Google has been working on adding more file formats to the Android operating system to extend its compatibility. It was previously reported that Google had added support for exFAT file format in the Android 13 running Pixel smartphones. This was somewhat perplexing given that the other OEMs have licensed support from Microsoft, which owns the format. When exFAT was introduced, it triggered a chain of developments on numerous Linux, Android, and other device kernels.
Another Microsoft-pioneered format, NTFS, has an altogether different story when compared to exFAT. The read/write capabilities were integrated into Kernel version 5.15. Mishaal Rahman of Esper reported in August on an Android 13 kernel based on that version. On the other hand, to enable support for it in the operating system, the volume daemon, which is Android’s storage mounting function needed to be modified accordingly.
And only Google can modify it. So, indirectly, only Google can decide whether to enable the support for NTFS format in Android. According to Rahman, Google has just built and integrated a program that repairs common NTFS errors. This could indicate that the company is actively working on a broader NTFS support implementation, which opens the door to the possibility that suitable Android 13 devices, as well as any device running a future Android version, will benefit from this feature.
However, during the initial phase, it may be confined to certain smartphones or only Google Pixel smartphones. We can assume that all Android 14 smartphones will support the NTFS file format. In any case, nothing has been officially confirmed, so take the information with a pinch of salt.
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