Determining Your Phone's OTG Compability

Varo’s OTG functionality allows you to connect your Android phone to cold chain equipment. Many Android phones support OTG (On-The-Go), but it may need to be manually enabled. This guide helps you verify whether your phone supports OTG and provides steps to enable it if necessary.

Step 1: Download Varo

After downloading Varo from the Google Play Store , when you open Varo, if your phone does not support OTG, Varo will display a message letting you know.

If you do not see the above screen when opening Varo, your phone supports OTG. Next, try plugging in an OTG device.

Step 2: Connect OTG Device

Connect your phone to a USB device via an OTG adaptor. For example, you can use a Varo adaptor to connect to a Fridge tag or other USB device.

Once connected to a USB device, your phone should prompt you to select an application to handle the connected device.

If you see the prompt your phone supports OTG and you do not need to take any further actions to use Varo with OTG cables.

Step 2: Enable OTG in Settings

If you do not see the prompt above, you may need to enable OTG in your settings.

Some phones support OTG but require it to be turned on manually. Follow these steps:

For Most Android Phones:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Use the search bar to look for “OTG”, “USB OTG”, or “OTG Connection”.
3. Toggle the OTG option ON.

For Specific Brands:

• Samsung:
  • Open Settings > Connections > More connection settings.
  • Look for USB OTG and toggle it ON.
• OnePlus:
  • Navigate to Settings > System.
  • Find and enable OTG Storage (this setting often resets after 10 minutes of inactivity).
• Xiaomi/Redmi:
  • Go to Settings > Additional Settings > OTG.
  • Enable OTG Connection.
• Huawei:
  • Open Settings > Advanced Settings.
  • Toggle ON OTG Support.

Step 4: Test the Connection

Once OTG is enabled:

1. Connect your Varo-compatible logger or cold chain equipment using the OTG adapter.
2. Check if the device appears in your phone’s notifications or in the Files app.

Important Notes

Timeout Settings: Some phones, like those from OnePlus, disable OTG automatically after a short period of inactivity (typically 10 minutes). If your device disconnects unexpectedly, revisit the settings and re-enable OTG.

Adapter Quality: Low-quality OTG adapters may cause connectivity issues. Use the Varo OTG adapter or a reliable third-party adapter.

Older Android Versions: Phones with older Android versions may lack native OTG support. In such cases, external apps or rooting may be required, but these solutions are less reliable and not recommended for critical applications.