Enabling USB on Sun VirtualBox v3 on Ubuntu step-by-step
VirtualMachine is a reality nowadays. If you have a base operating system (called host) and want to use another one on the base (called guest), you can use a VM to do that.
Downloading the Sun VirtualBox directly from its website.For Ubuntu, there’s a .deb file. Simply download it and double click on it install it. After that the VirtualBox is installed. Now, you can install the Operating system that you want.
Setup Ubuntu
If you have already run Sun VirtualBox, probably you notified that USB didn’t appear. It happens because you need to make some changes on Ubuntu. Let’s do that now.
First, open the terminal and type the following:
grep vboxusers /etc/group
Memorize the number that appear for you. In my example, the number is 121.
![]()
Now, go to System -> Administration -> Users and Groups. After that, click on “Change button” and enter your password.

After that, click on Manage Groups. Find and select the vboxusers and click on Properties button. On the screen, select your user and type the Group ID that you picked early.

The changes are done. Now restart the Ubuntu and in the next time you run VM, the USB are gonna appear for you.

PS: When you start the USB on guest machine, the USB port on host machine is closed and vice-versa.
This is a simple post but I hope it be helpful for anyone else. If you have any question or comment, fell free to leave your comment below.

Brazilian guy, IT Specialist, Linux and Mac User. Work with Java/JEE and IBM Products, such as: WebSphere and DB2. Like studying Ruby, Android and IOS. Also, I like playing tennis, however I am not good enough. Write a post in this blog once a year. Follow me on twitter if you understand portuguese: @jairrillo.
many thanks for your concise and clear instructions. It works very well. Thanks, amigo.