ADB, short for Android Debug Bridge, is a cross-platform command line utility. It helps users in communicating to Android devices from a PC through a USB cable. It can be used in installing applications, copying files, running shell commands as well as controlling Android device from PC with the use of adb command. Fastboot on the other hand offers functions for manipulating Android filesystem and bootloader.

It is a diagnostics mode for modifying Android filesystem from a client computer when the Android device is in bootloader mode. Both ADB and Fastboot are part of Google Android SDK. ADB works in a client-server model comprising of the following components:

• adbd: is the adb daemon that allows running of adb commands.
• Server: is the background process running on the development machine, managing communication between client and daemon processes.
• Client: For sending commands from the local machine to the Android device over USB.

Install ADB Fastboot Drivers on Linux Mint

As mentioned above, ADB and Fastboot are part of Google Android SDK. We can, however, install them independently. Run the below commands:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install android-tools-adb android-tools-fastboot

Verify adb installation by checking the installed adb version.

$ adb version
Android Debug Bridge version 1.0.41
Version 34.0.4-debian
Installed as /usr/lib/android-sdk/platform-tools/adb
Running on Linux 6.8.0-51-generic (x86_64)

Check adb connected devices by running the command below. You will also notice adb starting if it was not already started.

$ adb devices
* daemon not running; starting now at tcp:5037
* daemon started successfully
List of devices attached

You could also start the service by running the below command.

sudo adb start server

To stop, run the command as shown.

sudo adb kill-server

Debugging Android Device with ADB

Now connect your Android device to the client PC using a USB. Open your PC terminal and list adb devices

$ adb devices

You should get a pop up on your Android device to allow USB debugging. Press OK. If you get permission errors, repeat the above commands as shown below:

sudo adb-kill-server
sudo adb start-server
adb devices

Allow VM access to USB Device on VirtualBox

Open up VirtualBox. Select the VM and click on settings > USB > + (button under USB Device filters). When you boot the VM,it will have access to USB device.

Enjoy using ADB and Fastboot and don’t forget to check more captivating guides below:

• How To Install VirtualBox 7.x on Linux Mint 22
• Using Vagrant With VirtualBox on RHEL 9 |CentOS Stream 9
• How to Install and Use VirtualBox on CentOS Stream 10 | RHEL 10