OTG type C for Android: How it works, what it is and what it is for

OTG technology is very useful for those users who use the mobile in a professional way. Therefore, below, we will talk about the OTG type C cable, a tool designed to connect various devices to our mobiles.

What is an OTG cable for Android good for?

An OTG cable is an adapter that allows the connection of mobile devices or Tablets. By using it, peripherals can be used in mobiles, in turn to insert pen drives and other gadgets, such as mice and keyboards. Without a doubt, an essential element to take advantage of the capabilities of your cell phone.

How to know if my Android has USB OTG support?

Normally, the manuals notify the functions of the device, in turn when accessing the official mobile page, you will find information about the OTG function, which is the safest, since, nowadays, most devices have it.

In any case, there is an easier way to know if your mobile has OTG. For this we will use the OTG Checker application, which will show us directly if we have the function or not. If the device is supported, you can use it to connect peripherals to the cell phone.

What are all the uses for an OTG cable?

The uses that we can give to OTG cables are endless. This technology is such that you can connect your cell phone to a television, a hard drive, a microphone and even a printer. Next, we will tell you about the most common uses for OTG cables.

Connect a hard drive

You can connect a hard drive through the OTG connection, but you have to take into account some criteria. First of all, the device must be USB, that is an external hard drive, since they are the only ones that work at 5v, the voltage of the USB connection. In the same way, sometimes it is necessary that the hard disk be in FAT32, so that the mobile can detect it.

Connect a microphone

With OTG technology it is possible to connect a microphone, as long as it is USB. This feature is useful for content creators as it enables record better quality audio. In any case, to take advantage of the characteristics of your microphone, it is best to download a program to record and edit audio for free.

Connect printer

You can connect a printer to print documents from your cell phone. It is certainly not such a simple process, but you can do it if you download apps like NokoPrint. At the same time, it is recommended to save or print the files in PDF, since you will be able to see exactly how the printing should go.

When connecting the printer via OTG, NokoPrint will detect the device, after which you must do a small configuration to default the printer. After the above, simply save your file in PDF and use the share option, finally select NokoPrint.

It is recommended to configure the Wi-Fi of a printer and use this method. If, on the other hand, you have an old printer, then OTG cable could be functional, but use it only for circumstances that warrant it.

Connect a mouse and keyboard

Possibly connecting a mouse and keyboard to the cell phone is the most common use of OTG adapters. It is an excellent option if you work from your cell phone and want to connect the devices, but keep in mind that connecting the mouse and keyboard will drain the mobile battery quickly.

What are the types of OTG cable?

• TYPE C: the most common connection in modern Android mobiles, you recognize it because it is somewhat flatter than Micro USB and it is very easy to find OTG cables for it.
• Micro USB: it has been the standard measure in most mobiles, but little by little it has been replaced with USB C, which has some advantages. Even so, there are many OTG cables of this type.
• Lightning: It is the default cable for many Apple mobiles. In turn, you can buy perfectly functional OTG adapters for this connection.
• Mini USB: connection not used, It was common in the first Smartphone, even so, some Tablets have it, therefore, there are OTG adapters with this measure.

What kind of disadvantages can I find when using an OTG cable?

• The main disadvantage of the technology is that connecting a device via OTG, entails an extra energy expenditure for cell phones, which could make the battery last less.
• Some devices may not work. In fact, sometimes downloading external apps is required to use certain gadgets.
• While cheap OTG cables are perfectly functional, if you want durability you may have to spend a little more and go for a higher quality cable.
• You cannot charge the device while using an OTG cable, at least not in most mobiles that have only one input / output, although this changes in high-end Tablets.