usb, and external drive read and write support in android


jraju

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Hi,
I do not know, if queries on mobiles and android phones are permitted here. Anyhow, as it involves windows system formats , I ask this query.
It is noted that from android version 3, otg usb support has been introduced and continue till. Instead of alternative use of pc to copy files from the mobiles using cable support, this has enhanced the use of direct copying of files to and and from the connected device , say, pendrive and external hard drives.
While some mobiles do support direct copying , viewing and reading of all type of files through this otg support, some mobiles do not support or having some glitch in the file reading apps , to format the external drive of tb sizes. Normally usb drives are readable using otg, as it is in fat 32 or exfat file type suppport. Normally ext. hard drive of the size mentioned have ntfs format, which is particular to windows. Redmi note 10 pro, if i just enable otg and configure the default to file transfer, just reads and support ntfs , whereas moto and tecno phones, that I have failed to read, and asked me to instead, format the drive, which has stored content of near 1 tb content on the ext. drive.
I think, android version is common to all and I think, microsoft would not want individual apps to read the content for pay. I do not think that microsoft would want to make money for a feature of general use. The otg support, it tells support android 3 version.
I tried all the tricks in my other phones to get the otg usb support to my external hard disk, but only getting alerts of formatting. Formatting and losing the precious data is not ideal solution.
Either, the otg support is not inbuilt in android as pre installed or there is some miss to use it to user advantage.
Could any one suggest how i can read in my other phones. I have enabled otg and checked the general default file transfer mode , but could not read the external hard drive. I have checked in my pc, that there is no corruption in the drive and i could easily use the pc. But I want to use direct use of otg usb, which is the best for every user to copy files to and from the drive.
is the android version, used by different mobiles have different versions, like limited version and full version. The otg usb adapter is a boon if any body can read direct from pendrive and ext. as, a user can transfer some large videos and other files to pendrive to save space in the mobile.
I think I made it clear , and want a detailed reply on this . the first two images is from moto g32 of recent make , and the third is from redmi note 10 pro which is earlier make.
 

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Use Fat32 only.

I successfully read & write a USB stick formatted to Fat32 in both my Windows computer & my Android phone.
I have successfully used exFat as well.
I use Fat32 for all sizes of external drive that I want to be able to connect to my phone. Windows can work with all sizes of Fat32 drive but cannot carry out the formatting itself if they are bigger than their 32GB limit. MiniToolPartitionWizard can do the formatting for all sizes of Fat32 drive.

There used to be an Android addon to enable working with NTFS but it was often problematic so I stopped bothering with it years ago.
It sounds like your Redmi has a similar utility.
I never bother choosing "OTG" drives because I do not know what benefit they bring [None as far as I can make out]
All my USB sticks are chosen for their [hoped-for] reliability without any thought being given to their "OTG" claims.
I only connect Fat32 drives to my Android phone.
I would not even bother experimenting with NTFS again for an Android because they have proved to be very reliable when working with Fat32.



Denis
 

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copying some where and then formatting the drive to fat 32 is the last option, i would choose. do not you know, that I can directly copy files to ext. hard disk to free some space on my mobile , instead of waiting for a computer to attach to file transfer modes. The on the go otg is a boon for persons , who just want to save phone space in the first place.
Secondly, the improvement of android versions , should give improvement in user favour.
I saw, some apps, particularly exfat/ntfs app, that are available for a price, which i want , a free app to read the contents and do the advantages of having the otg adapter. It is a easily priced adapter which supports type c and type A connection.
 

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I can copy to and from my Fat32 external drives in both my Windows computer & my Android phone.
So I can use them to free up space on my phone if I want to.

I don't think you need any additional apps to use exFat instead of Fat32.
The complication only affects trying to use NTFS.

I use a USB-A to USB-C adapter. I think the term OTG is meaningless.


Denis
 

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Use Fat32 only.

I successfully read & write a USB stick formatted to Fat32 in both my Windows computer & my Android phone.
I have successfully used exFat as well.
I use Fat32 for all sizes of external drive that I want to be able to connect to my phone. Windows can work with all sizes of Fat32 drive but cannot carry out the formatting itself if they are bigger than their 32GB limit. MiniToolPartitionWizard can do the formatting for all sizes of Fat32 drive.

There used to be an Android addon to enable working with NTFS but it was often problematic so I stopped bothering with it years ago.
It sounds like your Redmi has a similar utility.
I never bother choosing "OTG" drives because I do not know what benefit they bring [None as far as I can make out]
All my USB sticks are chosen for their [hoped-for] reliability without any thought being given to their "OTG" claims.
I only connect Fat32 drives to my Android phone.
I would not even bother experimenting with NTFS again for an Android because they have proved to be very reliable when working with Fat32.



Denis
ExFat is the most universal format between Windows, Linux and MacOS.

Android is basically a Linux shell, and exFaT OTG drives work fine.

You do mention exFat but it is buried in a lot of text.
 

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will not microsoft allow ntfs support on android by default. I think, that there are unverified apps that gives the feature and I am not interested in using unverified apps, and so this thread. exfat is read in pen drives , but external hard disk have ntfs format. OTG is supported from android 3 version and on the go, otg is a boon to the users. Why there is not verified free apps to read the same thro , otg usb connections in phone
 

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Android is a Google product, not a Microsoft product. Microsoft has absolutely no control over the file formats that Android can use or not use. As others have already stated, you simply have to use FAT32 or exFAT. Or some third party app on Android. You don't have any other choices.
 

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Hello everyone,
Check out "exFAT/NTFS for USB by Paragon "
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.paragon.tcplugins_ntfs_r

Check out "File Manager"
File Manager - Apps on Google Play
I am using both apps on tablet lenovo, first identifies all partitions and second copies, transfers, does eveything related with files.
These two apps are excellent, particularly second one.
It can detect even external ssd when connected to android mobiles.
Just try these two apps.
To eject the connected external usb, ssd, long press each partition, then click settings and then click eject.
 
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I don't have any problem copying files from an NTFS thumb drive to Samsung Galaxy.
 

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Hi, Guru, the problem is not the ntfs in pendrive, but from external hard disk.
Hi, Ramesh Sharma, I think that you are referring your first app , to the pay product from google store, which is a plugin app. It is only free for two days. am I correct. I do want you suggest a free app at that.
Hi, Navy, I agree with you on that. Good explanation. But, is there not a single app, that would get you what to want with free access. I tried one app from github, but it asked me to give permission to usb drive. There are only one or two in github platform.
is there not a google app that would do the trick. My redmi phone does not have any problem in recognizing the ssd drive for 1 tb size. I also think that it is not advisable to try to format to exfat at the maximum storage of external hard disk.
 

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Hi, Guru, i want to transfer files from my moto g32, and tecno camon 20 pro 5g to the external drive. I could use redmi note 10 pro, as it just shows as explorer in windows to manipulate. But on other devices, it is asking me to format the drive.
If there is any app that could do this free may be suggested . the external drive have almost up to the total capacity of 900 gb of 1 tb.
 

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Hi, Guru, i want to transfer files from my moto g32, and tecno camon 20 pro 5g to the external drive
You can use a Fat32-formatted or exFat-formatted external drive for that.

the external drive have almost up to the total capacity of 900 gb of 1 tb
If you are saying that your external drive has so much on it already that you cannot format it then you will have to get an app to do the job.
I have no idea if there are any free ones but if you start by searching again for that paid one you mentioned
pay product from google store
then you will be shown alternatives on the search results page. Perhaps there will be a free one.


Denis
 

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Odd that you can transfer files to the phone from NTSF, but not from the phone! 🤷‍♂️
I say screw it, just tether it via usb cable!
 

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Hi, Guru, it is true. From my redmi note 10 pro, i can access all the files of my ext. hard disk seagate 1 tb . i can copy to and from it.
I have not said that i could not copy from phone. What I meant is , why cannot this be done with other phones. If you read my starting of the topic, then you will see my query reason.
 

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I never had any issues using a drive (either exfat or fat 32 or even ntfs) connected directly to my pixel.

But nowadays I just use nearby share to transfer files from phone to phone or phone to pc.

Why not just use nearby share? (essentially Airdrop for android)

 

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I've got 1TB of extra space on my phone, so, I plug it into the PC, via USB cable, maybe once or twice a year! 🤷‍♂️
 

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I've got 1TB of extra space on my phone, so, I plug it into the PC, via USB cable, maybe once or twice a year! 🤷‍♂️


Same. Sandisk 512GB SD card. $33 at Walmart.

Seems it's now even less expensive ($27)... Sandisk SD Card
 
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Sandisk...
You don't wanna know how much! :censored:

6534.jpg tb - Copy.jpg

Handy though..., which, incidentally, is why I don't need OneDrive either! :p
 

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