I have a Samsung Galaxy s3 running the stock Samsung ROM and I'm trying to transfer files - videos, photos, music and downloads, from my handset to my system via USB running Ubuntu 12.04.
I have followed to links suggested
But it all goes over my head. Can anyone help me with a simple GUI program or a link so I can simply copy and paste selected files from my phone onto my system?
You can get file access to your phone's internal storage (/mnt/sdcard) or your external SD card (/mnt/extSdCard/) using gMTP as another replier @Easty noted (http://www.humans-enabled.com/2011/12/how-to-fix-samsung-galaxy-nexus-mtp.html).
You'll need to install libmtp (instruction are on that page and easily found elsewhere) and gMTP.
Once everything's installed do the following:
If you want to switch from browsing the SD card to the phone's memory simply click disconnect and then connect in gmtp and select 'Phone' instead of 'Card'.
Hope this helps, it certainly did for me! Thanks @Easty!
Alternatively, just buy micro USB cable (OTG) from ebay , original Samsung or 3rd party brands are available. Using that cable you can connect external USB storage , external HDD and any external storage to your galaxy s3. S3 will detect and u can transfer files or any media between s3 to USB storage.
You don't need computer , just plug and play. Or if u need to connect PC to your s3, you can use this cable or install KIES ( samsung's sync software ).
NOTE: DO NOTE CONFUSE USB "otg" cable with micro USB cable comes with the Samsung device for charging and syncing .
Try the following. This was tested on Galaxy SII, i am assuming it will work for SIII as well
Reference: http://www.tuxtrix.com/2011/07/how-to-access-samsung-galaxy-s-ii-usb.html
I am currently running Ubuntu 12.10 and have a Sprint Samsung Galaxy S3 running Cyanogenmod. I have yet to get MTP or PTP working successfully.
However, I am able to very easily download and upload data (pictures, music, videos, files). On my Android device, I simply run Dropbear SSH. And then from my Ubuntu desktop, I use rsync to send and receive data.
I had similar problem with my Galaxy S2. When I connected it to Ubuntu, it was never recognized. I use the following trick:
Source: After I fixed, I wrote this on my blog: http://www.computerandyou.net/2012/01/how-to-fix-android-samsung-galaxy-s2-not-recognized-on-linux/
Alternate:
Alternatively, you can use gMTP. A GUI tool to use with MTP protocol. You may have trouble with libmtp. So better to install it before hand like this:
libmtp
from Sourceforge: http://sourceforge.net/projects/libmtp/files/libmtp/use the following commands one by one to install it:
Now install gMTP:
Launch gMTP and connect your phone.
Source: I wrote this detailed article with picture for my Kindle Fire connection problem with Ubuntu. It may come handy.
Please first check that there is in fact a microsd card in your device. I got a new device and sort of assumed that it had a microsd card, but it didn't. Once I put in a microsd card, the instructions given by Easty worked.
I have found the most practical solution in order to access files on Samsung galaxy s3 external SD card using Ubuntu 12.04 or later, and Nautilus file explorer
The Samsung Galaxy S3 and the Ubuntu PC need to be at the same WiFi network/hotspot. Or you can use your Samsung Galaxy S3 as a USB modem to connect the Ubuntu PC (this is the faster file transfer solution).
Samsung Galaxy s3 settings:
You have to buy DAVDRIVE at the Google play store $1.26
You have to change the DAVDRIVE: Settings > Filesystem > Filesystem Root > /
Run the DAVDRIVE app.
Ubuntu Settings:
Open Nautilus > File > Connect to Server
Set to WebDAV (HTTP), write the server IP address, port, user and password (given by the DAVDRIVE app)
When you have successfully open the server connection folder with Nautilus, go to:
Nautilus > WebDAV folder > Storage > extSdCard
Note: If you don't need to access the extSdCard, you only need to install the DAVDRIVE lite free app version.
I have found that the command line works very well for this, with a nifty tool from the Software Centre called adb (Android Debug Bridge).
Install with
sudo apt-get install android-tools-adb
orandroid-tools-adb:i386
Plug in the phone, do
adb pull <remote> <local>
to download files, oradb shell
to navigate the phone directories and get to know where stuff is.All the info you need is here: http://developer.android.com/tools/help/adb.html
An easier solution (compared to compiling libmtp yourself) would be to install
go-mtpfs
. It includes the latest version of libmtp, and I can verify it works with my GS3 running CM 10. You can also install thego-mtpfs-unity
package, which comes with a nice launcher icon and functionality.To install, run
Full directions can be found here: http://www.webupd8.org/2012/12/how-to-mount-android-40-ubuntu-go-mtpfs.html
The easiest solution of all would be to use AirDroid, free on the Play Store. You just install the app on your phone, start it, and point any desktop web browser to the address it gives you. From there you can access the file system, upload/download photos and videos, even send SMS messages.
I think the current version (in the Play Store) requires the phone and computer to be on the same WiFi network, but there's a v2 beta right now where this isn't necessary.
Alternative Solution;
I use ubuntu one for sharing files between my android device and my desktop. If you're over a wireless network this is the easiest way of transferring files between android devices and ubuntu.
I have tried gmpt solutions at once but didn't have luck. This can be the last solution but it is working gently at least.