Unable to transfer files to PC unless "USB Debugging" is enabled

[deleted]

Maybe you could try, if the same behavior is present when you connect USB flash. If it is be fine, than the culprit is something (setting) on your Mac.
Generally, one don't need to allow USB debugging to transfer files between devices.

circulars

I can't access the Developer Options, they don't even show as an option. (I've owly got:

"Languages
Keyboard
Gestures
Date&time
Backup
System updates
Users
View logs
Reset options"

I'm signed in as Owner.

Any ideas?

Dumdum

circulars
Did you tap the build number in Settings > About phone seven times?

nandohyphen1

Hey! So my friend has a Pixel with GOS and every time it is connected to a computer, a notification comes up saying, USB debugging enabled. Few questions;
What is/does USB debugging do?
If that notification comes up, it means developer options are enabled, correct?
Is it fine to turn it off?
It happened since GOS was installed, so does that mean dev options are still enabled? If they don't need dev options should they be disabled?

n3t_admin

nandohyphen1 What is/does USB debugging do?

what it says. It is used to connect via adb (Android Debug Bridge) which allows modifications to the system usually required by developers.

nandohyphen1 If that notification comes up, it means developer options are enabled, correct?

Yes.

nandohyphen1 Is it fine to turn it off?

It's even recommended!

nandohyphen1 It happened since GOS was installed, so does that mean dev options are still enabled? If they don't need dev options should they be disabled?

Same as above.

LeslieFH

nandohyphen1 Is it fine to turn it off?

It should be turned off unless you're debugging something, it increases the attack surface significantly.

Rambler

thetraveller1

I use the Syncthing app to make available any files from GOS to my laptop and RaspberryPi. If you have multiple scopes, you can setup Syncthing as well, as just give the shared device as another name.

Mucking around with the method you've described is too fiddly.

nandohyphen1

n3t_admin thank you. That is good to know. :)

nandohyphen1

Also, just to clarify, does turning off dev options wipe the phone? (I'm pretty sure it doesn't, but I wouldn't want to turn it off and wipe the phone in the process :) )

n3t_admin

nandohyphen1 no, it just resets the modifications made in developer settings (like setting animation speed back to 1x if it was lower before, for example).

LeslieFH

nandohyphen1

The only thing that wipes the phone is locking or unlocking the bootloader, but it comes with a warning.

nandohyphen1

LeslieFH good to know. Thanks.