How to Use a USB Stick or SD Card with Your Android Phone

Phone full of photos? Need to hand someone a big video? Want a physical copy of your pictures that isn't in the cloud?

Your Android phone can read and write to an ordinary USB stick, just like a computer. Many people have no idea this works. Here's how to do it, and how to use a memory card if your phone has a slot.

Before you start: Android menus vary a little between phone makers. The steps below use Google Pixel / standard Android names, with Samsung Galaxy differences noted. If you can't find a setting, tap the search bar at the top of Settings and type its name.

Use a USB stick: the 5 steps at a glance

How to use a USB stick on Android

Step 1: Get the right stick or adapter

Where: USB-C stick or USB-C adapter

Modern Android phones have a USB-C port. The simplest option is a USB-C memory stick (many have both USB-C and standard USB plugs, so they also fit a computer). Or buy a small USB-C to USB adapter (often called OTG) for a couple of pounds and use any stick you already own. The same adapter works with card readers, keyboards and mice.

Step 2: Plug it in and open it

Where: Files by Google › Browse › USB storage

Plug the stick into your phone. A notification appears. Tap it, or open Files by Google (or Samsung's My Files) and look under Browse › Storage devices for USB storage. Tap it to see what's on the stick. You can open photos, videos, music and documents straight from it without copying them to your phone.

Step 3: Copy photos and files across

Where: Select files › ⋮ › Copy to / Move to

In the Files app, go to your photos or downloads, long-press a file to select it, then tap others (or Select all). Tap the three dots › Copy to and choose the USB storage. Use Move to instead if you want to free up space on your phone, but only once you're sure the files have copied properly. Open one from the stick to check.

Step 4: Using a memory card

Where: Settings › Storage › SD card

Some phones (many Samsung A-series and budget models, though not Pixels or recent Galaxy S phones) have a microSD card slot in the SIM tray. Insert a card and it appears in Settings › Storage and in the Files app. Set your camera to save to it: on Samsung, open Camera › Settings › Storage location › SD card. Buy cards from a reputable brand and seller. Fake high-capacity cards are common.

Step 5: Eject before you unplug

Where: Notification › Eject

Pulling a stick out while the phone is still writing to it can corrupt your files. Swipe down and tap Eject on the USB notification first (or go to Settings › Storage, tap the stick and choose Eject). Wait for the message saying it's safe, then unplug. The same goes for memory cards. Eject before removing.

Pro tip

💡 Phone won't read the stick? It may be in a format Android doesn't support. Your phone can reformat it in Settings › Storage, but that erases everything on it.

FAQ

Can I plug a portable hard drive into my phone?

Often, yes. Small SSDs work well. Older spinning hard drives may need more power than a phone can supply.

Can I install apps on an SD card?

Most phones no longer allow this. Use the card for photos, videos, music and documents instead.

Is a USB stick a good backup?

It's a useful extra copy, but sticks get lost and fail. Keep your cloud backup switched on as well.

The bottom line

A USB-C stick is the quickest way to clear space or hand over big files, with no internet or computer involved. Just remember to eject it before you pull it out.