How to Remove Write Protection from a Pen Drive Using an Android Device
Removing write protection from a pen drive USB flash drive using an Android device can be challenging since Android generally does not provide direct access to the file system settings of external drives. However, here are a few steps you can try to resolve this issue:
Check for Physical Write Protection
Some USB drives have a physical switch that enables or disables write protection. Check your pen drive for such a switch and ensure it is not set to the write-protected position. If you have located the switch, move it to the position that allows writing to the pen drive.
Use a File Management App
If there is no physical switch, you can try using a file management app to see if the drive can be modified:
Download a File Manager: Install a file manager like Solid Explorer or ES File Explorer from the Google Play Store.
Connect the Pen Drive: Use an OTG (On-The-Go) cable to connect the pen drive to your Android device.
Access the Drive: Open the file manager and navigate to the connected pen drive.
Try Modifying Files: Attempt to create, delete, or modify files on the pen drive. If you encounter a write protection error, proceed to the next steps.
Use a Computer
If the above methods do not work, you may have to use a computer to remove the write protection:
Connect to a Computer: Plug your pen drive into a Windows or Mac computer.
Windows
Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
Type diskpart and press Enter.
Type list disk and press Enter to see all connected drives.
Identify your pen drive and type select disk X (replace X with the disk number of your pen drive).
Type attributes disk clear readonly and press Enter.
Type exit to close the diskpart utility.
Mac
Open Disk Utility.
Select the pen drive and see if you can erase or reformat it. This may remove write protection if it is set due to a formatting issue.
Format the Pen Drive
If you do not mind losing data on the pen drive, formatting it can remove write protection:
On Android: Some file manager apps might allow you to format the drive, but this is less common.
On Computer: Use the formatting option in Windows or Mac to erase all data and reset the drive.
Check for Malware
In rare cases, malware can cause write protection. If possible, scan the pen drive on a computer with updated antivirus software.
Conclusion
If none of these methods work, the pen drive may be permanently damaged or malfunctioning. Consider consulting a professional data recovery service if the data is critical.