Connect USB stick to Android phone or tablet

InLine OTG Cardreader DualFlex: With USB adapters like this, USB sticks and SD cards can be easily used with Android smartphones and tablets.


USB OTG on the Android smartphone - how it works


You want to watch a movie on your Android tablet or transfer data from the smartphone to a notebook via USB stick? This is quite easy with the right adapter. However, the prerequisite for this is that your mobile device is capable of OTG. How do you explain how this is done and what you need to look out for.


A OTG adapter (on-the-go) or a connected OTG cable connected to the microUSB connector of your mobile device will put your smartphone or tablet into the host mode in which the mobile device behaves like a computer. You can connect USB sticks, hard disks or memory cards to the Android device. The external drives are recognized as with the PC, and data can be transferred easily. Whether your smartphone supports this function, for example, with the app USB OTG checker?


In principle, the OTG standard from version 4.0 is supported by Android. If you want to use such an OTG cable or an adapter, you do not have to invest a lot of money. There are cables or adapters already from about four euros. There are also models for electronics retailers such as Intos, for which a card reader for SD and microSD cards is available in addition to the USB port. This allows you to quickly transfer pictures from your camera, for example, to your smartphone and send them to friends via e-mail or social networks. The InLine OTG Mobile Card Reader, USB 2.0, for SD and microSD, Android Smartphone and Tablet, costs nearly six euros.


Depending on the Android version you have, you may be prompted to set up the USB storage device when you first use the OTG adapter. Just confirm the use of the USB port. If you want to swap images or movies, select Use as portable storage.


You can access the data of a memory card or a USB stick connected via OTG with a file manager. If you have not installed a file manager, you can view the USB folders using the settings.