Wireless debugging (ADB over Wi-Fi)

Wireless debugging, available in Developer options on Android 11 and later, lets a computer connect to the phone with ADB (Android Debug Bridge) over Wi-Fi instead of USB. The computer must be paired once with a code or QR code, and both devices must be on the same network.

1Pairing

In Developer options > Wireless debugging, 'Pair device with pairing code' shows an IP address, port and six-digit code. On the computer, adb pair <ip>:<port> asks for the code. Afterwards adb connect <ip>:<port> uses the address shown on the Wireless debugging screen.

2Security

ADB gives a computer wide access to the phone, including installing apps and reading app logs. Paired computers are listed on the Wireless debugging screen and can be removed there. The setting turns off when the phone leaves the network.

3What it is used for

Developers use it to install and test apps; others use ADB to run tools that need a computer, such as removing preinstalled apps for the current user.

How to connect over Wi-Fi

1. Turn on Developer options and open Wireless debugging.
2. Turn Wireless debugging on and tap Pair device with pairing code.
3. On the computer, run: adb pair <ip>:<port> and enter the code.
4. Connect: adb connect <ip>:<port>
5. Check: adb devices

Related articles

• Developer options and USB debuggingHow to turn on Android developer options, what USB debugging allows, and why to switch it off when you do not need it.
• Android recovery modeWhat Android recovery mode is, how to open it with buttons, and what its options such as wipe and update do.
• USB tethering on AndroidHow to share an Android phone's mobile data with a computer over a USB cable, with the menu paths on Pixel, Samsung, Xiaomi and Huawei.

Sources

1. Android Debug Bridge (adb): connect over Wi-Fi (Android Developers) developer.android.com
2. Configure on-device developer options (Android Developers) developer.android.com

Last reviewed: 2026-10-08