Install ADB on Windows, Mac, Linux & Chrome OS

You can install ADB (Android Debug Bridge) on Windows, macOS, Linux, and Chrome OS by downloading the official platform-tools package from Google and adding it to your system’s PATH. The exact steps differ per OS, but the core process is the same: get the tools, enable USB debugging on your Android device, and connect via a USB cable or Wi-Fi. This guide walks through each platform with clear, current instructions.

What Is ADB and Why Do You Need It?

ADB is a command-line tool that lets your computer communicate with an Android device. It is part of Google’s Android SDK platform-tools and is used for installing apps, copying files, running shell commands, viewing logs, and troubleshooting. Developers use it daily, but it is also handy for power users who want to sideload apps, back up data, or recover a stuck device.

ADB works over USB or Wi-Fi. It requires that your phone or tablet has USB debugging enabled in the Developer Options menu. Without that, the computer cannot talk to the device, no matter which OS you are on.

Prerequisites: Enable USB Debugging on Your Android Device

Before installing anything, you must unlock Developer Options on your Android device. This is a one-time setup that takes about two minutes.

1. Open Settings and scroll to About phone (or About device).
2. Tap Build number seven times. You may need to enter your PIN or password.
3. Go back to Settings. You will now see Developer options (usually near the bottom, or under System).
4. Open it and toggle on USB debugging.
5. When you connect your device to the computer, accept the RSA key fingerprint prompt that appears on the phone.

If you do not see Developer Options after tapping Build number, your device manufacturer may have moved it. Search your Settings for “developer options” or consult the device manual.

Install ADB on Windows

Windows is the most common platform for ADB, and the process is straightforward.

1. Download the platform-tools ZIP from the official Android developer site (developer.android.com/tools/releases/platform-tools).
2. Extract the ZIP to a folder you can easily find, for example C:\adb.
3. Open the folder and hold Shift while right-clicking an empty area. Choose Open PowerShell window here (or Command Prompt).
4. Type adb version to verify it works. You should see version and build info.
5. To use ADB from any terminal, add the folder to your PATH:
   • Press Win + R, type sysdm.cpl, and hit Enter.
   • Go to the Advanced tab, click Environment Variables.
   • Under User variables, select Path and click Edit.
   • Click New and paste the path to your platform-tools folder (e.g., C:\adb).
   • Click OK and restart any open terminals.

If you prefer a graphical installer, some sites offer one-click ADB installers, but the official ZIP is safer and always up to date.

Install ADB on macOS

macOS users have two easy options: Homebrew or the official ZIP.

Option 1: Homebrew (recommended for most users)

1. Install Homebrew if you do not have it: open Terminal and run /bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)".
2. Run brew install android-platform-tools.
3. Verify with adb version.

Option 2: Official ZIP

1. Download the platform-tools ZIP for macOS from the same official page.
2. Extract it to a folder like ~/platform-tools.
3. Open Terminal and navigate to that folder: cd ~/platform-tools.
4. Run ./adb version to test.
5. To use it from anywhere, add the folder to your PATH. Open your shell profile (~/.zshrc for zsh, ~/.bash_profile for bash) and add: export PATH=$PATH:~/platform-tools. Then run source ~/.zshrc (or the equivalent).

If you get a “cannot be opened because the developer cannot be verified” error, go to System Settings > Privacy & Security and click Allow next to the blocked program. This is normal for unsigned command-line tools.

Install ADB on Linux

Linux distributions have ADB in their package repositories, so installation is quick.

• Debian/Ubuntu: sudo apt install adb
• Fedora: sudo dnf install android-tools
• Arch Linux: sudo pacman -S android-tools
• openSUSE: sudo zypper install android-tools

After installing, run adb version to confirm. If you need the latest version, download the official ZIP and add it to your PATH, but the package version is usually fine for most users.

On Linux, you may also need to set up udev rules so your user can access the USB device without sudo. Create a file /etc/udev/rules.d/51-android.rules with the vendor ID of your phone (find it with lsusb). For example, for a Google device: SUBSYSTEM=="usb", ATTR{idVendor}=="18d1", MODE="0666". Then run sudo udevadm control --reload-rules and reconnect your device.

Install ADB on Chrome OS

Chrome OS supports Linux (Crostini) for running Android development tools. You must enable Linux in settings first.

1. Open Settings > Developers > Linux development environment and turn it on.
2. Open the Linux terminal (Terminal app) and install ADB with sudo apt install adb (Debian-based container).
3. To connect a physical Android device, you also need to enable USB passthrough. Plug in your phone, then right-click the Terminal app icon and select Use USB device (or the equivalent in your Chrome OS version).
4. Run adb devices to see your device.

Note: ADB over Wi-Fi is often easier on Chrome OS because USB passthrough can be finicky. Use adb pair and adb connect with your device’s IP address and port.

Common Problems and How to Fix Them

Even with a correct install, things can go wrong. Here are the most frequent issues and their fixes.

• “adb: command not found” – The platform-tools folder is not in your PATH. Double-check the PATH entry or use the full path to adb.
• “Device unauthorized” – You did not accept the RSA prompt on your phone. Unplug, replug, and look at the phone screen.
• “No devices/emulators found” – USB debugging is off, the cable is charge-only, or the USB driver is missing (Windows). Try a different cable and port.
• Windows driver issues – Install the Google USB driver from the SDK Manager, or use the device manufacturer’s driver.
• Permission denied on Linux – Add your user to the plugdev group or fix udev rules.
• macOS “unidentified developer” – Right-click the adb binary and select Open, or adjust Security settings.

ADB Over Wi-Fi: A Modern Alternative

Since Android 11, you can connect ADB wirelessly without a cable. This is especially useful for Chromebooks and for testing on devices that are far from your computer.

1. On your phone, go to Developer options and enable Wireless debugging.
2. On your computer, run adb pair IP:PORT (the port shown in the Wireless debugging screen). Enter the pairing code when prompted.
3. Then run adb connect IP:PORT (the port that appears after pairing).

Make sure both devices are on the same network. For older Android versions, you can use adb tcpip 5555 over USB once, then disconnect and connect via IP.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to install the full Android Studio to use ADB?

No. The standalone platform-tools package contains ADB, fastboot, and other tools. It is much smaller and does not require Android Studio.

Can I use ADB on a Chromebook without Linux?

No. Chrome OS does not have a native ADB binary. You must enable the Linux container (Crostini) to run ADB, or use a web-based tool like Scrcpy via a browser, but that still requires a computer with ADB.

Why does my phone show “unauthorized” every time?

You likely denied the RSA prompt or the key was revoked. Revoke USB debugging authorizations in Developer options, then reconnect and accept the prompt again.

Is it safe to install ADB from third-party websites?

It is safer to use the official Google package or your distribution’s repository. Third-party sites may bundle outdated or modified tools that could contain malware.

How do I uninstall ADB?

On Windows, delete the platform-tools folder and remove it from PATH. On macOS, run brew uninstall android-platform-tools if installed via Homebrew. On Linux, use your package manager (e.g., sudo apt remove adb).

Can I use ADB to back up my phone without root?

Yes. The adb backup command can create a full backup of your device’s data, but it is deprecated in Android 12 and later. For newer devices, use the built-in backup options or manufacturer tools.

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