‘Android ADB Devices Unauthorized’ Error

7. Use the Correct ADB Command

When your device is in recovery mode, use the -d flag with ADB commands:

adb -d sideload <filename.zip>

This specifies the device to use when multiple devices are connected.

8. Disable Wireless Debugging (If Applicable)

In some cases, wireless debugging can interfere with USB connections:

• Open Android Studio.

• Navigate to Settings > Build, Execution, Deployment > Debugger.

• Uncheck Enable ADB mDNS for wireless debugging.

This setting can resolve issues where ADB over Wi-Fi conflicts with USB connections.

• Try a Different USB Cable: Some cables are charge-only and don't support data transfer.

• Use a Different USB Port: Front ports on desktops may not provide a stable connection.

• Check for Device-Specific Issues: Some devices may require specific steps to enable USB debugging or may have unique quirks.

Stay Tuned...

If you're still encountering issues or need assistance with a specific device, stay tuned for our upcoming articles where we'll delve deeper into device-specific solutions and advanced troubleshooting techniques.

❓What does 'ADB devices unauthorized' mean on Android?

Answer:
When you see 'unauthorized' next to your device after running the adb devices command, it means your Android device hasn't approved the connection request from your computer. This usually happens when you haven’t accepted the RSA key fingerprint prompt on your phone, or when your computer's ADB keys are not recognized or have become corrupted.

❓How do I authorize my Android device with ADB?

Answer:
To authorize your Android device, ensure USB debugging is enabled in Developer Options. Then connect your device to your computer with a USB cable. A prompt will appear on your phone asking if you trust the computer. Tap Allow or Always allow from this computer, and then OK. This adds your computer's ADB key to the trusted list and removes the 'unauthorized' status.

❓Why is my device not showing the ADB authorization prompt?

Answer:
This can happen if:

• You're using a defective or charge-only USB cable.

• Your device is in a locked or sleep state.

• The ADB server isn't running properly.

• You've already dismissed the prompt by mistake.

Try using a different USB cable or port, restarting ADB using adb kill-server followed by adb start-server, and replugging the device with the screen unlocked.

❓How can I reset or revoke previous ADB authorizations?

Answer:
Go to Settings > Developer Options on your Android device and tap on Revoke USB debugging authorizations. This clears all previously trusted computers. The next time you connect your device via USB, the RSA fingerprint prompt will reappear, allowing you to reauthorize the current computer.

❓Can I fix ADB unauthorized without revoking USB debugging?

Answer:
Yes, in some cases, restarting the ADB server or reconnecting the device can trigger the RSA prompt without revoking all previous authorizations. However, if your device still doesn’t prompt, revoking USB debugging is usually the quickest and cleanest solution.

❓Is it safe to delete adbkey files from my computer?

Answer:
Yes, deleting adbkey and adbkey.pub from the .android folder on your computer is safe. These are just the RSA keys that ADB uses to authenticate with devices. When you delete them, your computer will generate new keys the next time you use ADB, and your device will prompt you to reauthorize the connection.

❓Can I use ADB wirelessly if my USB connection is unauthorized?

Answer:
Unfortunately, no. To enable ADB over Wi-Fi, you first need a working USB debugging session to pair the device initially. If your USB is unauthorized, you must resolve the USB issue before you can set up wireless ADB debugging.