USB On-The-Go (OTG)
USB On-The-Go (OTG) is a standardized specification that enables a device to read data from a USB device without the need for a PC. The device essentially becomes a USB host, which isn’t a feature that every device has. An OTG cable or OTG connector is required.
This allows you to do a variety of things, such as connect a USB flash drive to your phone or use a video game controller with an Android device.
USB OTG is not a feature unique to Android. But since that’s its most popular use, we’ll focus on using it with Android.
USB OTG in Android Smartphones
Your Android device is equipped with a standard micro-USB or USB-C port. Many USB devices, however, require a full-size USB port. You can solve this by using a converter/adapter.
Look for a micro-USB or USB-C (depending on your phone) male to full-size USB female adapter—-both the male and female designations are critical.
It’s also possible to purchase flash drives that have both micro-USB and standard USB ports, such as the extremely useful Kingston Micro Duo. It’s also not much more expensive than a standard USB drive, so it’s a pretty good buy.
Here are some of the most common OTG Uses:
- Connect Flash Drives and External Hard Drives
- Play With Video Game Controllers
- Control Android With Keyboard and Mouse
- Print Directly From a Printer
- Control Your DSLR Camera
- Directly Transfer Photos From DSLR to Android Phone
- Connect and Play Music Instruments
- Record Audio Directly to Your Phone
- Connect and Access the Internet via Ethernet Cable
- Reverse Charge Your Phone Android Phone
References:
https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/what-is-usb-otg-5-cool-ways-use-android/
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6d/USB_OTG_Logo.png