My Phone Explorer will not connect

MisterEd · 20 Feb 2022

Try3 said:

The enable USB debugging was hidden away in a hidden menu in Android. I've just looked for it on my current phone [Android 12] but it's not there.
For earlier versions, the procedure was explained in Howto and FAQ Use Android Phones with MPE - FJ Software
I don't recall when I last had to set USB debugging up.

I used USB debugging on my Samsung S7. However, it turns out I didn't need it. Once I learned to connect my S7 to my computer using a USB the right way I had no problems at all.

I just checked my Samsung S21 which has Android 12. I used the same method to access the developer mode as the S7. Sure enough it worked. I stopped just before the developer mode was activated so I can't verify whether USB debugging was still available in that menu. BTW, in case you forgot to activate the developer menu just start tapping on "Build number".

My Phone Explorer will not connect-usb-debugging.jpg

Try3 · 20 Feb 2022

Ed,

My new phone's interface looks nothing like that and does not have the expected entries [i.e. the ones you show, the ones I was looking for, the ones shown in Howto and FAQ Use Android Phones with MPE - FJ Software].
I worked my way around tapping 7 times on anything that didn't move and finally enabled Developer options & then USB debugging.

I successfully carried out one MPE sync with it and will probably not do so again.
- It's useful when first copying across all my audio files to a new phone using MPE since it's so much quicker than a WiFi link. But I'd already done that in File explorer anyway.
- I'm sure I used to use it for more than that but cannot now remember what.
- It's only MPE that needs the USB debugging. File explorer does not need it.
I'm still pleased to have resolved the matter.

I bought a little-known brand that has their own tailored interface because Samsung twice sent me defective phones [A52] and I lost patience with them.

Oh, Android 12 was a mistake. It's Android 11.

I just wish I could resolve clayto's repeated difficulties with MPE.

All the best,
Denis

MisterEd · 20 Feb 2022

I guess I am lucky because I have no need for MPE. To copy files from my phone to my PC and I use Windows Explorer to browse my phone and drag and drop files from the phone. I was also lucky that my Samsung S21 is one of the phones supported by the Windows 10 app called "Your Phone". With that app I can drag and drop photos, display the phone screen on my PC, send and receive text messages, and even make and make and receive phone calls. Note I can do all of this from my PC with the phone elsewhere in my home.

BTW, the screen shot of my phone screen was made on my PC with Windows 10. I used the Your Phone app to show the phone screen. I used my mouse to navigate the settings app on my phone.

Try3 · 21 Feb 2022

Ed,

MPE allows me to sync my Outlook Calendar, Contacts, Tasks, Notes & as well as just files to & from my phone across USB, home WiFi network & phone's WiFi hotspot. The wider world is not involved.
Your "Your phone" uses the cloud for syncing I understand. That's what puts me off.

Denis

clayto · 22 Feb 2022

My Phone Explorer will not connect-clipboarder.2022.02.22.png

My Phone Explorer will not connect-clipboarder.2022.02.22-002.png

My Phone Explorer will not connect-clipboarder.2022.02.22-003.png

I hope these images help to clarify what I have described

Try3 · 22 Feb 2022

Your diagrams illustrate 2 connection failures & 1 connection success.

I'd like to address USB connection attempts.
- Does your phone show the dialog illustrated in Ed's post #24? Probably at Settings, Software information or Settings, Phone info, Software information
- If so then you should be able to tap on the Build number 7 times to activate Developer mode. Note that a small dialog will open up at about 5 taps to tell you only 2 more are needed. I found this dialog distracting.
- Once Develop mode is enabled, you will see an additional item in your phone's Settings. It might be Settings, Developer options or something like Settings, Additional settings, Developer options.
- Once you've found Developer options you'll find in there an item to enable "USB debugging". Enable that item.
This action should allow you to connect by USB even whilst the WiFi problem remains unresolved.

Best of luck,
Denis

clayto · 22 Feb 2022

Microsoft Windows [Version 10.0.19044.1526](c) Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.C:\WINDOWS\system32>PowerCFg -aThe following sleep states are available on this system: Standby (S3)The following sleep states are not available on this system: Standby (S1) The system firmware does not support this standby state. Standby (S2) The system firmware does not support this standby state. Hibernate Hibernation has not been enabled. Standby (S0 Low Power Idle) The system firmware does not support this standby state. Hybrid Sleep Hibernation is not available. Fast Startup Hibernation is not available.C:\WINDOWS\system32>C:\WINDOWS\system32>PowerCFg -a'C:\WINDOWS\system32' is not recognized as an internal or external command,operable program or batch file.C:\WINDOWS\system32>The following sleep states are available on this system:'The' is not recognized as an internal or external command,operable program or batch file.C:\WINDOWS\system32> Standby (S3)'Standby' is not recognized as an internal or external command,operable program or batch file.C:\WINDOWS\system32>C:\WINDOWS\system32>The following sleep states are not available on this system:'The' is not recognized as an internal or external command,operable program or batch file.C:\WINDOWS\system32> Standby (S1)'Standby' is not recognized as an internal or external command,operable program or batch file.C:\WINDOWS\system32> The system firmware does not support this standby state.'The' is not recognized as an internal or external command,operable program or batch file.C:\WINDOWS\system32>C:\WINDOWS\system32> Standby (S2)'Standby' is not recognized as an internal or external command,operable program or batch file.C:\WINDOWS\system32> The system firmware does not support this standby state.'The' is not recognized as an internal or external command,operable program or batch file.C:\WINDOWS\system32>C:\WINDOWS\system32> Hibernate'Hibernate' is not recognized as an internal or external command,operable program or batch file.C:\WINDOWS\system32> Hibernation has not been enabled.'Hibernation' is not recognized as an internal or external command,operable program or batch file.C:\WINDOWS\system32>C:\WINDOWS\system32> Standby (S0 Low Power Idle)'Standby' is not recognized as an internal or external command,operable program or batch file.C:\WINDOWS\system32> The system firmware does not support this standby state.'The' is not recognized as an internal or external command,operable program or batch file.C:\WINDOWS\system32>C:\WINDOWS\system32> Hybrid Sleep'Hybrid' is not recognized as an internal or external command,operable program or batch file.C:\WINDOWS\system32> Hibernation is not available.'Hibernation' is not recognized as an internal or external command,operable program or batch file.C:\WINDOWS\system32>C:\WINDOWS\system32> Fast Startup'Fast' is not recognized as an internal or external command,operable program or batch file.C:\WINDOWS\system32> Hibernation is not available.

I did not realise there were several forms of Sleep, as well as

- - - Updated - - -

I did not realise there are several versions of Sleep. Hibernation was on my PC at the start but I disabled --- I think after an article which explained its disadvantages, such as storage consumption. Startup is a lot faster than my previous machines, so I did not seem to need it. There is a point to draw attention image showing the green progress bar. When launching fails it is usually at the same point, ie. about half way through. I will see if I can tackle the USB debugging in a while, Iwould be quite happy to (only) have the connection via USB if it could be relied on.

- - - Updated - - -

My phone is an (xiaomi) Redme Mi Note7 with Android (updated from 10 to 11). It is my first 'real' smart phone as it was preceeded by a basic Windows 10 Lumia 435

Try3 · 22 Feb 2022

clayto said:

PowerCFg -a
The following sleep states are available on this system:
Standby (S3)
...

I cannot make out much more from of that mass of text but the key thing is that you have S3 Sleep [proper sleep] and are not cursed with S0 Modern standby [aka S0 Low power idle]. I thought you had said you were and I am glad you are not.

clayto said:

I did not realise there are several versions of Sleep.

When people say sleep, they generally mean S3 Sleep [proper sleep]. The one that takes a second to achieve & a second to come out of again.
So, because you have S3 Sleep, there is no need to consider it as a complicating factor any more.

clayto said:

There is a point to draw attention image showing the green progress bar. When launching fails it is usually at the same point, ie. about half way through. I will see if I can tackle the USB debugging in a while, Iwould be quite happy to (only) have the connection via USB if it could be relied on.

Yes, it will help progress to be made on figuring out what is going wrong if USB connections work properly.

clayto said:

My phone is an (xiaomi) Redme Mi Note7 with Android (updated from 10 to 11).

I have a Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro with Android 11

That means our user interfaces might be similar enough for me to guide you through.

1 I entered Settings then About phone [the top entry] - I didn't take a screenshot of the Settings menu itself.

My Phone Explorer will not connect-tapped-miui-entry-7-times-set-developer-mode.jpg

2 I tapped on the MIUI version (For Poco) entry 7 times to set Developer mode. As I mentioned before, a very small dialog opened after 4 or 5 taps to tell me I only had 2 taps to go to set Develop mode but it threw me a bit and I stopped tapping whilst I read the dialog. So I had to pause and then do the seven taps again. That set Developer mode.

3 I went back to Settings, scrolled down to Additional settings, selected that then selected Developer options. Ignore that small dialog telling me I was already one - I was also confused by the process at the time.

My Phone Explorer will not connect-additional-settings.jpg

4 In Developer options, I scrolled down & set USB debugging

My Phone Explorer will not connect-developer-options.jpg

5 Then I got out of Settings altogether.

6 Then I connected the USB cable and responded to the usual phone dialog that I wanted to transfer files.

7 Then I ran MPE on the computer** and told it to connect on the USB connection.
{** which automatically initiates MPE on the phone as well}

8 It did so. I could then multi-sync.

Best of luck,
Denis

clayto · 25 Feb 2022

I will start with the good news. I now have MPE connected reliably to my PC via USB cable. It took a lot of time, not so much with the debugging which with the help of the description and graphic above I managed OK, but with the cable(s). At first it did not work so I again tried all the other options including BT which connected for about 15 minutes only. So I tried other cables, 3 in total and one of them is working fine now. In fact all the connection modes work, but only briefly. Eventually I would like to have at least a second option, preferably WiFi but it can wait until I am familiar with the app. So, many thanks for all the help.

The app has so many features there is a lot to sort out. At the moment there is one thing to ask about, what has happened to TASKS? It is available on the phone, alongside NOTES, but does not appear on my PC. I have it on a much older Tablet --- Android 6--- where I can use it though it is not syncing to either the PC or phone.

MisterEd · 25 Feb 2022

I just installed the MyPhoneExplorer program on my Windows 10 laptop and the MyPhoneExplorer client on my Samsung S21 phone. I ran the MyPhoneExplorer program on my laptop and connected to my phone with WiFi. I also installed the MyPhoneExplorer desktop gadget.

When MyPhoneExplorer is run the first time it is important to have your phone nearby and unlocked. Also, the MyPhoneExplorer client on your phone will also ask questions regarding permissions.

MyPhoneExplorer - Monitor function

My Phone Explorer will not connect-myphoneexplorer-monitor.jpg

MyPhoneExplorer - Screen Mirroring (under Extras)

My Phone Explorer will not connect-screenmirror2.jpg

MyPhoneExplorer - Gadget