Google USB Driver

The Google USB driver is a downloadable component for the Android SDK, available from the SDK Manager. The driver is for Windows only and provides the necessary drivers for the following devices:

  • ADP1 / T-Mobile G1*
  • ADP2 / Google Ion / T-Mobile myTouch 3G*
  • Verizon Droid*
  • Nexus One
  • Nexus S

* Or similar hardware on other carriers

All other devices require Windows drivers provided by the hardware manufacturer, as listed in the OEM USB Drivers document. The Galaxy Nexus driver is also distributed by Samsung (listed as model SCH-I515).

Note: If you're developing on Mac OS X or Linux, then you do not need to install a USB driver. To start developing with your device, also read Using Hardware Devices.

The sections below provide instructions on how to download and install the Google USB Driver for Windows.

Revisions

The sections below provide notes about successive revisions of the USB Driver for Windows, as denoted by revision number. To determine what revision of the USB Driver for Windows you are using, refer to the "Installed Packages" listing in the Android SDK and AVD Manager.

USB Driver for Windows, Revision 4 (December 2010)

Adds support for the Nexus S.

USB Driver for Windows, Revision 3 (January 2010)

Adds support for the Nexus One.

USB Driver for Windows, Revision 2 (November 2009)

Adds support for the Verizon Droid (or similar hardware on other carriers).

USB Driver for Windows, Revision 1 (October 2009)

Initial release of the WinUsb-based driver, with support for the T-Mobile G1 and myTouch 3G (and similar devices).

Downloading the Google USB Driver

Figure 1. The SDK and AVD Manager with the Google USB Driver selected.

The USB Driver for Windows is available for download as an optional SDK component. You need the driver only if you are developing on Windows and want to connect an Android-powered device (ADP, Nexus One, or Nexus S) to your development environment over USB.

To download the driver, use the Android SDK and AVD Manager tool that is included with the Android SDK:

  1. Launch the SDK and AVD Manager by double-clicking SDK Manager.exe, at the root of your SDK directory.
  2. Expand Extras.
  3. Check Google USB Driver package and click Install.
  4. Proceed to install the package. When done, the driver files are downloaded into the <sdk>\extras\google\usb_driver\ directory.

For installation information, read Installing a USB Driver.

↑ Go to top