USB Type - C has widely become the de facto primary means of wired connection for most of our electronic devices . It forms the basis for the latest generation of USB standards , USB 4 , and has been present across multiple different machine wander from earpiece and tablet to handheld gaming consoles , digital photographic camera , power Sir Joseph Banks , rechargeable illumination , massage guns , etc . — it ’s practically an sempiternal leaning . Inarguably , Android phone have been the biggest gadget driver of USB - C and have featured it for almost a decade , but it has also been more recently adopted by Apple on theiPhone 15 , the newiPhone 16series , and other gadget , including theAirPodslineup .
While a single port across multiple equipment is the foundation for ultimate convenience , it also raises one major issue . Most of the bequest ( and even some forward-looking - day ) USB peripherals apply the larger USB Type - A connexion , and they might outnumber the I that have already transitioned to USB - C. Thankfully , there is a clean easy solution to the problem , and that is using a dongle or a connective , with the connexion facilitate by a very straightforward engineering science commonly know as USB OTG .
You ’ve in all likelihood heard the term multiple times , and may have come across a many accessories on Amazon or similar online seller . But what exactly is this OTG thingy , and how does it work ? Let us take you through all its aspects in detail .
What is USB OTG and does it work with my phone?
USB OTG , or USB on - the - go , is a feature that leave your machine to read data from USB devices , basically becoming a “ USB legion . ” Most phone these Clarence Day , especially Android devices , come with the selection to answer as a host , and it ’s probably most of your devices sustain it . USB OTG work with USB - C and should also support the senior , now less popular Micro USB connections .
Think of USB OTG as a means to use the accessories think of for bigger equipment , such as your laptop , PC , play console , TV , etc . , on your smartphone or tablet . In addition to legacy gadget , OTG also allows you to use a immense raiment of other devices that were n’t in the beginning intended to work on your telephone .
Whether it ’s for USB - C or Micro USB , you will chance unnumerable . So if you ’ve shifted to a new twist that does n’t have the elder USB Type - A , there ’s no need to toss away your older devices . If you ’re contrive to diversify your phone ’s connectivity choice — or merely procreate the number of ports , there are much infinite options for devices such as aUSB - ascorbic acid hubor adocking station .
While the applications of OTG can be non-finite , here are some fun way it can be utile .
Lay down thepwnagein games with a wired controller
Smartphone gambling has evolve by a large leeway , and been specially boosted by phone adaptations of PC game such asFortnite , PUBG , Call of Duty , andGTA . Despite often having identical gameplay , the crammed infinite on a phone screen and circumscribed onscreen ghost controls can make the experience less enjoyable than you would wait . A way to beat that is by using a controller from your microcomputer or a gaming console with your telephone . Do n’t concern if it ’s telegraph ; USB OTG comes to the deliverance .
Just stop up that controller into your OTG adapter and into your phone , and you’re able to play some of the good roving games using a controller . Even an old controller , such as the wired Xbox 360 controller , give you an out-and-out border while stake on your phone . Not just that , wired PC controllers can be had for , and you’re able to get one of those to raise your skills and impress your buddies .
Similarly , if you swear on cloud gambling services like Nvidia GeForce or Xbox Cloud Gaming , you could leverage the OTG on your phone or tablet to use pumped up restrainer .
If you ’re also lucky enough to own any VR or extensive realism glasses that also work with PCs , you should be capable to cast your headphone ’s screen by connecting them using the USB .
Since OTG connectors engage the USB - C port wine , you could use an adapter that splits into two connections : a USB - A and a USB - C , the latter of which can be used to charge your gimmick while the primary embrasure is employ . You will find lot of cheap option for .
In addition to gaming , there are some more useful agency you may apply OTG .
Transfer files to increase phone storage space
Storage options on phones are getting bigger , but so are the sizes of apps and files , particularly medium , we store on them . An external storage could be a corking way to dodge those limitations , and that ’s one more way USB OTG fare handy . Besides forward-looking store machine such as portable SSDs , OTG can also help you extract data from former gimmick such as difficult magnetic disc , SD card readers , thumb drive , or even outside ocular medium referee for old CDs and DVDs . On the iPhone specifically , you could also use outside drives to record 4 chiliad HDR video with Dolby Vision or Log without interruptions , go around warehousing limitations without any lag .
To employ your telephone set ’s USB to access external storage drives , you must ensure you ’re using the correct memory board data format . While Android mostly put up all file storage format , the iPhone and iPad may havelimitationswith certain storage formats .
Transfer files to another device, or boost its battery
Besides dedicated reposition gadget , USB OTG can also facilitate direct wire data transport between two sound . This can be utile if you need to transfer large chunks of files from one equipment to another , but do n’t have a USB Type - speed of light - to - Type - C cable television . When you link up two devices via USB directly , you could assign host and hooked ’s role from the persistent notice that shows up on both phones at the same time . This think of one speech sound has ascendence over what devices to copy and from where , while the other enactment as a rudimentary storage gimmick . you’re able to also swap roles to hold in file transfer of training from the other equipment using the haunting notification on your phone .
In addition to transferring filing cabinet between two gadget via USB , you could also employ OTG to just replenish one using another gadget ’s mogul . Simply connect the two devices and set the USB mode to charging if any other option is take .
More simply , you may use a USB OTG with your phone to pump cathexis into accessories such as brace of earphones .
Attach accessories like a desktop
Our phones pack a thumping amount of ability despite their small sizes , which makes them as capable as laptop computer . That intend you’re able to infer a alike service program from your phone as a laptop or microcomputer , whether that ’s running longsighted and across-the-board document or even emulating sure-enough console table and PC games . USB OTG can make reach tumid screen functionality from the smaller screen passably effortless .
Using a dongle that splits the single USB porthole onto your phone into multiple ports , you could connect several peripherals , including a pumped keyboard or your trusty gaming mouse , and even supply tycoon through a charger . If you own a Samsung flagship phone or pad or an iPad Pro , you may even trigger a background - like user interface by connecting an HDMI cable television through the USB dongle . you may therefore have a desktop - alike setup running powerful from your telephone set , all thanks to USB OTG .
Record professional-sounding audio
Smartphone are getting better at enter audio , as Apple shew while announce the iPhone 16 Pro . However , they still are no rival for actual pro - grade equipment , such as condenser mics , which offer far good sensitivity and nuanced audio along with their omnidirectional or cardioid capabilities . If recording audio is primarily what you require , whether it is for a podcast or a video voice - over , you’re able to simply snare it up with your telephone set using an OTG connection and get the job done . It should be an well-situated male plug - and - child’s play affair .
If you require to do more than just register something with a microphone , both Android and iOS machine support MIDI controllers . While iOS readily supports input from MIDI keyboard , which can be used with apps likeGarage Band , you would call for to make some changes on Android .
The setup for Android is n’t cumbersome . Once you stop up in a MIDI keyboard , pull down your apprisal subtlety , and slect theAndroid systemnotification . Under theUse USB formenu , chooseMIDI . you may now download the apps likePerfect Pianoor any other of your choice , and do everything from layering instruments to write total tracks right from your headphone .
Control your DSLR or mirrorless camera
This is in spades one of the coolest America of the OTG connection , and it ’s something that photographers are going to love . By using your OTG connector to associate your telephone set to a DSLR or mirrorless photographic camera , you may habituate your headphone as an university extension of the DSLR ’s own screen , taking advantage of the much larger screen and higher resolving power to take even better pushover .
One of the best apps you’re able to get isDSLR Controller , and while it ’s expensive for an Android app at $ 8 , it do with a immense array of features that make the gamy monetary value of ledger entry worthwhile for everyone but the most casual of lensman . you could see your subject in real time , adjust the direction of your shot , survey and deepen options like the ISO and white balance , and even catch your gallery of taken shots . If you ’re constantly wishing your photographic camera had a heavy screen , or you struggle to see the camera ’s display while shooting at odd angles , then this is emphatically the app for you .
There is afree versionof the app that role as just a distant release , so you may screen compatibility with your camera . The app works best with Canon cameras and has limited functionality with Nikon and Sony cameras , so verify you test your camera before you buy . DSLR Controller ’s websitealso has a ton of information that is useful for using the app , so make indisputable you read up to get the most out of your breeze .
In addition , you’re able to also mount your phone onto the photographic camera and use it as a subject field monitor for a much acute view than the lilliputian viewfinder screen . take down that you would need athat will connect to your sound over USB OTG as the output and to an HDMI cable coming from the camera as the input . you could use an app calledMonitor Plus , which offer a professional metering user interface standardized to high - conclusion line of business monitors . Besides Android , the app is also useable on iOS .
Now that we know of different shipway USB OTG can be utilitarian , here are a few points to call back while using it with your Android machine or iPhone .
How to enable USB OTG on your Android or iPhone
To insure unlined connectivity , you would want to assure the USB larboard on your Android machine , iPhone , or iPad supports OTG well . There are a few basic things to keep in mind and step to follow for each . We breach them down below .
Connect USB OTG on Android
It ’s fairly easy to connect your Android equipment over OTG using a dongle or connecter . you’re able to but tie the external machine over the phone ’s USB larboard , and it should be find .
However , if the attached equipment is not at once discover , observe these whole tone :
It may show a warning that the connecter will be disabled automatically in 10 minutes . This is to ensure no one touch base a foreign gimmick to your Android phone or tablet without your consent or information .
If you touch base a repositing equipment , you will now see it in your Android equipment ’s File Manager .
In certain type when you are using gamey - superpower devices such as a hard drive or a condenser microphone , you might need a USB dongle that also supports charging input , specially if you apply a low - end or midrange Android phone as the USB port , as it may not be capable to deliver enough king for the twist . Plug a charger into the dongle while connect the equipment and the connection should make for .
Connect USB OTG on iPhone
The iPhone ’s reenforcement for OTG devices is rather limited , but you’re able to still utilize it to connect external storehouse devices or digital cameras . If you have an older iPhone with a Lightning connector , you could get aorconverter .
Connectivity on iPhones is unremarkably a ballyhoo - and - play affair , so you do not need to enable any configurations , unlike with Android . However , if you are connecting a store gimmick , you must ensure it is arrange aright .
For external entrepot devices or Coyote State calling card readers to lick on iPhone or iPad , theymust be initialise in one of the follow file storage format :
Your iPhone may be able to read NTFS gimmick via OTG , but will not be able to spell to the movement . Therefore , make certain to format your outside cause and SD cards in one of the data formatting list above .
If you unite a storage gimmick , you will be able to view the capacity in the Files app on your iPhone or iPad .
Certain iPad models , peculiarly the Pro with M - series buffalo chip , substantiate a broader range of connections , including outside monitors over HDMI or DisplayPort using a USB - C dongle . Ensure you supply enough power for the iPad to keep business leader while using these accessories as they may drain the iPad ’s bombardment excessively .
