We do not always have a computer at hand to transfer files from a mobile phone to a USB memory. Luckily, smartphones with the Android operating system are compatible with OTG (On-The-Go) adapters, which allow you to plug them into external storage devices and transfer documents instantly.
OTG adapters are devices with an output port and an input port to connect devices that, due to their input or output ports, could not be linked by cable. Normally, pen drives or hard drives are plugged in via USB type A and smartphones are connected via USB-C. Since they cannot be compatible, the solution is to buy an OTG. These products are quite affordable, so it won’t cost you too much.
Not all mobile phones or tablets are necessarily compatible with all types of OTG adapters. However, Google’s operating system, Android, can boast of allowing access to files in this way easily and comfortably. Once you have bought an On-The-Go, you can always carry it with you, placing it as a keychain or keeping it in the same place where you keep the pen-drive. Thus, you can use it when you need it and without using any PC.
How do OTG adapters work with Android?
If you’re not used to seeing OTG adapters, it may seem strange to imagine how such a small gadget can make your life so easy. But if you see the images we share in this post, you will more or less realize how it works.
As the input port of the mobile phone is USB-C and not type A as you would need a pen-drive or hard drive to connect, the adapter has such an input. And the same in reverse: since the USB memory does not have a type C output port, it needs the OTG to fulfill that function. Therefore, this product works as a connection point between both devices and all the user has to do is connect them with said adapter.
Once the mobile phone and the USB memory are connected to the adapter, a notification should appear on your mobile phone informing you that something has been detected. In the message, you would have to say something like “USB storage added” or something similar. Click on the Open or Explore option that appears and, thus, you will enter the contents of the pen-drive.
Through the file explorer that appears on your mobile, you can navigate through all the folders and documents that you have saved on the USB memory or hard drive. In this regard, the process is quite simple. However, to transfer files from smartphone to pen-drive, the task may seem more complicated. If you follow the steps below, it should be very easy:
- Make sure the USB stick or hard drive is connected to the Android with the OTG adapter.
- Find the file on your phone that you want to transfer to the pen-drive and keep your finger pressed on it on the screen for a few seconds.
- When you do this, several available options will appear. The one that interests us is «Move«. When you click on it, the Android menu will allow you to choose between “Move here” and “Cancel.”
- At this point, you should go to the file explorer on the USB memory or hard drive and enter the folder in which you are interested in saving the document, image or whatever. That will be when you will have to click on the “Move here” option.
Normally, at this point in the process, the mobile phone begins to move the file in question to the pen-drive thanks to the OTG adapter. This transfer will take more or less time to complete depending on the size of the document.
