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USB Media Explorer?
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sbd01 is fortunately incorrect.
You can load movies on a USB flash drive and then mount them using a USB OTG cable and the app "Nexus Media Importer"
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.homeysoft.nexususb.importer
I have done this personally.
Edit: This works without root, just to be clear.
And if the built-in functionality doesn't get you far enough (it doesn't support NTFS drives, and some older apps are clunky or don't work with external drives), USB Media Explorer (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.homeysoft.nexususb.importer) is a great addition.
It can be done on a computer. I have two 128g drives formated to fat32 for use with my pioneer DJ setup, but I had to download a small program to my PC to do it. Can't remember the name off the top of my head. Do a google search and you will find a bunch of simple programs for formatting drives to whatever you want.
That said, you don't need to format the drive if you use an app that can overcome this limitation like USB Media Explorer or (what I'm using now) the USB plug in for Solid Explorer.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.homeysoft.nexususb.importer
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=pl.solidexplorer.plugins.otg
I use Nexus Media Importer and ES File Explorer.
Nexus Media Importer can read and write NTFS drives no problem. Root is not required.
ES File Explorer can read NTFS, but not write. Root also not required.
Usually I have no need to delete or edit files on the USB key, so I tend to use ES the most. It's a great file manager, the best one out there as far as I'm concerned, so I'm usually using it for other things anyway so it's just easy to connect the USB stick and keep using the same app.
I do keep Nexus Media Importer around for when I want to delete files, or copy files onto the USB sticks.
Yes, you can use USB OTG with the Nexus 7. But I believe it only worked with the Nexus Media Importer app - not a real issue though. (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.homeysoft.nexususb.importer&hl=en_GB)
I've only dabbled with OTG on my previous phone (moto x 2014) but Nexus Media Importer worked for me there.
Linkme: Nexus Media Importer
How about Nexus Media Importer? This one does not require root and allows accessing an external storage (although does not actually "mount" it).
Total commander has some non-root usb plugin.
And there is the Nexus Media Importer ... that's the app I use most of the time.
edit: added links
Ive had luck using USB Media Explorer on my Pixel 3a & 6a
http://homesoft.info/nmi/faq.shtml
It started working on the P6 series with A13 due to mainline kernel have the necessary patches and Google finally adding support for it in vold.
For earlier Pixels, Paragon works in conjunction with X-plore or USB Media Explorer works too.
4 months https://blog.esper.io/android-dessert-bites-27-exfat-on-pixel-532176849/
I know you didn't ask but, there's a non-foss app that supports exfat.
For all these years, Google has stubbornly refused to include exFat support which is how most sd cards and USB drives (>32GB) are formatted as which prevented people form being able to read/write to their external storage unless a special app was used.
Other OEMs such as Samsung, LG, Sony et al have had no such problems since years. With A13 on the P6 series, users can finally use their exFat-formatted external storage drives natively.
But why is it not compatible? What's the actual reason? If it's the exact format, can you just buy an exfat app?
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.homeysoft.nexususb.importer
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.paragon.tcplugins_ntfs_ro&hl=en&gl=US
I use exfat and NFTS thumb drives and sdcards (via a USB/USab-C adapter and reader).
You need to get the USB Media Explorer app (aka Nexus Media Importer app from back when Google Nexus predated Pixel) https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.homeysoft.nexususb.importer
Its like $3. I basically only use it for my drives, USB PC harddrives, and 64+ GB sdcards.
Sorry i know this is a old thread but try this
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Worked perfectly for me with a exFat formatted drive
I use this for USB drives/thumbdrives/sdcards on my Pixel. It's like $2.
Read/write exfat/NTFS/fat32: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.homeysoft.nexususb.importer
My setup: https://imgur.com/a/7CZimoN
If you root and/or install a custom kernel you can use ExFAT.
I believe, USB Media Explorer also supports it on any modern device. Paragon definitely does. I think both might be read only though. Neither requires root.
I use this app and it's worked fine for me. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.homeysoft.nexususb.importer It should automatically detect it. I don't use Spotify though so I can't speak to that aspect of it.
After I posted I found this ... https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.homeysoft.nexususb.importer&hl=en ...it is $4 but it does work, it is basically a media player for OTG, and so far it seems very useable.... ideally I want the media players I already use to have OTG support but it is good enough for now I guess
I don't know why VLC and Phonograph weren't able to access it, but I was able to get it to work with this app, Nexus Media Importer. I have to use the built-in media player, which actually meets all my music player criteria (although it's not quite as pretty as some other apps).
Theres Nexus Media Importer if it not native to either of the Nexuses ?
Perhaps someone would kindly clarify.
I've got one of these and coupled with Nexus Media Importer, it works great. It also works with ES File Explorer.
Did you try Nexus Media Importer?
Example of a USB OTG drive note the regular USB port for use with computers, and microUSB port for use with phones.
Example of a USB OTG adapter cable allowing normal USB drives to be used with compatible phones.
Example of a USB OTG App, many other free and non-free apps are available, this is the one I've used for the last few years. If this particular app says your device is not compatible then your phone likely does not have USB OTG/host support. Other apps should indicate compatibility the same way, though its down to the developer to indicate that its a required feature in their app manifests, so some apps may install on a device that doesn't have the required features. If in doubt somewhere on the web will likely indicate whether your particular device has support or not. It's becoming more common with recent models of phone.
Interestingly USB OTG doesn't limit you to just flash drives. Android devices with USB OTG support and an appropriate adapter cable can use USB mice, keyboards, and on recent versions of android can use USB headsets to a certain extent. Can't say I recommend using android with a mouse though, it's just not the same.
if you aren't rooted you can use Nexus Media Importer
But if you are rooted like /u/tahzh has said you can use StickMount to mount the pendrive, then in your file manager of choice you can navigate to usbstorage.
Also I recommend using FX File explorer with the root and plus addons.
I believe because Pixel uses FAT32. You would need a third party app like https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.homeysoft.nexususb.importer
This one worked for me https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.homeysoft.nexususb.importer There's also js usb otg which works for some people but didn't work for me
This is what I use for my SDcards in any format other than fat32: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.homeysoft.nexususb.importer
I have a SDcard USB reader with exfat and NTFS. I can read/write to it on my pixel 2.
This is the app you need. $4 https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.homeysoft.nexususb.importer
File manager doesn't support most drives try other file managers. I use this https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.homeysoft.nexususb.importer
So here's an update.
I first want to thank you for responding and offering your input!
I also want you to know that although I had asked for model specific info I decided to go a different route.
1) I went with this for my power supply:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07SQPS7N2/ref=ppx_od_dt_b_asin_title_s00
Got it for $15 USD with a coupon and an additional percentage off.
I figured with the same 30W PD and additional 18W QC ports it was a deal.
2) I found this hub:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07M6R3CPB/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00
With another coupon it came to $30 USD, another good deal.
I knew I wasn't getting all the ports some of the other hubs offered, but hey...a good price for something labeled "2019 Update" (maybe upgraded chipsets?) and the power delivery looked good-to-go!
Found it cheaper on Ebay, but buying through them I consider a crap shoot...there are way too many con artists set up there these days, you never know WHAT you'll get.
At least I have guaranteed return options with Amazon.
3) I just tested it with that Seagate Slim :
https://www.newegg.com/p/N82E16822178436?item=9SIA9K89UG1149
This I picked up for $20 USD (still in box with protective wrapping) at a local Goodwill store.
4) I also years ago had purchased the USB Media Explorer:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.homeysoft.nexususb.importer
to use with one of my first tablets, the old Nexus 10...which still works albeit only with external power (the battery is shot)!
Everything works...it just works.
I can now pack the Seagate and run it as long as I want without draining the internal battery and by doing so I hope prolong the life of the Tab S4.
Again, thanks!
Anker USB C Hub (Model AK-A83520A1)
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Anker-PowerExpand-Delivery-Ethernet-Chromebook/dp/B07PPGWQ15/
£54 so a bit on the expensive side but I figured if it didn't work I could use it with a pc and add a second display or something. This is the model with Gigabit Ethernet first available on Amazon UK on 14 May 2019, there is a different 7-in-1 which swaps the Ethernet for another USB-C port and is £35 (AK-A83460A1) first available from 13 Nov. 2018, there are chipset differences so I have no idea if the cheaper model will work, it ought to but the sheer lack on information is a large part of the problem with finding hubs that work.
Performance is not stellar, but faster than a WiFi transfer for which I get about 10MB/s (80mbps) from both a Ubiquiti Access point using smb and a travel router with hdd attached using ftp. With the initial USB-C to A with USB-C adapter cable I achieved a stable but fluctuating slightly 12MB/s, with the Anker USB-C to USB-C cable I get a stable and consistent 17MB/s (136Mbps).
There is definitely a bottleneck in the hub, I presume this is the fault of the Tab S4 as this hub is designed for Chromebooks and Ultrabooks where a lack of performance would be noticed. When I plug in a usb flash drive directly into the S4 (Lexar P20 capable of over 100MB/s sustained read and write) it maxes out at 50MB/s reading, in the hub it only reaches the same 17MB/s. If you want 50MB/s performance then I'd consider getting a Samsung T5 portable SSD which can be powered by the Tabs S4, unlike portable hdd with spinning platters. If it wasn't for the fact I wanted support for over 1TB of portable storage, which would have doubled my costs, I would probably have gone that route.
One last piece of information which is very important. Writing drivers to transfer from external usb attached storage is apparently very difficult, the vast majority of Android Apps only manage a few MB/s when transferring. Even the increasingly popular MiXplorer v6 over at forums.xda-developers.com the developer was/has been/is struggling with achieving decent transfer speeds.
I've only found two file transfer apps which achieve decent speeds for usb transfers, the first was the infamous ES File Explorer before it was removed from the Play Store, the other is a pay app (cheap though at £3.14) called USB Media Explorer
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.homeysoft.nexususb.importer&hl=en
My N7 2013 is on 4.4 and OTG works fine using an app called USB Media Explorer. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.homeysoft.nexususb.importer
USB Media Explorer works good for this, https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.homeysoft.nexususb.importer It is $4 though...
nexus media importer It doesn't require root and has NTFS read/write support
If you have the dock hooked up to the tablet, everything should work. Let me explain: https://i.imgur.com/9aMuChq.jpg
The cables would all run behind the dash of course. This also might have you cut the dash in a couple places but that was always going to happen with an install like this.
You would connect the micro USB port from Link 1 to the tablet, the USB 2.0 Female port to the male part of the 1 meter extension piece, and the USB hub to the female port of the 1 meter extension piece.
Edit: Like so: https://i.imgur.com/RXX74QJ.png
To have a Nexus 7 read files from a device, you'll to do something like this: http://www.androidcentral.com/how-use-your-usb-flash-drives-nexus-7-root
I'm confident it'll be able to play music from the loaded device, but you should always do research on that too.
Edit 2: This app claims to allow you to do so: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.homeysoft.nexususb.importer&hl=en
However I'd still do more research before putting money into these things immediately. All up to you of course though.
How about Nexus Media Importer ?
I'm assuming it will other wise:
You don't have to be rooted: if you're not or don't want to then you need: Nexus Media Importer
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.homeysoft.nexususb.importer
Edit: don't understand the downvote: am I wrong? please clarify.......