Cannot connect Android device to Linux Guest on OS X Host

[DrewDeNardo]

I'm running VirtualBox 4.1.8 r78361 on a OS X 10.7.4 host with a Fedora 17 guest. I am trying to connect my Android phone to the guest via USB so that I can run the Android developer tools (specifically the Android Debug Bridge 'adb' tool) on my guest OS.

I have configured a device filter using the following steps:
* Make sure the VM isn't running
* Navigate to the "Ports" section and "USB" tab of the VM settings dialog
* Make sure "Enable USB Controller" is checked
* Make sure "Enable USB 2.0 (EHCI) Controller" is checked
* Connect my Android phone
* Click the "Add USB Filter" icon
* Choose my Android phone from the list of devices
* Click "Ok" to save/submit the settings changes
* Disconnect my Android device from USB
* Start my VM
* Once my VM is fully booted (including user login) and ready for use ...
* Connect my Android device

At this point I assume that OS X is grabbing the device and won't let the VM have it. I can see it in the "Devices -> USB Devices" menu, but when I select it I get the following error:
Failed to attach the USB device samsung Galaxy [0216] to the virtual machine replicant.

USB device 'samsung Galaxy' with UUID {0995b36f-da22-4596-9d70-c862b2141e3d} is busy with a previous request. Please try again later.

Result Code: NS_ERROR_INVALID_ARG (0x80070057)
Component: HostUSBDevice
Interface: IHostUSBDevice {173b4b44-d268-4334-a00d-b6521c9a740a}
Callee: IConsole {1968b7d3-e3bf-4ceb-99e0-cb7c913317bb}

[mpack]

Create a filter, see the user manual for details. In fact read anything the manual has to say about USB. Plug the device in after the VM boots up.

[DrewDeNardo]

You did not read my post.

You say "create a filter". I did that (and I described the exact steps I used to create the filter).

You say "Read the manual". The fact that I described the steps that I took and that they follow the manual directly should be clear evidence that I read the manual before posting.

You say "Plug in the device after the VM boots up." I did that -- and included the fact that after adding the device filter I disconnected my device, then I booted my VM fully (and logged in) and THEN connected my device.

I know most people who post here don't bother to try and help themselves, I did. Please read my post before responding as if I'm an idiot.

[DrewDeNardo]

... also the documentation which I allegedly didn't read also says that "The more criteria you specify, the more precisely devices will be selected."

I tried specifying a VERY general filter (just putting in the manufacturer ID for Samsung), that didn't work, either.

... and, yes, I *always* startup my VM without the device connected and then connect the device after I the guest OS is fully booted and I've logged in there.

[mpack]

Instructions previously given are all that should be required. If it doesn't work then it doesn't work - I don't use a Mac and can't tell you anything that isn't in the manual. Perhaps a Mac user will wish to comment.

[ChipMcK]

One additional item:
Release the device from OS X: Select it --> Ctrl-Click --> Eject

The filter should now pick up the device, making it available under "Devices -> USB Devices" menu.

[DrewDeNardo]

Select it --> Ctrl-Click --> Eject

My Android device does not show up in Finder (at least not in the same view where I see all my disks on the left side of Finder) so I can't eject it. Is there another place I should look?

[ChipMcK]

Finder Preferences --> General Tab

• Check CDs, DVDs, and iPods

The 'phone' should show on Desktop along with External disks

[DrewDeNardo]

Chip: I really appreciate you taking the time to help me.

My Finder preferences already have everything checked (including "CDs, DVDs, and iPods"). This is true both on the General Tab and the Sidebar Tab.

I'm guessing that Android phones don't normally show up here like iPhones do.

I'm an advanced Linux user, not so much on OS X.

[ChipMcK]

I suggest that you check on some Apple/Mac/OSX centric forum as to how to find the device.
At worst case, determine the OSX driver for the device and unload it.
With no driver, VB should be able to pick it up for the Guest.

check out http://www.androidpit.com/en/android/fo ... y-Galaxy-S

[cuongcon]

I can connect my samsung note 3: os x host, windows guest.
It's just a trick.
fist, choose usb connect in PTP mode. This will make windows can use usb connect from smartphone.
then, change usb connect to MTP. Now you can use Kies to connect your device.

[kurbads]

The Android is Apple competitor. You need to have a special Android program to access Android devices. With the program the OSX would access device before VM. Without program VM won't see the device. So there is no solution apart from booting into real Windows via Bootcamp or Chameleon.

[JRDev]

I followed all your steps in creating the device filter except making sure that "Enable USB 2.0 (EHCI) Controller" is checked (I had an invalid configuration error pop up if I had that option selected). Any way, it's working fine for me (connecting a Samsung S4 to my mac.