Install Latest ADB Tools on Windows/MAC/Linux 2025 [Fixed ADB Cannot Be Recognized as Command]

First of all, what is Android Debug Bridge (ADB)? It is a command-line tool that helps you communicate with your Android device. The commands on this Google platform tools allow you to perform a variety of actions like installing and debugging apps. The ADB latest version also gives you access to Unix shell which helps you run various commands on your Android device. ADB version? and so on.

This is one of the most important tools & you should have minimal ADB and fastboot installed on your computer. You can use this tool for automation as well. Since you gain access to Unix shell, there are limitless possibilities to perform millions of actions on your android device.
Android platform tools installation —
People used to search; What is Android Debug Bridge ADB? How to get the latest Google platform tools? How do I install ADB platform tools & enable ADB debugging on Android? How do I debug using ADB? What is Android debug bridge used for? How do I find my ADB version? and so on...

The Android sdk platform tools allows you to do those things which you might not use normally on your Android device. Basically, these Google platform tools enhances your exposure around user or developer experience. As an e.g., you could install apps without using Play Store, you can even debug apps or access to various hidden device properties and many more activities. ADB version? and so on...

Also, with access to Unix shell, you can execute commands on your android device directly. But, let me tell you one thing from Security perspective, Developer Options needs to be Activated. Also, USB Debugging Mode has to be ENABLED as well.

Google Platform Tools: Android ADB Installation on Windows/MAC/Linux

Without further delays, let's find out how you can install or set up Google platform-tools on your computer easily.

However, like I said previously, Developer Options as well as USB Debugging Mode has to be Enabled on your Android device before installing Android sdk platform tools. How? follow below steps:

Enabling Developer Options & USB Debugging Mode

1. Open Settings on your Android phone.
2. Scroll to the bottom and tap on About Phone option.
3. Try to tap on Build Number 7 times. Pop-up message will be displayed once its done.
4. Navigate back to Settings screen and look for Developer Options option is now available.
5. Tap on Developers options and Enable USB Debugging option.
6. That's all.

Now, you have set up your Android phone. Let's check out below steps which enlist how to install latest Android sdk platform tools on your Windows, Linux or MAC Operating System machines.

Windows Installation steps for Android platform tools download

1. Google search for Android Platform Tools term and click the link which takes you to developer.android.com website.
   Or you may simply navigate to Android Platform Tools
2. Scroll down a bit to get the options for android platform tools download and click on Download SDK Platform-Tools for Windows displayed under Downloads section.
3. Agree to Terms and Conditions checkbox.
4. Just Download Platform Tools set up files on your computer.
5. Now create a folder on C-drive like C:\ADBTools
6. Extract all the files from downloaded zip file into this folder.
7. Open C:\ADBTools folder.
8. Press and hold Shift key and right-click anywhere inside the folder.
9. Click on Open PowerShell window here option from right-click menu.
   You will get the window like this:

   

10. Type adb and hit Tab from keyboard, you will see command like .\adb.exe
11. Hit Enter.
12. Now, connect your Android device to the computer and set USB mode to File transfer (MTP) mode from Notification center.
14. Type adb devices and hit ENTER button.
15. You will see list of devices in command prompt with Serial Number with Unauthorized text against it.
16. Also, you will see Allow USB Debugging? notification on your android device.
17. Tap on Always allow from this computer checkbox on Android device.
18. Again, type adb devices and hit ENTER button.
19. This time you will see list of devices in command prompt with Serial Number with devices text against it.

    

20. That's all, you are ready to run any command from PowerShell to operate your Android device from Computer.

Linux or MAC - Installation steps for ADB Tool

1. Google search for Android Platform Tools term and click the link which takes you to developer.android.com website.
2. Or you may simply navigate to Android Platform Tools
3. Scroll down a bit and click on Download SDK Platform-Tools for Mac displayed under Downloads section.
4. Agree to Terms and Conditions checkbox.
5. Just Download Platform Tools set up file on your Linux and extract it somewhere on your Linux or MAC machine.
6. Open Terminal.
7. Enter this command to navigate to the directory in which you extracted downloaded zip file, e.g. cd /downloads/adbtools/
8. Now, Terminal will be in the same folder as your ADB tools files are stored.
9. Now, connect your Android device to the computer and set USB mode to File transfer (MTP) mode from Notification center.
11. Type adb devices in Terminal and hit ENTER button.
12. You will see list of devices in command prompt with Serial Number with Unauthorized text against it.
13. Also, you will see Allow USB Debugging? notification on your android device.
14. Again, type adb devices in Terminal and hit ENTER button.
15. This time you will see list of devices in command prompt with Serial Number with devices text against it.
16. That's all, you are ready to run any command from Terminal to operate your Android device from Linux or MAC machine.

Fixed ADB is not recognized Error

After installing Android SDK platform tools and running android debug bridge to configure my Android mobile, the I got the error "the term ADB is not recognized as the name of a cmdlet windows 10" like: Learn to fix ADB cannot be recognized a command in power shell.

Fixing Adb Is Not Recognized Error

Here to fix you just need to set the path of ADB in System Variables.

• Go to Control Panel >> System.
• Choose Advanced system settings and you will get System properties window.
• In the Advanced tab, at the bottom, click on Environment Variables
• Now in User variables box, choose Path and click on Edit...
• Here in Edit environment variables window, click New And type C:\ADBTools\
• Click on Ok.
• If you have a Command Prompt window open, then close it then open again and then try again. Now the ADB devices command should then work.

Bottom Line

I hope the above steps may help you set up Android Debug Bridge (ADB) Tool on your computer. Nopes? Don't worry, feel free to ask questions, make use of the below comment box. I would love to hear from you and happy to sort out all the questions or issues which you may have.

Also, do not forget to share this information with your friends if you find this helpful.