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I would like to read some potentiometers into my android phone. Is it possible to connect an arduino (ideally the arduino pro w/ USB-Serial-FTDI) to an android phone*? Other than the software part, I'm also wondering about the physical connection. I can't find a micro-b to micro-b usb cable on the internet.

Android usb port placed next to Arudino pro USB port

*I have an Android phone that runs version 4.x and another that runs 4.4.4.

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    \$\begingroup\$ Bluetooth may be a simpler solution here; especially when it comes to hard- and software support on the phone. \$\endgroup\$
    – JimmyB
    Commented Sep 3, 2014 at 11:41
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    \$\begingroup\$ "I can't find a mini-b to mini-b usb cable on the internet." - That's because the USB standard prohibits this (and other) combinations, and, thus, there are hardly any use cases for it in the wild. \$\endgroup\$
    – JimmyB
    Commented Sep 3, 2014 at 11:44

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Yes, it is possible if the phone supports USB OTG. FTDI have Android drivers on their website. It should be even possible to access it like a normal serial port, details are here

The connector is not mini-b, this is micro-b (the board) and micro-ab (the phone). You need OTG cable with micro-a and micro-b such as this.

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  • \$\begingroup\$ thanks for the reply. The phone doesn't look like micro-ab. It looks like micro-b to me. Please correct me if I'm wrong lh4.googleusercontent.com/… \$\endgroup\$
    – Jubei
    Commented Sep 3, 2014 at 12:35
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    \$\begingroup\$ Both pictured connectors are micro-b. If the phone really has OTG hardware, you have to use non-standard cable that has micro-b conector wired as a micro-a, such as this one together with second cable that has regular a(male) and micro-b. \$\endgroup\$
    – venny
    Commented Sep 3, 2014 at 12:53

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