Does OTG Require Root?

[segler]

When I connect a usb flash drive to my 6P through a OTG cable, it recognizes it and the internal explorer works. However, when I try to copy a file from the flash drive to the internal sdcard0, I get a message "Unfortunately, Documents has stopped."

Neither OI File Manager nor ES3 even recognize the flash drive. On my old GNex with custom everything, rooted, both OI and ES recognize the drive just fine as usbdisk. I can navigate and manipulate files at will.

So, does this stock Marshmallow OS require root to get OTG to work fully?

 

[bjrosen]

Works for me. I use ES File Explorer

 

[RHChan84]

Works fine. I'm not rooted and I have copied multiple items back and fourth.

Nexus 6P

 

[segler]

That sounds good, bjrosen and RHChan84. I am glad to see your successes.

Can you specify exactly which make/model of OTG cable you are using? Likely that I don't have the right one.

 

[RHChan84]

Kirin 10cm Type-c USB 3.1 Usb-c OTG Cable Usb3.1 Type C Male to USB 3.0 a Female OTG Host Cable Adapter Converter for Apple New 12 Inch Retina Macbook, Nokia N1 Tablet , Google Chromebook Pixel 2015 , Nexus 5x 6p , Pixel C , Microsoft Lumia 950 950xl , Asus Zenpad S 8.0 Z580ca ZenFone 3 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00XHOGEZ...ag=hawk-future-20&ascsubtag=UUacUvbUpU4848022

Nexus 6P

 

[segler]

Hey thanks.

 

[N4Newbie]

Works for me. I use ES File Explorer

Yeah, but... http://forums.androidcentral.com/an...85-201-34-mb-junks-found-recommend-clean.html

 

[segler]

Hey RHChan84, I have the same hardware, but I still can't get anything to copy back and forth. Not rooted, correct? So, what software do you use for copying? And, what is the name of the usb drive when you have it plugged in? I don't see anything in OI or ES3 that gives the name of a usb drive. The native explorer does show the contents of the drive, but that's it: copying does not work.

I must be doing something wrong here. It all worked fine on my old rooted and customed GalNex. No joy yet on the 6P.

 

[anon(847090)]

Yeah, but... http://forums.androidcentral.com/an...85-201-34-mb-junks-found-recommend-clean.html

I would really like to switch but I need app which has material design and feature like ES file send.

I looked at solid explorer but its missing features i like

 

[N4Newbie]

I would really like to switch but I need app which has material design and feature like ES file send.

I looked at solid explorer but its missing features i like

I haven't tried it yet but I read mostly good things about this one: https://forums.androidcentral.com/e...ore/apps/details?id=nextapp.fx&token=dYaZ9oig

 

[segler]

OK, somebody is not being completely truthful here. Either that or I am just incompetent to get OTG to work on my not-rooted 6P. I use OTG all the time on my old rooted GalNex. No joy with the 6P.

So, I have used several different OTG cables and usb flash drives, formatted FAT32. I have tried several different file explorer apps. I have turned both on and off the USB debug setting in dev options. I have tried setting the usb to file transfers and photo transfers.

NONE OF THIS WORKS !!!!! File explorer apps do not even detect the usb drive, at least nothing that I recognize.

What does work is that the internal explorer reads the usb drive, but I cannot get it to copy anything, in either direction. Frustrating.

So, those of you who have made OTG work in all respects (not-rooted), please give us here a tutorial on all your settings, your hardware OTG cables, your file explorer apps, and the actual touch-by-touch procedure to copy a file to or from the usb drive. Please.

 

[RHChan84]

Hey RHChan84, I have the same hardware, but I still can't get anything to copy back and forth. Not rooted, correct? So, what software do you use for copying? And, what is the name of the usb drive when you have it plugged in? I don't see anything in OI or ES3 that gives the name of a usb drive. The native explorer does show the contents of the drive, but that's it: copying does not work.

I must be doing something wrong here. It all worked fine on my old rooted and customed GalNex. No joy yet on the 6P.

I use a Kingston USB3 128GB drive, SanDisk 32GB USB2 drive, and Lexar 64GB USB3 all without issues. Also when you plug it in, the notification bar shows the stick and has an "explore" button.

Nexus 6P

 

[segler]

Yes, mine does, too. I can read the list of folders and files with the explore button. However, have you actually copied or moved files with the internal explorer? I can't make that part work at all.

 

[segler]

OK, I finally have success. You have to install an OTG file explorer app since the regular file explorers, such as OI or ES, do not see the OTG usb drive. I went to the play store, searched for OTG file explorers, found many of them listed, picked one, installed it, and now all is roses.

Not only does the app see the drive, but I can now cut/copy/paste files in both directions between the usb drive and the internal sdcard memory. Otherwise, there is no point in even having OTG usb. The app I installed is OTG Disk Explorer by DroidKitchen.com. Others may be worse or better, but this one works fine.

By the way, this does NOT require root.

 

[segler]

Well, no, the OTG Disk Explorer by DroidKitchen does NOT copy files from the internal sdcard to the usb thumbdrive. It copies only from thumbdrive to sdcard.

So, uninstall that since it is not useful.

I think I found one that does copy both ways without root. <sigh> At least it did when I tested it.

This one is

USB OTG File Manager for Nexus, by KyuuDroid

 

[Johny Skate]

Thanks a lot. I was frustrated when that error started showing while trying to copy files from my moto g4. Works like a charm. Haven't tested copying from device to USB.

 

[anotherlab]

I've been able to copy files from my camera's SD card, read thumb drives, read NFC chips with a ACS ACR122U reader from my non-rooted 6P. I used this USB-C OTG cable. I was able to copy files with by selecting "Storage & USB" from Settings and also with Solid Explorer.