Doesn't see the phone as a usb drive. Connect android as a USB flash drive for storage: all ways. The computer does not recognize the phone via USB - viruses

  • Date: 14.05.2021

Modern devices based on Android have many hidden functions unknown to the average user. Among such examples, one can single out the possibility of using an Android phone or tablet as a flash drive. The process of editing files, transferring from the device, and also recording the necessary information becomes easier. To connect an android as a USB flash drive, there are several ways given in our article.

To determine the sequence of actions, you must take into account the version of android used. To determine the information, on the gadget you need to find the "Settings" item, in which (usually at the very bottom of the menu) information about the device is located. Section contains specifications, certification, information about the version of Android used.

How to connect an android as a USB flash drive with version up to 4.0:

  1. Using a USB cable, we connect your device to the computer.
  2. It takes a little time to recognize the device; in the process, you should not perform any manipulations with the phone (tablet).
  3. A USB connection icon will appear on the gadget's screen, it may optionally offer a connection as a media device. We don't need these functions now.
  4. If the PC stubbornly does not "see" the device, it is necessary to debug it manually. To do this, in the "Settings" menu you need to find the "Applications" item. In it we also find the section "For the developer", after which we select the button "USB debugging" from the list. After this procedure, usually no more problems arise with the connection.

More modern devices, the version of Android in which from 4.0 and higher, are connected according to the previous algorithm. The only difference is that in case of impossibility of connection, debugging is carried out in the "Settings" section, where the "Memory" item is selected. This is where the Settings category is located, in which the USB connection is debugged. In this case, it is necessary to select the operation of the device as a media device.

How to choose android usb connection mode

On new versions of the Android operating system, the capabilities of this function are slightly expanded. When connected to a computer, a notification window usually automatically pops up on the device's screen, which will allow you to select the connection mode.

Android as a flash drive works in the following modes:

  • "МТР" - exchange of a removable device and a PC with any type of data, video and media files.
  • "RTR" - moving photos and videos if such a function was impossible in the "MTP" mode.
  • Only the device is being charged.

Newer models of Android phones and tablets are better adapted to connect via a computer, including via Bluetooth. Usually problems arise precisely with outdated models. If, after all possible manipulations, the computer still failed to establish a connection with the gadget, you may need the help of a specialist, including "examination" of both devices.

Setting up a USB connection

When connected to a PC, the data transfer mode is usually automatically selected. To prevent this from happening, and the phone itself worked like a flash drive, you need to make the following settings.

How to switch the flash drive mode on android:

  1. In the main menu on the phone, select the item "Settings".
  2. V different models the adjustment can be in different folders, so we are looking for the name "SD card" or something similar.
  3. Next, select the "Connect SD card" command.
  4. After that, we connect the device to the computer via a USB cable.
  5. After the performed manipulations, the computer independently recognizes the phone as a flash drive.

Disconnecting your phone from this mode is much easier. To do this, lower the "curtain" of the top menu and find an icon that signals the device's operation as a USB flash drive. To terminate this option, just click on the signal icon, after which the connection will take place in normal mode.

If you have connection problems

As mentioned earlier, modern devices are usually easily recognized by the system and do not require the installation of additional programs and drivers. At the same time, you can often face various situations when the connection cannot be established for unknown reasons. It is extremely difficult to foresee all possible solutions to problems, but the information provided can help.

Types of connection problems and how to fix them:

  • On Android, it is difficult to find the location of the memory card. To facilitate the search, you can download a special application like ES-Explorer. With it, it is easy to display a CD-card, and connection to a computer will become much easier.
  • In some cases, it helps to change the USB port, cable, or restart the device and / or computer. Such manipulations solve non-critical system problems and ensure good connection when connected.
  • If the computer stopped seeing the device after updating or installing new software, this may be the problem. The same rule applies to the telephone. The work of some applications can make it difficult to sync devices, so you should definitely disable running programs, as well as the Internet message.
  • Resetting the settings to the factory settings and saving the data beforehand can also help solve the problem. It should be borne in mind that in some cases it is impossible to eliminate connection failures on your own, so you have to contact the service center.

Few of the owners of modern devices know that android can easily connect as a USB flash drive, saving time when transferring data. In addition, this function makes it possible to install the necessary programs on a tablet or phone without using wireless connections. The features and algorithm of this procedure are discussed in detail in our information.

In connection Android device to computer there are no requirements or complexities. To detect the phone by the computer, you need to connect the cable to the PC and USB port computer or laptop. The contents of your internal memory or SD card will be displayed on my computer - on the Removable Disk. To view the files, you just need to use the computer explorer.

As you can see, you can easily connect your Android device to your computer, but sometimes errors occur and the data is not displayed in Windows Explorer. Most of the problems occur with Android tablets. If the information is not displayed after connecting to a PC, you need to go to Settings and select the USB Connection section. And then check what settings are set for the connection.


In this menu of yours, you need to check if there is a check mark, "Media device" MTP, which will allow you to transfer data to computers running Windows OS, MAC OS. But if the connection problem persists, you can connect the phone's flash memory using a card reader. After connecting Windows, we will inform you about the detected new device, and the "Enable USB storage" window will appear. After installation, all files will be available in the "My Computer" explorer, and you can already copy and delete new files on your flash card.

The computer does not see the connected Android tablet or phone

It is also recommended to check the "USB debugging" setting on your computer. To do this, go to on your gadget in "Settings - For Developers - UBS Debugging". We put a tick on this menu item, after which we check again the connection and synchronization with our computer. If you still have questions and problems, you can describe them in the comments. Also, if you have problems with memory when installing applications, you can familiarize yourself with the material on devices.

If your computer does not see the mobile device because it is not connected via USB, there may be several reasons for this, as well as solutions. We will try to name all the reasons and give detailed instructions to fix the problem.
Everything that we describe below is applicable to smartphones on the Android operating system, but can be used for other devices, and even for devices with other software.

Why Android phone is not visible via USB

Before determining the cause of the malfunction and finding a way to solve it, answer yourself the question: is it a pattern or an accident. If everything was connected stable before, what actions could have led to the error? Maybe you installed a program on your smartphone or computer, uninstalled desired file or edited it incorrectly? Or did absolutely no action? If you answer these questions, you can find out the cause of the problem.

If your old mobile device connected without problems to the PC in the operating room Windows system XP, then the problem is in the new smartphone. In this case, you can fix the problem by updating software or by installing a hardware independent protocol from Microsoft on Win XP. It is this MTP protocol that is responsible for transferring data over USB.

To download the Media Transfer Protocol Porting Kit to your computer, visit the official website of the company:. The installation of the protocol will take a little time, and after the completion of the process, the PC must be rebooted. If this is the problem, the mobile device will be detected on the computer.


If the mobile device does not see Windows 7, 8, or 10, the problem is solved in another way. All of the following steps are described for phones on Android 4 and higher, but they can be applied to older versions as well.

If your smartphone / tablet has a password or pattern lock, it must be unlocked, otherwise you will not see the memory contents from your PC.

If you are connecting a mobile device via USB, you should see a corresponding message on it. There should also be a USB icon on the Windows OS toolbar.


When you open the notification panel in the Android device, it should be shown how the smartphone is connected to the computer. This can be a mass storage device, a USB modem, or a webcam that supports the "time protocol". If the device is connected to the PC as a USB modem, it is invisible in the explorer. In this case, the USB tethering is disabled in the wireless settings.


If the mobile device is connected as a webcam, then the problem lies in the hardware independent protocol responsible for transferring files. In this case, you need to enable the MTP protocol.


If your smartphone has an older version of the software, you have more options to connect via USB. In this case, we recommend connecting via a USB storage device (Mass Storage). You can do this on the notification panel.

The phone does not connect via USB to the computer, but only charges

If no device is connected to your computer (no notification), you can try one of four things:

The latest versions of Android OS connect to the PC via USB in the default battery charging mode. To change the mode, use the option to select a different option.

Additional Information

If your mobile device is malfunctioning and therefore cannot be seen by the computer when connected via USB, you can use additional data transfer methods. Information from a smartphone to a computer and vice versa can be transferred as follows:
  • Synchronize through any "cloud".
  • Use one of best apps allowing you to easily and quickly connect your computer and android devices. You can install the Windows version of the program and use all its functions. For example, using this tool, you can not only synchronize data, but also have access to contacts, receive messages on the Desktop, view and work with the phone display, controlling it with the mouse. The program is so simple and intuitive that even the most inexperienced user will quickly master it.
  • Create FTP server on smartphone.

If such a situation arises, when the computer is connected via USB, the ability to move files from one device to another is lost.

The same problem leads to the impossibility of reflashing the smartphone to obtain new features or restore performance.

In order to solve the problem and restore the ability to connect the phone and the PC, you first need to determine the cause of the problem.

And this can be done by first checking the operability of the cable with which the connection is made, then the drivers, and, finally, itself.

Priority user actions

Sometimes a problem can be resolved within a few seconds. So, for example, it can disappear if the mobile gadget is blocked - moreover, both before and after connection.

Basically, when connected, the computer automatically detects a new device, and on a smartphone with (or other operating system) a corresponding message appears.

It is possible that the problem will be solved by pairing with an unlocked phone.

In addition, in most cases, they are automatically connected to the computer in charging mode.

You can tell this by the USB connection symbol at the top of the phone screen.

By clicking on it and choosing another mode (for example, "Media device"), a communication can be established to exchange data.

Rice. 2. Modes of connecting a smartphone to a computer.

The second reason, which is eliminated in just a few seconds and a couple of taps on the smartphone screen, is.

Naturally, such a function cannot be turned on by accident.

If the phone was used as a modem, to connect it to a PC and exchange files, the mode must be turned off.

And finally, the third option for solving the problem is to enable debug mode, which is required to connect to a computer on some phone models.

USB problems

The next step is to check the functionality of the cable that connects the smartphone to the computer. The problem may be that this part is worn out.

Situations often arise when the USB cable continues to charge the phone, but is no longer able to provide a connection.

The same can be observed when connecting using not a proprietary cable, but an inexpensive analogue.

To determine whether the cord is the cause or the problem is worth looking elsewhere, you can perform the following types of checks:

  • connect another device, such as a mouse, to the same port on the computer. If they work, then the problem is not with the connector. But in the absence of reaction from new devices, the user will have to solve the issue with a faulty USB port. And connect to other slots;
  • connect the same smartphone and cable to a second computer or. The absence of problems with the connection confirms the hypothesis of a malfunction on the part of the PC. If the problem recurs, it is caused by the cord or the phone;
  • use another cord (if available), the performance of which is not in doubt. If there is no connection, the old cord is most likely working.

Rice. 3. Damaged USB - microUSB cable.

In some cases, cleaning the cable from dirt and dust (on each side) that can get into the connector helps to resolve the issue with the cable. Because of this, the cord can only charge the phone.

The cleaned cable connector is reconnected to the computer.

If nothing happens, the wire is most likely damaged.

After checking it again for another connection option - for example, from a PC or another smartphone, or another PC - and making sure that it is not working, the cable should be thrown away.

And the problem with the USB connector can be solved either by replacing it (more expensive and longer, but more convenient), or by using other connectors.

Important: You can also clean the connector on the phone. However, this should be done even more carefully and more carefully than when working with a cord or a computer. In some cases, this cleaning is best done at a service center.

Driver problems

A common reason for a lack of connection between a computer and a smartphone is incorrect operation of drivers or their complete absence.

This often happens if you connect to a PC that has not previously been connected to the same operating system.

And, if the automatic connection did not happen, the user will have to manually configure the connection:

  1. Connect your phone to your computer;
  2. After the message about the impossibility of installing the driver appears, go to the device manager ("Start", the properties of the "Computer" item);
  3. Find an unknown device in the list that opens (usually indicated by a yellow triangle);
  4. Open smartphone properties and try.

Rice. 4. Correction of the problem with the lack of drivers.

If the driver is installed, but the phone still does not connect, you should go to other points to solve the problem.

But, if the installation still does not occur - even manually - you will have to use the Internet and find suitable control programs by the name of the phone.

As a rule, the manufacturer keeps such drivers for new models in the public domain. Old ones can be found there - or on thematic forums.

Rice. 5. Downloading the driver for connecting the GSmart smartphone.

Outdated operating system

The reason can be identified almost immediately if there is an outdated operating system on the user's computer.

All attempts to connect to a device running Windows 2000 or 98 will fail.

And for Windows XP, you have to download from the official Microsoft resource and install a special MTP protocol on your computer.

Rice. 6. Downloading the MTP protocol.

old phone

Despite the fact that most modern smartphones run on iOS or other platforms, technology with other operating systems also remains operational.

Tip: You should not use an antivirus program already installed on your PC and proven to be ineffective. One-time utilities like Dr. Web. Curelt or Kaspersky Virus Removal Tool.


Rice. 9. Useful and free utility Kaspersky Virus Removal Tool.

Checking the system for viruses will not hurt, even if the reason for the disconnection was not malicious code.

And while the antivirus program is scanning your computer, you can perform the same check on your phone (for example, using free antiviruses from).

Although the chances are very small that the problem with the lack of communication is, these programs perform other actions.

Contacting the service

The last option, which the user is forced to turn to if there is no result from the previous actions, is to contact the service center.

If the smartphone is under warranty, you should contact the official service, in other cases - in any.

Based on the results of the diagnostics, the staff of the center will draw conclusions and offer various solutions.

It is possible that the service will have to carry not a smartphone, but a computer. Especially in cases where the phone is easily connected to other PCs.

However, more often than not, simply reinstalling the operating system is sufficient.

And, if the reason for the lack of communication is damage to one USB input, and the others are already occupied (by keyboard, mouse,), it is worth purchasing a splitter and again increasing the number of ports to replace the broken one.

At the same time, both an internal and an external device of this type are easy to install on your own.

Alternative ways to solve the problem

Having identified the problem and trying to fix it on their own or by contacting the service, the user can spend a few seconds, or even waste a lot of time fixing the problem.

And, if you need to connect the phone to the computer immediately, you should use one of alternative ways transferring data from one device to another:

  • synchronize data using cloud storage type;

Rice. 10. Cloud storage Google Drive, with which you can exchange data.

  • install and use an application such as AirDroid for file transfer, which is intuitive to operate;
  • creation on a smartphone to which you can connect a PC;
  • Wi-Fi connection (option suitable for laptop or desktop computer).

However, for an urgent solution to the problem, all these options may not be suitable, since they require an inexperienced user to spend a lot of time.

Sometimes it is much easier (albeit more dangerous if the files contain confidential information) to use public repositories, which do not even require registration.

Many users, when trying to connect a phone to a computer using a USB cable, are faced with the fact that the computer does not recognize the connected gadget. The connected device is charging, while there is no access to the smartphone itself and its internal content. I also encountered this synchronization problem, and in this article I will tell you why the computer does not see the phone via USB, and I will also share various methods for solving this issue.

The whole complex of reasons for the problem that the PC does not see the smartphone through the USB cable, I would divide it into hardware and software, and below I will list each of them, while providing instructions on how to fix it. But before using the methods I have indicated, try restarting your computer and smartphone - this does not help as rarely as it seems. This problem mainly occurs with devices from Samsung, Lenovo, HTC, LG and Fly.

So why does the computer not see the phone via USB, but is charging - hardware reasons

1. Damaged cableUSB. It often happens that the cause of this dysfunction is damage to the USB cable itself. Cables from little-known or "non-name" manufacturers do not have a large margin of safety, and can fail literally in a couple of months from the start of operation, and as a result, the computer will not detect the connected phone.

In addition, even the most reliable cables from global brands are susceptible to stochastic damage - they can be accidentally damaged during use, can be chewed by pets or spoiled by children. Therefore, first of all, inspect your USB cable for the possibility of mechanical damage, and, if the external cable is intact, try using it to connect your device to another computer. If the device is not recognized on another PC, try replacing the cord.

2. Damaged portUSBon the computer. USB ports used in a computer are also susceptible to various mechanical damage, including damage to the USB controller as well as the south bridge. motherboard... Try plugging the cable into another USB connector if this did not help to fix the connection of the phone to the PC, follow the further tips.

3. Damaged cable jack on the phone. Has water entered the socket of the smartphone or is it damaged? If so, then it needs to be replaced.

4. Try removing the battery. According to the reviews of some users who also had a problem with the fact that the computer did not see the phone through the US-BI, removing the battery from the smartphone helped.

Turn off the battery, pull the battery out of it for a few seconds, then put it back, and turn your device back on.

If nothing helps you to fix this problem, then describe your situation. What has already been done by you and what is happening to your Android device when the gadget is connected to a PC via USB in the comments, I will try to help not only me, but also everyone who has encountered this problem.

The computer does not see the phone via USB - software reasons

After describing the hardware reasons, we will list the main software reasons if your computer still does not recognize cellular telephone connected with a USB cable, follow the instructions below.

1. We work with the settings.We go into the settings of our device, select "Memory" there, click on the three dots at the top (Properties), select "USB connection to a computer" and put a checkmark in front of "Media device" ("USB drive"). If you have a checkmark next to using USB as a modem, uncheck it.

The PC must be enabled windows service Update (to download drivers for your phone) and new device detection service. Remember to unlock your phone when connected to your computer, this is important.

If you are a conservative and have Windows XP, download the MTP (Media Transfer Protocol) for XP from the Microsoft website and install it on your computer.

2. If you have lost driversUSB- ports, the computer may not see the phone.If the drivers for the USB ports are dysfunctional, the latter simply stop working. To fix this problem, install USB drivers from the "native" driver disk to your PC's motherboard, or download the latest drivers from the motherboard manufacturer's website.

Also, due to some reason, power may be turned off for a number of ports.

3. The device drivers have flown. Go to "Device Manager" and see if there is a question mark or exclamation mark under "Portable Devices".

Check if your device is there and make sure it is working properly by right clicking on it and clicking Properties. If it is not there, or you have doubts, uninstall the driver, disconnect the phone from the computer, and then turn it back on, and let the system install the driver again. This can help solve the problem with the fact that the smartphone does not connect via USB to the computer.

Also, it will not be superfluous to enter the website of the manufacturer of your smartphone and download the latest drivers for it to your PC (for example, for Samsung there is a special software called Samsung Kies).

4. Installing the updateKB3010081 (KB3099229). Windows 10 owners may need to install update KB3010081, which is responsible for working with Windows Media Player. This player is directly related to the normal operation of the MTP (Media Transfer Protocol) service, so download and install these updates.

Also, a common reason may be an unreliable build of the OS itself on a PC. Only the rearrangement of Windows to a more working version will help here.

5. Custom firmware is inoperative. The desire of many fans to play with the firmware for their Android device can do them a disservice in the form of the device's failure to work normally with the computer. Try restoring the standard firmware or recovering from a backup (if available).

There are no drivers for the phone on the computer

Although, usually, a computer with the latest OS detects and sees a smartphone via USB without problems, the opposite cases can also be observed. Try to search the network for a driver for your smartphone, sometimes a driver for similar models of this brand may come up.

The phone may not be recognized by the computer due to viruses

It is trite, but all kinds of virus programs can block work with external mobile devices. Try to check your computer with Dr. Web CureIt !, in some cases this can help.

If the problem of detecting a mobile device by the computer is not resolved, reset the settings

If, until now, your computer does not see the phone via USB, resetting the smartphone settings using Hard Reset... Go to the settings of your phone, select the menu item " Backup", And in it select" Reset data ".

But I warn you right away that you will lose your files and settings located in the internal memory of the phone (files on the SD card will remain intact), so this item should be used only as a last resort!

Conclusion

As you can see, problems with the lack of visibility of the connected phone on the PC can be of both software and hardware nature, and there are a considerable number of such problematic factors. I would advise you to first pay attention to the possible mechanical damage in the cable and device, and only then switch to software methods.

In many cases, a simple restart of the smartphone (temporary removal of the battery), as well as working with the phone's USB connection settings, can help. If all of the above does not help and the computer does not see the phone via USB, but is charging, then you may need to contact a qualified service center.

P.S. For lovers of visual demonstrations, I present a video on the question: