External storage devices, designed with a standard USB interface and adapted for mobile operating systems, provide a portable solution for data transfer and backup. These devices typically connect to Android phones via a USB OTG (On-The-Go) adapter, enabling the phone to recognize the storage medium as an accessible drive. An example includes a standard USB flash drive connected to a smartphone through a USB-C to USB-A adapter.
The utility of such storage devices stems from their capacity to expand limited internal phone storage, facilitate easy file sharing between devices, and offer secure offline data backups. Historically, these solutions have bridged the gap between desktop computing and mobile devices, addressing the need for accessible and transferable data in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. This approach enables users to manage and access various file types, including documents, photos, and videos, independent of cloud-based services.