6 ways to use USB OTG with Android devices

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

All relatively modern Android smartphones and tablets support the wonderful USB OTG technology. It allows you to directly connect various peripherals to gadgets without using a computer. And this, in turn, opens up almost limitless possibilities for us!

To use USB OTG, your Android device must of course support it. The easiest way to find out is to look at the instructions or go to the manufacturer's official website. For the lazy, there is another option: the free USB OTG Checker app, which can be downloaded from Google Play.

Of course, we also need a special cable. Some manufacturers put it in the kit, but not all. Fortunately, it is inexpensive and sold on every corner. If desired (and the ability to handle a soldering iron), the OTG cable can even be made by yourself.

So, we checked the compatibility of the device and got hold of the cable. What can be done with all this farm?

Connecting a flash drive or hard drive

Agree, this is the first thing that comes to mind for a person with an OTG cable and an Android smartphone. With ordinary flash drives, everything is simple: they work without any problems, but with external hard drives, it is always a lottery, especially with portable ones that are powered from a USB port. Large drives with their own power supply will work 99% of the time.

The file system is another point to watch out for. FAT32 is always supported, while NTFS can have problems. The StickMount app comes in handy to eject the discs correctly. True, it requires root access to work.

Connecting a gamepad

This is the second most popular use case for OTG. Most of us have a game console at home or just a PC gamepad that itches to connect to an Android smartphone or tablet.

Xbox 360 owners are more fortunate: their gamepads work out of the box, without any additional manipulation. PS3 controllers can only be connected to "rooted" devices. With PC joysticks, everything is individual, you need to try. And, of course, do not forget that the game must also have support for gamepads, otherwise you will not be able to play.

Connecting keyboard and mouse

The openness of Android allows for keyboard and mouse controls. You can easily turn your tablet into a laptop and write articles on it or surf the Internet with ease. Most keyboards and mice (both wired and wireless) work great with Android devices.

It is more convenient to use keyboard + mouse sets that have a common receiver. Otherwise, you will have to look for a working USB hub in order to connect two devices at the same time, and this can be a real problem.

Printer connection

Like keyboards, printers are Plug-and-Play peripherals and work with Android devices as soon as they are connected. You can print a document on any, even an old printer without a Wi-Fi module, without using a computer.

Depending on the printer model, you will need to switch the device to camera or mass storage mode for printing photos. The PrintHand app should also help.

3G / LTE modem connection

The idea, which at first glance seems absurd, is quite justified for those who decided to save money and bought a tablet without a cellular module. It's not easy, but real: having superuser rights and a special utility, or rather a widget, the "whistle" can be made to work. Not the most trivial task, which, however, can be solved with due persistence and some experience.

Using a device to control a DSLR camera

This should appeal to photographers. With an Android device, you can control the camera using its screen as a viewfinder. This is especially true for phablets and tablets.

To add this functionality, you need to download the DSLR Controller application from Google Play. Ideally, you need a Canon camera. Nikon and Sony are also supported, but not all models. Since the application is paid, we recommend that you clarify all the details regarding camera support with the official developer.