Why sometimes do I need to restart Calibre for it to recognize my Android device?

Geremia · 08-19-2025, 01:20 AM

Sometimes I need to restart Calibre for it to recognize my device. Why is this?

KDE recognizes the device when I plug it in, and "Android File Transfer (MTP)" thinks Calibre is occupying the device when I try accessing it there; MTP can even kill the Calibre process. But Calibre itself doesn't recognize it until I restart Calibre.

I'm using Calibre 8.8.

cross-posted on Ebooks StackExchange

kovidgoyal · 08-19-2025, 01:30 AM

On Linux only a single program can access MTP devices at a time You need to prevent your desktop environmnet from mounting the device then it will work normally in calibre.

Moonbase59 · 08-19-2025, 04:21 AM

Exactly.

Fortunately, many file managers (like Nemo on my EndeavourOS/Cinnamon) have an option to disable automounting removable media, see screenshot. This works nicely here: The device shows up, the DE plays the "Connect" sound, but it doesn’t get automounted by the file manager and Calibre can do its work (Auto-connect, use, Eject device, etc.).

If you wish to use the device outside Calibre, you can normally mount/unmount it using the file manager.

If using gvfs (GNOME-based DEs), you can also disable this only for MTP: In /usr/share/gvfs/mounts/mtp.mount:

Code:

[Mount]
Type=mtp
Exec=/usr/lib/gvfsd-mtp
AutoMount=false

Since you’re using KDE, maybe Nautilus has an option like this, too, or you find something in the KDE settings.

See also: https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Med...nsfer_Protocol

Quoth · 08-19-2025, 09:28 AM

Before connecting an Android or other MTP device I go to Process list in System monitor and stop (not kill)
gvfs-mtp-volume-monitor

There is no way on Mate Desktop to otherwise stop an MTP device mounting.

Obviously that's only for Calibre or similar. If I want to to use a file manager, then nothing is done.

08-19-2025, 01:20 AM	#1
Geremia Addict Posts: 262 Karma: 100000 Join Date: Oct 2012 Device: Calibre	Why sometimes do I need to restart Calibre for it to recognize my Android device? Sometimes I need to restart Calibre for it to recognize my device. Why is this? KDE recognizes the device when I plug it in, and "Android File Transfer (MTP)" thinks Calibre is occupying the device when I try accessing it there; MTP can even kill the Calibre process. But Calibre itself doesn't recognize it until I restart Calibre. I'm using Calibre 8.8. cross-posted on Ebooks StackExchange Last edited by Geremia; 08-19-2025 at 01:29 AM.

08-19-2025, 04:21 AM	#3
Moonbase59 Addict Posts: 234 Karma: 1000244 Join Date: Oct 2021 Location: Germany Device: Tolino Vision 5, Tolino Tab 8", Pocketbook Era (16GB)	Exactly. Fortunately, many file managers (like Nemo on my EndeavourOS/Cinnamon) have an option to disable automounting removable media, see screenshot. This works nicely here: The device shows up, the DE plays the "Connect" sound, but it doesn’t get automounted by the file manager and Calibre can do its work (Auto-connect, use, Eject device, etc.). If you wish to use the device outside Calibre, you can normally mount/unmount it using the file manager. If using gvfs (GNOME-based DEs), you can also disable this only for MTP: In /usr/share/gvfs/mounts/mtp.mount: Code: [Mount] Type=mtp Exec=/usr/lib/gvfsd-mtp AutoMount=false Since you’re using KDE, maybe Nautilus has an option like this, too, or you find something in the KDE settings. See also: https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Med...nsfer_Protocol Attached Thumbnails Last edited by Moonbase59; 08-19-2025 at 04:27 AM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Calibre "On Device" status after restart	naenee	Calibre	1	06-18-2024 06:52 PM
MacOS Monterey (12.6) – VIVO X80 Pro – Calibre 6.5 does not recognize my Device	PurpleTigerHeart	Android Devices	1	09-18-2022 06:12 PM
calibre does not recognize my device	Meikel77	Devices	2	08-14-2018 01:22 PM
Calibre doesn't recognize all Books on Device	KoopaOne	Devices	0	11-10-2014 10:27 AM
Calibre doesn't recognize my device with 626 FW	lunker	PocketBook	2	11-01-2014 04:20 AM

08-19-2025, 01:30 AM	#2
kovidgoyal creator of calibre Posts: 45,609 Karma: 28549044 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai, India Device: Various	On Linux only a single program can access MTP devices at a time You need to prevent your desktop environmnet from mounting the device then it will work normally in calibre.

08-19-2025, 09:28 AM	#4
Quoth Still reading Posts: 15,011 Karma: 111111255 Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Ireland Device: All 4 Kinds: epub eink, Kindle, android eink, NxtPaper	Before connecting an Android or other MTP device I go to Process list in System monitor and stop (not kill) gvfs-mtp-volume-monitor There is no way on Mate Desktop to otherwise stop an MTP device mounting. Obviously that's only for Calibre or similar. If I want to to use a file manager, then nothing is done.

Advert