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10 Tech How-To

How to Install ADB on Windows and Mac

Guide 10-19915 · Updated · Step by step

This guide walks you through installing ADB (Android Debug Bridge) on both Windows and macOS. ADB is a command-line tool that lets your computer communicate with an Android device for tasks like installing apps, transferring files, and running shell commands. By the end, you’ll have ADB working from your terminal or command prompt, ready to connect to any Android device.

What You’ll Need

  • A computer running Windows 10/11 or macOS (Intel or Apple Silicon).
  • An Android phone or tablet with USB debugging enabled (Settings → About phone → tap Build number 7 times, then Settings → Developer options → USB debugging).
  • A USB cable that supports data transfer (not just charging).
  • Administrator rights on Windows (to install drivers) or the ability to enter your Mac password.

Step-by-Step

Windows

  1. Download the Platform Tools. Go to the official Android developer website (developer.android.com/studio/releases/platform-tools) and download the Windows ZIP file.
  2. Extract the ZIP. Right-click the downloaded file and choose “Extract All”. Place the extracted folder somewhere easy to remember, like C:\adb.
  3. Open the folder. Navigate into the extracted folder. You should see files like adb.exe, fastboot.exe, and DLL files.
  4. Add the folder to your PATH. This lets you run adb from any command prompt. Press the Windows key, type “environment variables”, and select “Edit the system environment variables”. Click “Environment Variables”, find “Path” in the bottom list, select it, and click “Edit”. Click “New” and paste the full path to your extracted folder (e.g., C:\adb). Click OK on all windows.
  5. Verify the installation. Open a new Command Prompt (press Win+R, type cmd, press Enter) and type adb version. You should see version information. If you see “not recognized”, double-check the PATH step.
  6. Install USB drivers (if needed). Most modern Windows versions automatically install ADB drivers when you connect your device. If not, go to the device manufacturer’s website and search for “USB drivers” for your specific phone model.

macOS

  1. Download the Platform Tools. Go to the same official URL and download the macOS ZIP file.
  2. Extract the ZIP. Double-click the downloaded file to unzip it. This creates a folder named platform-tools.
  3. Move the folder. Open Finder and drag the platform-tools folder to a convenient location like your home folder (~/platform-tools).
  4. Open Terminal. Launch Terminal from Applications → Utilities, or use Spotlight (Cmd+Space, type “Terminal”).
  5. Add to your PATH. Run the following command, replacing ~/platform-tools with the actual path if you placed it elsewhere: 
    echo 'export PATH="$PATH:$HOME/platform-tools"' >> ~/.zshrc

    Then run source ~/.zshrc to apply the changes.

  6. Verify the installation. Type adb version in Terminal. If you see version info, you’re good. If not, close and reopen Terminal, or check the path.

First Connection (Both OS)

  1. Enable USB debugging on your phone as described in “What You’ll Need”.
  2. Connect your phone via USB. If prompted on your phone, allow USB debugging (check “Always allow from this computer”).
  3. Run adb devices. In your terminal/command prompt, type adb devices. You should see a device listed with the status “device”. If it shows “unauthorized”, check your phone and tap “Allow”.

Common Mistakes

  • Not enabling USB debugging. Without it, your computer won’t see the device.
  • Using a charge-only cable. Some cables lack data wires. Try a different cable.
  • Wrong PATH on Windows. A typo in the path or forgetting to open a new Command Prompt after editing PATH are frequent errors.
  • On macOS, using the wrong shell config. If you use bash instead of zsh, you need to edit ~/.bash_profile instead of ~/.zshrc.
  • Not accepting the RSA fingerprint. When you first connect, your phone shows a prompt. If you miss it, the device stays “unauthorized”.

Tips

  • Keep the platform-tools folder in a permanent location; you’ll use ADB repeatedly.
  • If you’re on Windows, you can also use PowerShell instead of Command Prompt — ADB works the same.
  • For wireless debugging (Android 11+), you can use adb pair and adb connect once the USB setup is complete.
  • Bookmark the official platform-tools page — it’s the only source you need for updates.

Troubleshooting

“adb is not recognized” (Windows) — This means the PATH wasn’t set correctly. Re-check the environment variables, and make sure you opened a new terminal window after saving.

“command not found: adb” (macOS) — The PATH export didn’t take effect. Run echo $PATH to see if your path is listed. If not, re-run the export command and source ~/.zshrc.

Device shows as “unauthorized” — Unplug the USB, run adb kill-server, then adb start-server, reconnect, and watch your phone for the authorization prompt.

Device not listed at all — Try a different USB port (preferably a direct one on the computer, not a hub). On Windows, check Device Manager for a yellow triangle — if present, install the manufacturer’s USB drivers.

ADB crashes or freezes — Close other apps that might interfere, restart the ADB server with adb kill-server and adb start-server, and ensure you have the latest platform-tools.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to root my phone to use ADB? No, ADB works on stock, unrooted devices. USB debugging is all you need.

Can I use ADB over Wi-Fi? Yes, on Android 11+ you can use wireless debugging. For older versions, you can use adb tcpip 5555 after a USB connection.

What’s the difference between ADB and Fastboot? ADB works when the device is fully booted. Fastboot works in the bootloader and is used for flashing system images.

Is it safe to install ADB? Yes, the official platform-tools from Google are safe. Just avoid downloading from third-party sites.

Do I need to install drivers on macOS? Usually not. macOS has built-in support for ADB. Windows may require manufacturer drivers for some devices.

How do I uninstall ADB? Simply delete the platform-tools folder and remove the PATH entry you added. No other cleanup is needed.

Related

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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