Although Android phones currently include generous amounts of memory in their internal storage, they don’t always meet our needs. The MicroSD option is the best, although fewer and fewer smartphones include the dedicated slot for memory expansion, adding that moving applications has become more difficult. Tired of trying methods to share files, I ended up opting for the simplest thing: a USB stick.
Like this, I can transfer photos from mobile to PC in RAW format for editing, but I also connect it to my TV with Android TV to preview them on the big screen. Additionally, I always carry my personal music selection and a backup copy of the most important files with me. To do this, it is important to consider certain aspects in order not to make mistakes in the choice and configuration.
Choosing the right USB key
Going to any electronics store and buying the first USB flash drive that we see is the simplest (and most comfortable), but in order not to regret it later, I paid attention to certain aspects which in my opinion are almost essential to make a good purchase.
To start, the USB stick capacity, something that depends entirely on the needs of each user. In my case, with a 128 GB USB key, I have enough, since I am not going to copy all the files from my phone: only those that I want to keep, such as important photos, APKs of applications that are not not in the Play Store. , or music that I have downloaded and acquired throughout the years.
It’s not just the capacity that matters, but also the USB “pin” technology. Currently, the USB 3.0 ports They’re quite common, even on modern TVs, so opting for this version of the popular connector seems essential. Of course, a little advice: look in the technical sheet of the model in question. It’s not uncommon to find USB 3.0 drives that get stuck at 2.0 era read and write speeds.
Third, I would highlight the choice of a mark of trust: SanDisk, Philips, Kingston or Samsung are among the most recognized brands. I was looking for a durable storage unit, and in this sense, choosing recognized manufacturers allows for greater peace of mind.
As a fourth aspect to consider, the type of USB key. Typically, most continue to maintain the same shape as before: an elongated dongle that ends in the USB port, sometimes hidden by a tab. But there are also some with multiple ports so you can connect it to your cell phone without needing an adapter. I didn’t want to enter this market, although it doesn’t hurt to know that.
Formatting is an essential step
You’ve probably heard the term “format” on occasion. Formatting a storage drive means prepare it for use, choosing one or another type of file system. In this regard, my thoughts quickly turned to the most common system using a Windows computer: NTFS.
However, in the case of the USB stick, I had doubts and was looking for the greater compatibility With my devices, the choice to use traditional FAT32 became obvious. Well, one of its limitations made me abandon it: it cannot manage files larger than 4 GB. I only had one cartridge left, the exFAT format, which circumvents this restriction while retaining the rest of its virtues.
Later for the formatting process I used the disk partition tool from Windows; You can perfectly use any program to do this, like Rufus (it also works for formatting). My recommendation is to keep the default cluster size. I was now ready to start using it on all my smart devices.
This is how I connect it to my Android devices
Connecting a USB to a mobile phone is simpler with options like the one I mentioned above, those that have a USB Type-C output, making it easier to connect. It’s a breeze, although since I didn’t opt for this type I have to use adapters.
Fortunately, my most recent smartphone, a Pixel 6A, includes a converter with USB type A input (The standard). It saved me from spending a few dollars and now I always take it with me. This, obviously, in the case of cell phones. For my Smart TV, I don’t need anything, since it has USB ports on the back.
Did I take photos with my mobile and want to save them outside the cloud? I’ll connect it and pass them on in a moment. Should I update my offline music list with new songs? I transmit them from my PC – sometimes also from my Pixel – and they will be available when I don’t have access to the Internet.
Likewise, on the TV in the living room, I use it to watch videos that I made with my cell phone, and I admit that on occasion I have recorded television programs that I do not have had time to look. The possibilities are almost endless, and this little accessory is a real respite from the limited memory of other devices. This may sound like it’s from the last century, but I’m already saying it’s definitely worth it.
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