Turn Any Old Phone into a Free NAS in 5 Minutes!

Turn Your Old Android Phone into a Mini NAS with Kodi & External SSD – No PC Needed!

Ever wished you could stream all your movies across the house without investing in an expensive NAS or media server? Guess what? You can totally do it using just an old Android phone, Kodi, and an external SSD or HDD.

This is one of those simple but magical setups that just works!

What You Need:

• An old Android phone (with Kodi installed) – My Phone (Redmi Note 10s)
• OTG connector (USB-C or Micro-USB depending on your phone) The one linked has both.
• External SSD or HDD (In my case Crucial SSD internal with housing)
• A TV (with Kodi installed as well) – Android Tv
• All devices connected to the same WiFi network (This one is fancy and new)

Step-by-Step Setup

Let’s break down the magic of turning your old Android phone into a fully functional media server (NAS) using Kodi and an external SSD.

This isn’t just a clever hack—it’s a surprisingly powerful and portable solution for watching your favorite content across multiple devices at home.

Step 1: Install Kodi on Your Devices

First things first, you’ll need Kodi installed on both your Android phone and your TV (or any other device you want to stream content to).

1. Go to the Kodi official site or use the Play Store to download and install it.
2. Follow the initial setup wizard if you’re opening it for the first time.
3. Make sure both your phone and TV are connected to the same WiFi network, as Kodi will use UPnP to share files across them.

Step 2: Enable UPnP on Both Devices

UPnP (Universal Plug and Play) is the magic that lets your phone “broadcast” its Kodi media library to the rest of your devices.

On both the TV and the Android phone, do this:

Open Kodi.

Go to Settings > Services.

Scroll to UPnP/DLNA.

Enable the following options:

• ✔️ Share my libraries
• ✔️ Allow remote control via UPnP

💡 This lets your phone behave like a mini server—without needing to install anything extra.

Step 3: Connect Your SSD or HDD to the Phone via OTG

Now it’s time to link your storage. This is where your movies, shows, or anime live!

1. Use an OTG (On-The-Go) connector to connect your external SSD or HDD to your Android phone.
2. Wait for a moment—most phones will auto-detect the drive. If not, use a file manager to confirm the SSD is mounted properly.
3. Open Kodi on your phone and navigate to the SSD to check if your media files appear.

🧠 Pro Tip: If your drive needs external power, use a powered OTG hub. Some older phones may not supply enough juice on their own.

Step 4: Access the Shared Content from Your TV

Now the magic happens—let’s connect your TV’s Kodi to the phone.

On your TV, open Kodi and go to Videos > Files.

Select Add Videos > Browse.

Choose UPnP devices.

You should now see your Android phone listed there (as long as Kodi is running on it).

Click it, browse to your media folder, and select the content you want to add.

Name this media source (e.g., “TV Shows SSD Library”) and confirm.

Now, sit back, grab some popcorn, and enjoy wireless streaming!

What Makes This Setup Special

• Zero Cost: You’re reusing what you already have—no need for pricey NAS hardware.
• Shared Access: Any device on the same network can access the media via Kodi.
• Fully Portable: Want to watch at a friend’s place? Just take your phone and SSD!
• Stream Ready: Perfect for binge nights, family movie sessions, or solo anime marathons.

Bonus Tips from PrimeInspire’s Lab

• Add Kodi’s Library Update feature to automatically fetch cover art, metadata, and more.
• Use a file manager Kodi add-on if you want easier browsing on the phone’s Kodi interface.
• Plug your Android phone into a charger during long movie sessions to avoid power drops.

So there you have it—a NAS made from nostalgia and nerdiness. Who needs Plex when you’ve got passion and play, Right?