How to Find Mass Storage on a Cell Phone

Transfer files between your computer and smartphone.
... Digital Vision./Photodisc/Getty Images

Mass storage mode is a feature on Android smartphones and BlackBerrys that enables devices as a removable drive when connected to a computer. In order to use mass storage, the mode must first be enabled on the device. The phone can then be connected to a computer using the USB data cable so that the machine can read the device and its SD card as temporary drives. Once the phone is connected to the computer in mass storage mode you can drag and drop files between your phone and computer using Windows File Explorer.

1 Enable Mode -- Android

To use mass storage mode on Android devices, tap the ”Applications” icon, then tap the “Settings” icon. Tap the “More” option, then tap “USB Utilities.” Tap the “Connect Storage to PC” button to enable the mode.

2 Enable Mode -- BlackBerry

To enable mass storage mode on your BlackBerry, tap the “Settings” icon in the home screen, then tap “Storage and Access.” Tap the “USB Mass Storage” switch, then tap “OK” to enable the feature. Disable mass storage mode when you want to sync the device with BlackBerry Link software.

3 Connect to Computer -- Android

Plug the micro-USB connector on the USB data cable into the micro-USB port on your phone. Plug the standard USB connector into a free USB port on your computer. The phone displays the USB connection prompt. Tap the “OK” icon to connect the phone to your computer as a removable drive. Open File Explorer, then click the Removable Drive entry in the left sidebar to open the file system on your phone. Note that some Android devices display two drives in File Explorer: One drive represents internal storage, and the other represents the SD card. Drag and drop files between your phone and computer to transfer media, photos, videos and documents.

4 Connect to Computer -- BlackBerry

Connect the micro-USB connector to the BlackBerry’s micro-USB port, then plug the other end of the cable into a USB port on your computer. The mass storage prompt displays on the BlackBerry. Tap “OK” to connect the device as a removable drive on the computer. Open File Explorer on the computer, then click the BlackBerry Removable Drive entry in the left sidebar to open the file system on your phone. Drag and drop files between your phone and computer to transfer data.

Randall Blackburn has worked for several Fortune 1000 companies as a technical writer over the past seven years. He has produced a wide variety of technical documentation, including detailed programming specifications and research papers. Randall has also acquired several years' experience writing web content. Randall lives and works in Austin, TX.

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