How to fix: Android Samsung Galaxy S2 not recognized on Linux

January 9, 2012 By Abhishek Prakash 51 Comments

Problem:

I was facing problems connecting my Samsung Galaxy S2 on Ubuntu, which is particularly annoying bearing in mind the total lack of support by Samsung for Linux (even Kies is of no use). Strange enough, it works flawlessly on Windows 7, where it recognises it instantly and I can transfer files between my phone and computer.
When I plug it into my Linux machine, it is recognised and I can see the contents of the root of /sdcard and the SD card but I cannot access the contents of any file or folder as all the folders are empty.
When I connect my phone to USB there is no “mount USB” option but just MTP application in the home screen.

Fix:

I will call it a work around rather than a fix. Here is how to do it in steps:

On your android phone, go to Application->Settings
In there, go to Wirelessand Network and select USB Utilities
Click on Connect Storage to PC
A message should pop up: Connect USB cable to use mass storage
Now connect the USB cable to computer
A green android robot should be on display with an option of “Connect USB storage“, click on it
The green robot turns orange now and now you can access the files on the SD card of your phone

Hope that solves your problem. Questions and feedbacks are always welcomed. Enjoy

About Abhishek Prakash

Abhishek Prakash is the founder of Computer And You. He takes a keen interest in day-to-day computer life and wishes to share his experience with others to make their computer experience better and easier. He is also a regular Linux author at Make Tech Easier.

Paul Magarey

This is good advice and worked for my photos (accessed by F-Spot) and enabled me to get access to some MP3’s already stored by Samsung via VLC Media Player, but I can’t see my video files. Any advice on this?
- https://computerandyou.net/ Abhishek Prakash
  
  @Paul I am not able to reproduce the scenario you mentioned.. therefor I am not able to advise you on this.. sorry
Otakuloh

thank you very much!!
- https://computerandyou.net/ Abhishek Prakash
  
  Welcome
http://twitter.com/robincatling Robin Catling

Great simple tip; just point us to the utilities that are on the phone and it works! It’s just a case of finding the familiar utility from stock Android amongst all the goodies bundled by Samsung. Everything is there if you know where to find it. I’m guessing that change to MPT as default connection has confused a lot of users, though. Thanks RC
- https://computerandyou.net/ Abhishek Prakash
  
  @Robin some times obvious is not obvious..
  
  True the default connection should not be put as MTP… it would be great if it provides option of choosing the connection mode as in Nokia.
Saiexpress45

hi my Samsung galaxy s2 phone just come on screen Samsung GT-9100 nothing happens again .I got this mistake when was try to software update .please advice how can i solve problem
- https://computerandyou.net/ Abhishek Prakash
  
  On which step you face a problem… may be I should add pics in this post.. that would be helpful…
Abdo Hegazy

Thanks dude
- https://computerandyou.net/ Abhishek Prakash
  
  Welcome
Jean-Pierre

many many thank you
Jean-Pierre, on linux Ubuntu
Raviteja Mopidevi

Solution lies in the phone
a. key in the dialer *#7284#
b. it has 4 option there..
UART (MODEM/PDA)
USB (MODEM/PDA)
c. For USB. select the PDA.if it already selected to PDA. reselect it by select MODEM and then PDA again.. Only change the USB setting.. andthen press back. try reconnecting..
- https://computerandyou.net/ Abhishek Prakash
  
  Thanks for the tip Ravi.. I’ll check and if it works.. I’ll update the post
- Jc012888
  
  OMG thanks u fixed my problem!!! Your the bEst
- Kevin
  
  This fixed mine too, even 2 years later… Thanks!!
- martin
  
  a. key in the dialer *#7284#
  
  After that, you click on dial? my phone is not connect to any cie wright now.
Bård Schanche Selbekk

Thanks alot!
- https://computerandyou.net/ Abhishek Prakash
  
  You are welcome Selbekk
buliman

How can you fix this on the Galaxy Tab 10.1, which doesn’t have this option?
- https://computerandyou.net/ Abhishek Prakash
  
  Alternatively, you can use AirDriod.. a beautiful app for Android to connect to your laptop in your browser.
- https://computerandyou.net/ Abhishek Prakash
  
  Alternatively, you can use AirDriod.. a beautiful app for Android to connect to your laptop in your browser.
Joe

I have the same trouble. Until yesterday everything works perfect. But today i do everything correct (Settings/USB/Connect Storage to PC), ask me to plug the cable….and nothing happen…keeps in the same image…
When i connect the cellphone start to charge the battery, but my ubuntu doesn’t show any notification.
- https://computerandyou.net/ Abhishek Prakash
  
  Try Airdroid for a change
Jozik

Also thanks, works like a charm and is really simple.
Ang4

Thank You!!!
- https://computerandyou.net/ Abhishek Prakash
  
  Welcome
Prasildas

hey, I have tried the steps but when I connect the USB cable and press the Click on Connect Storage to PC button it tells USB connected please disconnect it, when I disconnect it and tries again the same alert message pops up, I cannot find the option for Mount USB.
I have tired USB debugging, restarted the device , tried with a different cable
but nothing works.
- https://computerandyou.net/ Abhishek Prakash
  
  Hi Prasil…
  
  First click on Connect Storage to PC button
  
  Then connect USB cable…
  
  From your description it sounds as if you are connecting the cable first and then clicking on Connect Storage to PC button …dont do it before
  - Prasildas
    
    Nop, Abhishek Prakash I have tried that on both the ways, when I connect the USB cable to the PC it shows USB connected MTP connected in the notification bar , When I click on that nothing happens the notification bar goes up
    I am having samsung galaxy S2 .
    - yuuuu
      
      samee. and when i click the “cancel” the usb thing in the bar goes away D:
http://cretaceouslabs.com/ Nick Hoffman

What should one do if the green Android robot doesn’t appear?
Gerrit

thanks
- https://computerandyou.net/ Abhishek Prakash
  
  You are welcome Gerrit
http://profiles.google.com/giovanni.mellini Giovanni Mellini

tks a lot
- https://computerandyou.net/ Abhishek Prakash
  
  You are welcome
Computerandyou

My USB transfers seem to work for the first 500MB then just hangs. The USB on Samsung Galaxy S2 seems to be very broken. I wish I just had Google software, nothing from Samsung. I would avoid the S2 if you use mostly Linux/Ubuntu etc
Thankful

Thnaks.. that solved the problem for me…
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How to fix: Android Samsung Galaxy S2 not recognized on Linux

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