USB OTG (On-The-Go) is a useful feature that many Android devices support. It allows you to connect USB devices to your smartphone or tablet and use them as if they were plugged into a computer. There are many cool ways to use USB OTG on Android, and in this post, we’ll explore 10 of them.

Check If Your Android Supports USB OTG

If you’re not sure whether your Android device supports USB OTG, you can check by following these steps:

1. Look for the USB symbol with an arrow pointing towards it on the packaging or manual that came with your device. This symbol indicates that the device supports USB OTG.
2. Download and install the USB OTG Checker app from the Google Play Store. This app will analyze your device’s USB hardware and software to determine whether it supports USB OTG.

1. Connect a USB device like a flash drive or a mouse to your Android device using a USB OTG cable or adapter. If your Android device supports USB OTG, it should recognize the USB device and allow you to use it.

If your device doesn’t support USB OTG, you can still use other methods to transfer files between your Android device and a computer, such as using cloud storage services like Google Drive or Dropbox, or connecting your device to a computer using a USB cable.

What Do You Need to Use USB OTG?

To use USB OTG on your Android device, you’ll need a few things:

1. An Android device that supports USB OTG: Not all Android devices support USB OTG, so make sure to check your device’s specifications before attempting to use USB OTG.
2. A USB OTG cable or adapter: This is a special cable or adapter that allows you to connect USB devices like flash drives, keyboards, and mice to your Android device.
3. A USB device: This could be a flash drive, a keyboard, a mouse, a game controller, or any other USB device that you want to use with your Android device.

Once you have all these things, you can connect your USB device to your Android device using the USB OTG cable or adapter and start using it right away. Keep in mind that some USB devices may require more power than your Android device can provide, so you may need to use a USB hub with an external power source to connect them.

10 Cool Ways to Use USB OTG on Android

1. Connect a USB Flash Drive

To connect a USB flash drive to your Android device using USB OTG, you’ll need a USB OTG cable or adapter. Many Android devices come with this adapter in the box, but if you don’t have one, you can purchase one online or at a local electronics store.

Once you have the USB OTG cable or adapter, follow these steps to connect your USB flash drive:

1. Connect the USB OTG cable or adapter to your Android device.
2. Plug the USB flash drive into the USB port on the cable or adapter.
3. Your Android device should recognize the USB flash drive and prompt you to open it with a file manager app. If it doesn’t, you can open the file manager app manually and look for the USB flash drive in the list of available storage devices.

Once you have access to the files on your USB flash drive, you can copy, move, or delete them just like you would on a computer. You can also use the USB flash drive to transfer files between your Android device and a computer by simply unplugging it from your Android device and plugging it into the computer’s USB port.

It’s important to note that not all Android devices support USB OTG, so make sure to check your device’s specifications before attempting to connect a USB flash drive using USB OTG. Additionally, some USB flash drives may require more power than your Android device can provide, so you may need to use a USB hub with an external power source to connect them.

2. Use a USB Keyboard or Mouse

Using a USB keyboard or mouse with your Android device can be a great way to increase productivity or gaming experience. Here’s how to connect a USB keyboard or mouse using USB OTG:

1. Connect the USB OTG cable or adapter to your Android device.
2. Plug the USB keyboard or mouse into the USB port on the cable or adapter.
3. Your Android device should recognize the USB keyboard or mouse and automatically install the necessary drivers.
4. Start using your USB keyboard or mouse right away. You can use the keyboard to type, navigate through menus, and interact with apps, or use the mouse to move the cursor, select items, and scroll through pages.

Note that not all Android devices support USB keyboards or mice, and some may only work with specific models. Additionally, some USB keyboards or mice may require extra software or drivers to work properly, so make sure to check the manufacturer’s instructions before using them with your Android device.

3. Connect a Game Controller

Connecting a game controller to your Android device can provide a more immersive gaming experience. Here’s how to connect a game controller using USB OTG:

1. Connect the USB OTG cable or adapter to your Android device.
2. Plug the game controller into the USB port on the cable or adapter.
3. Your Android device should recognize the game controller and automatically install the necessary drivers.
4. Open a game that supports game controllers and start playing.

Note that not all Android devices support game controllers, and some may only work with specific models. Additionally, some games may not support game controllers, so make sure to check the game’s instructions or options before trying to use a game controller. Some popular game controllers for Android devices include the Xbox Wireless Controller, the PlayStation DualShock 4 Controller, and the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller.

4. Connect a MIDI Controller

Connecting a MIDI controller to your Android device can allow you to create and record music on the go. Here’s how to connect a MIDI controller using USB OTG:

1. Connect the USB OTG cable or adapter to your Android device.
2. Plug the MIDI controller into the USB port on the cable or adapter.
3. Install a MIDI controller app on your Android device. Some popular options include FL Studio Mobile, G-Stomper Studio, and Caustic 3.
4. Open the MIDI controller app and configure it to recognize your MIDI controller.
5. Start playing your MIDI controller and recording music on your Android device.

Note that not all Android devices support MIDI controllers, and some may only work with specific models. Additionally, some MIDI controllers may require additional software or drivers to work properly with your Android device, so make sure to check the manufacturer’s instructions before using them with your Android device.

5. Use a USB Audio Interface

Using a USB audio interface with your Android device can allow you to record high-quality audio and connect professional microphones, instruments, and speakers to your device. Here’s how to connect a USB audio interface using USB OTG:

1. Connect the USB OTG cable or adapter to your Android device.
2. Plug the USB audio interface into the USB port on the cable or adapter.
3. Install a digital audio workstation (DAW) app on your Android device. Some popular options include FL Studio Mobile, Caustic 3, and n-Track Studio.
4. Open the DAW app and configure it to recognize your USB audio interface.
5. Connect your microphone, instrument, or speakers to the USB audio interface.
6. Start recording or playing music on your Android device.

Note that not all Android devices support USB audio interfaces, and some may only work with specific models. Additionally, some USB audio interfaces may require additional software or drivers to work properly with your Android device, so make sure to check the manufacturer’s instructions before using them with your Android device.

6. Connect a USB Ethernet Adapter

Connecting a USB Ethernet adapter to your Android device can allow you to access wired networks and connect to the internet with a more stable and reliable connection. Here’s how to connect a USB Ethernet adapter using USB OTG:

1. Connect the USB OTG cable or adapter to your Android device.
2. Plug the USB Ethernet adapter into the USB port on the cable or adapter.
3. Your Android device should recognize the USB Ethernet adapter and automatically install the necessary drivers.
4. Open your Android device’s settings and go to the “Network & internet” section.
5. Tap on “Ethernet” and turn on the “Ethernet switch” option.
6. Your Android device should automatically detect the Ethernet connection and connect to the network.

Note that not all Android devices support USB Ethernet adapters, and some may only work with specific models. Additionally, some USB Ethernet adapters may require additional software or drivers to work properly with your Android device, so make sure to check the manufacturer’s instructions before using them with your Android device.

7. Use a USB Printer

Using a USB printer with your Android device can allow you to print documents and photos directly from your device. Here’s how to connect a USB printer using USB OTG:

1. Connect the USB OTG cable or adapter to your Android device.
2. Plug the USB printer into the USB port on the cable or adapter.
3. Your Android device should recognize the USB printer and automatically install the necessary drivers.
4. Install a printing app on your Android device. Some popular options include PrinterShare, Google Cloud Print, and Epson iPrint.
5. Open the printing app and select the document or photo you want to print.
6. Choose your printer from the list of available printers and customize the print settings as needed.
7. Tap the “Print” button to start printing your document or photo.

Note that not all Android devices support USB printers, and some may only work with specific models. Additionally, some USB printers may require additional software or drivers to work properly with your Android device, so make sure to check the manufacturer’s instructions before using them with your Android device.

8. Connect a USB Hub

Connecting a USB hub to your Android device can allow you to connect multiple USB devices at once, such as a USB keyboard, mouse, flash drive, and game controller. Here’s how to connect a USB hub using USB OTG:

1. Connect the USB OTG cable or adapter to your Android device.
2. Plug the USB hub into the USB port on the cable or adapter.
3. Plug your USB devices into the USB ports on the hub.
4. Your Android device should recognize all the USB devices connected to the hub and automatically install the necessary drivers.
5. Use your USB devices as you normally would on your Android device.

Note that not all Android devices support USB hubs, and some may only work with specific models. Additionally, using multiple USB devices at once can drain your Android device’s battery faster, so make sure to have a power source nearby if needed.

9. Connect a USB Webcam

Connecting a USB webcam to your Android device can allow you to make video calls, record videos, and take photos with a higher quality camera than the one built into your device. Here’s how to connect a USB webcam using USB OTG:

1. Connect the USB OTG cable or adapter to your Android device.
2. Plug the USB webcam into the USB port on the cable or adapter.
3. Install a camera app on your Android device. Some popular options include Open Camera, Camera MX, and HD Camera.
4. Open the camera app and go to the settings menu.
5. Look for an option to switch between the front and back cameras, and select the USB webcam as the default camera.
6. Customize the camera settings as needed, such as the resolution, frame rate, and focus.
7. Start using your USB webcam to make video calls, record videos, or take photos on your Android device.

Note that not all Android devices support USB webcams, and some may only work with specific models. Additionally, some USB webcams may require additional software or drivers to work properly with your Android device, so make sure to check the manufacturer’s instructions before using them with your Android device.

10. Use a USB TV Tuner

Using a USB TV tuner with your Android device can allow you to watch and record live TV on your device. Here’s how to connect a USB TV tuner using USB OTG:

1. Connect the USB OTG cable or adapter to your Android device.
2. Plug the USB TV tuner into the USB port on the cable or adapter.
3. Install a TV app on your Android device that supports USB TV tuners, such as DVB-T/T2 Viewer or TVCenter.
4. Open the TV app and scan for available TV channels.
5. Customize the TV settings as needed, such as the channel lineup and recording options.
6. Start watching or recording live TV on your Android device.

Note that not all Android devices support USB TV tuners, and some may only work with specific models. Additionally, some USB TV tuners may require additional software or drivers to work properly with your Android device, so make sure to check the manufacturer’s instructions before using them with your Android device. Additionally, you may need to have a separate antenna or cable connection to receive the TV signal.

Conclusion:

USB OTG is a versatile feature that can be used in many cool ways on Android devices. From connecting a USB flash drive to using a USB TV tuner, the possibilities are endless. So next time you’re looking for a new way to use your Android device, consider using USB OTG.