What is USB OTG?

USB OTG or USB On The GO is a significant breakthrough in technology as it allows two portable devices to be connected directly without requiring a computer. USB OTG has introduced a dual-role device service where OTG has the capability to either be identified as a host or function as a peripheral.

When a portable device becomes a host, it not only supplies data but also provides power to the connected device. It has made connecting various peripherals to portable devices an easy task. Previously it wasn’t possible to connect a full-sized USB A cable to a tablet, and you would need a computer or any other similar medium to connect them.

The introduction of USB OTG made it easy to connect USB A cables or USB flash drives to tablets or phones through the USB-C or Micro USB connector of the device. The concept of an embedded host was already there in the USB sector, but USB-IF came up with this piece of the device so that consumers won’t have to utilize large resources like computers.

The first USB OTG cable came on the market in 2002 with full compliance with USB 2.0, and slowly it has gained popularity in the market. Now there are many USB OTG cables manufacturers, among which ByteCable is the leading USB data cable manufacturer to offer you a wide range of cables.

Things You Can Do With an USB OTG

You will be surprised to know that you can do a lot of things with USB OTG ranging from simply connecting USB flash drives to hooking LAN cable using a dongle. Here are some exciting use of USB OTG;

Connecting USB Flash Drives, External HDD, and SSD

The most common of USB OTG is to connect smartphones to USB flash drives, external HDD, and SSD. They are mostly used for transferring all types of files. However, external HDDs and SSDs that take power from the host might not work with all types of smartphones.

Connecting Keyboard and Mouse

USB OTG also enables users to connect a mouse and keyboard to the smartphone and use them for various tasks. Whether you want to type large emails or edit a small reel for your Instagram, you can easily connect a mouse or keyboard according to your preference.

Connecting Gaming Controllers

If you are a gaming enthusiast and want to level up your skill, you can use a USB OTG to connect a gaming controller. You won’t need any app or anything, and you just have to connect the controller to play the game simply. Ranging from Xbox and PS2 to Playstation and normal controllers, you can connect almost all types of the controller to the smartphone through OTG.

Connecting Digital Cameras

USB OTG has made it possible for digital camera users to quickly transfer files to their Android phones and upload them on social media. Most digital camera brands, like Canon, Nikon, Sony, Panasonic, etc., offer OTG support in their camera line. You can also use the USB OTG and control various aspects of your camera, like shutter speed, focus, aperture, live screen, and many more.

Connecting Other Devices For Charging

If you want to charge your peripheral device but don’t have any nearby power source, then you can use your phone to charge it. You just need to connect your smartphone to the USB OTG and then connect it to the peripheral device you want to charge.

Connecting Printers

USB OTG has enabled users to print any document directly from their smartphone through a printer without needing any wireless network or PC as a medium. Some printers might require you to download the application of the brand you are using for printing before you can start printing.

Connecting Recording Devices

Thanks to USB OTG, you can nowadays connect recording devices directly to your device to record various audio. The internal mics are no match to the quality of USB audio recorders, and these devices are simple plug-n-play devices.

How To Know Your Smartphone Supports USB OTG?

USB OTG is mostly used by smartphone users as it helps them to do a lot of tasks. Nowadays, most Androids smartphones come with USB OTG compatibility, and it includes even premium Android smartphone brands.

However, there are a few selected smartphone brands that haven’t still included USB OTG support. So if you want to know whether your smartphones support USB OTG or not, you can check out the following methods;

• The first thing you need to do is check for the USB OTG logo on the back cover, manual, or smartphone packing box. You can check the online brochure of your smartphone to check whether it supports it or not.
• Look for compatibility by assessing the USB settings of your device. You just need to go to the USB settings of your smartphone and find out whether it offers an enabling USB OTG option.
• Using an OTG checker app is probably the easiest way to find out about USB OTG compatibility with your phone. You will find numerous free apps and download the ones with high ratings. These apps will also tell you about which OTG features are supported by your device.

Is There OTG for iPhone Or Other iOS Devices?

Currently, there is no USB OTG option for iPhone or other iOS Devices, and there is no news of future development. Even though a lot of peripheral devices are being introduced for iOS devices, none of them come with OTG support. Even if you connect some peripheral devices using other adapters through USB OTG, the functionality of many devices might be limited.

USB OTG is truly one of the most useful items for portable device users like smartphones. Not only can you connect various devices to your smartphone without needing any medium, but you also perform functionalities like printing.

USB OTGs are easily available in the market, and they both come with micro USB and USB-C connection options. They are well-supported by Android smartphones, so compatibility won’t be a huge issue.