Moto G Phone Guide

Moto G USB OTG guide (also for Moto X)

A guide on using USB OTG on Moto G and Moto X to expand the storage

by 197 Comments

What’s Moto G USB OTG?

Contents hide
1) What’s Moto G USB OTG?
2) How Moto G USB OTG can help Moto G owners ?
3) What do you need to use Moto G USB OTG to expand your storage?
4) How to use Moto G USB OTG storage?
5) Important!! You must unmount the USB OTG storage before you remove it from Moot G!
6) Can I use USB OTG on Moto E?
7) Can I use USB OTG on Moto X, including Moto X 2nd gen?
8) Does other phone supports USB OTG?
9) Recommendations of USB OTG adapter for Moto G and Moto X
10) Recommendations of USB OTG flash drive for Moto G and Moto X

USB On-The-Go (USB OTG) is not a new technology. It allows a device to perform both master and slave roles in USB connections. Android fully supports USB OTG since Android Honeycomb 3.1.

Normally USB uses a master/slave architecture.  A host acts as master device for the connection, the other USB device acts as slave.

Devices are designed to assume one role only. For example, when you connect an externl disk to the PC, PC is always the host, and external disk is always the slave.  When you connect two external drives through USB, nothing happens.

For Moto G, like many other phones, when it is connected to PC, it will be acted as slave and mounted as a storage device.  You can access the file on the Moto G from your PC.

But what happens if you connect a USB thumb drive to Moto G?

Moto G can mount it as external storage and you can use it just like you use external drive on a PC!

Because Moto G supports USB OTG.

Of course, there are some other requirements to make it work.

We will discuss them later.

How Moto G USB OTG can help Moto G owners ?

So, basically, Moto G USB OTG makes it possible for you to use external USB devices on Moto G.

Storage is just an example. The miserable storage in Moto G usually is the motivation for some owners to find ways to expand the storage.

You can also hook many other USB accessories, e.g., even an USB keyboard or mouse.

In this guide, we will focus on storage because it is the most wanted Moto G USB OTG usage.

Also this guide applies to Moto X and many other Android devices, although Moto G is used.

What do you need to use Moto G USB OTG to expand your storage?

To use Moto G USB OTG to expand your storage, you need one of them:

  • an USB OTG adapter (less than $10). One end of the USB OTG adapter connects to USB storage, which can be a normal thumb drive or even a portable hard disk. The other end connects to Moto G directly.
  • or, an USB OTG flash drive (price depending on the capacity. It is slightly more expensive than normal USB thumb drives with similar capacity.). Such drives usually have two USB interfaces. One large female interface allows it  to be used as normal USB thumb drive on PCs and laptops.  The male micro USB interface (OTG micro plug) allows you to insert the drive to Moto G directly.

So, if you want to use your existing thumb drives or portable disk, you can invest a few dollars to get a OTG adapter. The adapter can also be used for other USB devices.

If you are considering to get a new thumb drive, it is time to consider an USB OTG flash drive. It will be slightly expensive than normal thumb drive with similar capacity. But you can use it on both phones and PCs without any adapters.

How to use Moto G USB OTG storage?

Once you connect the USB OTG flash drive, or  a normal flash drive through USB OTG adapter, to Moto G, you can find it in Settings— Storage as shown below.

As shown in the screenshot, the USB OTG storage should be shown under USB disk.

In this case, a 64GB  storage was successfully mounted  and is ready for use on Moto G.

moto_g_usb_otg_moto_x_1_storage moto_g_usb_otg_moto_x_2_usb_storage

Once the USB OTG storage is mounted, you can use it just like a SD card. You can copy files from or to it.

Also, all media files in the USB OTG storage will be scanned automatically. So, you can access them directly from most apps.

If you want to play with individual files on the storage, you need a file manager.

In this guide, for example, you want to locate a file and play it.

You can use any file manager apps, e.g. ES File explorer.

In ES File explorer app, you need navigate to the root of the partition by tapping the “/” as shown below.

Now tap storage as shown below.

moto_g_usb_otg_moto_x_3_root_directory moto_g_usb_otg_moto_x_4_storage_folder

In /storage, you can find usbdisk folder. This is the USB OTG storage you mounted.

Tap usbdisk as shown below to browse it.

Now, you can find all files and folders in this thumb drive.

You can copy them to internal storage. You can also copy files from internal storage to this folder.

You can also play the music file on this drive directly without copying it to the phone as shown below.

moto_g_usb_otg_moto_x_5_usb moto_g_usb_otg_moto_x_6_usbdisk

moto_g_usb_otg_moto_x_7_play_from_usbdisk moto_g_usb_otg_moto_x_8_unmount

Important!! You must unmount the USB OTG storage before you remove it from Moot G!

After using USB storage, you should unmount it before unplug it from Moto G.

To unmount Moto G USB OTG storage, you need go to Settings—Storage.

As shown earlier, you need tap Unmount USB On-The-Go storage.

Then, you should get the confirmation page as shown above.:

Unmount USB On-The-Go storage?

If you unmount the USB On-The-Go storage, some apps you are using will stop and may be unavailable until you remount the USB storage.

Tap OK as shown above to unmount the storage.

If you unplug the storage without unmounting it, you may damage the thumb drive and lose all data on it.

Can I use USB OTG on Moto E?

No, Moto E does not support USB OTG.

However, Moto E 2nd Gen (Moto E 2015) supports USB OTG.

Can I use USB OTG on Moto X, including Moto X 2nd gen?

Yes, Moto X, Moto X 2nd Gen support USB OTG. You can use USB OTG devices exactly as in Moto G.

Does other phone supports USB OTG?

All current Nexus devices, Nexus 4, Nexus 5, Nexus 6, Nexus 9 support USB OTG.

Most Samsung Galaxy phones (Galaxy S3, Galaxy S4, Galaxy S5, Galaxy S6, Galaxy Note 2, Galaxy Note 3, Galaxy Note 4…)  also support USB OTG.

Some LG and HTC phones also support USB OTG.

Recommendations of USB OTG adapter for Moto G and Moto X

USB OTG adapter usually is not expensive. It should cost you less than $10. You can get it from Amazon or local shops.

But you should try to get a quality one. The poor quality connector may damage your USB port.

1. StarTech 5in Micro USB to USB OTG Host Adapter:$4.99

2. aLLreli Micro USB Host OTG Adapter Cable for Moto G: $4.99

3. If you need connect more than 1 USB device to Moto G simultaneously, try  Inateck Multi-in-1 OTG Adapter Cable: $25.99

Recommendations of USB OTG flash drive for Moto G and Moto X

Although Moto G and Moto X only supports USB 2.0, you should get an USB OTG flash drive that supports USB 3.0. This can save you time when you use the drive on PCs or laptops.  Most new PCs and laptops support USB 3.0.

The quality of USB OTG flash drive is very important. Don’t save money on unknown brands.

Nobody wants to lose data!

Also, when choosing USB OTG flash drives, do NOT choose the 90 degree design.  The two USB interfaces should align with the main body so that you can connect it to Moto G easily even if you are using cases.

1. SanDisk Ultra 64GB USB 3.0 OTG Flash Drive:around $25.  If you are on budget, you can get 16GB (around $6) or 32GB (around $15).

2.  Corsair Flash Voyager GO 64GB USB3.0 micro USB OTG Flash Drive for Android devices Similar price as SanDisk. Lower capacity (32GB and 16GB) options are also available.

Do you have any questions on using Moto G USB OTG? or using USB OTG on other devices?

If you have any questions on using Moto G USB OTG, or Moto X USB OTG, please let us know in the comment box below.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Ant says

    My MotoG5 supports exfat fully… as long as the internal microSD slot is used. Using an exfat SDcard via an USB adapter results in partial support. TotalCommander can fully navigate it, but for example, if I open a pic with PerfectViewer I can not navigate to the next pic in the folder, no matter how many pics there are. And saved html files can not be opened with Firefox at all (“file not found”) though the same files on the same card work fine if the card is put in the internal slot.
    I suspect this has sth to do with permissions. It does not seem to be possible to give permissions for access to USB drives.

    Reply

  2. ravi shanker says

    I have Moto G6 plus and I just bought SanDisk 128GB Type C pendrive. I tried connecting the pendrive with my phone. But my phone is not even reading the pendrive. The pendrive is working perfectly with other devices except my Moto g6 Plus. Please help.

    Reply

  4. Shruti says

    Does moto M support otg? If yes then plz tell me the process to connect a pendrive n a HDD to it. I have tried connecting with otg cable but nothing appears on the es explorer.

    Reply

  5. Gayatri says

    Hii, I have Moto g3rd generation . I wanted to use SanDisk ultra dual m3.0 usb on it . But my phone is not able to detect the usb. I am able to use this usb on other phones but not on mine.please help me with this issue if possible.

    Reply

  8. Greg Evans says

    Currently own a Moto x pure edition Android using marshmallow 6.0 and purchased a SanDisk utra dual USB drive 3.0/64 GB that had both micro & USB and am unable to find the safe way to unmount my flash drive device it’s not in the storage section of settings as indicated in your article so I shut phone down then unmount the device

    Reply

  9. Mithi Das says

    I could use pendrives using a otg cable with my moto g 3rd gen.Now I have bought sundisk ultra dual otg flash drive usb 3.0 32gb but it doesnot support at all,my device cannot even detect it.Why is this happening?What should I do?Please help.

    Reply

  10. Gokul says

    Can’t move or copy data to pendrive via otg cable in my Moto g4 plus.
    But can move data to my mobile via otg.
    What is the problem here? How can i fix this issue

    Reply

  11. G. Rabouille says

    Hi !

    I have a moto X 2nd gen (on android 6.0), a vention OTG adapter, a kingston mobile lite G4 usb3 SD card reader and a kingston SDHC card.

    I use ES explorer for a while now, the sd card and sd card reader works fine on PC, the otg adapter worked for an external HDD (although the power output wasn’t enough)

    Simple question :

    Why doesn’t it work ?
    I can’t see the damn SD card on my phone…

    Many thanks !

    Reply

  12. Anand says

    will moto g 2 support the 2 in 1 otg cable which allows to connect usb and charge at the same time…
    will it charges the phone?? at thesame time??
    pls letme know

    Reply

  13. sukinesh says

    I am using moto G 3rd gen with marshmallow.
    It supports USB flash drives but it does not support USB keyboard or mouse.
    Is anything to do about that?

    Reply

  14. Rahul Gaykar says

    sir i have moto g turbo edition mobile .When i attached USB (OTG) I want to explore it in my inbuild gallary or video in MX player .Can i do this ? if ,yes how ?

    Reply

  15. Kowsalraj K says

    I have Moto G (1st Gen) mobile & I want to buy “SanDisk Ultra Dual USB Drive 3.0, 64GB OTG. Does 64 GB OTG supports Moto G 1st Gen?

    Reply

  16. Matthew Stone says

    Using an usb to micro adapter…USB Memory listed but shows as empty no matter how I go at it and always shows 3.66gb of memory both on my 16gb and 64gb when plugged in. All fat32. MOTO 4g light

    Reply

  17. Ram Mohan K says

    Recently purchased Moto G4 Plus (on Marshmallow 6). Can mount a usb flash drive and access its files via settings/storage/usb.
    On ES file explorer, first time use, it seeks permission to enable access to usb drive and after that there are no problems.
    My issue though is, prior to M6, I could access all my photos (classified in different folders) on the usb via a gallery app or QickPic app as thumbnails. But now under marshmallow these apps cannot access usb otg. Even the native Photos app cannot access usb drive.
    Is there anyway that I can enable some permission, as in ES file explorer, to access my usb in these gallery apps.

    Reply

  19. Rohit says

    I connected one of my flash drive using an otg cable. But it didn’t show. My flash drive is usb 3.0 so I tried it again with a usb 2.0 flash drive and it worked. I am using Moto G Turbo Edition and I need some help.

    Reply

  20. yash says

    I have moto g3..but doesn’t support dual USB drive 3.0 of sandisk.. N when I asked this to moto live chat option..they told me that my device is not eligible for supporting otg cables..wish I could send screenshot for proof..plj help 🙁

    Reply

  21. vineet says

    Dear, updated android version 6.1 marshmallow in moto g3. Otg doesn’t show in es file explorer…
    Why???

    Reply

  23. Julio says

    With the OTG I can avoid the velocity issue that the micro sd have? Because if I expand the storange with a micro sd I need certain requeriments like the read and writing velocity. Also that the biggest micro sd that I can use in the Moto G3 is the 32gb and it need to be sdxc. So if I buy an OTG cable and any USB of 128gb I don’t have to worry about those things?

    Reply

  26. JAI BALA says

    In my moto g3 dost not ditect otg , I have checked with nearly 6 other cables and other pendrive but it used in another moto g3 , pls say how to solve otg problem in my moto g3 , pls help me…

    Reply

  28. Aditya Pingali says

    Got a Sandisk 64GB USB 3.0 OTG pen drive. It is detecting in my computer but not on my Moto G2. Any suggestions on how to resolve this issue? Need to see if I can clear this or I will have to return the product

    Reply

  29. Rahul says

    I’ve been using FX Explorer for my otg on moto g2 before the 6.0 update after which it stopped detecting.
    Since then I’m not able to find an app to toggle the write access on my pen drive which is required during some errors.
    Any suggestions on better apps since ES Explorer is what I use and it doesn’t have that option or am I missing something?
    Thanks 🙂

    Reply

  30. Johnnette says

    Yay!!!! I’m so excited. These directions, with a little reading in between the lines, has allowed me to free up a ton of space on my phone AND keep all my files. I’m so very happy. Thank you, thank you!!!

    Reply

  31. Aasif says

    Dear i tried a lot but can’t connect my moto x play with pendrive or any kind of dongle ,now please can anyone tellme the procedure to fix the problem.

    Reply

  32. P R CHANDRAN says

    I have a Moto X first generation bought in 2014. It has 3G. And I wish to use it for generating the Digital Life Certificate for pension. I have downloaded the application JeevanPramaan for this. Now I have to connect a fingerprint scanner (MFS100 from Mantra). have got it and when connected using USB OTG adapter, it is recognised by the app. But during the process, the scan is to be done, and for this the light in the scanner should be on. However, this does not happen. So scanning of fingerprint is not done. Could you explain why and what should be done to solve the issue. I think that the scanner is not getting the power needed through the USB OTG. If so, what is the solution?

    Reply

  33. Yuvraj says

    Dear Sir

    I cant connect pendrive to my moto g xt1033. It is so problematic n motorola is not providing any support. If motorola cant help in this i will be disappointed coz i like motorola a lot. Everything is fine but with moto but please give idea about connecting pendrive to moto g xt1033.

    Reply

  34. Shweta says

    A attached my otg pendrive with my moto x2nd gen., it can explore n eject data, but Dada can’t reflect on my gallary and music app , so help me for this

    Reply

  35. marsha says

    Have moto x, bought San disk dual USB drive 3.0, otg, 32gb. Phone recognizes it in storage, but unable to transfer my pictures to drive. What do I need to do to make this work? Thanks

    Reply

  36. Lepakshi says

    Hai sir I have problem on moto g3 turbo edition when I updated to android 6 otg supporting and showing but the data not transfering to each other devices help what to do now

    Reply

  40. Sultan says

    After upgrade to 6.0 my moto g3 doesn’t read the san disk dual otg pendrive someone suggested me to check in USB&storage option in settings but it still doesn’t show. I chose my external SD card as portable device while 6.0 upgrade so it that causing the issue?

    Reply

  41. Amit says

    i have moto g2. in my mobile 16 gb hp usb drive is working but 32 gb usb drive is not working. i use otg cable to connect usb drive

    Reply

  42. Rinku says

    I have moto g3.There is a lots of problem after update it to marshmallow. Otg is not showing in es file explorer,shutter sound problem.can anybody help me to resolve these problems..

    Reply

  45. Bhargav says

    I have moto g3 and i am trying to use sandisk ultra 16 GB USB 3.0 otg pendrive with my phone but it is not working in my device, but working in another Moto G3 device. In the storage location, USB storage field is blinking when USB is plugged in.
    Please provide solution.

    Reply

  46. vamsi says

    Hi, recently i purchased SANDISK ultra 64gb, I tried to connect to my moto g2, but nothing was displayed n the storage menu. May i know what could be the reason. it is in FAT32 format.

    Reply

  47. kishore says

    In moto g3 i can’t copy file or anything from device to Pendrive
    But i can copy file or anything from pendrive to device
    What to do to copy from pendrive ti device

    Reply

  48. bsomeone says

    You show the screenshots of the Lollipop OS, but this upgrade does not allow use of OTG storage on Moto G. Out of the box for first generation allowed use of the OTG storage. After system upgrades, this is greyed out. Did you only upgrade the screenshots here and not your information, or have I missed something? Please tell me, as I would really like this feature restored.

    Reply

  51. Ken says

    Got a Sandisk Dual Drive 64, but can’t make it work with my Moto 3g. The OTG works well with another regular 64Gb drive with a cable, so this proves the OTG works. I tried various formatting (extFAT, FAT32, FAT), but no success…. Not sure what to do anymore. Any hint?

    Reply

  52. gopi says

    im using moto g3 and OTG storage not working i was try OTG Pendrive and OTG cable also and i checked Pendrive format FAT32 and android version 5.1.1 so please tell me wat is the issue i don’t no exact problem please help thanks for advance

    Reply

  54. bhuvnesh kaushik says

    My sandisk ultra 64 GB USB 3.0 is not working with moto g3,some days ago its working fine but now it is not working after formatting it,now it is not mounting neither showing in es file explorer

    Reply

  56. Steve says

    I use ES Explorer app and think it’s great.
    I have a MOTO X 2013 running 5.0+ operating version.
    Running out of space so I purchased OTG Sandisk USB drive especially for camera pics and videos. I can’t figure out how to set the camera app to default to the USB drive when connected. To record or store pics directly.
    Any help would be appreciated.
    Steve

    Reply

  57. Yatendra Garg says

    My Moto 3rd gen Not Support OTG Cble while i instaled es Explore.So please give me any clue thats why i resolved this problem.
    Is any phone setting may be off ???

    Reply

  58. Thomson Ma says

    How to connect a ODG device and charging the Moto G phone at the same time?

    Could you please tell me how to do that?

    Very thanks!

    Reply

  60. karthick says

    i bought moto g3 a week back,i tried of using usb OTG but unforutanely tz nt working in my mobile, but tz working in my brothers mobile , is there any setting should i change or ny issue s in my mobile plz do help me to fix tis issue..

    Reply

  61. fahadnabeel says

    I am purchase moto g3 on flipkart 6days back when I connect USB in below 60% charge it’s working when I connect above 61% charge it’s not working that time mouse is working then what I will do plies give me a solution I will reboot 2 times & I will change otg 2 or more times when I charge full tha time USB not working & I use the battery comes 70 % tern of the times working give me a solution

    Reply

  62. Nellie says

    I have tried and failed to download files onto my Garmin dakota20 GPS using my motorolag and an otg … I am guessing it’s because it is not capable.

    Reply

  63. fahad nabeel says

    I am purchase moto g3 on flipkart 6days back when I connect USB in below 60% charge it’s working when I connect above 61% charge it’s not working that time mouse is working then what I will do plies give me a solution

    Reply

  64. amrit raj says

    i have moto g3 and i am trying to use my sandisk ultra 32 GB otg pendrive with my phone but it is not working in my device
    so what i have to do now ?

    Reply

  68. girinadh says

    Hai
    I am using moto g 1st gen, i would like to use OTG it is connecting and all is well but when i try to disconnect the otg even after unmounting the usb the phone is restarting can i know the solution for this please

    Thanks

    Reply

  69. David says

    Hi
    I don’t think my Moto G will support a Sandisk 64GB flash drive. A similar 32 GB one works fine. I’ve tried reformatting from ex FAT to FAT and also to NTFS. The drive works fine on my laptop

    Reply

  70. muhilan says

    I have bought sandisk ultra dual otg USB drive 3.0 32 gb capacity.its not supporting my motog xt1033 1st generation mobile..my internal memory is 16 GB.some body telling that motog 1st generation will support upto 16 GB..is it true??please help..reply me..thanks in advance..

    Reply

  72. Zaheer says

    Hi Simon,

    Thanks for a separate guide for OTG which I was expecting for. I have a query regarding the OTG. Please let me know whether you too have faced the same problem.

    If I Unmount the OTG (Sandisk ultra dual 16GB) from mobile, it disables the application stored in SD card. It works only if I power off and power on the mobile or unmount and mount the SD card.
    Please suggest..

    SD card apps works fine untill the OTG is connected in mobile. The problem is only after unmounting the OTG. I think while unmounting the OTG, the mobile is unmounting SD card as well. Not sure about it.

    Reply

Leave your comments

Be the first one to get the update, tips and tricks on Moto G? Get our free Newsletter Today!