Android file explorer for Ubuntu/Unity via USB, no app needed on Android

Question

Using Ubuntu/Unity, I would like to browse my USB-connected Android device's files.

Requirements:

• No app needed on the Android side (I have adb installed if that can help)
• Graphical UI
• Ability to put/pull files to the local Ubuntu filesystem, compatible with Nautilus copy/paste or mouse moves
• Free, ideally open source

Thumbnails not needed.
Integration within Nautilus is OK if it does not slow down normal usage of Nautilus.

Answer 1

^{As pointed out in my comment on the question, I cannot tell for the "Nautilus" requirement.}

You've explicitly asked for a graphical file explorer – so I will first answer your request literally. For my really recommended solution, see the end of this post :)

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QtADB is probably the best known application in this context:

^{QtADB file manager and app manager (source: QtADB; click images for larger variants)}

It seems to match your requirements:

• No app needed on the Android side (I have adb installed if that can help): Check. ADB is required, but no additional app on the device.
• Graphical UI: Check, see screenshots above.
• Ability to put/pull files to the local Ubuntu filesystem: Check, see first screenshot.
• compatible with Nautilus copy/paste or mouse moves: As initially stated, I cannot check this.
• Free, ideally open source: Definitely free. And since 2011 also open source.

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To name an alternative: aafm is a very simple Python based file manager for the command-line and GUI:

^{aafm file manager (source: aafm; click image to enlarge)}

I've never tried this one, but it should match your listed requirements the same way (license: GPLv3).

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But now for my real recommendation. Interpreting your question as if you'd asked it at Android.SE ("How can I …"), I'd recommend you taking a look at adbfs-rootless – which I am using happily. This works as a FUSE mount, and thus your Android file system is available everywhere – no need for a separate file manager, should integrate in whatever file manager you're using as if it belonged there. Thus it really meets all your requirements:

• No app needed on the Android side (I have adb installed if that can help): No app needed on the Android side (I have adb installed if that can help):
• Graphical UI: up to you. If you have a graphical file manager, which you do: Check :)
• Ability to put/pull files to the local Ubuntu filesystem: Check. Copy as you would do locally :)
• compatible with Nautilus copy/paste or mouse moves: If you use Nautilus, I don't see why not :)
• Free, ideally open source: adbfs-rootless uses the BSD license, so: Check.

You most likely even can configure a Nautilus shortcut to mount/unmount your Android device for easier use.