OTG Cable Uses: Connect Drives, Keyboards, and Card Readers

By iView US: iView | Affordable Laptops, Tablets, All-in-Ones ... | Published: 2026-10-17

Category: How-to Guides

Turn your Android tablet into a host device with a USB OTG adapter. Here is how to connect flash drives, keyboards, mice, and card readers step by step.

Quick answer

A USB OTG (On-The-Go) cable lets a compatible Android tablet or phone act as a host so you can plug in a flash drive, keyboard, mouse, card reader, or game controller directly. Pick an OTG cable that matches your device's charging port, plug the accessory into the USB-A end, and your tablet should detect it within a few seconds. If nothing appears, check the connection and try a different file manager or accessory before assuming the cable is faulty.

What a USB OTG adapter actually changes

Your tablet's charging port is normally a peripheral, meaning it receives power and data from a computer. OTG flips that role: the tablet becomes the host and can send power and data to a small USB device. That is why a flash drive, wired keyboard, or card reader can work without a PC in the middle.

The cable itself is simple, but the handshake is not automatic on every device. Android version, manufacturer settings, and the accessory's power draw all affect whether it appears. A basic OTG cable is a passive adapter, so it does not add extra power; bus-powered hard drives may not spin up, while flash drives and card readers usually will.

Check your tablet and port before you buy

Confirm which port your tablet uses. Micro-USB and USB-C are the common ones, and they need different OTG adapters. Also check the manufacturer's specs or the device settings for a USB or OTG option. Some budget tablets support OTG only on certain firmware versions.

If your tablet has a full-size USB-A port, you may not need an OTG cable at all. If it has only a charging port, an OTG adapter is the bridge. Match the connector first; a USB-C OTG cable will not fit a Micro-USB tablet without a separate adapter.

What you can connect and what to expect

Flash drives and card readers are the most reliable OTG accessories because they draw little power. A wired keyboard or mouse is also straightforward and can make typing or navigating easier on a tablet. Game controllers vary: some work immediately, others need button-mapping apps.

External hard drives are the common disappointment. Many need more power than a tablet port provides, so they may click or stay invisible. If you need bulk storage, use a powered USB hub or stick to flash drives and SD cards.

Steps to connect an OTG accessory to your tablet

Match the OTG adapter to your tablet port: Identify whether your tablet uses Micro-USB or USB-C, then choose an OTG cable with that connector on the device end and a USB-A port on the accessory end. Checkpoint: the cable should seat fully without force. If it wobbles, you likely have the wrong connector type.
Plug the accessory into the OTG cable first: Connect your flash drive, keyboard, mouse, or card reader to the USB-A end of the OTG cable before plugging the cable into the tablet. Common mistake: plugging the OTG cable into the tablet with nothing attached, then wondering why no notification appears.
Connect the OTG cable to the tablet and wait: Insert the OTG cable into the tablet's charging port. Give the tablet 5 to 10 seconds to detect the accessory. A notification or file manager entry may appear automatically. Checkpoint: if nothing happens, unplug and reconnect once. Repeated silence usually means the accessory draws too much power or the tablet lacks OTG support.
Open a file manager to confirm the accessory: Use the tablet's built-in file manager or a third-party file app to look for a new USB or external storage entry. For keyboards, open any text field and type; for mice, a pointer should appear. Common mistake: assuming a missing file manager entry means the cable failed. Some tablets hide USB storage until you tap a notification.
Eject or unmount before unplugging storage: When you are done with a flash drive or card reader, use the tablet's eject or unmount option in settings or the notification shade before removing the OTG cable. Checkpoint: unmounting prevents file corruption. If you cannot find the option, power off the tablet before unplugging storage.

OTG cable and adapter facts

OTG Cable: This OTG Cable from iView US enables direct data transfer and connectivity between a mobile device and USB-enabled peripherals, letting a smartphone or tablet act as a host for USB devices. It is the part that turns your tablet's charging port into a usable USB-A port for a flash drive, keyboard, mouse, or card reader.
i700QW / 733TPC / 744TPC / 766TPC / 910TPC / M7 Charger - Affordable 5V/1500mAh Output, UL Certified Replacement Micro USB Adapter: This Micro USB adapter is a UL Certified replacement charger with 5V/1500mAh output for model numbers i700QW, 733TPC, 744TPC, 766TPC, 910TPC, and M7. If your tablet uses Micro-USB, this is the matching charging adapter for those models, so you can keep the tablet powered while using OTG accessories that do not need the same port.