Android 12

Submitted by mark-abc on #1

Hi,

The virtualhere server running on Android 12 seems only able to detect and share either USB Network or USB disk devices.  These seem to be the only type of device that Android 12 detects when plugged in.  

I'v tried USB to RS232 (Prolific and FTDI chipsets) , Finger Print Readers (Digital Persona URU), and smart card readers (HID Omnikey 3x21) with no success.  Plugging in these devices has no response.

The Android device is a "Blackview A52" phone running Android 12

Would appreciate any help getting these other types of devices recognised and shared, particularly USB to RS232 which is actually all I need at the moment.

Thanks 

 

Submitted by Michael on Thu, 2023/04/20 - 08:00

#2

All those devices should work fine with the VirtualHere Android App and be detected and usable remotely. So i suspect either:

You are not noticing the Permission popup. Does any permission popup display on the phone when you plug e.g the RS232 adapter into the phone?

Or there is a bug in the Android firmware of the device.

Also try wiggling the USB device a bit when plugging into the phone and see if that helps. I notice my phone sometimes doesn't seat the USB plug correctly (i test with a pixel 4a 5g)

Also you cant use a USB hub with a Android phone. You can only use the single USB port (Usually USB-C) to plug something into.

 

Submitted by mark-abc on Thu, 2023/04/20 - 17:24

#3

Thanks Michael,

No permission popup shows for the RS232 adapter.  Permission popup only shows for the Ethernet and USB Disk which in turn can  be shared by virtualhere.

However I am using a Hub, all the devices I've tested except for the Network Port (built into the Hub) have USB Type A Plugs.

(Phone) <-> USB C <-> (HUB with built in Ethernet and 3 X USB Type A Ports.) 
The onboard Ethernet of the USB Hub is always detected, any usb disk plugged into the Hub Type A ports are always detected, any Type A USB to ethernet device plugged into the Hub Type A ports is detected.

Can you give me more information as to why you said USB hubs can not be used with Android Phones.   A number of hub devices advertise support for Android and it seems (after searching) using Hubs on Android phones is not uncommon.  In my case would need the phone to be powered and share the RS232 port so a powered Hub seems the way to do this.  

Submitted by Michael on Thu, 2023/04/20 - 17:47

#4

Ive never seen a working hub on android that allows usb passthrough. All my test phones never worked with a hub.