Battery case with built in SD slot for Nexus 5

[foxbat121]

You have a way of getting stuff to and from external storage. In that sense, USB OTG works fine. At least you don't need an external power source like you did with the Nexus 4.

I can do the same thing when connected to a PC. It doesn't resolve OP's issue where he may need more than 32GB or storage space to store all his media content.

BTW, I plugged in my old USB OTG cable from Samsung Galaxy S/S2 days. It completely froze and shut off the phone for a few minutes. Hopefully there is no permanent damage.

 

[JeffDenver]

I can do the same thing when connected to a PC. It doesn't resolve OP's issue where he may need more than 32GB or storage space to store all his media content.

I agree. But I don't carry my PC around with me. A USB stick is pretty easy to carry around though.

It's not a perfect solution (a perfect solution would be just to bring SD back), but it is definitely better than nothing and very doable.

 

[footysr]

True dat too.

...and you are in areas with consistent and good coverage. And are not too far inside a building. Yay cloud!

 

[clevin]

but unless someone comes up with an external storage/battery case solution I might have to go the Samsung Galaxy S4.

That's what you should do. There is no convenient way for Nexus 5 to do this, all the suggestions given, even though workable, have significant problems and are really "compromises". I would never put my music into cloud, its exceedingly unnecessary for a phone to have to be connected to internet, consume data, battery, just to play musics.

If you want the google experience, you can simply get GS4 Google Play Edition.

 

[Kylealanr]

This with root may be a good storage solution for in the car or somewhere you know you want lots of local music. https://shopmeenova.appspot.com/st/order.html

As for a charging case, I would love to know if anyone finds one. I charge my phone in my backpack right now with an external battery.

 

[JRDEMASKUS]

The Sony MW1 Smart Bluetooth Headset, has a micro SD card slot. It also receives notifications from your smart phone, like a smart watch, except it has a headphone jack.
Works great as a stand alone MP3 player, or streaming music from your device over Bluetooth.
Software is buggy for some, but works great for me. Also, there might be a new version of the MW1 by now.

 

[Marshall Protsman]

I have a Nexus 5 and I've been waiting on a solution to this problem as well. The truth is that we're waiting on cloud services to be more usable. Currently a Google Play Music Unlimited Access account will hold all of your music in the cloud and stream it to your device quickly and efficiently for $10 a month, as well as give you access to all of the other music out there. I do this and it is no different at all from using a local music player.

 

[JeffDenver]

I have a Nexus 5 and I've been waiting on a solution to this problem as well. The truth is that we're waiting on cloud services to be more usable. Currently a Google Play Music Unlimited Access account will hold all of your music in the cloud and stream it to your device quickly and efficiently for $10 a month

...assuming you have a stable and reliable internet connection.

That is not the case in a building without ready wifi access. Or in rural areas. Or even in non-rural areas depending on your provider. In my experience, people grossly overestimate the availability of wifi access. It is far from ubiquitous.

I do this and it is no different at all from using a local music player.

That is not the norm IMO. It is much much different. Without local storage I could not listen to music at my gym, for example, because the signal is not string enough inside.

 

[crxssi]

I do this and it is no different at all from using a local music player.

Except that:

1) It uses up your data plan up
2) It doesn't work everywhere
3) It uses more battery
4) It forces you to share your data with a third party
5) It contains DRM
6) It lowers security by having more attack vectors
7) It provides monitoring of your activity by a third party
8) Is overall slower
9) Doesn't require continued payments

If you want to use "cloud" services, that is just fine. And it is nice to have such options. But don't pretend they are superior to or even the same as having your own data files, on your own device, efficiently, available any time, and without someone being able to monitor it or take it away from you.

 

[JeffDenver]

If you want to use "cloud" services, that is just fine. And it is nice to have such options. But don't pretend they are superior to or even the same as having your own data files, on your own device, efficiently, available any time, and without someone being able to monitor it or take it away from you.

This.

Cloud storage is a convenience. A supplement to local storage. It is not a replacement. Coverage is not NEAR ubiquitous enough for it to replace local storage yet. Not even on Verizon, and all the other carriers are worse than Verizon.

 

[Viventis]

I use the Meeova microSD card reader with Nexus Media importer. Fantastic combination! The Meenova is so small it fits on my keychain (it actually comes with a keychain attachment with a quick release. It is about one square inch on the keychain. It plugs directly into the N5 without a cable. It works with my slim case).The Nexus Media importer from the Play Store load automatically when I plug in the Meenova. It sorts music by albums, artists, or songs. It even displays album art! It supports shuffle and replay. It plays pictures and video. You can scroll pictures with a swipe or play a slideshow. If you want an external storage solution for the N5 for media, this is it. There is a limited function free version of the Nexus Media Importer software. The difference with the paid version is definitely worth the price.

 

[crxssi]

I use the Meeova microSD card reader with Nexus Media importer. Fantastic combination! The Meenova is so small it fits on my keychain (it actually comes with a keychain attachment with a quick release. It is about one square inch on the keychain. It plugs directly into the N5 without a cable. It works with my slim case).The Nexus Media importer from the Play Store load automatically when I plug in the Meenova. It sorts music by albums, artists, or songs. It even displays album art! It supports shuffle and replay. It plays pictures and video. You can scroll pictures with a swipe or play a slideshow. If you want an external storage solution for the N5 for media, this is it. There is a limited function free version of the Nexus Media Importer software. The difference with the paid version is definitely worth the price.

I have the new Sony model, which is even smaller, but similar concept- no cables. It is a nice option, but certainly not the same as having more internal storage. I have to admit that I greatly resented having to buy an app to do something Google should INCLUDE IN THE OS. But the Nexus Media Importer really is a VERY nice app and he keeps updating it with all kinds of nice functionality. Well worth the price.