The name of the USB storage appears at the top, for example USB drive, USB storage device or the drive’s own name.
FotoSafe Help
Help & instructions.
This page provides complete guidance for FotoSafe 0.18.0: managing partial and full access, identifying USB storage, understanding OTG adapters, choosing the correct folder and resolving common connection problems. The folder name alone is not enough: the top of the Android file picker must show the USB storage device.
Screenshots and videos are currently available in German only. You can view them on the German help page.
The top shows Galaxy S23, Internal storage or a phone folder. In that case, the backup would be stored on the smartphone again.
Media access and app settings
With Partial access, FotoSafe shows only the selected photos and videos. Full access is recommended for complete backups. However, FotoSafe can never grant it automatically; you always confirm it in Android's app settings.
Directly from FotoSafe 0.18.0
When partial access is active, tap “Enable full access (recommended)” in FotoSafe. FotoSafe opens the app details. Under the photo and video permissions, select full access.
Manually in Android settings, for example on Samsung devices
Open Settings > Apps > FotoSafe > Permissions > Photos and videos and allow full access. The visible labels and menu sequence can differ by manufacturer and Android version and may therefore vary from this path.
Check afterwards
Return to FotoSafe. The app then shows the detected full access status. Tap “Review selection” again. Only then will the selection include the additional accessible media.
Video guide: choosing the correct folder
The red arrows show exactly where to tap. The video is intentionally slow and has no sound.
Recorded on a Samsung Galaxy S23. The appearance may vary slightly depending on the phone and Android version.
Duration: about 19 seconds
What the arrows indicate
- In FotoSafe, tap “Select backup location”.
- Open the file picker menu at the top left.
- Select “USB storage device”.
- Tap “Use this folder”.
- Confirm access by tapping “Allow”.
When finished, FotoSafe must show the USB storage under “Destination”.
What is an OTG adapter?
OTG stands for “On-The-Go”. An OTG adapter is a small connector that enables an Android phone to read from and write to a standard USB drive.
When do you need one?
- A standard, wide USB-A drive does not fit directly into the phone’s USB-C port. You need the adapter for this.
- If your drive already has a USB-C connector, or both connector types, you do not need an additional adapter.
- A USB-C hub with a USB-A port also works if it supports data transfer.
Important: A charging-only adapter is not sufficient. The description should explicitly mention OTG or data transfer.
Step-by-step instructions
The screenshots show the actual FotoSafe interface and Samsung file picker. Labels may vary slightly depending on the manufacturer and Android version.
Actual FotoSafe screen on a Samsung Galaxy S23.
Connect the USB drive
Connect a USB-C drive directly. For a standard USB-A drive, use a data-capable USB-C OTG adapter. Then wait a few seconds.
- Unlock the phone.
- Open FotoSafe.
- Under Select, tap “Change backup location”.
“Galaxy S23 › Test” is still selected here — this is intentionally the incorrect example.
Check the storage shown at the top
The Android file picker often opens in the last folder used. First check the name at the top or in the path bar.
- “Galaxy S23” means the phone’s internal storage.
- “Test”, “Downloads” and “DCIM” may also be folders on the phone.
- Do not confirm anything until the USB storage device is clearly identified.
If only the phone appears as a storage location, FotoSafe cannot select the USB drive.
Open the USB storage
In the storage location picker, switch to the USB storage device. Depending on the device, it may appear as USB drive, USB storage device, the manufacturer’s name or its assigned volume name.
On some Android versions, use the menu at the top left. On Samsung devices, the USB storage may appear directly as a separate location. If only the phone name remains visible, go to “USB drive is not shown”.
Confirm a folder on the USB drive
Open the USB drive. If the button is active, you can select the USB drive’s root folder. If Android does not allow this:
- Tap “Create new folder”.
- For example, name it “Backup”.
- Open this folder and tap “Use this folder”.
- Then confirm Android’s access request by tapping “Allow”.
FotoSafe automatically creates its own FotoSafe folder in the selected location.
Check before confirming
The USB storage device, not the phone, is shown at the top.
The “Use this folder” button is active.
You are selecting a folder, not individual photos or videos.
Check again in FotoSafe
After selection, FotoSafe shows the chosen backup location under “Destination”. Check the name again before tapping “Check selection” and then starting the backup.
Important: Do not disconnect the drive or adapter during the backup. Afterwards, check important backups directly on the USB drive.
Remember
If the phone name appears at the top, you are in the wrong storage location. If the USB storage device appears there, you can use the folder.
USB drive not shown?
If Android does not offer the drive as a storage location, FotoSafe cannot select it either. Follow these steps in order to avoid unnecessary formatting.
1. Reconnect the drive
- Close the file picker.
- Disconnect the drive and adapter.
- Reconnect them firmly.
- Wait a few seconds and reopen FotoSafe.
2. Check with “My Files”
Open Samsung’s “My Files” app or your manufacturer’s file manager. If the USB drive is not shown there either, the issue is not caused by FotoSafe.
3. Check the adapter and power requirements
Try another data-capable OTG adapter or a smaller USB drive. Some drives require more power than the phone can reliably provide.
4. Check the file system
exFAT is suitable for large videos and commonly works with Android, Windows and macOS. FAT32 has a 4 GB per-file size limit.
Format only as a last resort
Warning: Formatting deletes every file on the USB drive. Back up existing data to another storage device first. Never format a drive merely as a guess.
Still not visible?
Test the drive and adapter on another Android device or computer. More support help
Make an informed choice
Choosing accessories
Not sure which USB drive, adapter or smartphone is suitable? This section provides clear selection guidance and specific product recommendations. The connector type, USB OTG support and data transfer capability are what matter.
- Check the connectors: USB-C on the phone; USB-C or USB-A on the drive.
- Data, not charging only: OTG and data transfer must be supported.
- Check compatibility: The Android version, file system and a real FotoSafe test all matter.
Category A
OTG adapters
A USB-C OTG adapter connects a standard USB-A drive to a smartphone. It must fit the phone’s port and explicitly support OTG or data transfer; charging-only adapters are unsuitable. A compact design places less strain on the phone’s port.
- USB-C to USB-A
- OTG and data transfer
- As compact as possible and suitable for the phone
UGREEN compact OTG adapter
Small, rigid design supplied as a pair. The adapter has been used in practice with FotoSafe and a standard USB-A drive.
Tested with FotoSafe Advertising · Affiliate linkView on Amazon*
UGREEN OTG adapter with cable
The flexible connection may place less strain on the smartphone’s USB-C port than a long, rigid setup.
Not yet tested with FotoSafe Advertising · Affiliate linkView on Amazon*
UGREEN adapter set, four pieces
The set contains adapters in both directions. To connect a standard USB-A drive to the phone, use a USB-C plug to USB-A socket adapter.
Tested with FotoSafe Advertising · Affiliate linkView on Amazon*Category B
USB drives with USB-C
USB-C drives can connect directly to many current smartphones. Dual drives with USB-C and USB-A are especially convenient: the USB-A connector plugs directly into many Windows PCs. The appropriate capacity depends on the size of your photo library; there is no blanket compatibility guarantee.
- Direct USB-C connection
- Dual drive for phone and PC
- Capacity suited to the size of the photo library
SanDisk Ultra Dual Drive Go 64 GB
Direct connection to a USB-C smartphone and a standard USB-A computer port. This model has been used in practice with FotoSafe.
Tested with FotoSafe Advertising · Affiliate linkView on Amazon*
SanDisk Ultra Dual Drive Go 128 GB
Tested mid-capacity option for photo and video backups, with direct USB-C connection to the smartphone and USB-A for the computer.
Tested with FotoSafe Advertising · Affiliate linkView on Amazon*
SanDisk Ultra Dual Drive Go 256 GB
Our tested recommendation for larger photo and video backups and easy transfers between smartphone and computer.
Tested with FotoSafe Advertising · Affiliate linkView on Amazon*Category C
USB drives without USB-C
Standard USB-A drives normally require a suitable data-capable OTG adapter for use with a smartphone. They can, however, be used directly with many computers. Check data transfer support, the file system and power requirements. Do not remove the drive or adapter during a backup.
- OTG adapter required for the smartphone
- Works directly with many PCs
- Check the file system and power requirements
SanDisk Ultra 64 GB
Standard USB-A drive for computers. A data-capable USB-C OTG adapter is also required for use with a smartphone.
Tested with FotoSafe Advertising · Affiliate linkView on Amazon*
SanDisk Ultra 128 GB
Tested mid-capacity option for local backups. A suitable USB-C OTG adapter is required for use with a smartphone.
Tested with FotoSafe Advertising · Affiliate linkView on Amazon*
SanDisk Ultra 256 GB
Our tested USB-A recommendation for larger local backups. An OTG adapter is still required for use with a smartphone.
Tested with FotoSafe Advertising · Affiliate linkView on Amazon*Category D
Suitable smartphones
The Android device must support USB OTG and the Android Storage Access Framework. Specific recommendations should preferably be based on real FotoSafe tests. The file picker may look different depending on the manufacturer and Android version; without a genuine test, no product can be described as “guaranteed compatible”.
- USB OTG required
- Android Storage Access Framework
- Document the test device and Android version
Current 0.18.0 test status: Google Play release 0.18.0 / code 35 was tested on a Galaxy S23 (Android 16), Honor 400 (Android 16) and Galaxy S21 Ultra (Android 15). On all three devices, no access, partial access, selecting more media, switching to full access and a fresh scan passed. The large-library test on the Galaxy S21 Ultra covered 14,653 media files and completed without a crash or ANR. The product cards below contain separate, explicitly labelled product experience and do not provide a blanket compatibility guarantee.
Samsung Galaxy A57 5G
The linked mid-range 128 GB model has been tested in practice with FotoSafe. Future system or app updates may change its behaviour.
Tested with FotoSafe Specifications from Samsung Advertising · Affiliate linkView on Amazon*
Samsung Galaxy S26
Our real-world tested smartphone recommendation in the linked 256 GB configuration. This positive result is not a guarantee for future updates.
Tested with FotoSafe Specifications from Samsung Advertising · Affiliate linkView on Amazon*
HONOR 600
The model was tested in practice with FotoSafe 0.14. This documented result is not a guarantee for every future system or app version.
Tested with FotoSafe 0.14 Specifications from HONOR Advertising · Affiliate linkView on Amazon*