usb: Explained: What is USB OTG and how to use it on Android devices

Most users are unable to use the convenient USB drives with their smartphones. However, this issue can be fixed if you are aware of USB OTG and have an Android device. USB On-the-go or USB OTG is a standard protocol that allows devices to read data from a USB device without the need of connecting them to a PC. The device uses the OTG cable to turn itself into a USB host. There are multiple ways in which an OTG connection can be useful. These include — connecting a USB flash drive or a video game controller directly to your phone. Here we will discuss some other important ways to use USB OTG with an Android device.
Important uses of USB OTG
Most Android devices come with a standard micro-USB or USB-C port, but some USB devices need a full-size USB port to connect. However, this problem can be fixed with a converter or an adapter. Users need to be careful before buying an OTG adaptor and choose one depending on whether their phone supports the standard micro-USB or USB-C. Flash drives are also available on the market that supports both micro-USB and USB Type-C, along with standard USB ports.
Connecting phone with external storage devices
One of the most important functions of OTG adaptors is to connect external hard drives directly to your phone. Users just need to plug in the drive and it will enable them to transfer files between the devices. However, some external hard drives might not work with the OTG cable, especially the ones that draw power from the phone. The drives need to be in FAT32 or exFAT file format to work with OTG. Other than transferring files, users can also play music or videos from their OTG storage drive that is connected to the Android device.
Connect gamepads directly on your smartphones
The Xbox One controller is supported on Android 9.0 and above, however, users can also connect their old Xbox 360 controller with their Android devices using USB OTG. Using a controller for a mobile game is simple as it works on basic plug-and-play but you have to play games that are compatible with a controller. Users who have rooted their Android devices can also connect PlayStation controllers to their phones. For instance, users can turn their Android device into a retro gaming hub by connecting their phone to a PS2 controller.
Using a keyboard and mouse to operate an Android device
Users can also connect a keyboard and a mouse (both wired and wireless) to their Android tablet to use it as a laptop. Since you will have a single USB port on your smartphone, it is advisable to get a wireless keyboard and mouse set that comes with a single unified receiver. It is also better to buy a basic plug-and-play wireless set that is compatible with all platforms. Try avoiding the ones that need an accompanying software to set up.
Printing directly from the printer
Printers that come with standard plug-and-play also work with Android devices. Users can connect the printer directly to their phones and can start printing without a wireless connection or having to sync it to a PC. However, Google has dissolved the support for USB Mass Storage mode since Android 4.0. So, users have to use the PTP or MTP modes for their USB connection if they are willing to print photos and documents directly from their phones.
Control a DSLR camera directly from your phone
Android users can turn their device into a live screen for their DSLR cameras that can be used to capture, focus, control shutter speed, adjust settings and more. Multiple third party DSLR controller apps are available on the Play Store, but before installing one, users should check the list of cameras the app supports. You can also use the OTG connection to move photos from your digital camera directly to your Android device, without needing a laptop or an SD card reader. Users will need a USB cable that connects to the camera as well as the OTG adapter. This feature can come in handy if you want to edit your photos or want to share uncompressed images via email.
Connecting musical instrument directly to your phone
USB OTG allows users to connect their Android devices to MIDI-compatible music instruments like keyboards. Users can create music on their mobile devices by combining it with musical instruments over a music app. Smaller MIDI keyboards can draw power directly from the Android device, however, some of them may require an external power source. It is also important for the users to check if the keyboard needs an extra adapter to work with the OTG adapter.
Recording audio using a USB mic directly on your phone
Users can also connect a USB mic to their Android phones via OTG to record audio directly on the device. USB microphones deliver better recording capabilities than the built-in mics or external mics that are connected through a 3.5mm audio jack. Android smartphones usually have a built-in voice recorder, but apps for dedicated mics offer more customisation options that include — stereo playback, custom sample rate, buffer size selection and even recording format options.
Connecting the ethernet cable directly to the phone
Connecting the ethernet cable directly to your Android device to access the Internet can come in handy if you want to reduce ping while gaming online or get better internet speeds than your Wi-Fi.
Reverse charging other devices
Many modern smartphones come with reverse wireless charging support. However, if the device doesn’t support this feature, users can use an OTG adapter to reverse-charge their handset. For this, you will need an Android device as a power source and then you have to connect the phone you want to charge to the OTG port via USB cable. The charging might be slow but this feature can be useful if your primary device has no battery left and you don’t have access to a power source.