Android devices can be debugged on Windows, Linux, macOS, or ChromeOS computers with ADB. Android doesn’t let external devices access a phone or tablet without permission. To access the host device, you need to authorize the ADB client. ADB device unauthorized may occur if ADB drivers are not properly setup or USB debugging is not enabled. The goal of this content is to fix ADB issues on Android and Windows by exploring the reasons behind them.
Unauthorized ADB (Android Debug Bridge) Device Troubleshooting
Windows, macOS, and Linux users may encounter an ADB not found or recognized error due to:
- ADB drivers aren’t up to date
- On Samsung devices, Auto Blocker is enabled
- In Windows 11, the ADB device is unauthorized
- You don’t have USB debugging enabled
- During command execution, the screen locks
- Fingerprints of RSA keys are not allowed
- Update your USB drivers
- The command window does not display the path to the ‘platform-tools’ folder.
- There’s a problem with the USB cable or port
1. Turn on Developer Options and USB Debugging
- Your Android device’s settings can be accessed by opening the Settings app.
- Go to About, About phone, or About device in the settings. If you can’t find it, type “about” in the Settings app.
- Please click on Software information.
- The Build number should be tapped seven times.
- As a result, you will receive a toast that says, “ The Developer mode has been enabled“.
- In the Settings menu, you’ll find a new item called Developer Options. Depending on your device, it might be under Settings > Additional settings.
- Go to USB debugging in the Developer options. Activate USB debugging by tapping OK when prompted.
2. Extend the screen off timeout
- ADB won’t detect your locked phone while you execute commands on your computer.
- So you’ll get an unauthorized device error in Terminal.
- Set the screen timeout to 5 or 10 minutes in Settings > Display > Screen timeout.
Also Checkout: How To Get Free Internet On Rooted Android
3. Open a Command Window with ADB’s path
- Activate the ADB drivers by opening the ‘platform-tools’ folder.
- Using the folder path, launch a Command Prompt or PowerShell window.
- To do that, open a Command Prompt inside the folder. In order to accomplish this process, two different methods can be used.
- From the Windows Context Menu, right-click inside the platform-tools folder window, and select “Open PowerShell window here” (Windows 10), or “Open in Terminal” (Windows 11).
- In the folder window, type “cmd” or “PowerShell” and hit enter.
4. Removing USB debugging permissions
- Go to Settings > Developer options.
- Tap Revoke USB debugging authorizations right below USB debugging.
- You’ll see a pop-up. To revoke access to all computers you’ve authorized, just tap OK.
5. Get the newest ADB drivers (Download & Install)
- ADB device is an unauthorized error that can happen if the ADB drivers on your computer are old or outdated.
- Use the latest Android SDK platform tools on your Windows, macOS, or Linux system to eliminate this possibility.
6. Enable RSA Fingerprint Key for ADB Debugging
- Sending commands to Android devices via a computer is one of the most common causes of ADB device unauthorized errors.
- Once you’ve typed the command, make sure the screen is on and press enter.
- If you choose to enable USB debugging, you will see a pop-up asking “Do you want to enable USB debugging?”.
- Tap ‘Allow’ to always allow this computer from this computer.
- The aDB commands can now be used once again.
- As a result, the device’s unauthorized error should have disappeared from the system.
7. Turn off ADB authorization Timeout
- It is possible to find the developer options on your Android phone or tablet by going to Settings> Developer options in the settings menu.
- There’s an option called Disable ADB Authorization Timeout in the Debugging section.
- Tap the toggle next to this option and your device will remember the RSA key fingerprint of your PC as an authorized ADB device.