topic Re: USB File-Transfer between Linux and Xperia ?! in XPERIA archive

USB File-Transfer between Linux and Xperia ?!

seyed — Tue, 18 Sep 2012 10:42:09 GMT

Hi guys;

I'm a GNU/Linux user (Ubuntu-12.04) and an owner of a Sony Xperia P. I have recently updated my phone software to Android-4.0.4 ICS and It's really great.

But I have one big problem and that is I can't do any USB file transfer between my computer and my smartphone! The fact that from Android 3.0 and above, Google has moved to the Media Transfer Protocol (MTP) has caused some troubles for non-Windows users.

Although solutions have been provided for other Android phones that use standard MTP (Mac users and Ubuntu users), but they don't work with Sony Xperia phones because it's using a non-standard customized MTP.

As a Sony customer I ask to provide a solution (PC-Companion for Linux), or at least provide some technical information about the customized MTP that Sony is using on it's phones for the PC-Companion software, so maybe we can come up with a solution ourselves.

I've been a Sony-customer for so many years and believe I deserve some support from Sony. I have to mention that I am not alone in this problem. Just do some googling or even search through the forum archives for similar requests by other customers (one example).

Re: USB File-Transfer between Linux and Xperia ?!

Johan — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 06:48:32 GMT

Perhaps the tip in this thread could help you: http://talk.sonymobile.com/message/265973#265973

Unfortunately we have no dedicated software or drivers for Linux users at the moment and I don't know if or when such software's will be released.

Re: USB File-Transfer between Linux and Xperia ?!

seyed — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 09:35:59 GMT

I saw that thread before and I've tested the solution, but it doesn't work. That person is probably using an Xperia phone with Android-2.3 Gingerbread which has no (or little) problem with Linux.

I'm talking about Android-4.0.4 ICS, so that is NOT my answer.

Tanks anyway.

Re: USB File-Transfer between Linux and Xperia ?!

MarcFox — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 19:13:19 GMT

No support for Linux Sony???

It's a big shame.

Re: USB File-Transfer between Linux and Xperia ?!

joca_pt — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 11:49:15 GMT

I have exactly the same problem... I had tons of issues with my xperia x10 and yesterday I bought the P, to find out I can't use it without windows?! Good looking phones... but this one will be returned to the shop...

Re: USB File-Transfer between Linux and Xperia ?!

jepjepus — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 06:32:29 GMT

Hi,

Now I understand why file transfer worked perfectly BEFORE my upgrade (or have I got to call it a "downgrade"?) and not now in Xperia Neo V.

Is it Sony Ericsson's or Android's fault the change towards a different protocol?

Any solution?¿?¿?¿?

Re: USB File-Transfer between Linux and Xperia ?!

jepjepus — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 08:38:42 GMT

Hi again,

Finally I have found a way for accessing to Card contents in Linux. Navigating and moving around mobile menues, under the option

"Xperia TM" > Connectivity > USB connection mode

transfer mode can be changed between MTP and MSC.

and MSC mode works for Linux.

It works, yes, but be aware that in that case mobile phone can not be used as an USB connection port for Internet (at least I could not get it working) . Evenmore, phone can go into an unstable situation. I've had to switch it off (well, after a 5 minutes of waiting time, had to pull its battery off ).

Josep

Re: USB File-Transfer between Linux and Xperia ?!

oportista17 — Fri, 12 Oct 2012 10:11:10 GMT

First off, on my Xperia P, (this thread is for P) and running ICS i don't have an option to switch from MTP or MSC on the menu that you said, and second, how the heck did you pull of your battery if the back is locked?

And with gMTP it's possible to load the content of the phone, but it's so slow, that it hurts...

Re: USB File-Transfer between Linux and Xperia ?!

jepjepus — Fri, 12 Oct 2012 17:42:53 GMT

Hi,

First of all, sorry about writing at Xperia P: Google Dad took me here. n_n

My Android version version is ICS 4.0.3.

To remove the battery, I meant disconnecting the phone, removing back and after that, removing the battery...

An idea that has come just now: why not install a sotware into the phone in order to share its files throug WiFi? Samba does that! And it's fast! 😉

http://lifehacker.com/5747993/samba-filesharing-for-android-shares-your-sd-card-over-wi+fi

Josep

Re: USB File-Transfer between Linux and Xperia ?!

oportista17 — Fri, 12 Oct 2012 17:50:37 GMT

I know, but since i have the same problem that pretty much everyone that's using ICS (wifi not working as it should, and it's allways crashing), i can't rely on WIFI for nothing until there's a Bug fix out... ;/

Re: USB File-Transfer between Linux and Xperia ?!

jepjepus — Fri, 12 Oct 2012 18:20:42 GMT

After your comment, I have checked the USB connection between phone and Linux. Both have an IP address (mine were 192.168.42.129 for the phone and 192.168.42.243 for Linux, usb0).

I can not check Samba through the USB, but I've tried ConnectBot (SSH client for Android) to open a session into Linux through USB and it worked flawlessly.

Maybe Samba is going to work through USB

Re: USB File-Transfer between Linux and Xperia ?!

Lactarius — Sun, 06 Oct 2013 10:41:16 GMT

Angry comment edited, as I accessed the phone, see next post

Re: USB File-Transfer between Linux and Xperia ?!

Lactarius — Sun, 06 Oct 2013 10:57:55 GMT

Found sollution,

In OpenSUSE 12.3 install packages relating to Media Transfer Protocoll and android tools,

Can copy data from Xperia's SP internal data storage :).

Details will follow shortly.

Re: USB File-Transfer between Linux and Xperia ?!

Rodrigo_Couto — Sun, 20 Sep 2015 12:25:29 GMT

I wonder why Linux was good enough to be used as a base to Android but it's not good enough to be respected as other operating systems in matter of support.

Thinking if someone else woders the same.

Re: USB File-Transfer between Linux and Xperia ?!

Lactarius — Sun, 20 Sep 2015 12:31:50 GMT

It works with MTP but easy connection over WiFi still a problem. I once set up samba on the old Xperia sp. Will try on z3 Compact and will report back

Re: USB File-Transfer between Linux and Xperia ?!

mcgi5sr2 — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 13:28:23 GMT

For anyone still struggling with this issue, I would be interested in an MTP fix for Marshmallow devices. Failing that a work around is using PTP and then an internal file explorer to move whatever transfer you want from your picture storage file tree.

fi PTP can be set in developer options if you can't see it as an option in notifications. Developer options are enabled by going to settings and tapping on build number until it appears.