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Android Build a Simple Android App (2014) Testing and Debugging Running the App on a Device

Delia Lazarescu
Delia Lazarescu
1,217 Points
Posted by Delia Lazarescu
Delia Lazarescu
1,217 Points

Cannot connect Samsung Galaxy S4 to Mac Android Studio for debugging

Android studio won't detect my phone. I have tried including the android path in my .bash_profile in the terminal, I have tried different USB cables, and of course I have also followed all the steps in the video. Any suggestions?

2 Answers

James Simshaw
James Simshaw
28,738 Points
James Simshaw
James Simshaw
28,738 Points

Hello,

I'm going to preface my answer by saying that I'm not a Mac person.

My first suggestion would be to make sure USB Debugging is enabled on the phone. To do this, you will likely need to enable devveloper options by going to Settings, About Phone, and hit the Build Number 7 times. Once that is done, go to Settings, Developer Options, turn them on if needed, and enable USB Debugging.

I did search a little on this and found a post on stackoverflow here that also mentions that they had to have the phone connected to a powered USB hub for it to work. I cannot say for sure if this works, but if the USB Debugging didn't work out and you have one laying around, it would be worth a shot.

I know on Windows, Samsung devices need special drivers from Samsung to work happy with Android development, but I don't believe that would be the case for Macs.

If things still don't work, do you see anything if you run "adb devices" from a terminal?

Delia Lazarescu
Delia Lazarescu
1,217 Points
Delia Lazarescu
Delia Lazarescu
1,217 Points

Thanks James. I've tried absolutely everything and it turns out it was just my phone that was the problem. My friends with Samsung s4 had no problem connecting on my computer, and other experienced mobile guys have tried connecting it as well, so my phone probably just isn't debuggable. I guess that's why you shouldn't buy phones off kijiji. Just kidding, I got a Nexus 5 off there today and it connects! Yay!

Thanks for your help.