Can't connect Android phone for data transfer via USB

Support
1

My Arch Linux failed after update, so I installed Manjaro recently:

# uname -a
Linux 6.12.28-1-MANJARO #1 SMP PREEMPT_DYNAMIC Fri, 09 May 2025 10:53:27 +0000 x86_64 GNU/Linux

When I tried to copy some files from my laptop to my phone via USB, that was not recognised.
There was nothing new on the phone side, and the cable was also previously used for data transfer.
The phone detects the connection (I allow “data transfer” there), and the laptop can see the phone, but no device /dev/smth is created (there is no update on that in dmesg as well).

# lsusb -vt
/:  Bus 001.Port 001: Dev 001, Class=root_hub, Driver=xhci_hcd/12p, 480M
    ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
    |__ Port 001: Dev 002, If 0, Class=Hub, Driver=hub/4p, 480M
        ID 0bda:5411 Realtek Semiconductor Corp. RTS5411 Hub
    |__ Port 002: Dev 017, If 0, Class=Imaging, Driver=[none], 480M
        ID 1004:633e LG Electronics, Inc. LM-X420xxx/G2/G3 Android Phone (MTP/download mode)
...

Is it normal that it shows Driver=[none]?
I read that hci_hcd is responsible for USB3, but I could not find that module:

# lsmod | grep hci
intel_xhci_usb_role_switch    12288  0
roles                  16384  1 intel_xhci_usb_role_switch

What also surprises me is that at the top output of lsusb it shows Driver=xhci_hcd/12p, which I don’t understand. I can successfully insert a USB stick (that uses another driver).

I tried to insert hci_hcd module into the kernel, but it changed nothing (and also gave no error in modprobe). I also installed a upd72020x-fw module mentioned in Archwiki, but I still can’t find hci_hcd kernel module also after reboot.

I also installed gvfs-mtp and rebooted, but that changed nothing.

Thanks for your insight and support.

2

Is android-tools installled?

1 Like
3

No, it was not. I installed that, and worked! I’m a bit surprised, since no new device was added (I thought that was a low-level problem), there is also still Driver=[none] in lsusb output. lsblk does not show any new device as well.

Thanks for your help!

4

I’m hijacking this tread sort of, but I don’t have android-tools install and I can browse my Moto G phone just fine. Would I gain anything by installing? Or should I just leave well enough alone.

5

I am not sure, but android-tools was included on the .iso of a full (not minimal) Manjaro Xfce installation.

6

well not in my case and for sure it’s not something I would uninstall

7

android-tools is included with manjaro-xfce-25.0.3-250526-linux612.iso - just how long it has been included with previous ISOs, I can’t say.

8

But not in Plasma manjaro/kde/Packages-Desktop · master · Profiles & Settings / iso-profiles · GitLab

9

android-tools

Indeed, not in Plasma… and not in GNOME either, it seems; but certainly the package exists in XFCE ISO, as mentioned.

11

For Plasma i am using KDE Connect. This worked for me so far.

12

I recall Total Commander (with the appropriate plugins) also works reasonably well. Then there is also syncthing to keep designated folders in sync, if that kind of functionality is desired.

Strangely, I have KDE Connect installed on most everything, but usually forget to use it. :facepalm:

13

I don’t think android-tools is required, strictly speaking (it has no drivers in it…just adb, fastboot etc.). It probably depends on how the phone whants to connect. Most modern phones should be plug and play like a usb stick, if properly configured.

But maybe for some older devices or a particular brand is required.

14

Believe me, you are not alone. I am always searching for my USB cable where I could simply use KDE Connect.

1 Like
15

This topic was automatically closed 3 days after the last reply. New replies are no longer allowed.