried updating my driver from the usb drivers folder in the androidsdk folder, but I think that didn’t work because it said it couldn’t find a better match than the one I already had. Please help.

    Thank you,

    Benji

  146. hey i did everythinq as shown, and you c at the end when it says your device is ready to use and it says usb composite ready to use and all of the other stuff mine only saids usb mass storage ready to use, does that matter, and its not giving me a serial number or nothing, can you please help me,

  147. hey just to let people know so they wont make the same mistake i did. it took me a week till i figured it out. those of you who are using tethering, THIS PROCEDURE WILL NOT WORK, YOU MUST DISABLE TETHERING FIRST IN ORDER FOR YOU TO GET YOUR SERIAL NUMBER. do your downloads first then either print this page or just leave it open and dont close it for the instructions. then disable tethering, (reboot your phone if you have to, i noticed i had to with “pdanet tether”) then follow the procedure and you should get your serial number……for xp users, (i dont know about others thou), after you do the procedure your tethering wont work so on your computer press control+alt+delete at the same time, click on task manager, click on “adb” just once, then end task and your tethering will work again. (note you will have to do that everytime you use cmd for your phone in order to get either or working)

  148. hi this is killing me….i still don’t get why i say’s not a registered device when i run it on cmd….please help..
    I’m using windows xp..
    this is what i did…i turn on usb debbuging on my phone then connect it to the comp.then something pops up asking me if i want to install the driver and i click yes but it cannot find the driver and i don’t know why…o and i also did what u said on the video…..

      1. Yeah! exact I have the same problem because my G1 phone is locked, I mean its not yet set up with an google to start working. it show only the welcome to t-mobile g1 and touch the android to begin page , so I cannot get into the phone to set the USbdebugging, in this case how can I do to install the right driver? I want to use the manner your described here (Activating the phone over wifi with a sim but no data plan) to activate it?

        Your quick help will be greatly aperciated?

  149. It’s an unlocked t-mobile mytouch 3g (without headphone jack) I tried putting a centennial wireless sim card in it and signing into a gmail account after manually updating the APN settings for Centennial, didn’t work, I have no way to access anything without signing into the phone which I can’t do and I’m at my wit’s end and the really sad thing is I use to work for T-mobile and I can’t get it to work, please SAVE ME FROM THIS HECK!

    1. Does the Centennial account have a data plan on it?
      If so, then check to make sure the APN you saved is 100% correct (call Centennial and have them help if need be). Then make sure you select it after you save it (it needs to show it as the selected APN in the APN list). Then try again.

  150. It does have a data plan and we got all the apn info from them, I made sure it was selected but it simply would not register data.

  151. I have the Samsung Transform (Model SPH-M920). I cannot get my computer (Windows XP) to even recognize this phone when plugged into the USB. I have tried everything to find a compatable driver to no avail. Someone, please, HELP me!

  152. device not found. i look in device manager, it shows up in portable devices as a F: Help me please! htc sycn is installed. that dont work either.

  153. Hi, this evening i powered off my Galaxy S Vibrant (i9000M) and since then just doesn’t want to start. It gets stuck on the boot logo and then nothing happens and it shuts off. I’m pretty sure I set the phone on USB debugging but since it won’t start I can’t check if I did. I tried installing ADB but my phone’s serial number doesn’t show. Could that be because it’s not in USB debugging mode? and if so is there any way I can get ADB to work despite this?

    Thanks

  154. I cant get past the whle CMD thing. I type in the path to the sdk tools file, and wont load. says its not recognized as an operable file. How to I get this part to work to verify the connections?

  155. after i downloaded all the files that i need then in CMD everytime i type cd AndroidSDKtools then enter it always say “The system cannot find the path specified.” whats happening? i need help. Thanks

    1. open the zip file downloaded and extract the folder to C:
      then rename that folder to androidSDK
      then when you do the CD command do :
      CDandroidSDKTools
      then you can continue

    2. Hi. I had this problem with path location too. for me the path was C:AndroidSDKandroid-sdk-windowstools.

      The problem I am running into is on step 6 when i run adb devices command, it gives me some 10 digit alphanumeric code instead of a 15 digit which is what I would expect for a phone serial number

      1. I have the same problem with Mj ! can u help me o open the files? and is there anyway u can help me to find the AndroidSDK/windows ?

  156. Starting ADB Server…
    *daemon not running. stating it now on port 5037*
    *daemon started successfully*

    OK

    Waiting for device

    And waiting…
    Something must be wrong becuase I have not gotten past waiting.
    i do have USB debugging connected…

    What might be wrong?

    Thanks

    OK I just opened a CMD prompt and typed adb devices
    This is what I got in return.

    C:usern0m0n>adb devices
    List of devices attached

    C:usern0m0n>

    Does that mean ??? adb is working or isn’t becuase I have my Droid2 and gTablet plugged in?

    I have re-flashed my Droid2 with the stock SBF already so I don’t know why I cant get the root app to work.

    Can anyone advise?

    Thanks

  157. i do everything like the instructions, and when i type adb devices, “list of devices attached”,what it’s means?thank you

  158. I followed your instructions and downloaded AndroidSDK to my C:drive. However, when I plugged in my Galaxy Windows could not find the driver in the AndroidSDK directory. I checked under Device Manager and it is recognizing the Samsung Andorid USB Device but there is no driver. Was the driver suppose to download in the tools directory and if so what was the name of the file?

  159. I opened the SDK manager and downloaded the USB Driver for Windows to my AndroidSDK directory. I tried to add the driver to my Samsung Android USB device under Device Manager and it still does not find the driver. What gives????? This is so beyond frustrating for something that should be so simple. The USB debugging checked. Could there be other settings on my phone that could be creating the problem. I am assuming that the USB device is OK since it is showing up under the Device Manager.

  160. once i download the sdk the icon doesnt look like a stack of books, instead it has teh internet explorer icon and when i right click there is no option to extract…???

  161. I’m having the same problems with two different Android.
    First the Samsung Captivate and now the Nexus 1.
    I can get as far as device and it show the device ID.
    None of the command work, ie. if I do adb remount I get: remount failed: Operation not permitted

  162. I’ve followed this to the letter. When I reconnect the phone all of the drivers install except ADB. I then point it to the location where the driver is… and Windows can’t find the driver. Am losing the will to live. Have been through this loop several times now. Any help appreciated.

  163. Dear Mr. Unlockr; I rooted my G1 and now I’m trying to setup the ADB/USB drives. I have the debug box checked off I connected the USB Cable and I was wondering am I supposed to mount the SD card via USB? I’m using Windoows7/64 and the link that u setup that goes to My Digital Life says to extract the into a folder; now my ? is do I type the info that they have. Thx in Advance.

  164. The “adb files” download link given upster is down.
    To get adb with r08 release : launch SDK manager and apply the available packages.
    After than the manager has downloaded every packages, it’ll start the deamon.
    Now go on a prompt command
    insert : cd C:path_of_your_installation_of_AndroidSDKplatform-tools
    insert : adb shell (or adb devices)
    –> It’s work !

    20101208 Vincent.

  165. The “adb files” download link given upster is down.
    To get adb with r08 release : launch SDK manager and apply the available packages.
    After than the manager has downloaded every packages, it’ll start the deamon.
    Now go on a prompt command
    insert : cd C:path_of_your_installation_of_AndroidSDKplatform-tools
    insert : adb shell (or adb devices)
    –> It’s work !

    20101208 Vincent.

  166. The “adb files” download link given upster is down.
    To get adb with r08 release : launch SDK manager and apply the available packages.
    After than the manager has downloaded every packages, it’ll start the deamon.
    Now go on a prompt command
    insert : cd C:path_of_your_installation_of_AndroidSDKplatform-tools
    insert : adb shell (or adb devices)
    –> It’s work !

    20101208 Vincent.

  167. alright, i have been trying for 2 days and i finally get it.
    after do the cmd thing i always get stuck in the last line of code so here is the solution:
    after you tipe

    cd
    cd AndroidSDKtools

    u need to copy the adb drivers to

    C:AndroidSDKtools

    and then u can tipe the last line of code

    adb devices and it will work. at least worked for me and im using win7 ultimate 32bit

  168. alright, i have been trying for 2 days and i finally get it.
    after do the cmd thing i always get stuck in the last line of code so here is the solution:
    after you tipe

    cd
    cd AndroidSDKtools

    u need to copy the adb drivers to

    C:AndroidSDKtools

    and then u can tipe the last line of code

    adb devices and it will work. at least worked for me and im using win7 ultimate 32bit

  169. Just follow the written procedure. Download the sdksupport and unzip it. Then copy the sdksupport folder inside to the c drive and rename it to androidsdk. Open that folder and make sure that the tools folder can be seen immediately (and there isn’t another folder in between). Then read the update in the procedure and download the ADB files and put them into the tools folder. Done.

    1. Mikej Mcclendon

      I don’t know if they changed the app since you made this update but there is no “adb devices” bat file or application in that path. Am I doing some thing stupid? I have followed your directions to a tee, but I cannot get this command to run at prompt. I do as you say I browse to the the tools folder and the attempt to execute the command but just get the typical bad command error

      C:androidSDKtools>adb devices
      ‘adb’ is not recognized as an inoperable program or batch file.

      as you can see it does not even recognize the second word as is always the case when you put it with out quotes at prompt. This leaves me to believe that I am doing something fundamentally wrong…what is it???

    2. Mikej Mcclendon

      I don’t know if they changed the app since you made this update but there is no “adb devices” bat file or application in that path. Am I doing some thing stupid? I have followed your directions to a tee, but I cannot get this command to run at prompt. I do as you say I browse to the the tools folder and the attempt to execute the command but just get the typical bad command error

      C:androidSDKtools>adb devices
      ‘adb’ is not recognized as an inoperable program or batch file.

      as you can see it does not even recognize the second word as is always the case when you put it with out quotes at prompt. This leaves me to believe that I am doing something fundamentally wrong…what is it???

    3. Mikej Mcclendon

      I don’t know if they changed the app since you made this update but there is no “adb devices” bat file or application in that path. Am I doing some thing stupid? I have followed your directions to a tee, but I cannot get this command to run at prompt. I do as you say I browse to the the tools folder and the attempt to execute the command but just get the typical bad command error

      C:androidSDKtools>adb devices
      ‘adb’ is not recognized as an inoperable program or batch file.

      as you can see it does not even recognize the second word as is always the case when you put it with out quotes at prompt. This leaves me to believe that I am doing something fundamentally wrong…what is it???

    4. Jose_tenorplayer

      idk if it might help but i would but the adb thing in bold first, you know?? so everybody reads that first before setting that up, and then have it the second time in the instructions, just a suggestion

  170. Thank you THANK YOU! As soon as I reinstalled the driver in part II I did everything it said on the screen and kablamo! I’m in business. I have a Droid Incredible btw

  171. ok i cant even install the android sdk. I installed the latest java SE development kit and when i run the windows installer for the Android SDK it says it does not detect the JDK. i’ve uninstalled/rebooted/reinstalled but it does not detect it. is this b/c i’m running in a Win64bit environment?

  172. ok i cant even install the android sdk. I installed the latest java SE development kit and when i run the windows installer for the Android SDK it says it does not detect the JDK. i’ve uninstalled/rebooted/reinstalled but it does not detect it. is this b/c i’m running in a Win64bit environment?

  173. I was going to take a short cut and just ask for a solution to the problem I was having. Instead I did something crazy and ….read the entire “How to”. I kept receiving an error at the CMD prompt ADB not an internal or external command. I needed to download the ADB files just as written in the update. Thank you very much for the clear and detailed steps

  174. I was going to take a short cut and just ask for a solution to the problem I was having. Instead I did something crazy and ….read the entire “How to”. I kept receiving an error at the CMD prompt ADB not an internal or external command. I needed to download the ADB files just as written in the update. Thank you very much for the clear and detailed steps

  175. I was going to take a short cut and just ask for a solution to the problem I was having. Instead I did something crazy and ….read the entire “How to”. I kept receiving an error at the CMD prompt ADB not an internal or external command. I needed to download the ADB files just as written in the update. Thank you very much for the clear and detailed steps

  176. Hi Unlockr! i would like to ask. i kinda did everything until i downloaded the adb files and extracted it in the tools, when i did the CMD thing it says list of devices attached. does this mean anything? thanks!

  177. I got stuck on the “cmd” part also and so started the procedure to reinstall the drivers thinking that was the problem so i downloaded and opened “USBDEVIEW” I saw that one of the items said “currently connected” and next to it “yes” and in another column named “serial” THERE WAS THE SERIAL NUMBER FOR MY PHONE!!! HOPE THIS HELPS SOME1 ALSO. =)

  178. Please reply to this message!! I’ve been on your site for more than 12 hours now!
    I have a mytouch 3g 32A, tried to root it but did something wrong, and now all I get is HTC Magic boot logo!!
    I can’t make a gold card or setup ADB. When I try to setup ADB, I get a list of devices attached.
    Please give me some steps to getting rid of this!!
    I believe in you guys, and keep up the good work.
    Thanks

  179. i have a g1 and i also get stuck on the part where i put adb devices on the cmd it says The system cannot find the path specified

  180. i have a g1 and i also get stuck on the part where i put adb devices on the cmd it says The system cannot find the path specified

  181. hi im having a problem wen i type adb shell chomd 0755 /data/local/try3 it says error device ofline how do i get it online wen its already plugged into my computer?

  182. when i type adb devices, here’s wat it says:
    ‘adb’ is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or a batch file.
    what shall i do?i need help really…
    my android device is an ipad…its not a phone…i had a hard time looking for a usb driver for my deice..pls help..

  183. Theunlockr,
    Got the ADB loaded and it seems to be running but when I plug in my G1 I get the “serial number” some space then it says “device” but when I plug in my Behold 2 it gives me “SGS-T939” some space then it says “offline” It won’t let me enter the next step because of the offline thingy, any ideas?

  184. Im doign the activation without a data plan and i am not able to go on the phone and click settings and application (3). What should i do?

  185. Mikej Mcclendon

    My GOD what a gigantic pain in the butt that was to figure out, it seems they have updated SDK since this tutorial was created.

    After clicking on the link Unlockr provided and picking my platform in .zip format, I extracted as directed to the root of C: drive.

    Then went to DOS prompt; (I know it’s not really DOS any more but I digress) I should say COMMAND prompt and browsed to the c:androidSDKTools and proceeded to type in the command adb devices…and got the response:

    ‘adb’ is not recognized as an internal or external command,
    operable program or batch file.

    This is because I was in the wrong directory, it seems they have changed the file structure of SDK. You now need to browse to: C:androidsdkplatform-tools and enter the same command….and PRESTO it works.

    I think this is relevant also; before I did any of this I browsed to C:androidsdk in file explorer and executed the application SDK Manager.exe and did all the updating.

    1. Thanks for the info, but you could have just done the procedure exactly as written and that would have worked too 🙂 (If you read step 6 it gives you the ADB files to download and just extract to the tools folder and your all set).

      1. I did the procedure exactly as written 3 times, the “adb” command was not in that path. Is a matter of fact until I updated with the manager it didn’t exist.

        I don’t claim to be any kind of expert but I know just enough to be dangerous, and I am telling you I couldn’t get any thing but an unrecognizable command echo.

        Do me a favor double check that some thing hasn’t changed using your link here, and see if the “adb” command is in the path you specify or in the folders at all before you update with the manager.

        1. I am also “dangerous” when it comes to these things. Follow the video carefully and it does work, I can testify to that. I had to go a different route(path) than the above and I still got the adb to work. I spent alot of time the day before reading stuff on the internet. My suggestion is to let this simmer for a day or so, then come back to this post. All I can say is make sure you have all the ingredients….whatever they may be.

      2. I did the procedure exactly as written 3 times, the “adb” command was not in that path. Is a matter of fact until I updated with the manager it didn’t exist.

        I don’t claim to be any kind of expert but I know just enough to be dangerous, and I am telling you I couldn’t get any thing but an unrecognizable command echo.

        Do me a favor double check that some thing hasn’t changed using your link here, and see if the “adb” command is in the path you specify or in the folders at all before you update with the manager.

      3. Oh shite!!!! SORRY…you are absolutely correct!!!

        It’s amazing what a little reading ahead will do isn’t it.

        I’ll just back out of the room quietly now, Hey by the way awesome, well written, complete, and easy to follow How To.

        Thanks 🙂

      4. Oh shite!!!! SORRY…you are absolutely correct!!!

        It’s amazing what a little reading ahead will do isn’t it.

        I’ll just back out of the room quietly now, Hey by the way awesome, well written, complete, and easy to follow How To.

        Thanks 🙂

      5. Hey, thanks for all the info. I tried to download the file from step 6 but my country has it blocked. I tried to do it through a proxy and ended up downloading a php file. I am trying now to do what Mike suggested. I hope it works. Again, thanks for the instructions.

    2. Thanks for the info, but you could have just done the procedure exactly as written and that would have worked too 🙂 (If you read step 6 it gives you the ADB files to download and just extract to the tools folder and your all set).

    3. Thanks for the info, but you could have just done the procedure exactly as written and that would have worked too 🙂 (If you read step 6 it gives you the ADB files to download and just extract to the tools folder and your all set).

    4. Thanks for the info, but you could have just done the procedure exactly as written and that would have worked too 🙂 (If you read step 6 it gives you the ADB files to download and just extract to the tools folder and your all set).

  186. Mikej Mcclendon

    My GOD what a gigantic pain in the butt that was to figure out, it seems they have updated SDK since this tutorial was created.

    After clicking on the link Unlockr provided and picking my platform in .zip format, I extracted as directed to the root of C: drive.

    Then went to DOS prompt; (I know it’s not really DOS any more but I digress) I should say COMMAND prompt and browsed to the c:androidSDKTools and proceeded to type in the command adb devices…and got the response:

    ‘adb’ is not recognized as an internal or external command,
    operable program or batch file.

    This is because I was in the wrong directory, it seems they have changed the file structure of SDK. You now need to browse to: C:androidsdkplatform-tools and enter the same command….and PRESTO it works.

    I think this is relevant also; before I did any of this I browsed to C:androidsdk in file explorer and executed the application SDK Manager.exe and did all the updating.

  187. i have a question what if i need this to activated without a data plan…??
    and im not sure USB debugging is on?
    what do i do??

  188. Thank you very much, you really helped me!
    The ADB files were missing in the SDK, and I was really stuck until I came across your site. So thank you!