How to connect a USB endoscope to Android

A USB endoscope needs three things to work with your Android phone: a compatible camera, a working USB data connection, and permission for the app to use it. A USB-C plug alone does not establish compatibility.

What you need

• An Android phone or tablet that supports USB host mode, often called USB OTG. Magic Endoscope requires Android 10 or newer. Check the phone manufacturer’s specifications for OTG support.
• A compatible UVC inspection camera. UVC is the USB Video Class used by many USB endoscopes and webcams. Check the camera’s manual; a camera with a proprietary interface may need its manufacturer’s software.
• A suitable data connection. Use the camera’s direct connector or a data-capable OTG adapter that fits your phone. A charging-only cable will not carry the video connection.
• Magic Endoscope installed on the device. See the product page for installation and availability on Google Play.

Android’s USB host documentation explains that host mode lets the phone communicate with attached USB devices, and that support is not guaranteed on every Android device. An app cannot add missing USB host hardware support.

Connect the camera

1. Open Magic Endoscope and choose USB cable (OTG) on the connection screen.
2. Connect the endoscope directly to your phone, or through the required OTG adapter. If your phone has an OTG switch in its settings, enable it according to its manual.
3. Allow camera access when Android asks. If Android also asks whether Magic Endoscope can access the attached USB device, allow that connection.
4. Wait for the live preview. Point the probe at a well-lit nearby object to check that you are seeing a changing image, rather than a dark scene or a stationary frame.
5. Save a test photo or short video. Open the gallery and check the saved result before starting an inspection.

The connection should be tested with your exact phone, adapter, and probe. Shared connectors or a familiar brand name do not mean two cameras use the same hardware or firmware.

The camera is connected but there is no picture

Work through the checks in order so you can identify what changes the result. If this started right after a phone update rather than during first-time setup, see endoscope shows a black screen after an update as well.

No USB prompt or device detection: reconnect the adapter firmly, confirm OTG support, and check that each cable carries data. If available, test the probe with another known-compatible phone or computer. A camera’s LEDs can light up even when there is no working video connection. If the phone shows no reaction at all to the probe, see USB endoscope not detected? Check the OTG switch — several brands keep USB host mode switched off by default.

Permission was denied: open Android’s app settings for Magic Endoscope and check camera permission. Reconnect the probe to request USB access again. Close other camera viewers before retrying so they do not compete for the same device.

A preview appears, but it is black: point the lens at a lit object, check the lens cover and the probe’s light control, and allow room for its minimum focus distance. A connection problem and an unlit scene can look similar.

The picture freezes or disconnects: check connector fit and cable strain. Retry with a shorter, known-good data connection if one is available. Power requirements and supported capture modes vary between cameras and phones; record the exact combination that fails. On Xiaomi phones running HyperOS, a drop that happens specifically when the screen sleeps has a separate, phone-side cause — see Xiaomi HyperOS disconnects the USB endoscope when the screen sleeps.

Save useful inspection records

Magic Endoscope can save photos and videos and show ruler overlays. A ruler is manually scaled: the app does not independently know an object’s size or its distance from the lens. Moving the camera or comparing objects at different depths can invalidate the scale. Use a suitable physical measurement method when dimensions matter.

If you enable a location stamp, check the saved image before sharing it. The visible stamp travels with that image.

When to ask for compatibility help

Send product support your phone model, Android version, camera model, connection type, and the point where setup stops. Include a USB vendor/product ID if the app shows one. Do not include private inspection footage unless it is necessary and you choose to share it.

If your camera has a battery and creates its own wireless network, follow the Wi-Fi endoscope guide instead; its USB socket may be for charging only.