OTG support for Motorola MOTO E4 Verizon

[Jason2878]

Does the Motorola E4 Verizon support OTG

 

[svim]

Yes it does.
https://www.gsmarena.com/motorola_moto_e4-8721.php
You can also install something like this USB OTG checker app to confirm this:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=us.reader.otg.usb.freapp&hl=en_US

 

[Jason2878]

Aware that it is supposed to and have used several of the USB OTG checker apps that confirms the capability but I have yet to get it to work. Is there anything I need to do other than this to make it read my flash drives or other peripherals?

 

[svim]

What file manager app are you using? That would be the most likely issue but a lot of the problems with accessing non-native file storage media is based on what file system is involved. Android relies on ext4, with limited support for FAT32 and even less for exFAT. You'll need to install something like a FUSE-based app (File system in User Space) or a SAF-based app (Storage Access Framework) to access NTFS drives or HFS+/APFS drives -- don't expect miracles though as device driver/firmware support is in no way universally compatible.

 

[Jason2878]

First I tried the file manager that came with the phone. Now I'm trying the es file explorer but still nothing. I'm relatively new to this so if you could point to one that may work that'd be great. Thank you.

 

[svim]

What kind of external USB device(s) are you trying to use? Again, if it's something like a USB drive formatted as NTFS, that itself is a stumbling block. It doesn't matter what file manager app you use if the Android OS is not able to mount external storage media.
There's also an issue where some devices just aren't compatible irregardless of what file system is set up as, there are device drivers and firmware that might be involved. USB is touted as universally compatible but there's also reality where it's great when it works out but with all the variables involved can be a chore when it doesn't. You might be using a problematic USB-OTG cable/adapter, or if you're using any kind of USB hub is it powered or just using whatever power is provided by the USB bus? Is the device itself self-powered or using the power provided by the USB bus? Have you tried a different brand USB-OTG cable/adapter?

 

[svim]

Not to be dismissive to your problem but it really is a matter of trial-and-error trying to use external devices. There are just too many variables with so many different USB devices, mixed in with proprietary protocols that prevent universal compatibility.
Try this USB-OTG adapter:
https://www.amazon.com/Micro-USB-Data-Transfer-connecting-compatible-Accessory/dp/B074JBQBFX
It works with my E4 with a USB thumb drive (ext4) and an external USB drive (FAT32). But your experiences might vary widely, depending on what kinds of things you're trying to use.

 

[mikedt]

Have you checked the Settings? I don't know about Moto E4, but on some phones you have to specifically turn on OTG in the settings, and the default is OFF. Oppos are like that. But on the other hand my Huawei, OTG is always available, and just have to plug in a FAT32 USB drive and it's available immediately. I have a couple of double ended USB drives, one end is type-C and other end is regular USB. So no other OTG adapters needed.


Would Verizon have disabled OTG on their variant of the Moto E4?

 

[svim]

There's no such OTG options in my E4 Settings menu (but I don't have a carrier-locked model). If Verizon did disable OTG how are the OTG checker apps the OP tried able to confirm OTG support?