ADB / Android Platform Tools — Download & Guide
Connect an Android phone to your computer to test apps and check its connection status.
Beginner guide · official links · software runs on your computer
Download & quick guide for beginners
Before downloading, check whether your computer uses Windows, macOS, or Linux. The button opens the official page, where you can choose the right installer. ToolsKo does not install the software for you.
- Where does it work?
- Windows, macOS, and Linux computers. Choose the compatible installer on the official page. This software is installed on your computer, not on your Android phone.
- What do you need?
- An Android phone, a USB data cable (not a charging-only cable), and Platform Tools. Android Studio can also install Platform Tools through SDK Manager.
- How do you know it works?
- The adb devices command lists a serial number followed by device. The word unauthorized means the phone has not approved the connection yet.
- If something goes wrong
- Unlock the phone and accept its debugging prompt. If nothing appears, try another cable or USB port. On Windows, check the USB driver guide.
Official instructions ↗ · Links checked November 10, 2026
New to Android? Start with the Android starter guide →How to use it (step by step)
- 1On the official page, choose Platform Tools for Windows, macOS, or Linux. Extract the ZIP into a folder you can easily find.
- 2On your phone, open Settings → About phone and tap Build number seven times. It may be under Software information. Go back to Developer options and enable USB debugging.
- 3Connect the phone to your own trusted computer. Accept the Allow USB debugging prompt on the phone.
- 4Open a terminal in the extracted platform-tools folder. In Windows PowerShell, type .\adb.exe devices. On macOS or Linux, type ./adb devices. Your phone should appear in the list.
- 5When testing is finished, you can turn USB debugging off. Device detection does not require erase, unlock, or flash commands.
Words to know
- ADB
- A bridge that lets a computer send development commands to a phone.
- Terminal
- A window where you type commands, such as PowerShell on Windows.
- USB debugging
- Permission for a trusted computer to communicate with the phone for development.
Android tools: choose what you need
Start with Android Studio for native Android apps, or Flutter and VS Code for Flutter projects. The other tools help with testing, finding errors, and saving code history.
- Android Developer Starter Guide
Not sure where to start? Follow this simple setup to build and test your first Android app.
- Android Studio — Download & Beginner Guide
The main workspace for building, running, and fixing Android apps. Start here if you are new.
- Android Emulator — Virtual Phone Setup
Test an Android app on a virtual phone on your computer, even without a physical phone.
- Android Logcat — Find App Errors
Read your app’s activity diary to find out what happened before an error or sudden shutdown.
- Android Profiler — Check Slow Apps
Check whether your app uses too much processing power or memory while it runs.
- Android APK Analyzer — Inspect App Size
Look inside an APK or Android App Bundle to find which files make your app large.
- scrcpy — Mirror & Control Android on PC
Display and control your Android screen on a computer for app demonstrations and testing.
- Android USB Driver — Windows Phone Connection
Windows cannot find your test phone? Find the correct official USB driver for its brand.
- Flutter — Android App Setup for Beginners
Build Android apps with Flutter, a framework that also supports other platforms.
- VS Code — Editor for Flutter & Android Projects
A lightweight code editor for Flutter and other app projects. Android build tools are still required.
- Git — Save Android Project History
Save a clear history of your code so you can compare changes and return to earlier versions.
- Postman — Test APIs for Android Apps
Test your backend’s response before connecting it to an Android app, using a simple request screen.