Micro USB flash drive on Android

50Twuncle

Does THIS allow backing up ?
Are drivers not necessary
Has anyone actually used them ?

AndyPix

I have used usb-micro usb memory sticks before yes.
They dont require additional drivers


Useful for loading films onto before a flight etc..


edit : I havent used that particular one

DoaM

Not all Android devices may recognise a flash drive connected via the Micro-USB port. For example the Nexus 4 will not. (Yes, I know, the N4 is quite old now. Doesn't change the validity of my statement though).

So check whether your device will fundamentally work with a flash drive, or whether there's some configuration change you need to make for it to do so.

Cash-Strapped.T32

Agreed with doam - definitely check with an el-cheapo USB drive first.

Different devices will either recognise or not recognise your drive, and even the same device can vary, depending on the rom that it's running.

It took a little bit of faffing to get my Galaxy S4 to read/write to read from USB, via the otg (on the go) cable; a simple £1.50 cable off amazon, with micro-USB male at one end that goes into my phone, and regular USB female at the other, which any USB drive/mouse/keyboard/etc can plug into.

But once I'd done it, it was worth it. Having the capability to plug any old USB drive that might find itself in my possession and manipulate it with my phone is handy.

I see the drive you posted is designed as micro USB - that's pretty cool; Al I'd personally suggest is before you commit any money, do a quick google for your phone along with "USB OTG", or "USB on the go", things like that, and see if there are any known issues with your device before any money is spent.

Ps; That is a cool little drive though - Thanks; I've actually bookmarked it for myself in case I pick one up at a later date!

AndyPix

Cash-Strapped.T32 wrote: »

definitely check with an el-cheapo USB drive first.

A USB device, by definition, must follow the USB standards.
Regardless of its price

DoaM

I think the comment was in relation to ... don't spend loads on a USB drive before checking your Android device will fundamentally work.

It wasn't in relation to cheapo drives won't work, expensive ones will.

50Twuncle

Mine does
https://www.quora.com/Does-Moto-g-3rd-gen-support-32-otg-pendrive

Cash-Strapped.T32

DoaM wrote: »

I think the comment was in relation to ... don't spend loads on a USB drive before checking your Android device will fundamentally work.

It wasn't in relation to cheapo drives won't work, expensive ones will.

Exactly - almost everyone will have something lying around they can test with, rather than putting in an order from amazon for a fairly specialised drive that costs.
(although that said, even my inexpensive OTG cable had to be ordered in the first place)

@Twuncle - It's handy if your phone supports it out of the box, no rooting or custom roms required; Nice one. :cool:
I guess then there's nothing holding you back.

My S4 used to support it in the Samsung branded version of Android 5, when I went to Cyanogen 13 (based on Android 6 I think), the functionality was lost, along with some other things I wasn't happy with, so I went down to Cyanogen 12 (Android 5) and after rooting I had the capability back, plus the other bits & bobs I wanted.
So seeing it work with minimal fuss is a good thing.

S0litaire

if your phone is "OTG" capable. it's very handy to be able to plug a keyboard and mouse into your phone if you're stuck without a Desktop/Laptop to hand for a quick bit of work*....

*(Spent the day problem solving my "non-booting" PC, only hand my phone to google fixes and ask questions in forums. Having a keyboard plugged into my phone helped a lot with general typing and copy-paste)

forgotmyname

mmm 32GB USB stick from CHINA... My guess 4GB...