Use the Unifying receiver, that's what I've been doing for 10 years with multiple devices. It costs like 15 bucks, it's tiny and works flawlessly for any OS/device combo I throw at it, including the Ubuntu 16 + MX Master 2S + K800 that I'm using right now. There's an app called [Solaar](https://github.com/pwr-Solaar/Solaar) that helps with the pairing and such but I don't think it's strictly necessary (can't remember the last time I ran it).

The MX Master 2S comes with a Unifying receiver, so he should already have own. It's just annoying having a USB port permanently occupied.

Yes I can imagine it to be annoying for some use cases. My Carbon has, among others, 2 USB-A ports, 2 USB-C ports plus a trackpoint and a pretty good trackpad. My older Thinkpads have more USB-A ports than I'll ever need. So the unifying receivers are only used when sitting at a desk, where they're permanently plugged to USB-C hubs.

1. Use Unifying receiver on a USB port

2. Use Logiops to configure buttons (unfortunately requires compiling it yourself):

https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Logitech_MX_Master#Logi...

https://github.com/PixlOne/logiops

I also have a Logitech MX Master 2S, on Arch Linux, and it has been working flawlessly since the beginning.

But the device was introduced in 2017, and you mention Ubuntu 16. Newer devices require newer drivers.