[Tutorial] Set up external USB storage (fat32)

[aus9]

SYSTEM and HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS

This is for rooted devices only

It will depend on whether file management support is built into your kernel or as a module......but we can sure that 99% of devices have built in support for
vfat AKA fat32

in built means it will not appear as a kernel module by command

Code:

lsmod

2) It is most unlikely that NTFS is in built into your Android kernel
and I suspect unless you cross compile your kernel....if you can find the kernel source.....it won't be a supported module

3) SO WE ASSUME you will format an USB stick or an USB drive as fat32

4) This stick or drive has standard USB male connector so you will also need an
OTG cable. Normally micro-USB male to standard USB female


5) ROM support for sd-ext or external sdcard. This is set by one of the "fstab" files in your boot.img

STEP BY STEP

insert OTG cable and insert fat32 stick or drive

(optional) you may get a notification. Choose Cancel if it is a request to change default storage to external.

Go into system settings -> storage and look at these images



If above image appears......you have successfully got external storage working

If on the other hand....its says "mount" and you click on Mount and it fails to turn to Unmount......there are 2 options
a) you are a windows user and have failed to format fat32 correctly
b) you have a hardware failure

Borrow another Android device and test.
Check with a PC what format is seen for stick or drive.

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If successful, you wil also see at top of storage the option to make external fat32 the default storage. This may also appear as a notification.


DO NOT CHANGE TO USB EXTERNAL STORAGE.....keep it as sdcard or internal please

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Now we go to your file manager and navigate to
storage

---if you have internal storage and sdcard then you will have same image as me.
If you have no sdcard then you won't have sdcard1

But you must see usbotgdrives as an extra option.

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click into the otg folder and see what is there or put stuff there using your file manager etc etc



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when finished remember fat32 is crappy file system and so need to go back into
system settings and choose unmount USB storage before you can pull cable

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FAQ
Why can't I use ext4?

look at your fstab entry for external sdcard
its likely to say fat or vfat

good luck