How to Download and Use DriveDroid
Have you ever wanted to install a new operating system or repair your existing one without having to burn a CD or use a USB flash drive? If you have an Android phone, you can do just that with DriveDroid, an app that allows you to boot your PC from ISO/IMG files stored on your phone. In this article, we will show you how to download and use DriveDroid to create bootable USB drives with your Android device.
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What is DriveDroid?
DriveDroid is an Android app that simulates a USB thumbdrive or CD-drive by using the Mass Storage capabilities in the Android/Linux kernel. This means that you can store ISO/IMG files on your phone and expose them to your PC as if they were real USB or CD drives. You can then use them to boot your PC from different operating systems or repair disks, such as Windows, Linux, or GParted. This is ideal for trying new OS distributions, rescuing your system, or having a portable OS on the go.
How to Download DriveDroid?
To download DriveDroid, you need to follow these steps:
Launch the Google Play Store app on your device and search for "DriveDroid". Alternatively, you can use this link: .
Tap on the Install button and wait for the app to download and install on your device.
Launch the app and grant root permissions. This is required for DriveDroid to access the Mass Storage features of your device. If you don't have root access, you can use Magisk or another rooting method to get it.
Configure the Image Directory, which is the folder where you store your ISO/IMG files. You can use the default folder or choose another one.
How to Use DriveDroid?
To use DriveDroid, you need to follow these steps:
How to boot PC from ISO files using DriveDroid
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DriveDroid review: pros and cons of using your phone as a bootable USB
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Connect your Android device to your PC using a USB cable.
Test your DriveDroid USB settings by following the instructions in the next subheading.
Mount an ISO/IMG file in DriveDroid by following the instructions in the subheading after that.
Access the boot menu of your PC by following the instructions in the subheading after that.
Boot your PC from the ISO/IMG file and enjoy your new or repaired OS.
Unmount the ISO/IMG file in DriveDroid by following the instructions in the subheading after that.
How to Test Your DriveDroid USB Settings?
To test your DriveDroid USB settings, you need to follow these steps:
In the DriveDroid app, tap on the menu icon (three horizontal lines) and select USB Settings.
Select the USB System that matches your device. For most devices, this is Android. For some Samsung devices, this is UMS. For some Huawei devices, this is CD-ROM.
Select the USB Mode that matches your PC. For most PCs, this is Mass Storage. For some Macs, this is CD-ROM.
Tap on Test USB Settings and wait for the app to check if your device is recognized as a USB drive by your PC.
If the test is successful, you will see a green check mark and a message saying "USB drive detected". If the test fails, you will see a red cross and a message saying "USB drive not detected". In that case, you can try changing the USB System or USB Mode settings and test again until you find a working combination.
How to Mount an ISO/IMG File in DriveDroid?
To mount an ISO/IMG file in DriveDroid, you need to follow these steps:
In the DriveDroid app, tap on the plus icon (+) and select Add image from file. Alternatively, you can use the Download option to download an ISO/IMG file from a list of popular OS distributions or repair disks.
Browse to the folder where you stored your ISO/IMG file and select it. You can also use the search function to find it faster.
Enter a name for your image and select the type of image. For most ISO files, this is CD-ROM. For some IMG files, this is Floppy or Hard Disk.
Tap on Create and wait for the app to process your image and add it to your list of images.
Tap on the image you just created and select Host image. This will mount the image as a USB drive or CD drive on your PC.
How to Access the Boot Menu of Your PC?
To access the boot menu of your PC, you need to follow these steps:
Restart your PC and press the key that opens the boot menu. This key varies depending on your PC manufacturer and model, but it is usually one of these: F2, F8, F9, F10, F11, F12, Esc, or Del. You can also check your PC manual or online documentation for more information.
Use the arrow keys to navigate to the boot option that corresponds to your device. This option may be labeled as USB Device, USB HDD, Removable Device, CD-ROM Drive, or something similar.
Press Enter to select the boot option and start booting from the ISO/IMG file mounted in DriveDroid.
How to Unmount an ISO/IMG File in DriveDroid?
To unmount an ISO/IMG file in DriveDroid, you need to follow these steps:
In the DriveDroid app, tap on the image you mounted and select Unhost image. This will unmount the image and restore the normal USB behavior of your device.
If you want to delete the image from your list of images, tap on it again and select Delete image. This will also delete the file from your device storage.
What are the Benefits of Using DriveDroid?
Using DriveDroid has many benefits over other methods of creating bootable USB drives, such as:
You don't need to carry around a separate USB flash drive or CD/DVD disc with you. You can use your phone as a portable OS or repair tool wherever you go.
You don't need to format or erase your USB flash drive or CD/DVD disc every time you want to use a different OS or repair disk. You can store multiple ISO/IMG files on your phone and switch between them easily with DriveDroid.
You don't need to download or install any software on your PC to create bootable USB drives. You can use DriveDroid directly from your phone without any hassle.
What are the Limitations of Using DriveDroid?What are the Limitations of Using DriveDroid?
Using DriveDroid also has some limitations and challenges, such as:
You need to have root access on your device to use DriveDroid. This may void your warranty, expose your device to security risks, or cause compatibility issues with some apps or features.
You need to have a device that supports Mass Storage mode. Not all devices or Android versions support this feature, and some may require additional drivers or settings to work properly.
You need to have an ISO/IMG file that is compatible with your PC and DriveDroid. Not all OS distributions or repair disks can be booted from a USB drive or CD drive, and some may require special parameters or modifications to work correctly.
What are Some Alternatives to DriveDroid?
If you don't want to use DriveDroid or can't use it for some reason, you can try some other apps or tools that can help you create bootable USB drives, such as:
: An Android app that can write ISO files to USB drives without root access. It supports most Linux distributions and Windows 10.
: A Windows software that can create bootable USB drives from ISO files. It supports a wide range of OS distributions and repair disks.
: A cross-platform software that can create bootable USB drives from ISO files. It has a simple and user-friendly interface.
Conclusion
DriveDroid is a powerful and convenient app that allows you to boot your PC from ISO/IMG files stored on your Android device. It can save you time and hassle by eliminating the need for a separate USB flash drive or CD/DVD disc. However, it also has some limitations and challenges, such as requiring root access, device compatibility, and image support. If you want to try DriveDroid, you can download it from the Google Play Store and follow our step-by-step guide on how to use it. If you prefer other methods of creating bootable USB drives, you can check out some of the alternatives we mentioned. We hope this article was helpful and informative for you. If you have any questions or feedback, please let us know in the comments below.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions and answers about DriveDroid:
Is DriveDroid safe to use?DriveDroid is safe to use as long as you download it from the official Google Play Store and grant root permissions only to the app. However, using root access on your device may expose it to security risks or void your warranty, so be careful and backup your data before using DriveDroid.
How much space do I need on my device to use DriveDroid?You need enough space on your device to store the ISO/IMG files you want to use with DriveDroid. The size of these files varies depending on the OS distribution or repair disk you choose, but it is usually between 1 GB and 4 GB. You can check the size of the files before downloading them from the app or online sources.
Can I use DriveDroid with any PC?You can use DriveDroid with any PC that supports booting from a USB drive or CD drive. However, some PCs may require additional settings or drivers to recognize your device as a USB drive or CD drive. You can check your PC manual or online documentation for more information.
Can I use DriveDroid with any OS distribution or repair disk?You can use DriveDroid with any OS distribution or repair disk that can be booted from a USB drive or CD drive. However, some OS distributions or repair disks may require special parameters or modifications to work correctly with DriveDroid. You can check the app's website or online forums for more information.
Can I use DriveDroid while charging my device?You can use DriveDroid while charging your device, but it may affect the performance or stability of the app. This is because some devices may switch to a different USB mode when charging, which may interfere with the Mass Storage mode used by DriveDroid. You can try changing the USB System or USB Mode settings in the app if you encounter any problems while charging your device.
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