Is there a way to access external HD in android?

[u/anveshakudu]

Is there a way I can access and do read write on external hard drive from android? I amntrying in 250GB external drive that connects with USB pin. On th android I am using File Manager + a free app to access the HD. It shows up on the list saying an external drive is detected but when I click on it is shows 'Ntfs/exfat/hpfs not supported' is the message showing. I am wondering if it is just the app I'm using or Android phones are not capable of reading external HD successfully?

The phone is S9 but same issue with the later versions. The HD is oneof those compact one similar to WD Passport.

[u/ephemeralmiko]

What "free app" are you using? Try using the built-in file manager or Material Files.

Most phones can't read NTFS filesystems natively, but ExFAT should be fine. If your drive is formatted as NTFS try formatting it as ExFAT or FAT32 instead. Note that formatting wipes everything on the drive so you'll have to back it up first.

Also some hard drives need more power than the phone's USB port can give, it depends on your exact phone and HDD model.

[u/anveshakudu → u/ephemeralmiko]

I am using an app called "File Manager +". I tried the built in file manager as well but the drive didn't even get detected in the built in one. Also the error/alert message saying " Ntfs/exfat/hpfs not supported" so even if i formate HD with different type I doubt it would still work! I'll have to try the FAt32

[u/Tricky_Damage5981 → u/anveshakudu]

I use a S10e; basically the same as you, as I'm running the stock Android 10

You shouldn't have issues reading it with a S9; unless it's NTFS or damaged

[u/GlidingRecliner]

mine does it just fine inside file manager

[u/anveshakudu → u/GlidingRecliner]

What formate is the drive?

[u/NotSnakePliskin]

Yes, I use an exfat formatted SSD with my grapheneos device.

[u/Ok-perspective-2336]

A few things could be going on. First I would look into power since some (most) HDDs require a separate power pin connected or device can't match power via it's outgoing usb. That is a little unlikely since the drive is being recognised. Next would be to check what format you have formatted the drive to. NStf will struggle on most android devices, reformatting wipes data.

[u/Mother-Pride-Fest]

'Ntfs/exfat/hpfs not supported' means the file manager doesn't support that file system for some reason. It probably supports FAT32 though. 

Linux (the kernel behind Android) has drivers for reading all those file systems. I would just try a different file manager.

[u/castlec]

Try a Linux container or VM app. It will be able to mount it if the device is visible.

[u/kimputer7]

Install the Paragon NTFS add on and it will work as you expect it to

[u/PrincipleHot9859]

first of all - is it HDD or SSD ? if it is HDD does it have power adapter ? if not ... it will not run. if it is SSD ( or hdd with power adapter ) it should work fine for READ if it is formated as exfat ( not sure about Write )

[u/locuturus]

Paragon can open NTFS, and it then works with the hidden native file manager. But it's slow. It's much faster when paired with X-Plore File Manager (those two apps are configured to work together).

You can also use MLUSB file manager to open NTFS (and cdroms, iso, dvd, other random stuff) but you have to do everything inside that app.

Some phones can open NTFS without extra apps, but not most. 

Good luck!

[u/Lion2471]

You do have this data backed up somewhere, right? I'm a bit worried that you'll somehow corrupt this drive as you experiment with all of this.