Both directories are equivalent: https://github.com/NixOS/nixpkgs/blob/master/nixos/modules/services/hardware/udev.nix#L51

The rule file is also loaded without this patch:

$ realpath /etc/udev/rules.d/51-android.rules
/nix/store/y6i6avdxlzqv1d5ajb4a3911ci282ld4-udev-rules/51-android.rules

I don't see /etc/udev/rules.d/51-android.rules on my machine and adb doesn't work without root, that's my point. Maybe it is something I forgot to do in configuration.nix.

You need to add pkgs.android-udev-rules to services.udev.packages. Or better, use programs.adb.enable, which does it for you.

Thanks @jtojnar, I do now see the file in /etc/udev/rules.d, and with my user part of adbusers group, I still can't adb shell to my phone.

It works for me fine even without adding myself to the group. Are you sure you have USB debugging enabled on the phone?

I does work with other Linux distros that uses the same rules file.

I get the following when I try to adb shell:

[12:27] lebeld@tardis:~
➤ adb kill-server 

[12:27] lebeld@tardis:~
➤ adb shell  
* daemon not running. starting it now at tcp:5037 *
* daemon started successfully *
error: insufficient permissions for device.
See [http://developer.android.com/tools/device.html] for more information.

[12:27] lebeld@tardis:~
➤       

NEVERMIND

I made sure to select Transfer files in the telephone menu, which transformed my phone from a fastboot device to a OnePlus 5 phone and after that I was able to adb shell into it as a user.

This can be closed then.