How do I get a USB stick with an adapter to work with an Android phone (rather than a tablet)?

[Kiran_pa]

I have a USB stick that lights up when it is plugged in. I have attached it to laptops and tablets (Androids via USB adapters), and it lights up and works well. When I attach it to cell phones (through the same adapter that I do with tablets), it does not light up. Is there a setting to enable the Android phone to give power to the attached devices (the way Android tablets do)?

 

[Hadron]

I've used USB sticks through OTG adapters just fine on my phones, no special setting required. Something like a hard drive would require an external power source, but a simple flash drive shouldn't.

Maybe go into the storage settings and see whether there's an option to mount it? But I just tried one on my phone this minute and it mounted automatically.

Perhaps also tell us what phone you have, in case that helps anyone.

 

[mikedt]

I have a USB stick that lights up when it is plugged in. I have attached it to laptops and tablets (Androids via USB adapters), and it lights up and works well. When I attach it to cell phones (through the same adapter that I do with tablets), it does not light up. Is there a setting to enable the Android phone to give power to the attached devices (the way Android tablets do)?

Check if the phone actually supports USB-OTG. Not all phones do, particularly budget devices. The fact it doesn't light up, sounds the phone doesn't support OTG.

 

[PeterMikeWarden]

I was confused at the beginning how OTG works and found out the port on a mobile is a simple USB Port.
You can connect everything with a USB cable.
A test?
Plug in a computer usb mouse with a otg cable.
with that you know fast your port works.
don't ask what to do if not.
the only thing I know is if you have something that needs more power you need a external powersource.
for example if you plug in a external harddisk is the possiblity there you destroy your port on you mobile.
for external harddisk you have otg cable with a 3rd plug for a powersource.
this powersource normally is there only for the ext harddisk and not for the mobile.
plug in a mobile loader the harddisk get power but your mobile get not loaded.

 

[Dannydet]

Here you go.

 

[bcrichster]

Check if the phone actually supports USB-OTG. Not all phones do, particularly budget devices. The fact it doesn't light up, sounds the phone doesn't support OTG.

Correct.. The kernel needs OTG support built-in for proper function

 

[Deleted User]

Dumass question coz I can't remember kernel, but if a device has a particular SoC and it supports OTG, will that mean any device with the same SoC will also support, or does it vary from OEM, boards software (ah kernel?) and whatnots

Also in the past some device spec sheets list USB Host among its connection features rather than OTG, so I presume a hosting device will mean or include OTG.

OP there are many OTG checker apps available, which I only discovered now.

 

[dontpanicbobby]

I can uz miccez with that?

Here you go.
View attachment 151381

 

[Hadron]

I can uz miccez with that?

Yes. I've done it (including with a phone with a broken screen, when it turned out that one crucial setting couldn't be done with a keyboard. Using a mouse when you can't see what you are doing is a lot of fun...).

 

[MrJavi]

Here you go.
View attachment 151381

WoW, thats a nice one , Now if I could find the quality of that one. Been looking for the thick cables of yours but with a power source. The image I posted has the features but just looks flimsy and cheap.

 

[Kiran_pa]

My phone does not support OTG. I installed an app that tests.

 

[Dannydet]

Then you cannot use a USB device attached to your phone.

 

[Hadron]

Yeah, sorry but that's it. It's a bit surprising since OTG support has been widespread for 7-8 years now, but if you have a phone that doesn't support it there is nothing to do.