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To install apps and games on a USB drive, set it up as device storage in the SHIELD’s Storage settings. This formats and encrypts the drive for that SHIELD, so back up its contents first. If you only need to store media or other files, leave the drive as removable storage; apps and app data cannot be installed there.
Check which SHIELD TV you have first
Expansion options differ by SHIELD model. NVIDIA’s expandable storage guide, updated September 29, 2021, lists USB and microSD options by generation and model. In particular, the cylindrical SHIELD TV and SHIELD TV Pro do not have identical expansion options. Check your exact model and its available ports before choosing a drive.
Choose how the USB drive will be used
Device storage for apps and games
Choose this mode if your aim is to add space for apps or games. The drive is formatted and encrypted for the SHIELD, and should be treated as dedicated to that device rather than as a drive you can freely move among a PC, camera, or other devices. NVIDIA’s SHIELD TV Pro user guide says: “Apps and app data cannot be installed on ‘removable storage’.”
Removable storage for files
Use removable storage if you want to keep files on the drive and access or share them without adopting the drive for app storage. NVIDIA’s USB storage guide describes FAT32, exFAT, NTFS, and HFS+ support for USB storage. Its filesystem guidance is model- and use-specific; it is not a reason to manually format a drive intended for device storage.
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- A compact, plug-and-stay, high-speed USB 3.1 flash drive that’s ideal for adding more storage to laptops, game consoles, in-car audio and more
- Simple, fast way to add up to 128GB of storage to your device [1GB=1,000,000,000 bytes - Actual user storage less]
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NVIDIA notes that a FAT32 drive of 32 GB or less cannot hold a single file larger than 4 GB. The same guide describes exFAT for drives of 64 GB or more. These details concern file storage and should not be read as universal formatting instructions for every SHIELD model or storage mode.
Set up a USB drive as device storage
- Confirm model compatibility. Check your SHIELD’s expansion options and make sure it has an available USB port for the drive.
- Back up the drive. Device-storage setup erases, formats, and encrypts the drive for the SHIELD. NVIDIA’s storage expansion instructions and the Pro user guide both warn that setup formats the storage device.
- Connect a USB 3.0 drive. Attach a compatible flash drive or external USB drive to an available USB port. NVIDIA identifies USB 3.0 as the supported speed class for an external drive used as adopted storage in its SHIELD troubleshooting guidance; this is guidance, not a performance guarantee.
- Open the storage settings. On the SHIELD TV Pro guide’s software path, go to Settings > Device Preferences > Storage, select the USB drive, then choose Set up as device storage. On older software, the corresponding path is Settings > Device > Storage & reset. Labels can vary by software generation.
- Complete the on-screen prompts. Follow the formatting and any migration prompts. Do not unplug the drive while setup is in progress.
Choose a drive that fits your setup
NVIDIA’s guidance points to USB 3.0 for adopted storage, but the available sources do not establish a current head-to-head speed or price comparison between flash drives and external USB SSDs. Compare the options against your needs:
Rank #2
- Compact plug-and-stay design to instantly add storage to your laptop, game console, in-car audio, and more
- Save time with ultra-fast transfer speeds up to 400MB/s (Based on read speed. 1 MB/s = 1 million bytes per second. Based on internal testing; performance may vary depending upon host device, usage conditions, drive capacity, and other factors. USB 3.0 port required.)
- Transfer a full-length movie to the drive in less than 30 seconds (Based on 1.2GB MPEG-4 video transfer with USB 3.2 Gen 1 or USB 3.0 host device.)
- Get space for your high-resolution photos, videos, and more at a great value with up to 128GB of storage (1GB=1,000,000,000 bytes. Actual user storage less.)
- Password-protect files using a downloadable software (Password protection uses 128-bit AES encryption and is supported by Windows 10+ and macOS v10.9+ (Software download required, see Password Protection page on SanDisk site).)
- Physical fit and connection: confirm the drive can connect to an available port on your exact model.
- Capacity: if adopting it, consider a capacity above the built-in storage you want to supplement. NVIDIA’s older expansion guide describes a scenario involving 16 GB of existing internal storage; that figure is not universal across SHIELD models.
- Dedicated use: device storage is formatted and encrypted for the SHIELD. If you need to move the drive between devices and keep ordinary files on it, removable storage is the more suitable mode, but it cannot hold installed apps or app data.
NVIDIA’s older expansion guide named the SanDisk Extreme CZ80 64GB USB 3.0 Flash Drive (SDCZ80-064G-GAM46), SanDisk Ultra 128GB USB flash drive (SDCZ48-128G-A46), and Corsair Flash Voyager Slider X1 128GB USB 3.0 Flash Drive. Those are historical examples from that guide, not current product endorsements or verified recommendations for current firmware.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Eject the drive before disconnecting it
Use the SHIELD’s storage or eject controls before unplugging the drive. NVIDIA warns in its troubleshooting guidance that failing to eject USB storage can cause applications to crash.
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Quick Recap
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- Super-fast transfer speeds with up to 100MB/Sec
- Enabled for USB 3.0, this fast drive lets you transfer and store large files up to ten times faster than USB 2.0 drives.USB 3.0 enabled (backward compatible with USB 2.0)
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- System ram type: ddr3_sdram
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- 【Rugged & Waterproof Design】Built to last, our usb jump drive features advanced UDP packaging technology, ensuring superior durability and waterproof protection. Keep your valuable data safe from spills, rain, and everyday wear and tear
- 【Universal Compatibility】This USB drive works flawlessly across Windows, Android, Linux, Chrome, and Mac OS. Enjoy plug-and-play convenience with laptops, smart TVs, car audio systems, gaming consoles, and other USB-enabled devices
- 【Mini and Portable】Compact and lightweight, this mini USB 3.0 flash drive includes a keyring hole for easy attachment to keys, backpacks, or lanyards. Take your files anywhere while ensuring they stay secure and within reach at all times
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