USB flash drive connected by OTG cable not detected

TheJase

Hello.

I'm running the latest stable build of GrapheneOS on a Pixel 6.

I have just attempted to connect a USB flash drive to the phone using an OTG cable to perform a backup. The OTG cable is this Anker one and the flash drive is a SanDisk Extreme USB 3.0.

When the cable and drive are connected, GrapheneOS displays a notification saying "Charging connected device via USB". When I open this notification, the USB preferences are shown indicating "USB controlled by Connected device". Attempting to switch it to "This device" fails after a few seconds. The USB drive does not show up in the Files app, or as a device in the Backup settings.

On an older Motorola Moto G6 phone, the same OTG cable and USB flash drive are detected immediately, with the storage showing in the files app. If I swap the flash drive for a Logitech Unifying receiver, I can control the phone with a keyboard and mouse. On the Pixel 6, the unifying receiver is also not detected.

Under GrapheneOS, the 'Security -> USB accessories' setting is set to 'Allow new USB peripherals when unlocked'.

Can anyone suggest what the problem might be?

Hulk

TheJase
Hello!

Could you please check your USB drive, which file system is it using?

TheJase

Initially I think it may have been NTFS, but after connecting it to my Moto G6 (running Android 9), it was reformatted to exFAT. After that it still wouldn't be recognised by the Pixel 6.

Irrespective of current file system, surely the storage device should be detected by GrapheneOS and the option to reformat it presented?

TheJase

I've tried formatting the stick to FAT32 as well. It still isn't detected as usable storage by GrapheneOS. The stick works absolutely fine when plugged into my laptop.

MetropleX

TheJase can you try using the adapter that comes with the box instead of the OTG cable? If not can you not format the stick with the Pixel 6?

TheJase

I'm sorry, I'm an idiot. Of course, the phone has to be unlocked at the time I plug the USB stick in, just as the setting that I already checked indicates:

the 'Security -> USB accessories' setting is set to 'Allow new USB peripherals when unlocked'.

The stick is detected just fine. I'm sorry for wasting everyone's time.

Andy

TheJase
Hey TheJase there is no need to apologise as I found your use of the cable adaptor very interesting. Was always crap at typing and marvel at those who use two thumbs at warp factor 10. I am a mouse oriented CAD design engineer so have the acceleration wound right up! Like the idea of a wired keyboard and wired mouse rather than BT.
If you have the time would you be so kind as to explain your setup or point me in the right direction?
Thanks

TheJase

Andy , I was actually using a Logitech Unifying wireless keyboard and mouse. Logitech Unifying is their own proprietary 2.4GHz wireless protocol, but it presents as a USB HID device, so is supported by most operating systems out of the box. I just connected the receiver using the OTG cable (while the phone was unlocked, of course).

To use a wired keyboard and mouse, you'd probably have to use a USB hub to connect both at the same time and I imagine this would be quite a drain on the phones battery, powering a hub and two wired peripherals all at once. The Logitech receiver probably consumes less power, but I don't know that for certain.

treequell

I have locked this thread because a spam bot was using it for SEO.