How to change from MTP to mass storage mode in Android (Xperia Ray)

After upgrading my Xperia Ray to IceCream Sandwich (Android 4.0.3), I noticed that I wasn’t allowed an option to connect the phone to the PC in mass transfer mode (USB storage).

The default mode changed to Media Transfer Mode (MTP) which allowed the phone to easily connect with Windows machines, update the firmware, manage files and stuff like that. But what if you wanted to connected the phone to other devices, non-windows based machines?

Well after tinkering around with a lot of options (supposedly deep inside, supposedly restructured after that update), I found it.

Head over to Settings > Xperia > Connectivity > USB CONNECTION MODE > Change the option from MTP to MSC.

Another thing that I noticed from a few forums was that people were actually complaining about this option going reset, especially after you restart your phone, or after ever disconnection from the PC. Well, as far as I have seen, I haven’t noticed anything of that sort.

Hope this helps.

Cheers!

Posted by Arif @ 16 June 2012 13 comments

Tags : android , how to , sony ericsson , USB mode , xperia ray

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Jul 2, 2012
10:31 pm

#1 Roman Gal :

After upgrading my Xperia S to IceCream Sandwich Android 4.0.4 in THERE IS NOT USB connection mode – 100%. How to make it?

Jul 21, 2012
12:05 pm

#2 Tommi :

Its ok, it’s helped to me, but please repeat it with Android 4.0.4.
Thanks

Author

Jul 21, 2012
5:14 pm

#3 Arif :

I got these same steps working on Android 4.0.4. I am on the latest update as well.

Aug 15, 2012
8:57 am

#4 gokulk :

tanks a lot..

Oct 4, 2012
2:54 pm

#5 aaraaaaav :

what about xperia s…i dont have this opsion in dat…

Oct 14, 2012
3:27 am

#6 John :

On my xperia arc s still in android 2.3.4, go to
Settings / Sony Ericsson / Connectivity / USB connection mode. (Sony is desperately trying to make their brand relevant, at the expense of users missing important options. We get so used to trying to dodge their bloat-ware.) See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Media_Transfer_Protocol
so that you know what you are doing.

MY question is this: anyone know how to write protect my sd micro files from a virus-infected PC? Can I chmod them? If so, can anyone recommend a file manager that does only requires permission for the SD-card?

A tip: if you just want to charge from a PC, I think you can change to MSC but disable autoconnect.

cheers, John

Oct 24, 2012
8:36 pm

#7 Francis Ortiz :

MTC, can only connect on External Memory/Micro SD,

the Internal Memory cannot be access, now I can’t get my Internal Memory files…>.<

Nov 21, 2012
3:19 pm

#8 Giorgio Descalzo :

Thank you very much. It helped me to get the gui setting location.

Actually I had the opposite problem:
before upgrading I had MTP, and after , no more, so, everytime I connect to a PC the phone was unmounting the filesystem of the sdcard, so all apps/data on it were unavailable to the phone.

After googling (thank you Google !!) I found that, through root shell, or adb command you can set the default behaviour with :
for mtp mode:
setprop persist.sys.usb.config mtp,adb
for storage mode:
setprop persist.sys.usb.config=mass_storage,adb

I must say that it worked, but of course it is far better having chance to change it through the gui !!
Giorgio

Dec 13, 2012
2:27 pm

#9 Murali :

I am using sony xperia u, but there is no option to choose msc mode and by default it goes to mtp mode. how to change this… please help me…

Dec 31, 2012
11:26 pm

#10 Somebody :

you are the best!

Feb 25, 2013
3:01 am

#11 green :

Thank you so much
Having this problem since yesterday, make me crazy.
Now I can connect to pc, thanks.

Mar 12, 2013
5:05 am

#12 hanas :

please help me… im using xperia SL, under my connectivity settings..my phone only have Install PC companion and trusted devices (no trusted hosts)..theres no USB connection mode..please somebody help me..

Mar 30, 2013
11:53 pm

#13 karmen :

@hanas Same here xperia sl, no option to choose mass storage. Stuck @ MTP whenever i connect to computer. Tried setting through adb (command prompt) but couldn’t get it to work.