How to Use USB OTG on Android Phones
USB OTG (On-The-Go) is a technology that enables Android smartphones to function as USB "hosts," allowing you to connect various USB devices such as flash drives, mice, keyboards, gamepads, and more.
With USB OTG, you can significantly expand the capabilities of your smartphone, making tasks that were previously impossible a reality.
If you're unsure about how to use USB OTG, you're in the right place. In this article, we'll walk you through a complete tutorial on how to make the most of this feature.
1. Prepare Your Android Device
The first step is to ensure that your Android smartphone or tablet supports USB OTG. Not all Android devices are compatible, so you'll need to check if yours is. Here are a few ways to determine if your device supports USB OTG:
- Check the Specifications
Look up your smartphone’s specifications on the manufacturer’s website or packaging. If your device supports USB OTG, it will typically be listed in the specs. Some smartphones may even display the USB OTG logo on the packaging or near the USB port.
- Use Third-Party Apps
You can also use third-party apps, such as the “USB OTG Checker” app, available on the Play Store. These apps will check whether your smartphone is OTG-compatible.
- Connect an External Device
Finally, you can try connecting an external device directly to your smartphone. If it detects the device and displays a notification, your phone supports USB OTG.
2. Prepare the External Device
Next, you'll need the external device you want to connect to your smartphone. Some common devices you can use include flash drives, external hard drives, keyboards, gamepads, mice, printers, and card readers.
Devices like flash drives and card readers often come with a USB Type-C connector, so you can plug them in directly without any additional accessories.
However, for devices with a USB Type-A connector, you'll need a USB OTG Adapter. This adapter acts as a bridge between your external device and your smartphone. There are two main types of USB OTG adapters: those without cables and those with cables. Choose the one that best fits your needs.
Now that you've prepared both your Android device and external device, you're ready to start using USB OTG to expand your smartphone's functionality!
3. Connect Your Smartphone to the External Device
Once everything is set up, the next step is to connect the external device to your smartphone through the USB Type-C port.
If the external device doesn’t have a USB Type-C connector, first connect it to the USB OTG adapter. Then, plug the other end of the adapter or cable into your smartphone’s USB port.
Once the external device is connected, you should receive a notification indicating that the USB device has been detected. From there, you can start using the external device according to its function.
For example, if you connect a flash drive, simply open the File Manager app on your smartphone to access the files. You’ll then be able to perform actions such as copying, moving, deleting, renaming, and importing files.
4. Safely Remove the External Device
When you're done using USB OTG, it’s important not to just unplug the external device, as this could cause damage. Instead, you need to properly unmount the device to avoid any potential issues. Here’s how to do it:
- Open the File Manager app.
- Tap the three dots next to "USB Storage."
- Select the "Unmount" option.
- Wait for the process to complete, and then you can safely unplug the USB device.
Alternatively, on some smartphones, you can unmount the device directly from the notification bar. Simply pull down the notification bar and select the "Unmount" option next to the USB Storage notification.
With these steps, you can now easily and safely connect and disconnect external devices from your Android smartphone or tablet using USB OTG!