Android Provisioning Studio User Manual

2. Getting Started

This chapter takes you through the initial setup required to connect an Android device to APS and start working with it.

For most devices, the process only needs to be completed once for each computer you use with APS.

What you need

Before connecting your first device, make sure you have:

  • Android Provisioning Studio installed on your computer.
  • An Android device you are authorized to configure.
  • A USB cable that supports data transfer. Some USB cables are designed for charging only and cannot establish an APS connection.
  • Access to the Android device so you can enable Developer options and approve the computer for USB debugging.

APS includes the components required to communicate with Android devices, so you do not need to install Android Studio or configure additional connection tools separately.

Enable Developer options

Android keeps its developer features hidden by default. Before APS can communicate with a device, Developer options must be enabled.

The exact names and locations of Android settings can vary slightly between manufacturers and Android versions, but the usual procedure is:

  1. Open Settings on the Android device.
  2. Open About phone, About tablet, or the equivalent device information page.
  3. Find Build number.
  4. Tap Build number seven times.
  5. If requested, enter the device PIN, password, or unlock pattern.
  6. Android will confirm that Developer options have been enabled.

On some devices, Build number may be located inside another section such as Software information.

Once Developer options have been enabled, they remain available unless the device is reset or the setting is manually disabled.

Enable USB debugging

After enabling Developer options:

  1. Return to the main Settings screen.
  2. Open Developer options. Depending on the device, this may be under System, Additional settings, or another advanced settings section.
  3. Find USB debugging.
  4. Turn it on.
  5. Confirm the Android warning if one appears.

USB debugging allows APS to communicate with the device through Android Debug Bridge (ADB).

You do not need to change other Developer options for normal APS operation. Unless you specifically know that another setting is required for your device or workflow, leave the remaining options unchanged.

Connect the device

Connect the Android device to your computer using a USB data cable.

Keep the device unlocked during the first connection.

When the device connects to a computer with USB debugging enabled, Android may display a message similar to Allow USB debugging? The dialog also shows the computer's RSA key fingerprint.

Choose Allow to authorize the computer.

If Android offers Always allow from this computer, you can enable it on computers you trust. This prevents the authorization dialog from appearing every time the same device is reconnected to that computer.

APS cannot approve this authorization for you. It must be accepted directly on the Android device.

Check the device in APS

Open APS after connecting the device.

Detected Android devices appear in the device sidebar. APS automatically monitors connected devices, so a newly connected device should normally appear without restarting the application.

Select the device to begin working with it.

A device can appear with different connection states:

Online

The device is connected, authorized, and ready for APS operations.

Unauthorized

The computer has not yet been approved for USB debugging. Unlock the Android device and look for the USB debugging authorization dialog.

Offline

The device has been detected but APS cannot currently communicate with it. Reconnecting the USB cable or waiting for Android to finish starting can often restore the connection.

If a device does not appear, use Refresh devices in APS after checking the USB connection and USB debugging status.

When several devices are connected, use the device name and serial number to make sure you are working with the correct one.

Your first look at a device

Once the device shows as Online, select it and open Device → Overview.

APS begins collecting available information about the device, including its identity, Android version, hardware, display, storage, battery, network, security, and system information.

Some information can take slightly longer to appear, and the amount of information available can vary between Android versions and device manufacturers.

At this point, APS is ready to use.

You can continue directly to the Device tab if you want to inspect or work with this device, or create a Profile when you want to prepare a configuration that can be used again.

Connecting multiple devices

APS can detect multiple Android devices connected to the computer at the same time.

Each device appears separately in the sidebar and is identified by its device information and serial number. Selecting a device in the sidebar determines which device is used by the Device area and other single-device operations.

For larger setups, devices can also be connected through suitable powered USB hubs. The number of devices that can operate reliably at the same time depends on the computer, USB controller, hubs, cables, power requirements, and the connected Android devices.

Before running a deployment across several devices, make sure every intended target appears in APS and reports a usable connection state.

APSBridge

APS can be used without APSBridge, so installing the companion is not required just to get started.

When you need the additional information or managed-device capabilities provided by APSBridge, it can be set up from APS. Device management configuration has additional Android requirements and should only be enabled when the device is intended to be managed that way.

The relevant APSBridge options are explained later in the Settings and Device chapters.

If your device does not connect

If APS cannot see the device, check the basics first:

  • Make sure the USB cable supports data, not only charging.
  • Unlock the Android device.
  • Confirm that Developer options and USB debugging are enabled.
  • Look for an unanswered Allow USB debugging? dialog on the device.
  • Disconnect and reconnect the USB cable.
  • Try another USB port or cable if necessary.
  • Use Refresh devices in APS.

If the device is still unavailable, see Troubleshooting at the end of this manual.