By default, Android OS can natively recognize and access FAT32 and EXT4 formatted disks. Thus if you have an empty external hard drive that you want to use with your Android phone or tablet, the easiest way to do so would be to format your external drive in FAT32 or EXT4 filesystem.

Can phone read external hard drive?

No need for tutorials to connect a hard drive to your tablet or Android smartphone: simply plug them in using your brand new OTG USB cable. To manage files on the hard drive or USB stick connected to your smartphone, simply use a file explorer. When the device is plugged in, a new folder appears.

How do I mount an external hard drive on Android?

Mounting the Drive

Plug the OTG cable into your Android device (if you have a powered OTG cable, connect the power source at this time too). Plug the storage media into the OTG cable. You’ll see a notification in your notification bar that looks like a little USB symbol.