The procedure prepares a portable storage device for use with a mobile operating system. This process erases all existing data and establishes a new file system, making the drive compatible with the Android environment. For instance, if a flash drive contains files formatted for Windows, executing this process will reformat the drive, allowing an Android device to recognize and utilize the storage.
Properly preparing external storage is crucial for expanding device memory, transferring files between computers and mobile devices, and backing up important data. Historically, compatibility issues often arose due to differing file systems. This action eliminates such inconsistencies, facilitating seamless data exchange and ensuring the external drive functions correctly within the Android ecosystem.