Unable to see NTFS flash drives?

[cgwaters]

Has anyone had success using USB flash drives larger than 4GB with their Moto X and an OTG cable?

I have a lot of USB flash drives, ranging in capacity from 1GB to 64GB. I use these drives with my Windows PC and Mac. The smaller drives are formatted with FAT; the larger drives are formatted with NTFS.

When I insert a 4GB (or smaller) drive, Settings > Storage > 'Mount USB storage' becomes enabled. When I press it, the text changes to a storage bar, 'Total space' and 'Available' rows display, and 'Unmount shared storage' becomes enabled. I also see the drive in Astro File Manager.

When I insert a drive larger than 4GB, 'Total space' and 'calculating' briefly appear...then nothing else happens. I can't see the drive in Astro File Manager.

Is Android and/or the Moto X unable to see NTFS flash drives?

 

[Grey1001]

Looking around I didn't see a MotoX specific thread, but many android phones/tablets can only read ntfs, rooting/special programs are required to write to them.


Fat doesn't seem to cause as much trouble. Good Luck

 

[Thom]

Did you try FAT32?

I have a Droid Maxx (very similar to Moto X) and am sitting here looking at a 64GB FAT32 memory stick. Just plug it in with the OTG cable.

... Thom

 

[doogald]

Is Android and/or the Moto X unable to see NTFS flash drives?

If I were a betting man, I would bet that this is the issue, yes. I think that there are apps in the Play Store that allow you to attach and mount NTFS OTG flash drives, though. See How to use NTFS format USB OTG on Android - YouTube

 

[cgwaters]

Looking around I didn't see a MotoX specific thread, but many android phones/tablets can only read ntfs, rooting/special programs are required to write to them.

Fat doesn't seem to cause as much trouble. Good Luck

Did you try FAT32?

I have a Droid Maxx (very similar to Moto X) and am sitting here looking at a 64GB FAT32 memory stick. Just plug it in with the OTG cable.

... Thom

Thanks. I thought FAT32 was limited to 4GB?

 

[cgwaters]

If I were a betting man, I would bet that this is the issue, yes. I think that there are apps in the Play Store that allow you to attach and mount NTFS OTG flash drives, though. See How to use NTFS format USB OTG on Android - YouTube

Thanks, but I'm trying to avoid rooting my Moto X.

 

[Thom]

No it wasn't a typo Windows reports FAT32 for the 64GB memory stick.

... Thom

 

[doogald]

Thanks. I thought FAT32 was limited to 4GB?

No, the largest *individual file* size is 4 GB. I believe that almost every flash drive now is shipped with FAT32 format. The maximum partition is about 8 TB.