Android 11+ Wireless Debugging not available when using Mobile Hotspot as the network

Android 11+ Wireless Debugging Not Available When Using Mobile Hotspot

In Android 11 and later versions, you might encounter an issue where wireless debugging is unavailable when using a mobile hotspot as the network connection. This article explores the reason behind this limitation and provides possible workarounds.

Understanding the Limitation

The primary reason for this behavior lies in the security enhancements introduced in Android 11. To enhance security, Android restricts ADB connections over untrusted networks, including those established through mobile hotspots.

Here’s a breakdown of why this happens:

• Untrusted Network: When you create a mobile hotspot, your device’s network becomes a private network. By default, Android considers private networks as untrusted.
• ADB Security: Android Debug Bridge (ADB) is designed to work securely over trusted networks, ensuring that malicious actors can’t access your device through ADB.
• Security Enhancement: Android 11 introduced stricter security measures, limiting ADB connections on untrusted networks to protect user data.

Potential Workarounds

While using a mobile hotspot for wireless debugging is currently not supported, these workarounds can help:

1. Use a Wired Connection

The most reliable method is to connect your Android device to your computer using a USB cable. This provides a trusted connection, enabling wireless debugging.

2. Connect to a Trusted Network

If possible, connect your device to a known and trusted Wi-Fi network. This allows Android to recognize the network as secure and enable wireless debugging.

3. Use ADB over TCP

Although ADB over TCP (port 5555) is not officially supported on mobile hotspots, you can attempt to use it as a workaround. This involves manually configuring the ADB connection over a specified port.

adb connect :5555

Replace `` with the actual IP address of your Android device. However, this method may not always work, and its effectiveness might vary based on your device and Android version.

Table: Comparison of Network Types

Conclusion

The inability to use wireless debugging over mobile hotspots in Android 11+ is primarily a security measure. While workarounds exist, using a wired connection or a trusted network is the most reliable approach. If you need wireless debugging for development purposes, using a dedicated Wi-Fi network is recommended.