Installing without NFC, camera or Wi-Fi

Some specialised Android devices don’t have NFC or a camera, or don’t have Wi-Fi. TDM can still be installed on these devices from a host computer using USB and the Android Debug Bridge (ADB).

You’ll need the TDM android package file.

Install the Android SDK Platform Tools

ADB can be downloaded for Windows, Mac and Ubuntu Linux from the Android developer website.

Additional steps for Ubuntu only

Users of Ubuntu may need to add themselves to the plugdev group:

sudo usermod -aG plugdev $LOGNAME

And add udev rules to access the device:

sudo apt-get install android-sdk-platform-tools-common

Prepare the device

You cannot install TDM on a device that already has a Google Account. You will need to factory reset first.

On a new device, complete the device’s setup wizard but do not sign into Google.

Enable ADB on the device


Connect the device to the host PC via USB and then enable ADB on the device:

  1. Open the Settings app.

  2. Scroll down and select About phone.

  3. Tap Build number five times until the device says You are now a developer.

  4. Go back.

  5. Go to System.

  6. Select Developer options.

  7. Toggle USB debugging.

  8. Connect the device to the host PC.

  9. At the Allow USB debugging? dialog, check the tick box and press Allow.

Install TDM via ADB

Install the application via ADB:

adb install xewli-tdm.apk

Set TDM as the device owner:

adb shell dpm set-device-owner com.xewli.tdm/.DeviceAdminReceiver

Disable ADB on the device

Applying the DISA STIG, NCSC EUD Guidance or Xewli recommended policies will disable ADB. However, if you’re using the No restrictions policy, then you should manually disable ADB now:

  1. Open the Settings app.

  2. Go to System.

  3. Select Developer options.

  4. Toggle USB debugging to OFF.

  5. Toggle Developer options to OFF.

Complete the Setup Wizard

The device isn’t protected until you’ve completed the TDM Setup Wizard. On the device, open TDM from the Android Launcher. You may now remove the USB connection to the host PC and use the device’s USB port during the wizard to install apps.