I am unable to get Linux to recognize my new Pixel phone. I am trying to transfer files from an Unbuntu 15.10 computer to a Pixel phone (Android 7.1).

The hardware connection seems to be OK, and the phone is recognized as a device on the computer (labeled in Linux as "Pixel") but Linux doesn't see any folders or files on the phone and an attempt to copy a file to the device in general gets an error message "Cannot write to this location".

Google support had me check to see that the USB configuration is MTP (it is) and had me turn on USB debugging (which is now on). They then gave up and told me to try Linux support.

Is there something more I need to do on the Linux side? A driver, perhaps?

Hi

Newbie here just like you.

I don't own a google pixel phone, but I have a android marshmellow phone. I use Android SDK and PCManFM to transfer files between the phone and computer. You need to enable USB debugging on the phone to use android SDK. Do a google search on doing this with your phone if it isn't enabled.

PCManFM is a file manager that supports MTP devices. When I connect my phone on my linux computer it is seen as a MTP device.

Android SDK uses the adb command to push and pull files from the phone using the command line. Android SDK also hs a GUI tool called ddms to push and pull files if you don't want to use the command line.

You can also try using web based managers like Airdroid. It uses the web browser as a file manager to connect with your device and do file transfers and more.

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When you connect, do you see a pull down for usb choices still? In Android 6 you have to select file transfer.

I've had similar problems trying to write a variety of USB devices (hard drives, USB sticks, etc.) and it sometimes depends on the file system or file permissions. Linux is usually especially good at interpreting a wide variety of file systems (certainly much better than Windows or OSX) but sometimes your user does not have permission to write the file system on the USB device.

I'd be curious what kind of file permissions you see for the files/folders on the phone? I.e., who is the owner and group for the phone's contents? IIRC, Ubuntu mounts USB devices at /media/username/device-name.

There's some helpful information about mounting and USB here: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Mount/USB

I am no longer pursuing this effort, since none of the responses helped and I ended up doing a workaround by using Dropbox as an intermediary. Thanks to all for the efforts.

I set my Samsung S7 edge to Apps>Settings>Developer (you need to enable developer mode yourself. Google that for your phone)>USB settings>MTP

Then plug in the phone is all that is needed. I think systemd handles the heavy lifting from there. But i cannot swear to that, being that that is cause it works for me
in Ubuntu based distros. Mine uses XFCE and Thunar.

Anyhows. That is how I loaded 22 gig of mp3's in my music folder via usb 3.0 on Android Marshmallow 6.0.1 on my Phone. Also all my old Iphone 5S photos I had saved
when I upgraded my phone.
The Google Pixel was not available till after I had updated my Phone to a Samsung S7 Edge.

As I said in my original message, the MTP and USB debugging issues are taken care of. The phone is being mounted (as shown by clicking on it in Files and seeing "Unmount" as an option). The problem is that, after recognizing it as MTP and mounting it, there is nothing there. No folders, no files.

Where I get the opposite. Since I am not present looking at your phone.
Your phone is not sending info for some reason.
While mine is.

So a setting that is supposed to enacted by you is being missed somewhere on the phones operating system.

But. I have no dog in this hunt. Mine works. LennyUsesManjero works.
So the problem is probably not on the Ubuntu end of things.

Here is one way to do it which should work on Ubuntu (works on Fedora):
First you will need a file manager app installed on your phone. Probably any of them.

Attach your phone via USB to your computer.

Go to Settings on your phone, and at the bottom is "About phone". Tap on that several times (like 10 or so, it will tell you how many more you need while you tap). When it says you are now a developer, a new Settings option will appear called "Developer options". Open those settings, and scroll down to "Select USB Configuration". Select that and select PTP (Picture Transfer Mode). You should now be able to access your phone on your computer. Put files in the DCIM folder, and you will be able to access them from the file manager app on your phone. You probably want to change it back to MTP when you are done or you will forget and wonder why your phone doesn't work the way it's supposed to. I believe the phone has to be connected when you make the change.

And a WARNING: Do not change any developer options unless you know what you are getting into. They are not meant as general phone settings and will really screw things up if you start changing things. They are primarily for system development to prevent the phone from acting normally.

Enjoy!

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NOW HOLD ON THERE MISTER! you can't just do that. Stop being a newbie and don't jump ship yet.

looking in your setting see if you can find something that will change your phone

looking into Pixel and MTP xda post
http://forum.xda-developers.com/pixe...-mode-t3365143


How to set MTP file transfer mode as default on Android 6.0 Marshmallow

got a make sure your phone is set up right too ya know

Tap the USB for... notification. Then tap Transfer files (MTP).

my android has that option as well within my notification area.

This is the same as yelling.
Be a little easier with n00bs-

-:-You were one once:--:-

what are all of the reason one yells at another??????????????????????????


to get ones attention.....

PLUS it can be seen as a header to do what? gets ones attention. bold was too added to this scheme to help get ones attention.

now hold on there mister NOW HOLD ON THERE MISTER is not an insult even. no matter how you say it or type it. whispering it or yelling it.

if someone is that sensitive to something such as this, looking at its contents. Well then who really has issues?

there is not treating words within that

I find no offense to that if one was to say that to me

golden rule has been applied

There are other ways to get ones attention.

Yes, but not all will find things the way that you do. (interpretation)
Some see the glass 1/2 full and others see it 1/2 empty.

We all have a different perspective on things.

-::-It is our differences that we must learn to respect.-::-

how does one get to know the other? by comminations if he has a problem with me then let him speak his mind to me about it and not you. you are not his brain, thank you for your concern.

this has nothing to do with respect. I did not disrespect him by what I did.

if I use your words against you then lets see here

It is our differences that we must learn to respect

you are not respecting my differences now

do you see the problems you are causing by sticking your nose on other peoples business trying to play GOD by telling everyone else how you want them to live their lives.

Any clue why OP doesn't have any files or folders?

I find that odd-
Maybe root the device?