Sony Support

Article ID : 00156291 / Last Modified : 05/29/2022Print

The USB HDD or USB memory that was used with the Android TV cannot be recognized on the Windows PC or other devices.

    When a USB storage/USB HDD is registered on an Android TV, that USB storage device will only be usable with the TV.
    To use the USB storage device with other devices, follow these steps to format it with the TV.

    USB storage/USB HDD that was formatted as a Device storage for Android TV：

    WARNING: There is a risk of data loss. Make sure to perform backup before formatting.

    1. Backup the app

      1. Press the HOME button on the remote control.
      2. Select Settings.
      3. Select Storage & reset in the TV category.
      4. Select the connected USB storage/USB HDD from Device storage.
      5. Select Erase & format.
      6. Select Back up apps.
      7. Select the app to back up.
      8. Select Internal storage or Internal shared storage.

    2. Delete data in the USB storage/USB HDD

      1. Press the HOME button on the remote control.
      2. Select Settings.
      3. Select Storage & reset in the TV category.
      4. Select the connected USB storage/USB HDD from Device storage.
      5. Select Erase & format.
      6. Select Format.

    NOTE：This action will format the USB storage/USB HDD in FAT32 file system. When dealing with videos larger than 4GB, please format the USB storage/USB HDD to NTFS or exFAT file system on a Windows PC.

    USB HDD that was registered for video recording (EU and NZ/AUS in AP only) :

    WARNING: There is a risk of data loss when following these steps. Once the USB HDD is unregistered, when registering it again, all recorded content will disappear. Also when the formatting is performed, all saved data will be deleted.

    1. Unregister the USB HDD used for video recording

      1. Press the HOME button on the remote control.
      2. Select Settings.
      3. Select Recording device setup in the Network & Accessories category.
      4. Select HDD deregistration.
      5. Select the connected USB HDD.
      6. Select Yes.
      7. Select Yes again when the confirming screen appears.

    2. Register the USB HDD as a device storage of the Android TV

      WARNING: There is a risk of data loss. Do not select "Move now". If you select "Move now", the contents saved in the TV's internal storage will be moved to the USB HDD and the USB HDD will be formatted.

      1. Press the HOME button on the remote control.
      2. Select Settings.
      3. Select Storage & reset in the TV category. 
      4. Select the connected USB HDD from Removable storage.
      5. Select Format as device storage.
      6. Select Format.
      7. Select OK.
      8. Select Move later.

    3. Delete data in the USB HDD.

      1. Press the HOME button on the remote control.
      2. Select Settings.
      3. Select Storage & reset in the TV category.　
      4. Select the connected USB HDD from Device storage.
      5. Select Erase & format.
      6. Select Format.

    NOTE：This action will format the USB HDD in FAT32 file system. When dealing with videos larger than 4GB, please format the USB HDD to NTFS or exFAT file system on a Windows PC.