Help How can I get native Android apps to recognize files on an OTG flash drive?

Android Question · Jul 13, 2015

I have an Huawei Ascend Mate 2. I recently purchased a flash drive with both a USB and Micro USP connector. I can load files on it from my computer and if I download an file manager app I can play media files. However is there a way to get my native music player to recognize these files on this flash drive without this going to this third party file manager first?

funkylogik · Jul 13, 2015

If you use a music player app like PowerAmp it lets you choose what folders it "sees" (there's a free 14day trial and I'm sure other players allow the same)
Have you checked your stock players settings?

moreofless · Jul 14, 2015

funkylogik said:
If you use a music player app like PowerAmp it lets you choose what folders it "sees" (there's a free 14day trial and I'm sure other players allow the same)
Have you checked your stock players settings?

I just use the stock music app. It does not seem to recognize anything except the internal storage and the SC Card. I loaded ES File Explorer. That will access the OTG flash drive but it does not help integrating the OTG flash drive with the stock apps. The stock File Manager does not "see" the flash drive. I was hoping (expecting) the stock apps for music, video, and photos would "see" the flash drive since my phone has OTG capability.

electricpete · Jul 14, 2015

Media scanning is done during boot to identify files for media players. Maybe try reboot with usb plugged in. Or maybe force media scan after attach usb, using app like this
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.addz.mediascanner

moreofless · Jul 16, 2015

electricpete said:
Media scanning is done during boot to identify files for media players. Maybe try reboot with usb plugged in. Or maybe force media scan after attach usb, using app like this
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.addz.mediascanner

I have not tried this app but I did restart the phone with the OTG flash drive attached. My music player still does not "see" the files. I also used the scan function in the music player but it does not find the files on the OTG flash drive. When I use the ES File Explorer app to access the files a little window pops up saying some about access with an ip address after it. Is this how the On The Go function is designed to work?

electricpete · Jul 16, 2015

When I navigate to a media file on my USB-to-go in ES File Explorer and click on it, it acts the same as if it were on my SD card (in es file explorer). Specifically a pop-up will occur if I have multiple app options available for opening the file with no default set. But if I have previously defined a default application (by checking "always" when I opened a file), then there is no pop up and the default app opens playing the file immediately.

moreofless · Jul 20, 2015

electricpete said:
When I navigate to a media file on my USB-to-go in ES File Explorer and click on it, it acts the same as if it were on my SD card (in es file explorer). Specifically a pop-up will occur if I have multiple app options available for opening the file with no default set. But if I have previously defined a default application (by checking "always" when I opened a file), then there is no pop up and the default app opens playing the file immediately.

I can get to the files using ES File Explorer. What I thought I would be able to do is have my stock music app play these files just the same as it plays files on my SD card. The stock music app does not "see" these files no matter what I do.

Slug · Jul 20, 2015

moreofless said:
The stock music app does not "see" these files no matter what I do.

Android scans available storage volumes for media content at each boot. As external USB resources are only available after boot has completed and the drive is connected, their content isn't included in this process.

One possible workaround would be to create playlists while the OTG media is connected, which will then give quick access to the files so long as the OTG drive is connected.

moreofless · Jul 20, 2015

Slug said:
Android scans available storage volumes for media content at each boot. As external USB resources are only available after boot has completed and the drive is connected, their content isn't included in this process.

One possible workaround would be to create playlists while the OTG media is connected, which will then give quick access to the files so long as the OTG drive is connected.

I cannot add them to a playlist because the music player never sees the files. The only way I can access them is with ES File Explorer. If I select a music file a windows points up "connecting to 127.0.0...).

electricpete · Jul 20, 2015

I cannot add them to a playlist because the music player never sees the files.

A possible explanation for this is the timing problem mentioned above. So maybe try to force a scan using one of the google play apps for media scanning?
'

The only way I can access them is with ES File Explorer. If I select a music file a windows points up "connecting to 127.0.0...).

You're saying you can't even launch/play a file from ES File explorer? ... because it gives you a popup about 127.0.0?

That's different than my results. If I select UsbDriveA from the "hamburger" menu on left then I can view / open files from ES just as if they were on an sd card. It sounds like you got something like a network message...did you select something on the network menu instead of UsbDriveA?

moreofless · Jul 21, 2015

electricpete said:
A possible explanation for this is the timing problem mentioned above. So maybe try to force a scan using one of the google play apps for media scanning?
'
You're saying you can't even launch/play a file from ES File explorer? ... because it gives you a popup about 127.0.0?

That's different than my results. If I select UsbDriveA from the "hamburger" menu on left then I can view / open files from ES just as if they were on an sd card. It sounds like you got something like a network message...did you select something on the network menu instead of UsbDriveA?

Sorry about the confusion. If I select the file with ES File explorer it will play. It will pop up the message connecting to 127.0.0.0.1 or something like that and it will play. However, I cannot access it from directly from the music player on my phone. I can access the folders on the flash drive so the files on the flash drive cannot be added to the folders or playlist or artists etc. I have used a media rescan app and I have restarted the phone. The only way I can access these file is with ES File explorer. It seems like most of the apps on my phone are aware the flash drive is there.

electricpete · Jul 21, 2015

I can understand why you want the convenience of your normal media player. However I personally don't launch files with anything other than a file explorer, so I can't say if that is normal that you're media player app doesn't see usb files.

Two shots in the dark

1-Maybe check using pc to see if you have a .nomedia file on your usb. That would "hide" your files from the media scanner.

2-I VAGUELY remember hearing that power amp works better at finding files than other music players. I don't know why that would be unless it didn't rely on the system media scanner. Might be worth a try as a Hail Mary in case you like power amp. Then again, I might be mistaken on this. Is there anyone out there who can comment on power amp?

By the way (not sure if it matters) I don't get any 127.0.0... message when launching a file from es file explorer.

funkylogik · Jul 21, 2015

PowerAmp has a setting to let you choose which folders/files it "sees" but I'm sure other players allow the same :thumbsupdroid:

It has a 14 day full function free trial so nothing to lose

moreofless · Jul 31, 2015

funkylogik said:
PowerAmp has a setting to let you choose which folders/files it "sees" but I'm sure other players allow the same
It has a 14 day full function free trial so nothing to lose

I tried PowerAmp. It also does not "see" the files. The only way I can play the files is to use ES File Explorer. If I play the file from there, that is when I get the 127.0.0.1 message.

electricpete · Jul 31, 2015

Sorry, I guess I sent you on a wild goose chase there.

mukelojau · Jul 31, 2015

Some devices kernel doesn't fully support USB OTG, and maybe that could be your main issue.. have you check it out?

glc · Jul 31, 2015

The US version ( MT2L03 ) Does not support USB OTG storage.

Help How can I get native Android apps to recognize files on an OTG flash drive?

Android Question

Guest

share the love peeps ;)

Lurker

Android Expert

Lurker

Android Expert

Lurker

Check six!

Lurker

Android Expert

Lurker

Android Expert

share the love peeps ;)

Lurker

Android Expert

Newbie

Android Enthusiast

BEST TECH IN 2023

Smartphones

Best Android Phones

Upcoming

Best iPhones

Upcoming

Tablets

Best Tablets

Upcoming

Laptops

Best Laptops

Upcoming

Televisions

Best TVs

Upcoming

Game Consoles

Best Game Consoles

Upcoming

Wearables

Best Wearables

Upcoming

Smart Home

Smart Home Tech

Upcoming

Similar threads