Connect over USB: plug the phone into this computer with a cable. It works with every Android version and needs no extra software.
- 1
Turn on Developer options
On the Android device open Settings › About phone, then tap Build number seven times until it says you are a developer.
Menu names vary by maker. On Samsung it is under About phone › Software information.
- 2
Turn on USB debugging
Open Settings › System › Developer options and switch on USB debugging.
On some devices Developer options sits under Additional settings.
- 3
Plug in the device
Connect it to this computer with a USB cable that carries data, not just power, and unlock the screen.
If it still is not found, try another cable or a port on the computer itself.
- 4
Choose the device in the browser
Click Connect device here, then pick your device in the browser's USB window and click Connect.
- 5
Allow debugging on the device
Tap Allow on the “Allow USB debugging?” prompt on the device. Tick “Always allow from this computer” to skip it next time.
Troubleshooting
My device is not in the USB window
Check that USB debugging is on, unlock the device and try another cable or port. If the device asks what the USB connection is for, choose File transfer. On Windows, install your phone maker's USB driver; on Linux, your user may need udev rules for the device.
I can see the screen but can't control it (scrcpy)
ADBKit mirrors and controls the screen with the open-source scrcpy server, so it has the same limit as scrcpy. On some devices Android blocks simulated touch and key input until you turn on one more option: open Settings › Developer options and switch on USB debugging (Security settings) — “Allow granting permissions and simulating input via USB debugging”. Restart the device once after turning it on, then connect again.
scrcpy FAQ: mouse and keyboard do not work
The device says the computer is not authorized
Unplug and replug the cable with the screen unlocked. If no prompt appears, open Settings › Developer options, choose Revoke USB debugging authorizations, then connect again.
The device is busy or in use
Only one program can hold the USB connection. Close Android Studio, scrcpy, other ADBKit tabs and any running adb server (“adb kill-server”).
