A portable storage device designed for compatibility with Android operating systems enables data transfer and storage between Android devices and computers. These devices, also known as OTG (On-The-Go) drives, feature a USB connector on one end and either a micro-USB or USB-C connector on the other, facilitating direct connection to Android smartphones and tablets. For instance, transferring photos from a smartphone to a computer, or playing media files directly from the external storage on a tablet, is a typical use case.
The availability of portable storage significantly expands the storage capacity of Android devices, addressing limitations imposed by internal storage. This is particularly useful for storing large media files such as videos and music, backing up important data, and transferring files between devices without relying on cloud services. Historically, users relied on cumbersome methods like email or Bluetooth for file transfer, but the introduction of OTG technology streamlined the process and improved efficiency.