Q4OS Forum

electricroo

Member

Registered: 2026-03-18

Posts: 13

Side loading APK files to Android 15 and transferring files in Q4OS

I'm always a bit behind on phone versions. I just upgraded my Moto G Stylus 2022 to a new Moto G Stylus 5G 2024 phone. I followed the info I found here to do file transfers which is first to install gmtp with the terminal command "sudo apt install gmtp", then connect the phone and select file transfer on Android phone popup. Then type in the terminal  "gmtp file manager". Wait a few seconds for the file manager on the screen then click "Connect" and after a few seconds choose location - internal or SD card if you have one installed on your phone.

Side loading with Android 15 on Q4OS.
Now there are two old apps that I have used forever on my Android phones that due to Googles new security features Android won't let you side load. Neither app poses any security risks and both do not need any Android system permissions. One is an electrical calculation app, and the other is an icon pack for Nova launcher which I have also used for a number of years on my phones. You know, after years of looking at the same Icons, they get very familiar to recognize. 

To side load;
First you need to install ADB on you PC running Q4OS.
Open terminal and type "sudo apt-get install android-sdk-platform-tools"

Be very careful her as you need to go to developer options.
Go to Android settings.
About Phone
Device Identifiers
Then tap on Build Number seven times then enter your phone unlock PIN to turn on Developer Mode.
Go back to  the main Phone Settings screen, choose System, then choose Developer Options.
Be careful here, scroll down and turn on USB Debugging.
I put the APK files in my PC's Home folder.
Connect your phone and choose file transfer
Open Terminal and type "adb devices"
The phone will ask for permission to Allow USB Debugging.
Type in terminal "adb install FILENAME.apk
If you get an SDK version error then type,
adb install --bypass-low-target-sdk-block FILENAME.apk
When done make sure you turn off USB Debugging in Developer Options, then make sure that you turn off Developer Options.

Ron S.

swarfendor437

Member

Registered: 2024-11-06

Posts: 69

Re: Side loading APK files to Android 15 and transferring files in Q4OS

Hi, would it not be possible to do file transfers using KDE Connect? I can send files to and from my phone.

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ASUS PRIME X470-PRO, AMD Ryzen 7 1700X 8 Core, 16 Gb RAM, Asus GT1030 2 Gb DDR-5  Q4OS 5.9 (Aquarius)

theasmitkid

Member

From: NCT of Delhi

Registered: 2025-01-26

Posts: 352

Re: Side loading APK files to Android 15 and transferring files in Q4OS

Wirelessly, you can use KDE Connect to transfer files

If KDE Connect is slow, you can try out MiXplorer to transfer files via Samba, FTP, SFTP or WebDav.

Wired, to access your android file system directly from Dolphin File manager, you can try installing kio-extras package

to access your android file system directly from Thunar File manager, you can try installing gvfs-backends package

If these are too slow or do not recognise your device, you can try installing android-file-transfer package.

You can also use MiXplorer or KDE Connect over USB, for that you'd need to turn on USB Tethering. This would probably be a lot faster than wireless

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Coding & Robotics Enthusiast | Brave & Spck Editor @ Lenovo Tab 4 8 · Android 8.1 · 2GB · 16GB

bin

Member

From: U.K.

Registered: 2016-01-28

Posts: 1,563

Re: Side loading APK files to Android 15 and transferring files in Q4OS

Bizarrely, PCManFM is very good at working with Android phones - especially Damsung!