To make it easier to install the ADB and Fastboot tools as well as the Google USB driver , Snoop05 – an XDA forum member – has created an installer (kept up to date by TigerKing) that installs everything automatically. The program is called “15 seconds ADB Installer” and promises an installation in 15 seconds.
If you want to perform operations on an Android device, root an Android device (obtain administrator rights) or flash an alternative ROM, it is necessary to install the ADB and Fastboot tools on Windows, as well as the Google USB driver necessary for the Android device recognition.
In this tutorial, we will see how to install the ADB and Fastboot tools and the Google USB driver on Windows, Linux, and Mac in 15 seconds!
Preamble: ADB and Fastboot (All what you need to know)
What is ADB and Fastboot ?
ADB and Fastboot are two tools that allow sending commands to an Android device connected to the PC via USB.
They both have different functions:
ADB (Android Debug Bridge) : ADB allows commands to be sent to an Android device at any time (as long as USB debugging is enabled on the device). You can send commands if the Android device is on and booted, or when it is in Recovery mode. ADB can be used on rooted or unrooted Android devices. Here are some examples of ADB commands:
adb devices - displays the list of devices connected to the PC adb reboot - restarts the device adb reboot recovery/fastboot - restarts the device in Recovery/Fastboot mode adb shell [command] - executes a Unix command on the device adb install [ source.apk] - installs an APK file (application) on the device adb push [source] [destination] - copies a file from the PC to the device adb pull [source] [destination] - copies a file from the device to PC
Fastboot : Fastboot allows you to send commands to the bootloader, which means you can flash/modify alternative ROMs, custom recoveries… Here are some examples of Fastboot commands:
fastboot devices - displays the list of devices connected to the PC fastboot flash recovery [Recovery file] - installs a custom Recovery on the device fastboot update [ROM file] - updates the device ROM fastboot reboot - reboots the device
How to Install ADB, Fastboot and Google USB Driver on Windows in 15 Seconds
- Install ADB and Fastboot on Windows
To install ADB and Fastboot using the 15 seconds ADB Installer program, follow these instructions: - Download the 15 second ADB Installer ZIP archive . Contains: Android Debug Bridge (version 1.0.41) + Google USB Driver (r12 version 11.0.0000.00000) + SDK Platform Tools version (31.0.3-7562133). Download the 15 second ADB Installer ZIP archiveLatest version 1.5.6 from Mediafire
- Unzip the ZIP archive .
- Run the adb-setup.exe file and answer/press Y to each question:Do you want to install ADB and Fastboot? Y (installs ADB and Fastboot tools)
adb-fastboot-setup-windows
Install ADB system-wide? Y (installs ADB and Fastboot tools for all users in the %SystemDrive%\adb folder; if you answer N, the tools will be installed in your user account folder %UserProfile%\adb)
Do you want to install device drivers? press Y (to installs the Google USB driver) - When the device driver installation wizard opens, click Next then Finish .
- Everything has been successfully installed when the program displays All done :
- Congratulations: you have installed ADB, Fastboot and Google USB Driver on Windows in 15 seconds!
Use ADB and Fastboot on Windows
To access the ADB and Fastboot tools , follow these instructions:
Open Command Prompt .
Navigate to the C:\adb folder (or C:\Users\Username\adb if you answered N to the Install ADB system-wide? question) by entering the following command:
cd c:\adb
use-adb-on-windows
Now you can run adb and fastboot commands to perform operations on your Android device.
Congratulations: you know how to use ADB and Fastboot commands on Windows!
Install ADB, Fastboot and Android drivers on Linux and Mac OS
Things are much easier here. On Linux you just need to download the drivers from the repositories, they should normally be there. If you use Debian or one of its forks you will find what you need with ‘apt-get install android-tools’, or ‘apt-get install android-platform-tools’ which is more complete and necessary for installation of SDKs. If you’re using Arch, you’ll find all of this on the AUR.
I remember having had some problems with the installation of SDK because the application was launched automatically as root (because of the automatic installation directory), this can easily be resolved. You can find more information on the Arch wiki .
With a computer running Mac OS, you just need to install Homebrew and then enter ‘brew install android-platform-tools’. Simple and efficient.
USB debugging
This operation may be necessary to allow communication between your smartphone and your computer. Go to the settings of your smartphone, you will find “About phone” at the very bottom. Tap the “Build number” box 7 times. Once done, you will receive a confirmation telling you that Developer options are now enabled. You will find them in the settings menu, you will only have to activate USB debugging.
The Most Common ADB Errors and Their Solutions
Command Not Found
You entered the command incorrectly, or it is not compatible with your version of ADB.
No Device
Your USB cable is not properly connected or your computer does not see the smartphone. Trying another USB port or another cable, enabling USB debugging, checking the driver and restarting the smartphone/PC might fix the problem.
Server is out of date
The ADB version used on your computer is not compatible with your smartphone. All you have to do is update your version of ADB-Tools.
Waiting for device
This error is the same as No Device. Your computer does not recognize your smartphone and therefore cannot connect them. You will find the possible solutions in No Device.