In this guide, we will show you the steps to flash a Custom ROM using a USB OTG device. When it comes to installing a customized firmware, then your first course of action is to flash a custom recovery. Right after that, you need to reset your device and then transfer the ROM ZIP file [along with the optional firmware, GApps, Magisk, etc] to your device. As far as the latter is concerned, using the USB mount to transfer the ZIP file is the most preferred way out.
However, there have been numerous instances wherein the PC might not be able to identify the connected device or even if it identifies it, the File Explorer wouldn’t be able to access the Internal Storage. In both these cases, you can then opt for the ADB Push command to get the job done. For that, you need to transfer the ZIP file to the platform tools directory and then use the adb push file.zip /sdcard to transfer the file to the Internal Storage.
Apart from that, we have also seen numerous users opting for the ADB Sideload method. However, it is highly recommended that you don’t opt for it because that method isn’t just used for file transfer, instead it will automatically flash the transferred file as well. But in case of TWRP and OrangeFox, you should never use the sideload method to install any file.
Instead, using the Install menu should always be your go-to choice [sideloading should only be done in AOSP recoveries]. So what can a user do when they cannot access the storage and even the ADB push fails to work? Well, this is where the role of a USB OTG device comes into the picture. So without any further ado, let’s make you aware of the steps to flash a Custom ROM using a USB OTG device.
How to Flash a Custom ROM via USB OTG Device
The below process will wipe off all the data from your device, so take a complete device backup beforehand. Moreover, the ROM flashing steps given here are generic in nature, only the USB OTG instructions will be applicable for all the Android devices. So for flashing the ROM, you’ll have to mold the steps according to your ROM and device. Droidwin and its members wouldn’t be held responsible in case of a thermonuclear war, your alarm doesn’t wake you up, or if anything happens to your device and data by performing the below steps.
- To begin with, download and extract Android SDK Platform Tools on your PC.
- Then unlock the bootloader on your device and connect it to PC via USB cable.
- Next, install the custom recovery on your device and boot your device to it via:
adb reboot recovery
- Then go to Wipe > Format Data > Type in YES > tap on the check at the bottom.
- Now go to Mount and check USB-OTG. Then go to Install and tap Select Storage
- Then select USB-OTG from the list and all the files in the OTG will now be visible.
- Choose the desired ROM ZIP and swipe to flash it. Wait for the install to complete.
- Once done, reboot to recovery and flash any additional ZIP file from the USB OTG.
- Finally, go to Wipe > Factory Reset once again. Once done, select Reboot > System.
That’s it. These were the steps to flash a custom ROM via USB OTG. If you have any queries concerning the aforementioned steps, do let us know in the comments. We will get back to you with a solution as soon as possible.
