Right - took me a few hours, but finally figured it out: the MPW loses the ability to recognize any sort of SD card or USB stick, the second I access the drive with the MyCloud app on my OnePlus 6 Android phone.
After that, only a factory reset will bring back the ability to recognize physical media. I’ve even tried the MyCloud app from a Samsung Phone - does the exact same thing.
Looks like I’m not alone in experiencing the bug, either: My Passport Wireless Pro won't recognize SD/USB anymore after using MyCloud app
The inability to use MPW with my mobile phone is a major, major inconvenience, but as I haven’t got time to find a suitable replacement before I leave for four weeks in Japan, it looks like I’m stuck having to find public PC’s to access the drive from.
Pretty serious bug, though.