Android phone as usb server - General Questions and Answers

Just a general question and maybe something that no one ever really thought was useful. Is it possible plug an external hard drive into my android phone via a usb cable, and then access those files on that device. It is cumbersome but I have come across a situation where I would like to use my phone as a usb server and have it access these files on my external hard drive. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

i have never heard of this. i personally don't think it's possible man. but you never know. if there is something its DEFINITELY not public.

Yeah its definitely not normal, was hoping it may be built into a custom rom or something along those lines.

If your hardware supports USB host functionality, check out
http://sven.killig.de/android/N1/2.2/usb_host/

Related

External USB HDD

Hi, i have been reading about this, and i am getting conflicting information, and no real answer.
I have a 2.5" USB hard drive, and was wondering is there any way to plug this into the Magician, and then for the magician to see it as storage. I dont want to use it all the time, just when in the car, and plugged into the Car Stereo.
if its just a case of a lead convertion, then i think it would be simple, but if not.... hmmm.
So if anyone can help i'd be grateful
Thanks
Dahquim
This has been answered several times before, and should be possible to find by SEARCHING..
How ever, because I'm in a good mood, I shall answer..
Yes, it is THEORETICALLY possible.
To acheive this, you must gain USB host on your Magician.
This can be done in two ways: Backpack + CF card with host support or a SDIO card with host support.
This can be bought from several suppliers.
Then, it's the driver issue.
A USB disk should be usable on the WM200x OS, but I do not know the size limit.
It might be about 2GB or it could be lots more.
So in real life; NO you can't use a USB HDD with your Magician.
This MIGHT be possible with the new Universal, but we haven't got confirmation that it has USB host support yet.
---- Edit ----
You might be able to do it if you can get a device that has host support.
Kinda like those gadgets that connects digital cameras to HDDs..
It just occurred to me..
How ever, It might be hard to use the magician to controle the data flow..
You'll probably need two connections to the device.
One for telling the device what to send, and one to receive..
Maybe, but unlikely...
chack out this things:
http://www.semiconductors.philips.com/acrobat_download/applicationnotes/AN10034_2.pdf
..this is a pseudo-host controller for PDA but i don't know were can find such a thing...
http://www.semiconductors.philips.com/markets/connectivity/wired/usb/products/otg/overview/#what
http://www.heisei.com.tw/products/2_5-inch_otg_hdd_enclosure/
http://www.cooldrives.com/usbotgshcou2.html
The PXA27x processor inside the magician does support USB-on-the-go...
If you look at the USB connector in the magician, you will see that it is actually a MiniAB connector...
So, from the pure hardware point of view, the magician should actually be able to operate in host mode and, for example, control an external hard drive/pendrive, or even a keyboard...
The point is, that most likely, there's no usb-on-the-go driver provided with the operating system...
IMHO, I think it be a waste. These devices we have are not meant to host power hungry device like a 2.5' HDD. It be a waste to what our devices would be known as "mobile." I think better stick to SD technology but that is also another issue. As the cards get larger and larger, the more processing time and power is required to fetch data and back.
there could be a way ....
After reading this thread, I think there is a possible way of actually having certain types of storages connect to the xdaii. I've seen some bluetooth 40gb hardadrives that connect to the pc. They connect using two methods. The first method connects the harddrive as a wireless storage device and the other method connects the hard drive as a bluetooth network storage. Now as for the second method, it's actually supported in broadcom's and widcomm's pda drivers. So in theory, your device should detect the harddrive as a local computer on your bluetooth network. But now, the main question is, can the bluetooth data transfer speed be sufficient to allow mp3 playback without lagging and frame drops ?? Well that's one questions I'd sure like to know the answer for. Anyways, just liked to share this info with u, it could be useful to u or for others on this forum. Good luck.
can we use this thing for i-mate jam with sdio wi-fi card:
http://www.expansys.com/product.asp?code=119929&partner=register
http://www.hardavenue.com/reviews/asuswlhdd2.shtml

Mini USB hard drives and cell phones

I'm just wondering, is it possible to use a mini USB hard drive such as this one: http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/...1&cs=19&c=us&l=en&dgc=SS&cid=25682&lid=585550
to extend a phone's memory?
My guess is that it wouldn't work since the hard drive is bus powered. It would probably take some sort of special formatting. But has anyone ever tried this?
Your phone doesn't have USB hosting capabilities. It has to way to run another USB device. I don't think that is ever going to be planned into the development road map of PPCs and Win Mobile.
Also I just don't see why you would want to tether your phone to an external hard drive especially with 8gb+ mini/micro SDs coming to market and the ability to download your desired files from the internet or a VPN on the fly.
What you may see is Wifi and Bluetooth storage devices being wirelessly connected to your phone. It might even be possible now -- can anyone link up with a Zune to their phone via wifi?
some have like flame and Athena
think the main problem is that usb host mean one
have to substain a 500mA output current at 5volt which mean 2.5watt
that would suck a normal phone dry pretty fast
SeanFromSoCal said:
Your phone doesn't have USB hosting capabilities. It has to way to run another USB device. I don't think that is ever going to be planned into the development road map of PPCs and Win Mobile.
Also I just don't see why you would want to tether your phone to an external hard drive especially with 8gb+ mini/micro SDs coming to market and the ability to download your desired files from the internet or a VPN on the fly.
What you may see is Wifi and Bluetooth storage devices being wirelessly connected to your phone. It might even be possible now -- can anyone link up with a Zune to their phone via wifi?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess that's a good point about an external hard drive not being needed. You could always run orb or a similar client which basically does the same as hooking up the hard drive. Well, thanks for clarifying anyway.

android usb connection?

hi, it is posible to connect/read a usb device to the phone (dream). something like a usb stick or a digital camera?
I asked on three different forums if Android or Debian can access USB mass storage device, without a reply from anyone.
ok, thanks for your answer. i hope, someone knows about
My initial thought would be no. But I think it would be possible with a program or some process/service running on the phone.

[Q] G2x as a 360 memory stick?

I did a search, and I couldn't find anything on it.
But I wanted to use my G2x as a memory device for the xbox 360 (to move game saves and such). But when I plug in the phone and enable usb mode, it doesn't show up under "storage devices", where it should be if the xbox recognized it.
I already tried formatting the drive to fat32, and still no luck... Any help?
you need to install drivers to mount storage on a pc, so I'm guessing it won't work on a 360 for that reason
Try "mass storage only mode" under SD Card and Phone storage in settings!
omarsalmin said:
you need to install drivers to mount storage on a pc, so I'm guessing it won't work on a 360 for that reason
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah. That does make sense. :/
I did try the solution that the poster above mentioned, but it still didn't work. Looks like I'm off to walmart to go buy myself a sandisk usb.
If anyone else has a solution or any ideas, it's never too late to post them. Maybe someone else will try in the future.
Ah darn, I had heard that would mount the external SD card on a PC without any drivers, but haven't tried it myself yet. You are using an external SD card?
Its not just the drivers. I know for a fact My 360 would read my stock G1 and with the earliest cyanogen roms, posibly as well with my N1.
once the rumors started about the "zune phone" which became the windows 7 phone media sync broke and xbox wouldnt see any of the phones. long story short M$ blocked you so W7 phones have an advantage
Spoo76 said:
Its not just the drivers. I know for a fact My 360 would read my stock G1 and with the earliest cyanogen roms, posibly as well with my N1.
once the rumors started about the "zune phone" which became the windows 7 phone media sync broke and xbox wouldnt see any of the phones. long story short M$ blocked you so W7 phones have an advantage
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My car has a USB port and I can plugin to it USB thumb drives and I could also plugin my old MyTouch 3G to it and I could play music off of them.
I cannot play music on my phone through the USB port. I assumed it was because of the drivers issue, which is REALLY unfortunate because that was great functionality...
Anyone know if these issues persist after rooting and loading a Cyanogen rom?
vad710 said:
My car has a USB port and I can plugin to it USB thumb drives and I could also plugin my old MyTouch 3G to it and I could play music off of them.
I cannot play music on my phone through the USB port. I assumed it was because of the drivers issue, which is REALLY unfortunate because that was great functionality...
Anyone know if these issues persist after rooting and loading a Cyanogen rom?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That isnt what this thread is about. this is about the ability for xbox to read android phones. it used to, but now it does not.
your issue could be one of a few things. anything from your specific rom to making sure mass storage mode is checked or mounting the USB when prompted. Im not sure how yours works as I prefer the AUX on my head unit
Apologies, I searched the forums and stumbled onto this, as I read through i thought it could be related and put in a reply.
I never get the prompt on my phone to mount it...which is what prompted me to search the forums. I'll keep looking

One app that will solve file transfer problems?

Hi, Hoping there are some out there that have experience with file transfer from an Android phone. I am somewhat new to the arena and it looks like there is apps out there but I'm wondering if there is an all in one for my needs... I would like to be able to:
Transfer larger files from my phone to my NAS (Diskstation) and my PS4. At home wireless might not be the fastest but probably the most practical. I have tried BubbleUpnp but it looks like all I can do is stream from the phone to a device, not transfer the files. If I have that wrong please let me know. Also I've had times when in Hotel rooms the wireless is not strong enough to transfer files, and would like to be able to transfer from phone to PS4 over USB if possible. If that amounts to a couple different apps that's ok, just was trying to make this as simple as possible. Thanks in advance for any help!
Edit: I have a Motorola Droid Turbo 2
GLE3 said:
Hi, Hoping there are some out there that have experience with file transfer from an Android phone. I am somewhat new to the arena and it looks like there is apps out there but I'm wondering if there is an all in one for my needs... I would like to be able to:
Transfer larger files from my phone to my NAS (Diskstation) and my PS4. At home wireless might not be the fastest but probably the most practical. I have tried BubbleUpnp but it looks like all I can do is stream from the phone to a device, not transfer the files. If I have that wrong please let me know. Also I've had times when in Hotel rooms the wireless is not strong enough to transfer files, and would like to be able to transfer from phone to PS4 over USB if possible. If that amounts to a couple different apps that's ok, just was trying to make this as simple as possible. Thanks in advance for any help!
Edit: I have a Motorola Droid Turbo 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, that didn't go well.. How about just this. I have an SD card formatted to FAT32. I plug my phone via cable into my ps4, select transfer files in the automatic menu that pops y on the phone and my ps4 doesn't recognize it. Is there a way to get my phone to recognize the storage while in the phone and through USB? Must I take it out of the phone and put into a USB reader? Thanks for any help..
GLE3 said:
Ok, that didn't go well.. How about just this. I have an SD card formatted to FAT32. I plug my phone via cable into my ps4, select transfer files in the automatic menu that pops y on the phone and my ps4 doesn't recognize it. Is there a way to get my phone to recognize the storage while in the phone and through USB? Must I take it out of the phone and put into a USB reader? Thanks for any help..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You do have a few options:
1. get an OTG (on the go) micro usb to full usb (female) adapter, attach a usb stick to your phone using the adapter, copy the files to the stick and pack to the ps4
2. ES File Explorer is an app that supports file transfer over http (amongs other things) and through it's help section it shows you how to do it if you do not know how. however that requires that the ps4's internal drive is shared over your network.
Hope that helps
GLE3 said:
Hi, Hoping there are some out there that have experience with file transfer from an Android phone. I am somewhat new to the arena and it looks like there is apps out there but I'm wondering if there is an all in one for my needs... I would like to be able to:
Transfer larger files from my phone to my NAS (Diskstation) and my PS4. At home wireless might not be the fastest but probably the most practical. I have tried BubbleUpnp but it looks like all I can do is stream from the phone to a device, not transfer the files. If I have that wrong please let me know. Also I've had times when in Hotel rooms the wireless is not strong enough to transfer files, and would like to be able to transfer from phone to PS4 over USB if possible. If that amounts to a couple different apps that's ok, just was trying to make this as simple as possible. Thanks in advance for any help!
Edit: I have a Motorola Droid Turbo 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe this will simplify some things for you.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=77134367&postcount=26829
Sent from my LGL84VL using Tapatalk
metallas said:
You do have a few options:
1. get an OTG (on the go) micro usb to full usb (female) adapter, attach a usb stick to your phone using the adapter, copy the files to the stick and pack to the ps4
2. ES File Explorer is an app that supports file transfer over http (amongs other things) and through it's help section it shows you how to do it if you do not know how. however that requires that the ps4's internal drive is shared over your network.
Hope that helps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, the otg is a good idea, need to find one with a keychain. Never been able to keep track of a USB stick for very long. Anyone happen to know why some phones are recognized and some aren't through a USB cable?
GLE3 said:
Thanks, the otg is a good idea, need to find one with a keychain. Never been able to keep track of a USB stick for very long. Anyone happen to know why some phones are recognized and some aren't through a USB cable?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here's the thing.
It depends on the phone itself. Some phones, when connected to pc/other devices are recognised as mass storage devices (like any other usb stick).
Most phones though, especially after android 4.4 are recognised as mtp (media transfer protocol) devices, meaning that it depends on the target device (pc/ps4/etc) on how its is going to be handled or managed.

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