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Asked: 2024-09-26T01:17:38+05:30 In:

How can I establish a USB connection to MTP devices on Ubuntu?

I’ve been trying to connect my phone to my Ubuntu machine using a USB cable, but I’m hitting a wall when it comes to establishing the connection with MTP (Media Transfer Protocol) devices. I’ve recently switched to Ubuntu from Windows, and while I love the system so far, the whole USB connection thing is driving me a bit mad.

Here’s the scenario: I want to transfer some photos and videos from my phone to my computer, but every time I plug in the USB cable, my phone doesn’t seem to recognize that it’s connected in MTP mode. I keep seeing “Charge only” and I’m not sure how to change that option while it’s plugged in. I read somewhere that sometimes you have to change settings on the phone itself, but I can’t find the exact steps for my device.

Also, when I check on my Ubuntu desktop, it doesn’t show my phone as a device either! I’ve seen some forums mentioning installing additional packages or using certain commands in the terminal, but I’m not very comfortable with that yet.

I did try using some file manager apps that offer MTP support, but those haven’t worked well for me either – they just keep timing out or not detecting the phone. I wonder if I need to enable something in the system settings or install specific drivers? Or is there a more straightforward way to make this work?

It’s pretty frustrating because it feels like I’m so close to getting it to work, but not quite there. I’d love to hear from anyone who’s had similar issues or tips on how to smoothly connect MTP devices on Ubuntu. What are some foolproof steps I can follow, or are there any tools that might make this easier? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

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    2 Answers

    1. “`html

      It sounds like you’re having a bit of a tough time getting your phone connected to your Ubuntu machine via MTP. Here are some steps you can try to make things a bit easier:

      1. Check Your Phone’s USB Settings:

      When you connect your phone, swipe down from the top of the screen to access the notification shade. You should see an option for USB settings. Tap that, and look for something that says MTP or File Transfer. Select it!

      2. Install Required Packages:

      Sometimes, you need to install a couple of packages to ensure MTP works smoothly. You can do this using the terminal:

      sudo apt update
sudo apt install mtp-tools mtpfs

      3. Use a Different File Manager:

      Ubuntu’s default file manager sometimes struggles with MTP. You can install gMTP or Nautilus if you haven’t already:

      sudo apt install gmtp

      or

      sudo apt install nautilus

      Try opening gMTP or Nautilus after setting your phone to MTP mode.

      4. Reconnect Your Phone:

      After you’ve changed the settings, unplug and plug your phone back in. Sometimes it needs a refresh to recognize everything properly.

      5. Check dmesg Output:

      If it’s still not showing up, you can check what’s happening with this command in the terminal:

      dmesg | tail

      This shows you the recent logs and might give a clue if your phone is being detected!

      6. Try a Different Cable/Port:

      Make sure your USB cable is not just for charging – some cables don’t support data transfer. If you have another cable or USB port, give those a shot!

      7. Restart Both Devices:

      Sometimes, a simple restart on both your phone and your Ubuntu machine can solve many connectivity issues.

      If you’ve tried all of these steps and nothing seems to work, feel free to reach out with more details about your phone and Ubuntu version, and the community can jump in with more help!

      “`


    2. Connecting your phone to an Ubuntu machine via USB and using MTP (Media Transfer Protocol) can sometimes be a little tricky, especially if you’re transitioning from Windows. First, ensure that your phone is set to the correct USB mode. When you connect your phone, swipe down from the top of the screen to access notifications; you should see a notification that mentions USB options. Tap on it and select “File Transfer” or “MTP” instead of “Charge only.” If your device is still not detected by Ubuntu after this, try using a different USB port or cable, as faulty hardware can sometimes lead to connection issues. Additionally, ensure that your phone is unlocked while connected, as some devices require this for MTP to function properly.

      On the Ubuntu side, make sure you have the necessary packages installed to support MTP. You can install `mtp-tools` and the `gvfs-backends` package, which provides MTP support for file managers. Open a terminal and run the following command: sudo apt install mtp-tools gvfs-backends. After installation, restart your computer and reconnect your phone, ensuring it’s set to MTP mode. If you’re still experiencing issues, consider installing an alternative file manager like `gMTP` or `Nautilus`, which may provide better compatibility and performance for MTP transfers. Last but not least, check forums and communities for your specific phone model; sometimes, specific devices have unique settings or requirements that can help streamline connectivity.


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