Why do you need the OTG function on Android: 12 secrets of using it

As you probably already know, the USB OTG or USB On-The-Go function or technology is one of the important inventions that expands the benefits of the old USB specification. This technology can be used in many different ways. In this article, I will tell you 12 of the most interesting secrets on how to use the OTG function on Android.

USB On-the-Go (USB OTG) allows smartphones with a USB interface to act as a host for USB devices connected to it. This allows you to expand the functionality of any mobile gadget with OTG support. The most famous extension is two-way data exchange with an external drive such as a flash drive or portable HDD. Someone will reasonably remember another application - connecting to a TV. But I will tell you about the cable in a separate article.

1. Charge another device from a smartphone that supports USB Host OTG

Every Android user will appreciate this feature. After all, it allows you to charge your smartphone from another smartphone with the OTG function, which plays the role of a USB host. Excellent technology that allows you to charge your mobile device in emergency situations.

2. Connect a portable hard drive

You can connect a portable hard drive or any other external storage device to an OTG-enabled smartphone via a standard OTG cable. To do this, simply connect them together. It's extremely easy to access your external data storage and copy files to it.

3. Connect the game controller to your smartphone with OTG function

If you think that playing shooters on Android devices is boring and inconvenient, then connecting an external game controller can radically change the situation. Use an OTG cable to connect. Currently, a large number of mobile games for Android support external gamepads, and anyone can connect them to a smartphone via OTG.

4. Connect the USB lamp

Tell me, would you like it if your phone could replace an LED lamp in an emergency? I think yes! Now it really is possible. The OTG function on Android allows you to connect an LED lamp to a USB interface via the same OTG cable. You can even use this backlight for photography at night if the energy of the built-in flash is not enough to illuminate the scene.

5. Connect the LAN cable

Or maybe you need to connect to broadband Internet directly, via a network cable? Then buy a LAN to USB adapter and connect it to the OTG-enabled USB interface of your smartphone. If for some reason you cannot use wireless Internet access (no connection to WiFi or 3G network), this solution will save you. All you need is to buy a USB OTG port and an adapter for an Ethernet network interface.

6. Transfer Contacts and Messages lists to another phone

Using Samsung's SmartSwitch app or similar software, you can transfer all messages, call logs and contact lists from your phone to another. To do this, just connect both devices using an OTG cable. In addition to convenience and high data transfer speed, this method will save battery power. I note that the device is possible only in one case - if both gadgets support OTG technology.

7. Attach a keyboard or mouse

Are you not used to the standard way of navigating the Android device interface? Do you often use WhatsApp and Facebook messengers? Then you will be more comfortable working with an external input device such as a keyboard or mouse. And here the OTG function on Android will also come in handy. It will not be difficult for you to connect a mouse or keyboard to the USB interface. A standard OTG cable is suitable for this. Moreover, you can connect wireless input devices in this way, just insert the radio module into the OTG port.

8. Connect an external webcam

If you are a fan of digital photography, then the ability to connect an external camera to the OTG port of your Android device will greatly please you. Now you don't need to connect your camera to your desktop computer. Just take advantage of the built-in OTG feature.

9. Print documents directly from your Android phone

The PrintShare application will automatically download the necessary drivers to connect to the printer’s USB port. Next, simply connect via OTG cable and print the required document directly from your smartphone.

10. Is it hot? Connect USB fan

As you know, a USB fan works great when paired with a traditional charger. On the contrary, you may have observed that laptop cooling pads are often connected to the USB port of the device to power the fans. For Android devices this is also possible - just connect the USB fan via an O TG cable.

11. Create music on Android

Today, any musician will confirm that most modern musical instruments (synthesizers, guitars) can be connected to a computer via a MIDI interface. So, with the advent of the USB OTG standard, it became possible to connect them to your Android smartphone.

12. Record audio using an external microphone

This feature will be useful to many, especially Youtube video creators. Any smartphone with OTG support allows you to use an external microphone to record voice. Just connect the microphone to Android via a special OTG cable and increase the quality of the audio track significantly.

As you can see, there are many ways to use the OTG function on Android that will expand the capabilities of your mobile device. If I missed something, please write. Let's expand the list of interface applications with OTG together!