Making a bootable Windows 10 USB drive on an Android phone is possible, but it’s much less reliable than doing it on a PC. You can download the Windows 10 ISO on your phone from Microsoft’s website, but popular Android USB-writing apps like EtchDroid are designed for Linux images and generally don’t produce a working Windows installer. The approach most likely to work without root is to format the USB drive as FAT32 and extract the ISO onto it, which only works if the ISO’s install.wim file is under 4 GB. If you can borrow any Windows PC or Mac for 20 minutes, that’s still the fastest and most reliable option.
Here’s what you need, each method, and how to tell which one will work for you.
What you need
- An Android phone with USB OTG support. Most phones from the last several years have it.
- A USB OTG adapter or a USB-C flash drive.
- A USB flash drive with at least 8 GB. Everything on it will be erased.
- About 6 GB of free space on your phone for the ISO, and a Wi-Fi connection.
- A file manager that can open ISO files, such as ZArchiver or RAR.
Step 1: Download the Windows 10 ISO on your phone
- Open Chrome and go to microsoft.com/software-download/windows10. Because you’re not on Windows, Microsoft offers the ISO directly instead of the Media Creation Tool.
- Under Select edition, choose Windows 10 (multi-edition ISO) and tap Confirm.
- Pick your language and tap Confirm.
- Tap 64-bit Download. The file is about 5.5 to 6 GB. The link expires after 24 hours.
If the page shows the Media Creation Tool instead, open Chrome’s menu and turn on Desktop site, or check whether the page detected your phone correctly.
Method 1: Extract the ISO to a FAT32 USB drive (no root)
Modern PCs with UEFI can boot straight from a FAT32 drive that contains the Windows setup files. The catch is that FAT32 can’t store files larger than 4 GB, and the install.wim file in current 64-bit Windows 10 ISOs is usually larger than that.
- Connect the USB drive to your phone with the OTG adapter.
- Open Settings > Storage (or Battery and device care > Storage on Samsung), tap the USB drive, and choose Format. Android formats most drives of 32 GB or smaller as FAT32.
- Open ZArchiver, find the ISO in your Download folder, and tap it to browse inside.
- Open the sources folder and check the size of install.wim (or install.esd).
- If it’s under 4 GB, go back, select all files in the ISO, and extract them to the root of the USB drive.
- Safely eject the drive in Android’s storage settings before unplugging it.
If install.wim is larger than 4 GB, the extraction will fail on that file, and the drive won’t install Windows. Android can’t split the file, so use Method 2 or one of the alternatives below.
This method only works for PCs that boot in UEFI mode. Older PCs that use Legacy BIOS mode can’t boot from it.
Method 2: Use DriveDroid (rooted phones only)
DriveDroid can make your phone act like a USB drive when it’s plugged into a PC. It needs a rooted phone, and support varies by phone model and Android version.
- Install DriveDroid and grant it root access.
- Run its setup wizard to find a USB mode that works with your phone.
- Add the Windows 10 ISO as an image and host it in read-only USB or CD-ROM mode.
- Connect the phone to the PC with a USB cable and choose it from the PC’s boot menu.
Many users report that Windows ISOs don’t boot reliably this way, so treat it as something to try rather than a guaranteed fix.
Why apps like EtchDroid often don’t work for Windows
EtchDroid and similar apps copy an image to the USB drive byte for byte. That works for Linux ISOs, which are built to boot this way, but Windows ISOs aren’t. The result usually won’t boot or will stop during setup. EtchDroid’s own documentation warns that Windows images aren’t supported.
Better alternatives if your phone method fails
- Borrow a PC for a few minutes. On Windows, Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool makes a USB installer automatically. Rufus can also write your ISO. See how to download Windows 10 onto a USB.
- Use a Mac. A Mac can make a Windows USB drive with the free wimlib tool to split the large install file.
- Ask a repair shop or library. Many will make a USB installer for a small fee, or let you use a public computer.
- Buy a Windows USB. Microsoft and authorized retailers sell Windows on a USB drive.
- Try recovery options on the PC. If the PC still starts, use Settings > Update & Security > Recovery > Reset this PC with Cloud download instead of a USB drive.
How to boot the PC from the USB drive
- Plug the USB drive into the PC and turn it on.
- Press the boot menu key right away. Common keys are F12 (Dell, Lenovo), F9 (HP), F8 or F11 (ASUS, MSI), and Esc.
- Choose the entry that starts with UEFI and your USB drive’s name.
- When Windows Setup starts, follow the prompts. For the full install process, see how to boot Windows 10 from USB.
Frequently asked questions
Can I make a Windows 11 bootable USB on Android?
The same limits apply. Windows 11 ISOs are also larger than 4 GB, and their install.wim file is too big for FAT32.
Is it safe to download the Windows ISO on my phone?
Yes, as long as you download it from microsoft.com. Avoid ISOs from third-party websites, which can be modified.
Why doesn’t my phone see the USB drive?
Your phone may not support OTG, the adapter may be faulty, or the drive may use a format Android can’t read, like NTFS. Try formatting it on the phone.
Will this erase my phone?
No. Formatting only erases the USB drive, not your phone’s storage.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.