Can't connect phone via usb

General Help
1

Hi all, I'm new to Zorin and I'm trying to get my internet to work.
I use my phone as a hotspot by connecting it to my pc via usb.

I've read the instructions. Which are the same for Windows, so nothing new there.
And I've also tried the Zorin connect option.

Nothing works. My phone simply doesn't connect to my pc (anymore) since I installed Zorin.

On my phone display the usb options, like file transfer , tethering etc do not light up.
I have tried several phones from several brands. All with the same (disappointing) result.

Anyone know how to fix this? Love you hear some thoughts

2

Welcome to the Forum!

Did you tried it with Wifi instead of USB Connection? Another Option would be to try KDE Connect instead of Zorin Connect.

3

I have a Samsung that has no trouble connecting... But the cable must be a data transfer cable, not a charge only cable.

When you plug in, the phone should give a popup asking if you want to charge only or transfer data, where you select to Transfer Data.

2 Likes
4

It didn't strike me, but I'm extremely sure this is the issue! I once had a problem accessing my Kindle's files on my laptop via an 'accessories' cable (the very short cable), and as expected, it was a regular 'power delivery only' cable.

It only worked when I connected it via my mobile's cable (data+power delivery). If this isn't the issue for you, then the issue should be software only as you've already solved hardware wise by testing with multiple phones.

1 Like
5

Hi,
No I didn't as I don't have wifi. Just my phone as a hotspot.

6

Do you use a firewall? If yes, you have to allow access like described in this thread:

You could try this:

sudo ufw allow 1714:1764/udp
sudo ufw allow 1714:1764/tcp
sudo ufw reload

to allow Zorin connect port in firewall or turn the firewall off to connect.

Edit: Sorry. This solution isn't suitable for you when you do not yet have an Internet connection.

1 Like
7

Can confirm this is the fix
:grin:

8

Well, yeah. Normally that's the case. But it looks like the usb port does not connect to the phone (or external drive that should work with linux)
Keyboard and mouse are detected. Other devices are not.
Don't know why that is

9

I have a clean Zorin install. No additional software.
So unless Zorin has a build in firewall it don't have a firewall up and running

10

I tend to lean to a software issue 100WCharge.

But I have no idea how to fix it unfortunately

11

Did you check it on various USB ports on your computer?

Do you now have a connection to the Internet on your computer?

12

If I plug my phone into my computer using the USB port, the phone itself asks the method in which I want to connect. Make sure you are choosing the right method with your phone, and that you haven't disabled USB usage on your phone.

This picture from the net...

image
image550×474 37.7 KB

Startreker Signature
Startreker Signature700×342 112 KB

1 Like
13

Depending on your mobile device, turn on Dev options and turn on USB debugging

This may help,
I work currently for a phone manufacturer/brand and this setting tends to help with phones not being detected by cars/laptops & more frequently (if it's an IOS) device i wouldn't quite know

1 Like
14

Thanks all for replying.

Here's the status quo.

Yes, I have tried multiple usb ports without any result.

When I plug my phone to a usb port, nothing happens. See ss

Screenshot_20250725-132042
Screenshot_20250725-132042720×1600 53.5 KB

There is no detection whatsoever. Same goes for my external drive which should be ready for Linux. Bought is especially for that reason.

Yes. i turned on the developers function and usb debug. But again nothing happens.

Screenshot_20250725-132157
Screenshot_20250725-132157720×1600 86 KB

I switched my keyboard and mouse to different ports. But they just work fine. So it's not a port issue. It has to do with the hardware that is connected and not being recognized by Zorin.

15

All the usual solutions have already been mentioned.
What else I have found as solutions:

Reboot your phone.
Turn the cable around or try using a USB C to USB A cable
Shut down your computer completely. Connect your smartphone and then start the computer.
Clear USB cache of your phone.
Check if gvfs backends are installed on your computer.

2 Likes
16

so with usb debugging on now, when you plug it in to your laptop is there any notification such as a charging notification something should pop up when you pull down from the top giving you more options,

you may also need to enable OTG connection or often called "On the Go" connection.

If you do see the notification you can set the device to transfer files/android auto/just charge/transfer photos depending on what you'd like it to do.

17

just spied the above image, tough cookie outside of OTG i'm not sure what else i could recommend ill do some forum digging on ubuntu forums and see if OTG requires any specific drivers or applications

https://askubuntu.com/questions/1142195/how-do-i-connect-my-external-hard-drive-to-ubuntu

re the external hard-drive this user had to reformat it to have it turn up from ExFat to NTFS.